The Introductory Prayers to Every Hour
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.
Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord bless us. Amen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.
Having invoked the Holy Trinity, be still so that your thoughts may be freed from worldly cares. Make the sign of the cross and bow three times, each time saying the prayer of the publican: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”
We Praise Thank You, O Lord
O Lord, we praise you and we glorify You. O Lord, we bless You and trust in You. O Lord, we entreat and plead to You. O Lord, we submit ourselves to Your holy name and we serve You. O You, to Whom all knees bend and all tongues confess, we bow down to You. You are the God of gods, Lord of lords and King of kings. You are the creator of all, visible and invisible. As Your Holy Son taught us to pray in this manner, make us worthy to pray:
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 the evil one, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
O My Lady Mary
O my lady Mary, with the salutation of Saint Gabriel the Angel, greetings to you. You are virgin in body and in conscience. Greetings to you, Mother of the God of hosts. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. O full of grace, rejoice for God is with you. Pray and beseech your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, that He may forgive us our sins.
The Prayer of Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to the beneficent and merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ; for He has covered us, helped us, guarded us, preserved us, accepted us unto Himself, spared us, supported us, and brought us to this hour. Let us then ask Him, the Lord our God, the Almighty, to guard us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our lives.
O Master, Lord, God the Almighty, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, we thank You for everything, concerning everything, and in everything; for You have covered us, helped us, guarded us, preserved us, accepted us to Yourself, spared us, supported us, and brought us to this hour.
Therefore, we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, grant us to complete this holy day, and all the days of our lives, in all peace with Your fear. Take away from us, all your people, and from this holy place that is Yours, all envy, all temptation, all the work of Satan, the counsel of wicked men, and the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest.
But provide for us those things which are good and profitable; for it is You Who have given us the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, by the grace, compassion and love of mankind of Your Only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, through Whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto You, with Him, and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver, Who is of one essence with You, now and at all times, and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.
The Penitent’s Prayer
Psalm 50 (51)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be justified in Your words and blameless in Your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being, and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that You have broken rejoice. Hide Your 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 Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For You will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; You will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
Do good to Zion in Your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will You delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar. Alleluia.
The Sixth Hour (Noon)
At this hour of the day our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. The nails were hammered in His hands and feet. He tasted the vinegar and myrrh.
We offer to Christ, our King and our God, the prayer of the sixth hour of this blessed day, beseeching Him to forgive us our sins.
From the Psalms of our father David, the prophet and the king. May his blessings be upon us all. Amen.
PSALM 53 (54)
O God, save me by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might. O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.
For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves.
Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. He will return the evil to my enemies; in Your faithfulness put an end to them.
With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks to Your name, O LORD, for it is good. For He has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. Alleluia.
PSALM 56 (57)
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; He will put to shame him who tramples on me. God will send out His steadfast love and His faithfulness!
My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts—the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth!
They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your steadfast love is great to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth! Alleluia.
PSALM 60 (61)
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
Let me dwell in Your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of Your wings! For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
So will I ever sing praises to Your name, as I perform my vows day after day. Alleluia.
PSALM 62 (63)
O God, my God, I will rise up early unto You; for my soul has thirsted for You: to make my flesh blossom for You, in a barren land and a trackless and dry place. So I have appeared before You in the Holy, to see Your power and Your glory. For Your mercy is chosen more than life: my lips shall praise You. So I will bless You during my life: I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be filled as with marrow and fatness; and lips of joy shall praise Your name.
I have remembered You on my bed: in the time of early morning I have usually meditated on You. For You have become unto me a helper, and under the shadow of Your wings I shall rejoice. My soul has kept very close behind You: Your right hand has upheld me. But they vainly sought after my soul; they shall go into the lowest parts of the earth. They shall be delivered up to the hand of the sword; they shall be portions for foxes. But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone who swears by him shall be proud; for the mouths of those who speak unjust things shall be shut. ALLELUIA.
