READER'S VESPERS
(Vespers without a Priest)
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
TRISAGION
Holy God; Holy mighty; Holy immortal: have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory... Both now....
All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy (thrice)
Glory… Both now…
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.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
Lord, have mercy (twelve times)
Glory... Both now...
O Come, let us worship and fall down before God, our King. (metania)
O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. (metania)
O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God. (metania)
THE PROËMIAKÓN
(Psalm 103) Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, Thou hast been magnified exceedingly. Confession and majesty hast Thou put on, Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment, Who stretchest out the heaven as it were a curtain; Who supporteth His chambers in the waters, Who appointeth the clouds for His ascent, Who walketh upon the wings of the winds, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire, Who establisheth the earth in the sureness thereof; it shall not be turned back for ever and ever. The abyss like a garment is His mantle; upon the mountains shall the waters stand. At Thy rebuke they will flee, at the voice of Thy thunder shall they be afraid. The mountains rise up and the plains sink down, unto the place where Thou hast established them. Thou appointedst a bound that they shall not pass, neither return to cover the earth. He sendeth forth springs in the valleys; between the mountains will the waters run. They shall give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild asses will wait to quench their thirst. Beside them will the birds of the heaven lodge, from the midst of the rocks will they give voice. He watereth the mountains from His chambers; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men, To bring forth bread out of the earth; and wine maketh glad the heart of man. To make his face cheerful with oil; and bread strengtheneth man's heart. The trees of the plain shall be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon, which Thou hast planted. There will the sparrows make their nests; the house of the heron is chief among them. The high mountains are a refuge for the harts, and so is the rock for the hares. He hath made the moon for seasons; the sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night, wherein all the beasts of the forest will go abroad. Young lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their food from God. The sun ariseth, and they are gathered together, and they lay them down in their dens. But man shall go forth unto his work, and to his labour until the evening. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all; the earth is filled with Thy creation. So is this great and spacious sea, therein are things creeping innumerable, small living creatures with the great. There go the ships; there this dragon, whom Thou hast made to play therein. All things wait on Thee, to give them their food in due season; when Thou givest it them, they will gather it. When Thou openest Thy hand, all things shall be filled with goodness; when Thou turnest away Thy face, they shall be troubled. Thou wilt take their spirit, and they shall cease; and unto their dust shall they return. Thou wilt send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be unto the ages; the Lord will rejoice in His works. Who looketh on the earth and maketh it tremble, Who toucheth the mountains and they smoke. I will sing unto the Lord throughout my life, I will chant to my God for as long as I have my being. May my words be sweet unto Him, and I will rejoice in the Lord. O that sinners would cease from the earth, and they that work iniquity, that they should be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Alleluia. The sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. (thrice)
O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee.
Lord, have mercy (forty times)
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
Here we may read the Psalter reading of the day. If the Psalter is read, we say afterwards “Lord, have mercy” twelve times then “Through the prayers of our holy fathers…” and then continue below. If the Psalter is not read, continue immediately below:
O LORD, I HAVE CRIED - chanted in the tone of the first sticheron
(Psalm 140) O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me. Hear Thou me, O Lord. O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me; give ear to the voice of my supplication when I cry out unto Thee. Hear Thou Me. O Lord.
Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear Thou me, O Lord.
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth and a protecting door about my lips.
Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.
With men that work iniquity, and I will not communicate with the choicest of them.
The just man shall correct me in mercy and shall reprove me, but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.
For my prayer also shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased, their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up.
They shall hear my words for they are sweet. As when the thickness of the earth is broken upon the ground, their bones are scattered by the side of hell.
But to Thee, O Lord, Lord are mine eyes. In Thee have I put my trust; take not away my soul.
Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and the traps of the workers of iniquity.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I alone escape.
(Psalm 141) I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
I poured out my supplication before Him; I showed before Him my trouble.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path.
In the way wherein I walked have they secretly laid a snare for me.
I looked on my right hand and beheld, but there was no one that would know me. Refuge failed me. No one cared for my soul.
I cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low.
Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.
Verse 10: Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy name.
Verse 9: The righteous shall wait for me until Thou recompense me.
Verse 8: (Psalm 129) Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
Verse 7: Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
Verse 6: If Thou shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, Lord, who shall stand? for with Thee there is forgiveness
Sticheron from the Parakletike
Verse 5: Because of Thy name have I waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
Sticheron from the Parakletike
Verse 4: From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord.
