SMALL COMPLINE

Wednesday, April 1

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Great Wednesday

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Priest: Blessed be our God always, now and for ever and ever.

    

Choir: Amen.

 

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!

 

Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth,* Who are everywhere present and fill all things,* Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of Life, come and dwell within us;* cleanse us of all that defiles us,* and, O Good One, save our souls.

 

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3x)

 

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,* now and for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Trinity most holy, have mercy on us.* Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord;* pardon our transgressions, O Master;* look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One;* for the sake of Your name.

 

Lord, have mercy. (3x)

 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,* now and for ever and ever. 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, and Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

    Choir: Amen. 

 

Lord, have mercy. (12x)

 

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Come, let us adore the King, our God.

Come, let us adore Christ, the King and our God.

Come, let us adore and bow down to the only Lord Jesus Christ, the King and our God.

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Psalm 69 

 

O God, make haste to my rescue, * Lord, come to my aid!

 

Let there be shame and confusion* on those who seek my life.

 

O let them turn back in confusion,* who delight in my harm,

 

Let them retreat, covered with shame,* who jeer at my lot.

 

Let there be rejoicing and gladness* for all who seek You.

 

Let them say for ever: "God is great,* who love Your saving help.

 

As for me, wretched and poor,* come to me, O God.

 

You are my rescuer, my help,* O Lord, do not delay.

 

The Symbol of Faith

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,* Maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

 

I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,* eternally begotten of the Father.

 

Light from Light, true God from true God,* begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made.

 

For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven;* by the power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

 

For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate;* He suffered, died, and was buried.

 

On the third day He rose again in fulfilment of the Scriptures;* He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

 

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,* and His kingdom will have no end.

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life,* Who proceeds from the Father [and the Son].

 

With the Father and the Son He is worshipped and glorified.* He has spoken through the prophets.

 

I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

 

I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

 

Ilook for the resurrection of the dead,* and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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Canon of Supplication to the Mother of God

 

Ode 1, Hirmos (Tone 8): When Israel passed through the waters as upon dry land and escaped the malice of the Egyptians, they cried out: Let us sing to our Redeemer and our God.

 

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

Many temptations have surrounded me, O Virgin. To you I come for shelter and salvation. O Mother of God, deliver me from all trouble and affliction.

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

The assaults of my passions disturb me; they fill my soul with great discouragement. O Maiden, preserved from all stain, restore the balance of my soul through the peace of your Son and God.

 

Glory be: O Virgin, I beseech you who have given birth to God the Savior, deliver me from my afflictions. It is to you I now come for shelter, to you I lift my heart and thoughts.

 

Now and for ever: You alone are the Mother of God: you are good and the Mother of Goodness. Take away the disease of my body and soul and make me worthy of Your good care and of the coming of God.

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Ode 3, Hirmos (Tone 8): O Lord and supreme Creator of the heavenly firmament, Founder of the Church, confirm me in Your love, O Summit of Desire, for You are the Stronghold of the faithful and the only One Who truly loves mankind.

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

O virgin Mother of God, I choose you to be my protection and the shelter of my life. Direct me towards your haven, for you are the channel of all good things and the support of the faithful, and you alone are worthy of every praise.

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

I beseech you, O Virgin, dispel the troubles of my soul, quiet the surge of my despair, for you, O bride of God, have carried the Prince of Peace, and you alone are perfectly pure.

 

Glory be: You gave birth to the Doer of Good, to the Cause of All Delight: let the wealth of his generation abound within all souls, for since you have borne the almighty Christ, you have power to act as you please, O you who are blessed of God.

Now and for ever: O Virgin, help me who am pressed by incurable ills and distressing passions, for I know that you, all-blameless one, are a perfect and abundant treasury of healing.

