Order of Great Vespers

Order of DAILY Vespers

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and for ages of ages.

All: Amen.

Priest: Glory to You, our God, glory to You!

All: Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, present everywhere and filling all things. Treasury of good things and Giver of life, come, dwell among us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O Good One.

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us! thrice

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

both now and ever, and for ages of ages. Amen.

Most-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, wash away our sins, Master, forgive us our transgressions, Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for your Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. thrice

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

both now and ever, and for ages of ages. 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.

Priest: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and for ages of ages.

All: Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (12)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

both now and ever, and for ages of ages. Amen.

Come, let us bow in worship before our King and God!

Come, let us bow in worship before Christ, our King and God!

Come, let us bow in worship and fall down before the very Lord Jesus Christ, our King and God!

Psalm 103 – THE PSALM OF CREATION

A: Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord, my God, You are great indeed!

B: Clothed in majesty and splendour,
robed in light as with a cloak.

A: You spread out the heavens like a tent-cloth,
You built Your towering palace far above the waters,

B: making the clouds Your chariot,
You travel on the wings of the wind.

A: You use the winds for messengers,
for servants the flaming fire.

B: You fixed the earth on its foundations,
never to be disturbed.

A: With the deep You covered it,
as with a garment.

B: The waters rose higher than the mountains,
You rebuked them and they took to flight.

A: At the sound of Your thunder they fled,
cascading down through the mountains
they flowed down through the valleys
to the place you gave them.

B: You set a limit they may not pass,
lest they cover the earth again.

A: From the ravines you make springs rush forth into watercourses
that wind among the mountains.

B: They give drink to all the beasts of the field,
the wild asses quench their thirst.

A: The birds of heaven dwell on their banks,
from among their branches they send forth their song.

B: Form Your towering palace You water the hills,
the earth drinks its fill of Your gift.

A: You make grass grow for the cattle and plants for man’s use,
that he may bring forth bread from the earth
and wine to gladden man’s heart.

B: Oil to make his face glisten,
and bread to strengthen his heart.

A: The trees of the Lord drink their fill,
the cedars He planted on Lebanon.

B: There the sparrows make their nest,
in the tree-tops the stork has its home.

A: For the wild goats there are the mountains,
for the rock-badgers the boulders and cliffs.

B: You make the moon to mark the seasons,
the sun knows when to set.

A: You bring darkness and it is night,
and all the beasts of the forest roam about.

B: Young lions roar for their prey,
seeking their food from God.

A: The sun rises, and they withdraw to rest in their dens;
man goes forth to his work, * to labour till evening falls.

B: How manifold are Your works, O Lord,
in wisdom You wrought them all.
The earth overflows with Your riches.

A: And the sea! Look how great and wide,
with its moving swarms past counting
of living things both great and small.

B: There the ships sail back and forth,
and Leviathan You made to play with.

A: They all look to You, hoping for food in due time;
You give it to them and they gather it up,
You open Your hand and the eat their fill.

B: If You hide Your face they are restless and troubled,
when You take Your breath away they perish,
returning to the dust they came from.

A: You send forth Your breath and they are created,
and You renew the face of the earth.

B: May the glory of the Lord last forever,
may the Lord take pleasure in all His works.

A: He looks at the earth and it trembles,
He touches the mountains and they smoke.

B: I will sing to the Lord all my life,
I will sing for joy in my God as long as I live!

A: May my thought please Him as much as He pleases me.
Away with sinners from the face of the earth, let the wicked be no more! Bless the Lord, O my soul!

B: The sun knows when to set;
You bring darkness and it is night.

A: How manifold are Your works, O Lord,

All: In wisdom You wrought them all!

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

both now and ever, and for ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia; glory to You, O God!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia;

glory to You, O God!

