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CONTENT
ENTERING A CHURCH
LEAVING A CHURCH
BEFORE THE ICON
OF CHRIST
JESUS PRAYER
BEFORE THE
ICON OF THEOTOKOS
HYMN TO THEOTOKOS
ANGELIC SALUTATION
TO THE HOLY
TRINITY
TO YOUR PATRON
SAINT
TO YOUR
GUARDIAN ANGEL
PRAYERS AT THE TABLE
PRAYER OF REPENTANCE
PRAYER BEFORE COMMENCING A
TASK
PRAYER OF
PARENTS FOR CHILDREN, RELATIVES/FRIENDS
PRAYER FOR THE PRIESTHOOD
PRAYER FOR THE MARRIED
PRAYER FOR THE SINGLE
PRAYER OF A CHILD
PRAYER BEFORE A JOURNEY
PRAYER AT A TIME OF TROUBLE
PRAYER AFTER DELIVERANCE FROM TROUBLE
PRAYER OF A SICK PERSON
PRAYER OF
AFTER RECOVERY OF A SICKNESS
PRAYER FOR THE ILL
PRAYER FOR THE DECEASED
A GENERAL
INTERCESSION
PSALM 50
PRAYER ON
ENTERING A CHURCH
I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and
in thy fear I will worship toward thy holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in thy
righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before me, that
with a clear mind I may glorify thee forever, One Divine Power worshipped in
three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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PRAYER ON
LEAVING A CHURCH
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 people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of
thy people Israel.
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PRAYER
BEFORE THE ICON OF CHRIST
We reverence thy spotless Ikon, O gracious Lord, and ask
forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ our God: for of thine own good will
thou wast pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that thou mightest deliver
from bondage to the enemy those whom thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry
aloud unto thee: thou hast filled all things with joy, O our Saviour, for thou
didst come to save the world.
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JESUS PRAYER
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a
sinner.
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PRAYER
BEFORE THE ICON OF THE THEOTOKOS
For as much as thou art a well-spring of tenderness, O
Theotokos, make us worthy of compassion; Look upon a sinful people; Manifest thy
power as ever, for hoping on thee we cry aloud unto thee: Hail! as once did
Gabriel, Chief Captain of the Bodiless Powers.
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HYMN TO THE THEOTOKOS
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, who art ever
blessed and all-blamelesss, and the mother of our God. More honorable than the
Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without
stain barest God the Word, and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee.
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THE ANGELIC SALUTATION
Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, O Virgin
Theotokos: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.
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PRAYER TO
THE HOLY TRINITY
The Father is my hope; the Son is my refuge; the Holy Spirit
is my protector. O All-holy Trinity, glory to thee.
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PRAYER
TO YOUR PATRON SAINT
Pray unto God for me, O Holy Saint (Name),
well-pleasing to God: for I turn unto thee, who art the speedy helper and
intercessor for my soul.
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PRAYER
TO YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL
O Angel of Christ, holy guardian and protector of my soul and
body, forgive me everything wherein I have offended thee every day of my life,
and protect me from all influence and temptation of the evil one. May I
nevermore anger God by any sin. Pray for me to the Lord, that He may make me
worthy of the grace of the All-holy Trinity, and of the Most Blessed Theotokos,
and of all the Saints. Amen.
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PRAYERS AT
THE TABLE
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit. 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.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy
on us and save us. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Then
O Christ our God, bless the food and drink of thy servants, for thou art Holy
always; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Or
They that hunger shall eat and be satisfied, they that seek after the Lord shall
praise him; their hearts shall live forever. Amen.
Or
Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts of which we are about
to partake, for thou art blessed and glorified; now and ever, and unto ages of
ages. Amen.
After
Meals
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Then
Blessed is God, who is merciful unto us and nourisheth us
from His bounteous gifts by His grace and compassion, always, now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
Or
We thank thee, O Christ our God, that thou hast satisfied us
with thy earthly gifts, deprive us not of thy Heavenly Kingdom; but as thou
entered into the midst of thy disciples, O Saviour, and gave them peace, enter
also among us and saves us. Amen.