 

Sessional (Tone 8): Bride of the Creator,* most pure Mother of the Savior,* dwelling of the Comforter,* ever-glorious One, hasten to us,* who have become a defiled abode of evil and the plaything of the demons.* Free us from their malice and make us a radiant,* light-giving, and incorrupt abode of virtue.* Drive away from us the darkness of passions,* and grant that through your prayers* we may become worthy of heavenly glory and of the light that knows no evening

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Ode 4, Hirmos: (Tone 8): O Lord, I have heard of the mystery of Your plan of redemption, and I have understood your works; that is why I give glory to Your divinity.

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

Quiet the seething of my passions and calm the storm of my sins, for you are the bride of God who gave birth to the good Lord.

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

O Virgin who gave birth to the compassionate Lord, the Savior of those who praise you, grant that 1 who cling to you may enjoy the depth of your compassion.

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Glory be: We who rejoice on account of your gift are aware that you are the Mother of God, and so we sing a hymn of gratitude to you who are perfectly pure.

 

Now and for ever: You whom we possess as our hope, our supporting strength, our indestructible wall of salvation, are worthy of all praise. Grant that we may be worthy to be delivered from all affliction.

 

Ode 5, Hirmos (Tone 8): Enlighten our hearts with Your commands, O Lord; with Your outstretched hand, grant us Your peace, O Lover of mankind!

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

O immaculate Lady, give me your pure happiness. You gave birth to the Cause of joy; fill my heart with joy!

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

Deliver us from dangers, O immaculate Mother of God, for you gave birth to Eternal Salvation and to Peace beyond our understanding.

 

Glory be: With the brightness of your light, dispel the darkness of my sins, O bride of God Who gave birth to the divine and eternal Light!

 

Now and for ever:Heal the misery of my passions, make me worthy of your assistance, and through your interces-sion, grant me health.

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Ode 6, Hirmos (Tone 8): Before the Lord, I pour out my supplication; to Him I complain about my sorrow, for my soul is filled with iniquity and my life is close to the abyss. Therefore, like Jonah, I cry out: Raise me from corruption, O my God!

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

O Virgin, beseech your Lord and your Son Who delivered himself to death and saved my nature from death and corruption to which it had been bound, that He may deliver me from the hands of the enemy.

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

I believe, O Virgin, that through your intercession you save and protect my life, dispelling many temptations and casting out the cunning snares of the devil. 

 

Glory be: O Maiden, you have been given to us as a wall behind which we may seek refuge, as a perfect means of salvation for our souls, as a joy in our tribulations, for we always find delight in your light. O Lady, save us always from every danger and evil desire.

 

Now and for ever: Behold how sick I am! I he upon my bed, and there is no healing for me. I come to you in your goodness, for you have given birth to the Savior of the world. Deliver me from my disease and raise me from the pain of my affliction.

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Kontakion (Tone 6): Gentle protectress of Christians,* unfailing advocate before the Creator,* do not despise the prayerful voice of sinners,* but in your goodness, hasten to assist us who trustfully cry out to you:* Inspire us to prayer and hasten to hear our supplications.* Intercede always, O Mother of God,* in behalf of those who honor you.

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Ikos: Stretch forth your hands which have received as a child the Lord of all, O Mother of God. Because of the greatness of your goodness, do not forsake us who always hope in you. Through your all-powerful prayers and unfailing forgiveness have mercy on us and grant to our souls your mercy which is inexhaustible; for we sinners have in you a protectress against every misfortune and evil. Therefore, as one who has the graces of mercy, hasten to hear our prayers and supplications and intercede always in behalf of those who honor you.

 

Ode 7, Hirmos (Tone 8): The youths of Judea who came to Babel had the power to overcome the flames of the furnace, for they believed in the Holy Trinity and cried out: Blessed are You, O God of our fathers!

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

In your desire to save our souls, You dwelt in the womb of the Virgin and established her as the intercessor of creation. Blessed are You, O God of our fathers!

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

O most pure Mother, may your prayer go up to the Source of mercy to Whom you have given birth, so that we may be preserved from weakness and impurity, who cry out with faith: Blessed are You, O God of our fathers!

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Glory be: You have taken the one who gave You birth, and have established her as a treasury of salvation, a source of immortality, an indestructible fortress, a door open for repentance to those who cry out: Blessed are You, O God of our fathers!