Sticheron from the Parakletike
Verse 3: For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall deliver Israel from all his iniquities.
Sticheron from the Menaion
Verse 2: Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye peoples.
Sticheron from the Menaion
Verse 1: For His mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.
Sticheron from the Menaion
Glory… Both now… Theotokion.
After the Theotokion we immediately read (or chant in tone 2 or 5) “Gladsome Light”
GLADSOME LIGHT
Gladsome Light of the holy glory of the immortal Father: Heavenly, Holy, Blessed, O Jesus Christ. Now that we have come to the setting of the sun, and behold the light of evening, we praise God Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For meet it is at all times to worship Thee with voices of praise, O Son of God, and giver of life. Therefore, all the world doth glorify Thee.
THE EVENING PROKEIMENON
The evening prokeimenon!
We chant the Prokeimenon of the day If there are any Old Testament Readings, they are read after the Prokeimenon.
THE EVENING PRAYER
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name forever. Amen.
Let Thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have set our hope on Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Master, make me to understand Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One, enlighten me by Thy statutes.
Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever; O despise not the work of Thy hands. To Thee belongeth worship, to Thee belongeth praise, to Thee belongeth 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 (forty times)
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
THE APOSTICHA
We chant the Aposticha from the Parakletike
Glory… Both now… Theotokion.
CANTICLE OF ST. SIMEON THE GOD-RECEIVER
(Read- or chant in Tone 6) Lord, now lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to enlighten the gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.
TRISAGION
Holy God; Holy mighty; Holy immortal: have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory… Both Now…
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit, and heal our infirmities for thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory… Both Now…
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed by 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.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
APOLYTIKIA
First, chant the apolytikion from the Menaion, or the apolytikion of the day. Then “Glory…” and the second apolytikion from the Menaion, if any. If none, continue with “Both now…” and chant the Theotokion of the day, in the same tone as the preceding Apolytikion.
Lord, have mercy (forty times)
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
THE DISMISSAL
Preserve, O God, the Holy Orthodox Faith, and all Orthodox Christians unto ages of ages. Amen
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption bearest God the Word, and art truly Theotokos we magnify thee.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy (thrice) O Lord, bless us.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.
(Vespers without a Priest)
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
TRISAGION
Holy God; Holy mighty; Holy immortal: have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory... Both now....
All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy (thrice)
Glory… Both now…
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.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
Lord, have mercy (twelve times)
Glory... Both now...
O Come, let us worship and fall down before God, our King. (metania)
O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. (metania)
O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God. (metania)
THE PROËMIAKÓN
(Psalm 103) Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, Thou hast been magnified exceedingly. Confession and majesty hast Thou put on, Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment, Who stretchest out the heaven as it were a curtain; Who supporteth His chambers in the waters, Who appointeth the clouds for His ascent, Who walketh upon the wings of the winds, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire, Who establisheth the earth in the sureness thereof; it shall not be turned back for ever and ever. The abyss like a garment is His mantle; upon the mountains shall the waters stand. At Thy rebuke they will flee, at the voice of Thy thunder shall they be afraid. The mountains rise up and the plains sink down, unto the place where Thou hast established them. Thou appointedst a bound that they shall not pass, neither return to cover the earth. He sendeth forth springs in the valleys; between the mountains will the waters run. They shall give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild asses will wait to quench their thirst. Beside them will the birds of the heaven lodge, from the midst of the rocks will they give voice. He watereth the mountains from His chambers; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men, To bring forth bread out of the earth; and wine maketh glad the heart of man. To make his face cheerful with oil; and bread strengtheneth man's heart. The trees of the plain shall be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon, which Thou hast planted. There will the sparrows make their nests; the house of the heron is chief among them. The high mountains are a refuge for the harts, and so is the rock for the hares. He hath made the moon for seasons; the sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night, wherein all the beasts of the forest will go abroad. Young lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their food from God. The sun ariseth, and they are gathered together, and they lay them down in their dens. But man shall go forth unto his work, and to his labour until the evening. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all; the earth is filled with Thy creation. So is this great and spacious sea, therein are things creeping innumerable, small living creatures with the great. There go the ships; there this dragon, whom Thou hast made to play therein. All things wait on Thee, to give them their food in due season; when Thou givest it them, they will gather it. When Thou openest Thy hand, all things shall be filled with goodness; when Thou turnest away Thy face, they shall be troubled. Thou wilt take their spirit, and they shall cease; and unto their dust shall they return. Thou wilt send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be unto the ages; the Lord will rejoice in His works. Who looketh on the earth and maketh it tremble, Who toucheth the mountains and they smoke. I will sing unto the Lord throughout my life, I will chant to my God for as long as I have my being. May my words be sweet unto Him, and I will rejoice in the Lord. O that sinners would cease from the earth, and they that work iniquity, that they should be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Alleluia. The sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. (thrice)
O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee.