Ekteny of Peace

Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For peace throughout the world, for the well-being of God’s holy Churches and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

For our most holy universal Pontiff, N., the Pope of Rome, for his Beatitude, our Patriarch, N., our most reverend Metropolitan N., our God-loving Bishop N., for the revered priesthood, diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For our nation under God, and our government, and for all the military, let us pray to the Lord.

For this city, for every city and country and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favourable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

For the seafarers and travelers, for the sick and the suffering, for those held captive, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be delivered from tribulation, wrath, and misfortune, let us pray to the Lord.

Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life, to Christ our God.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For all glory, honour and worship befit You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and for ages of ages.

All: Amen.

Readings from the Psalter

Little Ekteny

Deacon: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For You are our God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and for ages of ages.

All: Amen.

LAMP-LIGHTING PSALMS

Psalm 140

O Lord, I cry to You, hear me.

Hear me, O Lord!

O Lord, I cry to You, hear me.

Hear my voice when I call to You.

Hear me, O Lord!

Let my prayer rise like incense before You.

The lifting of my hands like the evening sacrifice.

Hear me, O Lord!

Then the reader alone, or two choirs:

Set a guard at my mouth, O Lord;

keep a watch at the door of my lips.

Let not my heart turn to wrong,

to doing evil with wicked men.

No, let me never join in their feasting.

Let the just man strike me,

it is a kindness if he upbraids me,

but, never let the oil of the wicked anoint my head.

Unceasingly I pit my prayer against their malice.

Their princes fall on rocky crags.

Then they saw how sweet my words are.

As a millstone is shattered to pieces on the ground,

so are their bones strewn at the mouth of the grave.

To You, Lord, God, our eyes are turned,

in You I hide, Spare my soul!

Keep me safe from the trap they set for me,

from the snares of all evildoers.

Let them fall into their own trap, the wicked,

all of them together!

As for me, let me go on unharmed!

Psalm 141

With all my voice I cry to the Lord.

With all my voice I entreat the Lord.

I pour out before Him my complaint.

My distress I place before Him.

My spirit faints within me,

but You know my path.

Along the path I have taken

they have hidden a snare.

Look to my right and see, no one knows me.

There is nowhere to run, no one to care for my soul.

I cry to You, Lord; I have said it:

You are my refuge, all I have left in the land of the living.

Listen then, to my cry,

for I am in the very depths of despair.

Rescue me from those who pursue me,

they are stronger than I.

Set me free from this prison

so that I may praise You name.

Around me the just shall throng

because of Your goodness to me.

Psalm 129

From the depths I cry to You, O Lord,

O Lord, hear my voice.

Let Your ears attend

to the sound of my plea.

The stichera are now sung according to the day in the Tone of the Week.

6. If You, Lord, mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive,* but with You is found forgiveness,* for this we revere You.

5. For Your name’s sake I hope in You, O Lord,* I count on Your word,* my soul counts on You.

4. From the morning watch till nightfall* let Israel count on the Lord.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.* It is He who will redeem Israel from all its sins.

Psalm 116

2. Praise the Lord, all people,* feast Him, all nations.

1. Strong is His love for us,* without end His faithfulness.

Glory … Now … Dogmatikon

THE Evening Hymn – Fos Ilarion

Tranquil Light, of the holy glory
of the immortal, heavenly holy, blessed Father,
O Jesus Christ: as we come upon the sunset,
as we see the evening light, we sing to God,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
At all times You are worthy
of being hymned by joyful voices;
O Son of God, You are the Giver of Life.
For this the whole world glorifies You!

The Evening Prokimen

Deacon: Let us be attentive!

Priest: Peace to all of you.

Deacon: Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

Sunday Evening

Psalm 133, Tone 8

Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord.

verse: Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of God!

Monday Evening

Psalm 4, Tone 4

The Lord shall hear me when I call to Him.

verse: When I called to You, You heard me, O God of my justice! Be kind to me now and hear my prayer!

Tuesday Evening

Psalm 22, Tone 1

Your mercy, Lord, will follow me all the days of my life.

verse: The Lord is my shepherd and I shall want nothing! He has set me in a place of pasture!