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Now and for ever: O Mother of God who gave us Christ, grant to those who anxiously seek your divine shelter that they deserve to be healed of the illness of body and soul.

 

Ode 8, Hirmos (Tone8): Let us praise the King of heaven Whom the hosts of angels praise; let us exalt His name forever.

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

O Virgin, do not turn away from those who seek your help, who praise and exalt your maidenhood forever.

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

O Virgin, abundant healing flows from you upon all those who sing your wondrous birth with faith and praise.

 

Glory be: O Virgin, you shall heal the sorrows of my soul, you shall cure the illness of my body, and I shall sing your praise, O Woman Full of Grace!

 

Now and for ever: Virgin, you drive away the dangers of temptation, you restrain the fire of passion, and so we sing your praise forever.

 

Ode 9, Hirmos (Tone 8): Virgin without stain through whom we have been saved, we proclaim that you are the true Mother of God, and with hosts of angels, we extol your name.

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

O Virgin, despise not the flow of my tears, for you have given birth to the Lord Who wipes away all tears.

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

O Virgin, fill my heart with joy, you who have received the fullness of joy, destroying the gloom of sin.

O most holy Mother of God, save us.

O Virgin, be a haven and a help, an indestructible fortress and a harbor, a shelter and a joy to those who come to you.

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Glory be: O Virgin, cast away the darkness of unknow-ing; enlighten with your rays of light those who proclaim that you are truly the Mother of God.

 

Now and for ever: O Virgin, come to me in this time of pain; raise me from my sickness and restore my health.

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It is truly right to bless you, O God-bearing One,* as the ever-blessed and immaculate Mother of our God.* More honorable than the cherubim* and by far more glorious than the seraphim;* ever a virgin, you gave birth to God the Word,* O true Mother of God, we magnify you.

 

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3x)

 

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,* now and for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Trinity most holy, have mercy on us.* Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord;* pardon our transgressions, O Master;* look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One;* for the sake of Your name.

 

Lord, have mercy. (3x)

 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,* now and for ever and ever. 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, and Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

    Choir: Amen. 

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(Tone 4): God of our Fathers* Who always deal with us according to Your everlasting compassion,* do not withdraw Your mercy from us,* but through the prayers of our Fathers,* guide our lives along the ways of peace.

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O Christ God, Your Church,* crimsoned with the blood of Your martyrs all over the world* as with a cloak of purple and porphyry, cries out to You:* Send Your mercy upon Your people, grant peace to Your fold, and extend Your great compassion upon our souls.

 

Glory be (Tone 8, kontakion): To the souls of Your servants, O Christ,* grant rest among the saints,* where there is no pain, no sorrow, no mourning,* but only life without end.

 

Now and for ever: Through the prayers of all the saints, and of the Mother of God,* grant us Your peace, O Lord, and have mercy on us,* for You alone are merciful.

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(Tone 2): O apostles, prophets, martyrs, hierarchs, saints and righteous ones, who fought the good fight and kept the faith,* since you have acquired favor with the Savior,* intercede with Him that, in His goodness,* He may save our souls.

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Lord, have mercy (40x)

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O Christ our God, in all times and places You are worshiped and glorified both in heaven and on earth. You are long-suffering and generous in Your mercy and compas-sion. You love the just and show mercy to the sinner, calling all people to repentance through the promise of blessings to come. Deem, O Lord, at this very hour, to receive our supplications and to direct our lives in the path of Your commandments. Sanctify our souls; purify our bodies; set aright our minds; cleanse our thoughts; deliver us from all affliction, trouble and distress; surround us with Your holy angels so that, guided and guarded in their camp, we may attain oneness of faith and the knowledge of Your unspeakable glory. For You are blessed forever and ever.

 

Amen.

 

Lord, have mercy (3x).

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Glory be: Now and for ever:

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More honorable than the cherubim and by far more glorious than the seraphim;* ever a virgin, you gave birth to God the Word, * O true Mother of God, we magnify you.

 

Give the blessing, Father, in the name of the Lord!