Or
We thank thee, O God, the Giver of all good things, for these gifts and all thy
mercies, and we bless thy Holy Name, always, now and ever, and unto ages of
ages. Amen.
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PRAYER OF
REPENTANCE
O Lord our God, good and merciful, I acknowledge all my sins
which I have committed every day of my life, in thought, word and deed; in body
and soul alike. I am heartily sorry that I have ever offended thee, and I
sincerely repent; with tears I humbly pray thee, O Lord: of thy mercy forgive me
all my past transgressions and absolve me from them. I firmly resolve, with the
help of Thy Grace, to amend my way of life and to sin no more; that I may walk
in the way of the righteous and offer praise and glory to the Name of the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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PRAYER
BEFORE COMMENCING A TASK
Almighty God, our Help and Refuge, Fountain of wisdom and
Tower of strength, who knowest that I can do nothing without thy guidance and
help; assist me, I pray thee, and direct me to divine wisdom and power, that I
may accomplish this task, and whatever I may undertake to do, faithfully and
dilligently, according to thy will, so that it may be profitable to myself and
others, and to the glory of thy Holy Name. 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 unto ages of ages. Amen.
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PRAYER OF
PARENTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN, RELATIVES OR FRIENDS
O God, our heavenly Father, who lovest mankind, and art most
merciful and compassionate, have mercy upon thy servants (Name those whom you
wish to remember) for whom I humbly pray thee, and commend to thy gracious
care and protection. Be thou, O God, their guide and guardian in all their
endeavors, lead them in the path of thy truth, and draw them nearer to thee,
that they may lead a godly and righteous life in thy love and fear; doing thy
will in all things. Give them grace that they may be temperate, industrious,
dilligent, devout and charitable. Defend them against the assaults of the enemy,
and grant them wisdom and strength to resist all temptation and corruption of
this life; and direct them in the way of salvation, through the merits of thy
Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, and the intercessions of his Holy Mother and thy
blessed Saints. Amen.
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A PRAYER
FOR THE PRIESTHOOD
O Lord Jesus Christ, enkindle the hearts of all thy Priests
with the fire of zealous love for thee, that they may ever seek thy glory; Give
them strength that they may labor unceasingly in thine earthly vineyard for the
salvation of our souls and the glory of thine all-honorable and majestic Name:
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto
ages of ages. Amen.
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A PRAYER
FOR THE MARRIED
O merciful God, we beseech thee ever to remind us that the
married state is holy, and that we must keep it so; grant us thy grace, that we
may continue in faithfulness and love; increase in us the spirit of mutual
understanding and trust, that no quarrel or strife may come between us; grant us
thy blessings, that we may stand before our fellows and in thy sight as an ideal
family; and finally, by thy mercy, account us worthy of everlasting life: for
thou art our sanctification, and to thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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A PRAYER
FOR THE SINGLE
O Blessed Lord, who hast set up for us an example of ideal
purity, strengthen me, I beseech thee, when temptation besets me, and when
strong passions seek to overwhelm me, that I may remain constant in virtue and
innocent in thought, word, and deed, doing such things only as are well-pleasing
unto thee; grant me growth in wisdom and understanding, that I may serve thee in
holiness all the days of my life: through the intercessions of thine
all-immaculate Mother and of all thy Saints, especially my patron Saint N.
Amen.
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A PRAYER
OF A
CHILD
Our father who art in heaven, bless my father and mother, my
guardians, and those who are in authority over me, for their love and tender
care for me, and the benefits I receive at their hands. Help me, I pray thee, to
be respectful and obedient to them in all things according to thy will; and give
me thy grace to perform all my duties carefully and faithfully, to avoid
undesirable company and influence, and resist all temptation that may come my
way; that I may live a sober, righteous and godly life, ever praising thee, and
glorifying thy Holy Name. Amen.
