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Gather regularly (preferably daily) at your icon corner or other place of
prayer in the home. After a few moments of silence light any candles in your
prayer corner and, if you wish, burn incense. Realize that you are dwelling in
God's presence and make the sign of the cross three times, quietly saying each
time:
O God + be merciful to me, a sinner.
[Throughout these prayers, ' +
' is an indication
that it is proper to make the sign of the cross.]
Then say all or a selection of the following prayers in the order given. When
two or more people gather for prayer, one person should say the prayers
indicated for the "leader" while the remaining prayers are said in
unison or by a single person appointed by the leader. "Amen" should
always be said by everybody gathered.
Introductory Invocation
Leader:
Through the prayers of our holy fathers,
O Lord Jesus Christ, + our God, have mercy on us.
Response: Amen.
Glory be to You, + our God, * glory be to You.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all
things, * Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell within us,
cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.
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Throughout Pascha (i.e. the 40 days of
the Easter Season).
The following is prayed three times instead of
"Glory…: Heavenly King…":
Christ is risen from the dead! * By death He conquered death; * and to
those in the graves * He granted life. |
Customary Beginning Prayers
Holy God, + Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, * have mercy on us.
(3
times)
Glory be to the Father + and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and
ever and forever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master,
forgive our transgressions; * Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for
your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. * Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father + and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and
ever and forever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master,
forgive our transgressions; *Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for
your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. *Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father + and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and
ever forever. Amen.
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.
Leader: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father,
+ Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.
Response: Amen
Lord, have mercy. (3 times) * Lord, have mercy. (3
times)
Lord, have mercy. (3 times) * Lord, have mercy. (3
times)
Glory be to the Father + and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and
ever and forever. Amen
Come, let us adore + our King and God.
Come, let us adore + Christ, our King and our God. *
Come, let us adore + and bow down to Christ, our King and our God.
Psalm 51(50)
When praying with more than one person,
divide the group in two and alternate in praying the verses.
Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.
O, wash me more and more from my guilt
My offenses truly I know them;
Against you, you alone, have I sinned;
That you may be justified when you give sentence
O see, in guilt I was born,
Indeed you love truth in the heart;
O purify me, then I shall be clean;
Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,
From my sins turn away your face
A pure heart create for me, O God,
Do not cast me away from your presence,
Give me again the joy of your help;
That I may teach transgressors your ways
O rescue me, God, my helper,
O Lord, open my lips
For in sacrifice you take no delight,
My sacrifice, a contrite spirit.
In your goodness, show favor to Zion:
Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,
Then you will be offered
Glory be to the Father + and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
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Throughout Bright Week (the week of
Easter),
the following should be prayed instead of Psalm 51(50)
Leader: Let God arise and let his enemies
be scattered and let those who hat Him flee from before his face.
Response: Christ is risen from the dead! * By death He
conquered death; * and to those in the graves * He granted life.
Leader: As smoke vanishes so let them vanish as was melts
before a fire.
Response: Christ is risen from the dead! * By death He
conquered death; * and to those in the graves * He granted life.
Leader: So let the wicked perish at the presence of God and
let the righteous ones rejoice.
Response: Christ is risen from the dead! * By death He
conquered death; * and to those in the graves * He granted life.
Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made, let us exult
and rejoice in it.
Response: Christ is risen from the dead! * By death He
conquered death; * and to those in the graves * He granted life.
Leader: Glory be to the Father + and to the Son and to the
Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Response: Christ is risen from the dead! * By death He
conquered death; * and to those in the graves * He granted life.
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Prayer of Repentance
O God, remit, pardon, and forgive my sins committed voluntarily or
involuntarily, in word, deed, or thought, with knowledge or in ignorance, with
foreknowledge and purpose, by day or by night. Forgive all these for You are
gracious + and You love mankind. Amen.
Symbol of Faith
I BELIEVE in one God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, of
all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, the only begotten, born of the
Father before all ages. Light of light, true God of true God, begotten, not
made, of one substance with the Father; through Whom all things were made. Who
for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate from
the Holy Spirit and Mary the Virgin, and became man. He was also crucified for
us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And He rose again on the
third day, according to the scriptures. And He ascended into heaven, and sits at
the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory, to judge the
living and the dead and of his kingdom there will be no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and 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, and apostolic Church.
I PROFESS one baptism for the remission of sins.
I EXPECT the resurrection of the dead; and the life of the owrld to come. Amen.
Scripture Reading(s)
Use the Church calendar as a guide
or choose a passage yourself.
Hymn to the Mother of God
It is truly proper to glorify you, * who have borne God, * the Ever-blessed,
immaculate, and the Mother of our God. * More honorable than the Cherubim, * and
beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, * who a virgin, gave birth to
God the Word, * you, truly the Mother of God, we magnify.
Hymn or Troparion of the Day
Now, if available, select and pray a liturgical prayer
appropriate to the feast, commemoration,
or observance of the day.
Angelic Salutation
Hail, mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. *
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. * For you
gave birth to Christ, the Savior, and Redeemer of our souls.
Prayer of the Hour
Leader: O Good God, in all times and places You are worshipped
and glorified both in heaven and on earth. You are long-suffering and generous
in your mercy and compassion. You love the just and show mercy to the sinner,
calling all people to repentance through the promise of blessings to come. Deem,
O Lord, at this very hour, to receive our supplications and to direct our lives
in the path of your commandments. Sanctify our souls; purify our bodies; set
right our minds; cleanse our thoughts; deliver us from all affliction, trouble,
and distress; surround us with your holy angels so that, guided and guarded in
their camp, we may attain oneness of faith and the knowledge of your unspeakable
glory. For You are blessed + now and ever and forever.
Response: Amen.
The Prayer of Saint Ephrem
This prayer is only said Monday through Friday
during the Great Fast and when other penitential
"days of Alleluia" are prescribed.
O Lord and Master of my life, keep from me the spirit of indifference and
discouragement, lust of power, and iddle chatter. + Prostration
Instead grant to me, your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being,
humble-mindedness, patience, and love. + Prostration
O Lord and King, grant me the grace to be aware of my sins and not to judge
my brothers and sisters, for you are blessed now and ever and forever. Amen.
+ Prostration
Prayer to the Mother of God
O most glorious Ever-virgin Mary, Mother of Christ our God, accept our
prayers and present them to your Son and our God that He may, for your sake,
enlighten and save our souls.
Prayer of Saint Joannicius
The Father + is my hope, the Son + is my refuge, the Holy Spirit + is my
protection: O most holy Trinity, glory be to You.
Special Family Intentions
O Lord, remember your servants (here
mention their names and any particular needs)
Remembrance of our deceased loved-ones: O Lord, rest the souls of your
departed servants (here mention their names)
Special private supplications or devotions may be made now.
Dismissal
Glory be to the Father + and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and
ever and forever. Amen. * Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. * Lord, have
mercy.
Leader: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ,
+ our God, have mercy on us.
Response: Amen.
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Now venerate (kiss) the Holy Cross and, if you wish, any
other icons. The leader may also choose to offer the cross or an
appropriate icon to be venerated. Partake of or bless yourself with holy
water while being mindful of your baptismal commitment. The leader may
also bless the family members with holy water using the customary
christian greeting
Leader: Christ is among us!
Response:
He is and will be. |
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