Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church
Martyr Callistratus (hymns)
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Martyr Callistratus
Kontakion - Tone 4
"Today You have shown forth..."
Like stars you have shone upon the world
shedding the light of your contests and miracles upon all who cry to you:
"Rejoice, Martyr Callistratus and fellow company of martyrs."
Troparion - Tone 3
In contest you were strengthened by the Holy Spirit, Martyr Callistratus,
and were glorious in casting down the Enemy.
You offered a noble army of athletes
as sweet-smelling incense to Christ.
With them pray for us who praise you with hymns.
Venerable Sabbatius the Wonderworker of Solovki (hymns)
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Venerable Sabbatius the Wonderworker of Solovki
Kontakion - Tone 2
Fleeing the turmoil of life
You dwelt on an island in the sea.
You took up your cross and followed Christ
Toiling in vigils, fasting and hardships.
You became the adornment of the righteous
And we lovingly celebrate your memory.
Pray to Christ our God
To save our souls, O righteous Sabbatius!
Troparion - Tone 3
You abandoned the world and fought the good fight
By hardship, vigil and prayer.
Pray to Christ our God to save our souls, O holy Father Sabbatius!
Venerable Euphrosyne of Alexandria (hymns)
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Venerable Euphrosyne of Alexandria
Kontakion - Tone 2
Desiring the life on high and forsaking all earthly pleasures,
You lived as a man among men, O Euphrosyne.
For the sake of Christ your Bridegroom,
You spurned earthly betrothal!
Troparion - Tone 1
As an ascetic you hid your womanhood
And your falling-asleep was an amazement, O Euphrosyne.
Though a woman, you toiled as a man,
And by your prayers you save those who honor you!
49 Martyrs with Callistratus (hymns)
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49 Martyrs with Callistratus
Kontakion - Tone 4
Today the Church honors all of you, singing a hymn of spiritual praise,
For you have fought on her behalf,
O Holy, Divine, Triumphant and all-wise Martyrs!
Troparion - Tone 3
Strengthened by the Holy Spirit,
You were glorious in contest
Casting down the enemy, O Martyr Callistratus,
Offering a noble army of athletes as incense to Christ.
With them pray for us who honor you with hymns!
Repose of the Venerable Sergius, Abbot and Wonderworker of Radonezh (hymns)
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Repose of the Venerable Sergius, Abbot and Wonderworker of Radonezh
Kontakion - Tone 8
Bound by the love of Christ, O venerable one, and following Him with unwavering desire,
you despised all carnal pleasures and you shone like the sun in your land.
Therefore, Christ has enriched you with the gift of miracles.
Remember us who venerate your most holy memory,
and who call out to you: "Rejoice, Sergius, made wise by God!"
Troparion - Tone 4
A zealot of good deeds
and a true warrior of Christ warrior of Christ our God,
you struggled greatly against the passions in this passing life;
in songs and vigils and fasting you were an image and example to your disciples,
thus the most Holy Spirit lived within you,
and you were made beautiful by His working.
Since you have great boldness before the Holy Trinity,
remember the flock which you have wisely gathered,
and do not forget to visit your children as you promised, venerable Sergius our father!
Repose of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian (hymns)
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Repose of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
Kontakion - Tone 2
Who shall declare your greatness,
O virgin disciple,
for you pour forth wonders and are a source of healings,
and pray for our souls as Theologian and friend of Christ.
Troparion - Tone 2
Beloved apostle of Christ our God,
hasten to deliver a defenseless people.
He who allowed you to recline on His breast,
receives you as you bow before Him.
Implore Him, John the Theologian,
to disperse the persistent threat from the heathens,
entreating for us peace and great mercy.
Venerable Silouan of Mt. Athos (hymns)
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Venerable Silouan of Mt. Athos
Kontakion - Tone 2
O Silouan, beloved of God,
Truly amazing preacher of humility
And radiance warmed by the love for mankind of the Holy Spirit:
The Russian Church rejoices in your labors.
All monks on the Athonite mountain
And all Christian people are rejoicing as well,
Turning themselves towards God with the love of children.
Beseech Him for us, you who have seen God and are equal to the angels,
That burning with your love our souls may be saved.
Kontakion - Tone 8
During your life on earth you served Christ and followed His path;
now in Heaven you contemplate Him Whom you have loved!