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A PRAYER
BEFORE A JOURNEY
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, the true and living way, be
thou, O Master, my companion, guide and guardian during my journey; deliver and
protect me from all danger, misfortune and temptation; that being so defended by
thy divine power, I may have a peaceful and successful journey and arrive safely
at my destination. For in thee I put my trust and hope, and to thee, together
with thy Eternal Father, and the All-holy Spirit, I ascribe all praise, honor
and glory: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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A PRAYER
IN
TIME OF TROUBLE
O God, our help and assistance, who art just and merciful,
and who heareth the supplications of thy people; look down upon me, a miserable
sinner, have mercy upon me, and deliver me from this trouble that besets me, for
which, I know, I am deservedly suffering. I acknowledge and believe, O Lord,
that all trials of this life are given for our chastisement, when we drift away
from thee, and disobey thy commandments; deal not with me after my sins, but
according to thy bountiful mercies, for I am the work of thy hands, and thou
knowest my weakness. Grant me, I beseech thee, thy divine helping grace, and
endow me with patience and strength to endure my tribulations with complete
submission to thy Will. Thou knowest my misery and suffering and to thee, my
only hope and refuge, I flee for relief and comfort; trusting to thine infinite
love and compassion, that in due time, when thou knowest best, thou wilt deliver
me from this trouble, and turn my distress into comfort, when I shall rejoice in
thy mercy, and exalt and praise thy Holy Name, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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A PRAYER
OF THANKSGIVING AFTER
DELIVERANCE FROM TROUBLE
Almighty and merciful God, I most humbly and heartily thank
thy divine majesty for thy loving kindness and tender mercies, that thou hast
heard my humble prayer, and graciously vouchsafed to deliver me from my trouble
and misery. Grant me, I beseech thee, thy helping grace, that I may obediently
walk in thy holy commandments, and lead a sober, righteous and godly life, ever
remembering thy mercies, and the blessings thou hast undeservedly bestowed upon
me, that I may continually offer to thee the sacrifice of praise and
thanksgiving, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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A PRAYER
OF A
SICK PERSON
O Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, Physician of souls and
bodies, who didst become man and suffer death on the Cross for our salvation,
and through thy tender love and compassion didst heal all manner of sickness and
affliction; do thou O Lord, visit me in my suffering, and grant me grace and
strength to bear this sickness with which I am afflicted, with Christian
patience and submission to thy will, trusting in thy loving kindness and tender
mercy. Bless, I pray thee, the means used for my recovery, and those who
administer them. I know O Lord, that I justly deserve any punishment inflicted
upon me for I have so often offended thee and sinned against thee, in thought,
word, and deed. Therefore, I humbly pray thee, look upon my weakness, and deal
not with me after my sins, but according to the multitude of thy mercies. Have
compassion on me, and let mercy and justice meet; and deliver me from this
sickness and suffering I am undergoing. Grant that my sickness may be the means
of my true repentance and amendment of my life according to thy will, that I may
spend the rest of my days in thy love and fear: that my soul, being helped by
thy grace and sanctified by thy Holy Mysteries, may be prepared for its passage
to the Eternal Life, and there, in the company of thy blessed Saints, may praise
and glorify thee with thy Eternal Father and Life-giving Spirit. Amen.