Lord, have mercy (forty times)
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
Here we may read the Psalter reading of the day. If the Psalter is read, we say afterwards “Lord, have mercy” twelve times then “Through the prayers of our holy fathers…” and then continue below. If the Psalter is not read, continue immediately below:
O LORD, I HAVE CRIED - chanted in the tone of the first sticheron
(Psalm 140) O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me. Hear Thou me, O Lord. O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me; give ear to the voice of my supplication when I cry out unto Thee. Hear Thou Me. O Lord.
Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear Thou me, O Lord.
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth and a protecting door about my lips.
Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.
With men that work iniquity, and I will not communicate with the choicest of them.
The just man shall correct me in mercy and shall reprove me, but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.
For my prayer also shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased, their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up.
They shall hear my words for they are sweet. As when the thickness of the earth is broken upon the ground, their bones are scattered by the side of hell.
But to Thee, O Lord, Lord are mine eyes. In Thee have I put my trust; take not away my soul.
Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and the traps of the workers of iniquity.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I alone escape.
(Psalm 141) I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
I poured out my supplication before Him; I showed before Him my trouble.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path.
In the way wherein I walked have they secretly laid a snare for me.
I looked on my right hand and beheld, but there was no one that would know me. Refuge failed me. No one cared for my soul.
I cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low.
Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.
Verse 10: Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy name.
Verse 9: The righteous shall wait for me until Thou recompense me.
Verse 8: (Psalm 129) Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
Verse 7: Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
Verse 6: If Thou shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, Lord, who shall stand? for with Thee there is forgiveness
Sticheron from the Parakletike
Verse 5: Because of Thy name have I waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
Sticheron from the Parakletike
Verse 4: From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord.
Sticheron from the Parakletike
Verse 3: For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall deliver Israel from all his iniquities.
Sticheron from the Menaion
Verse 2: Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye peoples.
Sticheron from the Menaion
Verse 1: For His mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.
Sticheron from the Menaion
Glory… Both now… Theotokion.
After the Theotokion we immediately read (or chant in tone 2 or 5) “Gladsome Light”
GLADSOME LIGHT
Gladsome Light of the holy glory of the immortal Father: Heavenly, Holy, Blessed, O Jesus Christ. Now that we have come to the setting of the sun, and behold the light of evening, we praise God Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For meet it is at all times to worship Thee with voices of praise, O Son of God, and giver of life. Therefore, all the world doth glorify Thee.
THE EVENING PROKEIMENON
The evening prokeimenon!
We chant the Prokeimenon of the day If there are any Old Testament Readings, they are read after the Prokeimenon.
THE EVENING PRAYER
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name forever. Amen.
Let Thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have set our hope on Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Master, make me to understand Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One, enlighten me by Thy statutes.
Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever; O despise not the work of Thy hands. To Thee belongeth worship, to Thee belongeth praise, to Thee belongeth 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 (forty times)
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
THE APOSTICHA
We chant the Aposticha from the Parakletike
Glory… Both now… Theotokion.
CANTICLE OF ST. SIMEON THE GOD-RECEIVER
(Read- or chant in Tone 6) Lord, now lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to enlighten the gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.
TRISAGION
Holy God; Holy mighty; Holy immortal: have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory… Both Now…
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit, and heal our infirmities for thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory… Both Now…
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed by 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.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
APOLYTIKIA
First, chant the apolytikion from the Menaion, or the apolytikion of the day. Then “Glory…” and the second apolytikion from the Menaion, if any. If none, continue with “Both now…” and chant the Theotokion of the day, in the same tone as the preceding Apolytikion.
Lord, have mercy (forty times)
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
THE DISMISSAL
Preserve, O God, the Holy Orthodox Faith, and all Orthodox Christians unto ages of ages. Amen
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption bearest God the Word, and art truly Theotokos we magnify thee.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy (thrice) O Lord, bless us.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.