Since you dwell with Him as He promised to His elect, holy Father Silouan,
instruct us now in the path that you have traveled.
Troparion - Tone 2
O all-blessed Father Silouan,
Flaming zealot of the seraphim's love for the Lord
And fervent imitator of Jeremiah who wept for the people,
Hearing the call of the Mother of the Lord of Hosts,
With wise courage you spewed out the sinful serpent
And withdrew from the snares of the world to the mountain of Athos,
Where in labors and prayer, joined with tears,
In abundance you acquired the grace of the holy Spirit with which our hearts are enflamed.
Being strengthened by you, we cry out with compunction:
My Lord, my Life and the Joy of your saint,
Save the world and us from all cruel things!
Troparion - Tone 4
On the path of humility,
by your prayers you received Christ as your Master.
In your heart the Holy Spirit witnessed to your salvation.
Therefore all people called to live in hope rejoice and celebrate your memory!
Holy Father Silouan, pray to Christ God to save our souls.
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Troparia and Kontakia
Short hymns sung after the small entrance at Divine Liturgy. For Sundays the subject is the Holy Resurrection; a different hymn for each of the Eight Tones. Every feast has its particular hymn describing the event or the virtues of the saint. Also there are hymns giving in an abbreviated form the substance of the day's feast. Originally, this was a hymn composed of many stanza (18-24) whose lengthy text required the use of a scroll. What remains today are short preliminary stanzas that give a concise meaning to the feast being celebrated. These hymns are also sung following the Sixth Ode in Matins, and during the Hours.
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Orthodox Psalter
Daily Readings from the Orthodox Psalter
The Psalter is divided into 20 kathismata of three stases. Each stasis contains between one and three psalms. Except Kathisma 17, it is entirely the long Psalm 118.
Each of the divine services contain fixed portions of the Psalter that are read or chanted each time the service is celebrated. In addition, certain services of the Daily Cycle contain prescribed kathisma readings. These prescribed readings rotate daily so that the Psalter is read through once in its entirety in single week, and twice during Great Lent. (The Psalter is not read on Holy Thursday, Holy Friday, or during Bright Week.)
Day Psalter Readings Except Lent During Lent Holy Week St. Thomas Sun. to Sept. 21
Dec. 20 to Jan. 14
Sun. of Prodigal to
Sun. of ForgivenessSept. 22 to Dec. 19
Jan. 15 to Sat. before
Sun. of ProdigalExcept for Fifth Week 5th week
If Annunciation does not fall on Thursday of week 5
(the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
is read on Thursday Matins)5th week
If Annunciation falls on Thursday of week 5
(the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
is read on Tuesday Matins)Sunday Matins - Kathisma 2, 3, 17(or Polyeleos) Matins - Kathisma 2, 3, Polyeleos Monday Matins - Kathisma 4,5
Vespers - Kathisma 6Matins - Kathisma 4,5,6
Vespers - Kathisma 18Matins - Kathisma 4,5,6
Third Hour - Kathisma 7
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 8
Ninth Hour - Kathisma 9
Vespers - Kathisma 18Matins - Kathisma 4,5,6
Third Hour - Kathisma 7
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 8
Ninth Hour - Kathisma 9
Vespers - Kathisma 10Matins - Kathisma 4,5,6
First Hour - Kathisma 7
Third Hour - Kathisma 8
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 9
Ninth Hour - Kathisma 10
Vespers - Kathisma 11Matins - Kathisma 4, 5, 6
Third Hour - Kathisma 7
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 8
Vespers - Kathisma 18Tuesday Matins - Kathisma 7,8
Vespers - Kathisma 9Matins - Kathisma 7,8,9
Vespers - Kathisma 18Matins - Kathisma 10,11,12
First Hour - Kathisma 13
Third Hour - Kathisma 14
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 15
Ninth Hour - Kathisma 16
Vespers - Kathisma 18Matins - Kathisma 11, 12, 13
First Hour - Kathisma 14
Third Hour - Kathisma 15
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 16
Ninth Hour - Kathisma 18
Vespers - Kathisma 19Matins - Kathisma 12
Third Hour - Kathisma 13
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 14
Ninth Hour - Kathisma 15
Vespers - Kathisma 16Matins - Kathisma 9 10, 11
Third Hour - Kathisma 12
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 13
Vespers - Kathisma 18Wednesday Matins - Kathisma 10,11