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A PRAYER
OF THANKSGIVING FROM RECOVERY
OF A SICKNESS
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Source of life and
Fountain of all good things, I bless thy Holy Name, and offer to thee most
hearty thanks for having delivered me from my sickness and restored me to
health. Grant me thy continuing grace, I pray thee, that I may keep my good
resolutions and correct the errors of my past life, and improve in virtue, and
live a new life in dutiful fear of thee, doing thy will in all things, and
devoting this new life which thou hast given me to thy service: that thus living
for thee, I may be found ready when it pleaseth thee to call me to thee, O
heavenly Father, to whom with thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
and thine all-holy and Life-giving Spirit, is due all honor, praise, glory, and
thanksgiving: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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A PRAYER
FOR THE
ILL
O holy Father, heavenly Physician of our souls and bodies,
who hast sent thine Only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to heal all our
ailments and deliver us from death: do thou visit and heal thy servant N.,
granting him release from pain and restoration to health and vigor, that
he may give thanks unto thee and bless thy holy Name, of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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A PRAYER
FOR THE DECEASED
Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend the souls of thy servants
NN., and beseech thee to grant them rest in the place of thy rest, where
all thy blessed Saints repose, and where the light of thy countenance shineth
forever. And I beseech thee also to grant that our present lives may be godly,
sober, and blameless, that, we too may be made worthy to enter into thy heavenly
Kingdom with those we love but see no longer: for thou art the Resurrection, and
the Life, and the Repose of thy departed servants, O Christ our God, and unto
thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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A
GENERAL INTERCESSION
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, who in thy mercy and all-loving
kindness dost regard the prayers of all who call upon thee with their whole
heart, incline thine ear and hear my prayer, now humbly offered unto thee:
Be mindful, O Lord, of thy Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church; confirm
and strengthen it, increase it and keep it in peace, and preserve it
unconquerable forever; Be mindful, O Lord, of our Metropolitan N., and
of every Bishop of the Orthodox; of Priests and Deacons and all the Clergy of
thy Church, which thou hast established to feed the flock of the Word; and by
their prayers have mercy upon me and save me, a sinner.
Be mindful, O Lord, of all civil Authorities, of our Armed Forces, of this city
in which we dwell, and of every city and land; grant us peaceful times, that we
may lead a calm and tranquil life in all godliness and sanctity.
Be mindful, O Lord, of my parents, my brothers and sisters, my relatives and
friends, and all who are near and dear to me, (name those who you wish to
remember), and grant them mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and
visitation, and pardon and remission of sins; that they may evermore praise and
glorifiy thy holy Name.
Be mindful, O Lord, of those who travel by land, and sea, and air; of the young
and the old; orphans and widows; the sick and the suffering; the sorrowing and
the afflicted, all captives, and the needy poor; upon them all send forth thy
mercies, for thou art the Giver of all good things.
Be mindful, O Lord, of me, thy humble servant; grant me thy grace, that I may be
diligent and faithful; that I may avoid evil company and influence, and resist
all temptation; that I may lead a godly and righteous life, blameless and
peaceful, ever serving thee, that I may be accounted worthy at the last to enter
into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Be mindful, O Lord, of all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of
resurrection unto life eternal, especially N., NN.; pardon all
their transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, whether in word, or deed,
or thought. Shelter them in a place of verdure, a place of repose, whence all
sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away, and where the sight of thy
countenance rejoiceth all thy Saints from all the ages. Grant them thy heavenly
Kingdom, and a portion in thine ineffable and eternal blessings, and the
enjoyment of thine unending Life.
Hear my prayer, O Lord, for thou art merciful and compassionate, and lovest
mankind, and to thee are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father and to
the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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PSALM 50
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great mercy:
according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out mine iniquity. Wash me
thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge
mine iniquity: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned,
and done evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified in thy words, and
prevail when thou art judged. For behold, I was shapen in iniquity: and in sins
did my mother conceive me. For behold, thou hast loved truth: the unclear and
hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made clear to me. Thou shalt sprinkle me
with hyssop, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter
than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness: the bones which thou
hast broken shall rejoice. Turn away thy 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 thy presence: and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation: and steady me with thy guiding Spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways: and the impious shall be converted
unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation:
and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips:
and my mouth shall declare thy praise. For hadst thou desired sacrifice, I would
have given it to thee: thou delightest not in burnt offerings. Sacrifices to God
are a contrite spirit: a contrite and humble heart, O God, thou wilt not
despise. Do good, O Lord, in thy good will unto Zion: that the walls of
Jerusalem may be built up. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of
righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offerings: then shall they
offer bullocks upon thine altar.