PSALM 66 (67)
God shall pity us, and bless us; and reveal His face upon us and have mercy on us. That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples, O God, give praise to You; let all the peoples give praise to You. Let the nations rejoice and exult, for You will judge peoples in equity, and guide nations on the earth. Let the peoples, O God, give praise to You; let all the peoples give praise to You. The earth has yielded its fruit. God, our God, shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him. ALLELUIA.
PSALM 69 (70)
O God, be mindful of my help; make haste, O Lord, to help me. Let them be ashamed and be scorned, those who seek my soul: let them be turned backward and put to shame, those who wish to do evil unto me. Let those who say to me, “Aha, aha,” be turned back in shame immediately. Let all who seek You exult and be glad in You: and let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified.” But I am poor and weak; O God, help me: You are my Helper and Savior, O Lord, do not delay. ALLELUIA.
PSALM 83 (84)
How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, ever singing Your praise!
Blessed are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of Your anointed!
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You! Alleluia.
PSALM 84 (85)
LORD, You were favorable to Your land; You restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin. You withdrew all Your wrath; You turned from Your hot anger.
Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away Your indignation toward us! Will you be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us Your salvation.
Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him and make His footsteps a way. Alleluia.
PSALM 85 (86)
Incline Your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am godly; save Your servant, who trusts in You—You are my God. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to You do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon You. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon You, for You answer me.
There is none like You among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours. All the nations You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. I give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your name forever. For great is Your steadfast love toward me; You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set You before them. But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give Your strength to Your servant, and save the son of Your maidservant. Show me a sign of Your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. Alleluia.
PSALM 86 (87)
On the holy mount stands the city He founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God.
Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—“This one was born there,” they say. And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High Himself will establish her. The LORD records as He registers the peoples, “This one was born there.”
Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.” Alleluia.
PSALM 90 (91)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—the Most High, Who is my refuge—no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Alleluia.
PSALM 92 (93)
The LORD reigns; He is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; He has put on strength as His belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty!
Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits Your house, O LORD, forevermore. Alleluia.
Holy, Holy, Holy. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to our teacher Saint John. May his blessing be with us all. Amen.
The Holy Gospel According to Saint Matthew (5:1-16)
Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive 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 those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
“You are the light of the world. a city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Glory be to God forever. Amen.
May the saying of God be fulfilled in peace. We worship You, O Christ, with Your Good Father and the Holy Spirit, for You have come and saved us.
ንሰግድ ለከ ክርስቶስ ምስለ ኣቡከ ኄር ሰማያዊ ወመንፈስከ ቅዱስ ማሕየዊ እስመ መጻእከ ወኣድኀንከነ።
♱ LITANIES ♱
1. O You, Who was nailed to the cross on the sixth day and in the sixth hour for the sin which our father Adam dared to commit in Paradise, blot out our record of sins and save us, O Christ our God.
I cried to the Lord and He heard me. God, hear my prayer, and do not refuse my petition. Be attentive to me and hear me in the evening, in the morning, and at midday. I say my words, and He hears my voice and delivers my soul in peace.
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
ስብሐት ለኣብ ወወልድ ወመንፈስ ቅዱስ።
2. O Jesus Christ, our God, Who killed sin as You were nailed to the cross in the sixth hour, by Your death You made alive the dead man, whom You created with Your own hands, and who had died in sin. Put to death our pains by Your healing and life-giving passions and by the nails with which You were pierced. Rescue our minds from the thoughtlessness of earthly deeds and worldly lusts. Let us remember Your heavenly commandments, according to Your compassion.
Now and forever and unto the agesof all ages, Amen.
ይእዜኒ ወዘልፈኒ ወለዓለመ ዓለም ኣሜን።
3. Since we have no favor, nor excuse, nor justification because of our many sins, we implore through you, O Mother of God, forgiveness of Him who was born of you, the Virgin, for abundant and acceptable is your intercession with our Savior. O pure mother, do not exclude sinners from your intercession with Him whom you bore, for He is merciful and able to save us, because He suffered for us to deliver us. Let your compassion speedily reach us, for we are exceedingly humbled. Help us, O God, our Savior, for the glory of Your name. O Lord, deliver us and forgive us our sins for the sake of Your holy name.