Wednesday Evening

Psalm 53, Tone 5

Save me by Your power, O God, set me free by Your might!

verse: O God, hear my prayer! Give ear to the words of my mouth.

Thursday Evening

Psalm 120, Tone 6

My help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

verse: I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains from whence help shall come to me.

Friday Evening

Psalm 58, Tone7

You are my Protector, O God, and Your mercy shall go before me.

verse: Deliver me from my enemies, O God, and save me from them that rise up against me.

The Kataxiosin

Favour us, O Lord, throughout this evening,
keep us free from sin.

Honour and blessing to You, Lord, God of our Fathers,
glorious is Your name for ever. Amen.

Let Your love, O Lord, rest upon us,
for we put our trust in You.

Blessed are You, O Lord,
Teach us Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Master,
Make us understand Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Holy One,
enlighten us by Your statutes.

Your love, O Lord, endures forever,
do not forsake the work of Your hands.

Honour is rightfully Yours,
rightfully Yours our songs of praise.

Glory is rightfully Yours,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Now and ever,
and for ages of ages. Amen.

EKTENY OF PETITION

Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Deacon: That this whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

Deacon: For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.

Deacon: For all that is good and beneficial for our souls and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

Deacon: That we may spend the rest of our lives in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

Deacon: For a Christian end to our lives, one that is painless, unashamed, and peaceful; and for a good defense at the awesome tribunal of Christ, let us ask the Lord.

Deacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ our God.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For You are merciful, O God, and You love mankind, and to You we send up glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and for ages of ages.

All: Amen.

PRAYER AT THE BOWING OF HEADS

Priest: Peace to all of you.

All: And with your spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: You suspended the heavens over the earth, O Lord our God, and then you came down from them to save us. Look down, now, upon Your servants and heirs, as they bow their heads and bend their necks to You, their awesome but merciful Judge! It is not from men that they expect help, but from You that they hope for mercy and salvation. Protect them this evening and throughout the coming night from all their enemies, from every assault of the powers of hell, from vain and useless thoughts and from evil memories. And may Your mighty power be blessed and glorified, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and for ages of ages.

All: Amen.

Aposticha

THE SONG OF SIMEON

Now, O Master, You have kept Your promise,
let Your servant go in peace.
With my own eyes I have seen the salvation
which You have prepared in the sight of every people;
a light to reveal You to the gentiles,
and the glory of Your people, Israel.

THE EXTENDED TRISAGION

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us! thrice

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

both now and ever, and for ages of ages. Amen.

Most-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, wash away our sins, Master, forgive us our transgressions, Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for your Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. thrice

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

both now and ever, and for ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and for ages of ages.

All: Amen.

TROPARIA

Ekteny of Supplication

Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, in the greatness of Your compassion, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy. thrice

Deacon: For our most holy universal Pontiff, N., Pope of Rome, for His Beatitude, our Patriarch N., for our most reverend Metropolitan N., for our God-loving Bishop N., for those who serve or have served in this holy church, for our spiritual fathers, and for all our brethren in Christ.

Deacon: We also pray for our nation under God, for our government and for all the military.

Petitions may be added here

Deacon: We also pray for the people here present who await Your great and bountiful mercies, for those who have been kind to us, and for all orthodox Christians.

Priest: For You are a merciful and loving God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and for ages of ages.

All: Amen.

DISMISSAL

Deacon: Wisdom!

All: More honourable than the Cherubim,* and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim.* Without stain you bore the Word of God.* O true Theotokos, we extol you.

Priest: Glory to You, Christ God, our Hope, glory to You.

All: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and for ages of ages. Amen.* Lord, have mercy. thrice* Give the blessing.

Priest: By the prayers of His most pure Mother, those of all the holy and illustrious apostles, those of the holy St. N., Patron of our church, those of St. N., whose memory we celebrate today, and by the prayers of all the Saints, may Christ our true God (who rose from the dead) have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and the Lover of mankind.