Vespers - Kathisma 12Matins - Kathisma 10,11,12
Vespers - Kathisma 18Matins - Kathisma 19,20,1
First Hour - Kathisma 2
Third Hour - Kathisma 3
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 4
Ninth Hour - Kathisma 5
Vespers - Kathisma 18Matins - Kathisma 20, 1, 2
First Hour - Kathisma 3
Third Hour - Kathisma 4
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 5
Ninth Hour - Kathisma 6
Vespers - Kathisma 7Matins - Kathisma 19, 20, 1
First Hour - Kathisma 2
Third Hour - Kathisma 3
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 4
Ninth Hour - Kathisma 5Matins - Kathisma 14, 15, 16
Third Hour - Kathisma 19
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 20
Vespers - Kathisma 18Thursday Matins - Kathisma 13,14
Vespers - Kathisma 15Matins - Kathisma 13,14,15
Vespers - Kathisma 18Matins - Kathisma 6,7,8
First Hour - Kathisma 9
Third Hour - Kathisma 10
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 11
Ninth Hour - Kathisma 12
Vespers - Kathisma 18Matins - Kathisma 8
Third Hour - Kathisma 9
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 10
Ninth Hour - Kathisma 11
Vespers - Kathisma 12Matins - Kathisma 6, 7, 8
First Hour - Kathisma 9
Third Hour - Kathisma 10
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 11
Ninth Hour - Kathisma 12(none) Friday Matins - Kathisma 19,20
Vespers - Kathisma 18Matins - Kathisma 13,14,15
Third Hour - Kathisma 19
Sixth Hour - Kathisma 20
Vespers - Kathisma 18(none) Saturday Matins - Kathisma 16,17
Vespers - Kathisma 1Matins - Kathisma 17 See Also: Psalms Chanted in the Services, Psalms in Antiphons, Psalms in Communion Hymns, Psalms in Prokeimenon and Alleluia Verses - Article Count:
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Canticles (or Odes)
There are nine Biblical Canticles that are chanted at Matins These form the basis of the Canon, a major component of Matins.
The nine Canticles are as follows:
- Canticle One - The (First) Song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-19)
- Canticle Two - The (Second) Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:1-43)
- Canticle Three - The Prayer of Hannah (I Kings 2:1-10) KJV: 1+Samuel 2:1-10
- Canticle Four - The Prayer of Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:1-19)
- Canticle Five - The Prayer of Isaiah (Isaiah 26:9-20)
- Canticle Six - The Prayer of Jonah (Jonah 2:2-9)
- Canticle Seven - The Prayer of the Three Holy Children (Daniel 3:26-56)
- Canticle Eight - The Song of the Three Holy Children (Daniel 3:57-88)
- Canticle Nine - The Song of the Theotokos (the Magnificat: Luke 1:46-55); the Song of Zacharias (the Benedictus Luke 1:68-79)
Originally, these Canticles were chanted in their entirety every day, with a short refrain inserted between each verse. Eventually, short verses (troparia) were composed to replace these refrains, a process traditionally inaugurated by Saint Andrew of Crete. Gradually over the centuries, the verses of the Biblical Canticles were omitted (except for the Magnificat) and only the composed troparia were read, linked to the original canticles by an Irmos. During Great Lent however, the original Biblical Canticles are still read.
Another Biblical Canticle, the The Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32), is either read or sung at Vespers.
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Text of Prayers
In the Orthodox Church it is said that we pray what we believe and believe what we pray. The text of our written prayers not only help with our communion with God through words of praise, thanksgiving, repentance, supplication, and intercession, but also brings to remembrance the Gospel message of Christ, the Apostolic teachings, and our faith.
This part of our website gives the text of some of the prayers of the Orthodox Church.
The publication of such prayers does not limit the free expression of the Christian soul to the Creator, the Most-holy Theotokos and the Saints. On the contrary, by reading these prayers one can learn how to pray. They become models for our own, personal prayers. Often, we would like to pray but, distracted by the world around us, or troubled by fear or sorrow, we do not even know how to begin. We then begin with the a prayerbook and find that not only much of what we wanted to say is included in the prayers of the fathers, but that afterwards, we find words of our own to continue the outpouring of our soul.
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