Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church
Psalm 142 (143) - A Prayer of Confidence in the Lord
- Details
- Parent Category: Prayers of the Church
- Category: Text of Prayers
- Written by Site Administrator
- Hits: 7620
Psalm 142 (143) - A Prayer of Confidence in the Lord
O Lord, listen to my prayer;
in your truth give heed to my request and in your justice hear me,
and enter not into judgment with your servant since of all the living none is just before You.
The enemy has pursued my soul, he has crushed my life into the ground;
he has forced me to dwell in darkness like those long dead.
My spirit was overwhelmed with grief and within me my heart was troubled.
Remembering the days of old, I meditated on all your deeds, I thought of the works of Your hands.
I stretched out my hands to You; like a parched land my soul longed for You.
Listen to me without delay, O Lord; my spirit has failed me.
Turn not your face away from me, nor let me sink in the pit like the others.
Grant that I may hear your love at dawn for I have placed my hope in You.
O Lord, let me know which way I shall go, for I have lifted up my soul to You.
Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies: it is to You that I have fled.
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may your good Spirit lead me over level ground.
For the sake of your name, O Lord, You will keep me alive.
In Your saving bounty, you will deliver my soul from oppression, and in your loving kindness,
you will destroy my enemies, and bring to naught all those who grieve my soul,
for I am your servant.
Psalm 69 (70) - A Prayer for Remembrance
- Details
- Parent Category: Prayers of the Church
- Category: Text of Prayers
- Written by Site Administrator
- Hits: 6390
Psalm 69 (70) A Prayer for Remembrance
O God, come to my assistance!
O Lord, hasten to help me!
Shame and disgrace upon those who seek my life!
Let them turn back and be confounded who wish me evil!
Let them now turn in shame who jeer at me: "Well done! Well done!"
But let all who search for You be glad and rejoice in You,
and let those who love your salvation, O God, always say: "The Lord be exalted!"
As for me, I am wretched and poor: God shall be my help.
You are indeed my help and my salvation, O Lord: tarry not!
Psalm 102 (103) - Bless the LORD, O my soul
- Details
- Parent Category: Prayers of the Church
- Category: Text of Prayers
- Written by Site Administrator
- Hits: 19848
Psalm 102
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
Bless the LORD, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Prayer of the Righteous Simeon
- Details
- Parent Category: Prayers of the Church
- Category: Text of Prayers
- Written by Site Administrator
- Hits: 12382
Prayer of the Righteous Simeon
Also called "The Song of Simeon" or "The Canticle of Simeon" (Luke 2:29–32)
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 for revelation to the gentiles, and for glory to Thy people Israel!
Justinian's Hymn
- Details
- Parent Category: Prayers of the Church
- Category: Text of Prayers
- Written by Site Administrator
- Hits: 8813
Justinian's Hymn
Only Begotten Son and Immortal Word of God, Who for our salvation didst will to be incarnate of the holy Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, Who without change didst become man and wast crucified, O Christ our God, Trampling down death by death, Who art one of the Holy Trinity, Glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us.
Psalm 148 - Praise the Lord
- Details
- Parent Category: Prayers of the Church
- Category: Text of Prayers
- Hits: 4814
Psalm 148
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the heights!
Praise Him, all His angels!
Praise Him, all His host!
Praise Him, sun and moon!
Praise Him, all you shining stars!
Praise Him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For He commanded and they were created.
And He established them for ever and ever;
He fixed their bounds which cannot be passed.
Praise the Lord from earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling His command!
Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together, old men and children!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for His people, praise for all His saints, for the people of Israel who are near Him.
Praise The Lord!
Prayer to the Most-holy Theotokos, Joy of all the Sorrowful
- Details
- Parent Category: Prayers of the Church
- Category: Text of Prayers
- Written by Site Administrator
- Hits: 10028
To the Most-holy Theotokos, Joy of all the Sorrowful
O Most-holy Mother of God, Joy of all the Sorrowful
Grant thy mercy to us sinners.
Thy Son now sits on the throne of the Eternal Kingdom,
And all our troubles thou seest; thou knowest them as they occur.
Thou hast always prayed to Christ God for the faithful,
And hast relieved much pain and misery of the sorrowful.
O Holy Virgin, never cease, to the end of time,
To pray for the salvation of our race.
God hast made thee even more glorious than the Seraphim:
O hasten to us, O Joy of all the Sorrowful!
Another pray to the Mother of God, Joy of all the Sorrowful
O All-Holy Lady Theotokos,
More exalted than the Cherubim and more honorable than the Seraphim,
O Divinely-Chosen Maiden, Joy of All the Sorrowful,
Grant consolation also to us, who are in sorrow:For without you we have no other refuge or help.
You alone are the mediatress of our joy and as the Mother of God and the Mother of mercy,
Standing at the throne of the All-Holy Trinity,
You are able to help us:For no one that flees to you departs ashamed.
Therefore hear us now, on the day of sorrow,
who fall down before your icon and pray to You in tears:Drive away from us sorrows and grief in this temporal life,
That we may not be deprived of your omnipotent intercession and of the eternal,
Unending joy in the Kingdom of Your Son and our God.Amen.
More Articles...
Subcategories
-
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.
- Article Count:
- 37
-
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:
- 20
-
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.
- Article Count:
- 9
-
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.
- Article Count:
- 68