 

Priest: May God be merciful to us and bless us; may His countenance shine upon us, and may He have mercy on us.

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Choir: Amen.

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Prayer to the Mother of God

O Lady, bride of God, virginal, pure, immaculate, blame-less, without stain or disgrace, who through your birthgiv-ing brought together our fallen state and the things of heaven; O you, only hope of the hopeless, help of the oppressed, ready protection of those who flee to you and refuge of all Christians: despise us not who are wretched sinners, who have defiled ourselves with unclean thoughts, words and deeds, and in our slothfulness have become slaves to the passions of life. Since you are the Mother of God, Who is the Lover of mankind, have mercy, have compassion on us sinners and prodigal sons; accept this prayer from our impure lips, and, with the power of your maternity, beg your Son, our Lord and our God, to open for us the depths of His loving kindness, forgive our countless sins, convert us to true repentance, and make us faithful to His commands: O you who are compassionate, be our constant companion. In this present life, be with us as an intercessor, as a powerful help to turn away the assaults of our enemies and to guide us to salvation. At the hour of our death, be with us to embrace our poor souls and to keep away the dreadful sight of the wicked devils.

On the terrible day of judgment, deliver us from eternal punishment and make us heirs of your Son's glory, through the grace and the love for mankind of your Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him and to His eternal Father, and to His all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, we render glory, honor, and adoration, now and always and for ever and ever.

 

Amen.

 

Prayer to Jesus Christ

Now that we are about to lie down to sleep, grant us, O Master, the repose of our soul and body. Preserve us against the dark slumber of sin and against any impure sensuality that roams around in the darkness of night; quiet the assaults of our passions, arrest the darts that the Evil One insidiously throws at us, still the rebellions of our flesh, and still all earthly and worldly feelings within us. Grant us, O Lord, a watchful mind, innocent thoughts, a sober heart, a gentle sleep free from evil dreams; at the hour of prayer, arouse us, strong in the practice of Your precepts and ever-mindful of Your desires; give us the grace to sing Your glory throughout the night; to praise, bless and glorify Your all-honorable and magnificent name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, always, now and for ever and ever.

 

Amen.

 

O you most glorious, ever-virginal and blessed Mother of God, commend our prayers to your Son, our God, and entreat Him to save our souls through Your intercession.

 

The Father is my hope, the Son my refuge, the Holy Spirit my protection. O Trinity, one God, glory to You!

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(Tone 6) Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us!* Since we have no defense,* we sinners offer this supplication to You our Master:* have mercy on us!

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Glory be: O Lord, have mercy on us,* for in You we place our hope.* Be not exceedingly angry with us nor mindful of our transgressions,* but look upon us even now with mercy and deliver us from our enemies,* for You are our God and we are Your people;* we are all the work of Your hands,* and we call upon Your name.

 

Now and for ever: Open to us the doors of mercy, O blessed Mother of God,* that we, who place our trust in you, may not perish,* but that through you we may be delivered from misfortune,* for you are the salvation of all Christians.

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Have mercy on us, O God, in the greatness of Your com-passion, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

 

Choir: Lord, have mercy (3x).

 

Again, let us pray that He may preserve this city and this holy church and every city, town, and country from famine, plague, earthquake, flood, hail, fire, civil war, riot, and foreign invasion; and that our God Who is kindly and the Lover of mankind may forgive our sins and hold back His just wrath, and that He may have mercy on us.

 

Choir: Lord, have mercy (12x).

Hear us, O God our Savior, Hope of all those who live at the far ends of the earth, and of those traveling by sea, air or land; be kind to us, O Master, forgive us our sins and have mercy on us, for You are a gracious Lord Who loves mankind, and we glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

 

Choir: Amen.

 

Glory be to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory be to You.

 

Choir: Glory be: Now and for ever: Lord, have mercy (3x). Give the blessing.

 

Christ our true God, through the prayers of His immaculate Mother; of our venerable and God-bearing fathers; and of all the saints, will have mercy and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.

 

Choir: Amen