All: Amen.

Prayers of Light

The Prayers of Light are prayed by the priest in front of the Holy Doors

while Psalm 103 is sung by the faithful.

O Lord, compassionate and loving, long-suffering and most merciful, hear our prayer and listen to the voice of our supplication. Make a favourable covenant with us, guide us along Your ways that we may live in Your truth, gladden our hearts that we may fear Your holy name; for You are great and You perform wondrous deeds. You are the only God and none other is like You, O Lord. You are great in mercy and able, in Your power, to assist, support, and save all those who place their hope in Your holy name; and to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is due all glory, honour, and adoration, now and ever and forever. Amen.

O Lord, in Your indignation do not rebuke us; in Your wrath do not chastise us; but deal with us according to Your loving-kindness. O Physician and Healer of our souls, guide us to the harbour of Your will; enlighten the eyes of our mind that we may know Your truth. Grant that the remainder of this day and all the days of our life may be peaceful and without sin, through the prayers of the holy Mother of God and through the prayers of all the Saints; for Yours is the might, and yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

O Lord our God, be mindful of us sinners, Your unworthy servants, as we call upon Your holy name, and put us not to shame for having placed our hope in Your mercy. Graciously grant us, O Lord, all the means of salvation; make us worthy to love and fear You with all our heart and to accomplish Your will In all things. For You are a gracious Lord and Your love mankind; and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

O Lord, You are praised by the holy Powers in hymns which are never silent, and in doxologies which never cease. Fill our mouths with Your praise that we may exalt Your holy name. Through the prayers of the holy Mother of God and the intercession of all Your Saints, give us a part and an inheritance with those who fear You in truth and who keep Your commandments. For to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is due all glory, honor, and adoration, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Blessed are You, O Lord, Almighty God. You know the mind of each person; You know what each needs even before they ask or are aware of it. Now, O King Who loves mankind and Who is gracious in everything, in Your great mercy allow us to call upon Your holy name with an unashamed conscience. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One; for to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is due all glory, honour, and adoration, now and ever and forever. Amen.

O Lord, O Lord, You hold all things together in Your spotless hands; You are long-suffering toward us all; You grieve at our wickedness. Remember Your compassion and mercy, and look down upon us in Your goodness. Grant that for the rest of this day we may escape from the manifold deceits of the Evil One; and keep our life free from every assault of the enemy, through the grace of Your All-holy Spirit. Grant this through the mercies and love for mankind of Your only-begotten Son with Whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, gracious, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

O great and wonderful God, You govern all things with Your indescribable goodness and rich providence You have provided us with the goodness of this world and have assured us through Your kindness, of attaining the promised kingdom. O Lord, through all the blessings already received this day, You have kept us away from evil; grant that we spend its remaining hours without blame before Your holy glory, and that we nay sing Your praise, O You, the only Gracious One Who loves mankind. For Your are our God, and we send up glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

O great and most high God, You alone are immortal and You dwell in a light which is unapproachable. You created all things in Your wisdom, dividing light from darkness, establishing the sun to govern the day and the moon and stars to rule the night. You have deemed us, poor sinners, worthy to reach this hour, to come into Your presence with our thanks, and to offer You our evening praise. O Lord Who loves mankind, let our prayers ascend to You as incense, and accept them as a sweet fragrance. Grant that this evening and the coming night may be spent in peace; clothe us with the armor of light; save us from the fears of the night and from things that lurk in darkness. Grant that the sleep You have given to refresh us from our fatigue may be free from every evil. Yes, O Lord and Giver of all good things, may we remember Your name throughout the night; and enlightened by the practice of Your commandments, may we rise in gladness of soul to praise Your goodness, offering prayers and supplications for our sins and those of Your people. Look down upon us with mercy, through the intercession of the Mother of God; for You are a gracious Lord Who loves mankind, and we glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.