Now and forever and unto the agesof all ages, Amen.
ይእዜኒ ወዘልፈኒ ወለዓለመ ዓለም ኣሜን።
4. You wrought salvation in the midst of all the earth, O Christ our God, as You stretched Your holy hands on the cross. Therefore, all nations cry out saying, “Glory to You O Lord.”
Glory to the Father, and the Son,and the Holy Spirit.
ስብሐት ለኣብ ወወልድ ወመንፈስ ቅዱስ።
5. We worship Your incorruptible person, O Righteous One, asking for the forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God. For, of Your will, You were pleased to be lifted up onto the cross, to deliver those whom You created from the bondage of the enemy. We cry out to You and give thanks to You, for You have filled all with joy, O Savior, when You came to help the world. Lord, glory to You.
Now and forever and unto the ages of all ages, Amen.
ይእዜኒ ወዘልፈኒ ወለዓለመ ዓለም ኣሜን።
6. You are she who is full of grace. O Mother of God, the Virgin, we praise you, for, through the cross of your Son, Hades fell down and death was abolished. We were dead, but we are raised, worthy of eternal life, and gained the delight of the first Paradise. Therefore, we thankfully glorify the immortal Christ, our God.
Then the worshipper prays:
Lord, hear us and have mercy on us and forgive us our sins. Amen.
Kyrie eleison. (ኪርያላይሶን) Lord have mercy. (እግዚኦ መሐረነ ክርስቶስ - egzi’o meharene kristos) (41 times).
Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord of hosts (sabaoth). Heaven and earth are full of Your glory and honor. Have mercy on us, O God the Father, the Pantocrator, O Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, God of hosts, be with us. For we have no helper in our hardships and tribulations but You. O God, absolve, forgive, and remit our transgressions; those which we have committed willingly and those we have committed unwillingly; those which we have committed knowingly and those which we have committed unknowingly, the hidden and the manifest. O Lord, forgive us for the sake of Your Holy name which is called upon us.
Let it be according to Your mercy, O Lord, and not according to our sins. Amen.
በከመ ምሕረትከ ኣምላክነ ወኣኮ በከመ ኣበሳነ።
Make us worthy, O Lord, to pray thankfully:
The Lord’s Prayer ….
The Prayer of Intercession ….
Absolution of the Sixth Hour
We thank You, our King, the Almighty, the Father of our Lord God and Savior, Jesus Christ, and glorify You, for You have made the times of the passions of Your Onlybegotten Son to be times of comfort and prayer. Accept our supplication and blot out the handwriting of our sins that is written against us, just as You destroyed all the power of the enemy in this holy hour, by the cross of Your Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior of our souls.
Grant us, O God, a glorious time, spotless conduct, and a peaceful life, so that we may please Your holy and worshipped name, so that we may stand before the fearful and just throne of Your Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord without falling into condemnation. Let us, together with all Your saints, glorify You, our Father, Who is without beginning, and the Son Who is of one essence with You, and the Holy Spirit the Life-Giver, now and forever and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.
The Concluding Prayer for Every Hour
Have mercy on us, O God, and have mercy on us. You, Who at all times and in every hour, in heaven and on earth, are worshipped and glorified. Christ our God, the good, the long-suffering, abundant in mercy and great in compassion; Who loves the righteous and has mercy on sinners of whom I am chief; Who does not wish the death of the sinner but rather that he repents and lives, Who calls all to salvation for the promise of the blessings to come, have mercy on us.
Lord, receive from us our prayers in this hour and in every hour. Ease our life and guide us in fulfilling Your commandments. Sanctify our spirits. Cleanse our bodies. Guide our thoughts. Purify our intentions. Heal our diseases. Forgive our sins. Deliver us from every evil, grief and distress of the heart.
Surround us by Your holy angels, that, by their presence, we may be guarded and guided, and attain unity of faith and knowledge of Your incomprehensible and infinite glory. For You are blessed forever. Amen.
Make us worthy, O Lord, to pray thankfully:
The Lord’s Prayer ….