VESPERS

Tuesday, January 27

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Our Venerable Father Ephrem the Syrian.​​​

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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.

Psalm 103

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul!* You are very great, O Lord, my God,

Clothed in pomp and brilliance;* arrayed with light as with a cloak.

Stretching out the sky as a tent-cloth,* covering Your lofty halls with water,

 

You make the clouds Your conveyance;* You surge on the wings of the wind.

You make spirits Your messengers,* and flaming fires Your attendants.

You settle the earth on its firm foundation;* it shall stand unmoved from age to age.

The abyss covers it like a garment;* waters stand over the mountains.

At Your rebuke they will take flight;* at the peal of Your thunder they will fear.

They hurdle the hills and run down the dales,* to the place You have chosen for them.

You have set up a boundary not to be passed;* they shall never return to cover the earth.

Down in the gullies, You make springs to rise;* water shall go down between the mountains.

They shall give drink to the beasts of the field;* wild asses will seek them to quench their thirst.

The birds of the sky will abide by them;* from among the rocks they will raise their song.

From Your lofty halls You refresh the mountains;* the earth shall be fed with the fruit of Your works.

You make green pastures for the cattle,* and food plants for the service of all,

So that bread may be brought forth from the earth,* and wine that gladdens the heart of all;

So that oil may put a gleam upon his face;* and that bread may strengthen the heart of all.

The trees of the plain will be satisfied,* the cedars of Lebanon that He planted.

The sparrows will build their nests in them;* and the herons will call them their home.

To the deer belong high mountains,* to rodents, the shelter of the rocks.

You have made the moon to mark the seasons;* the sun knows the time of its setting.

You establish darkness, and it is night,* wherein all the forest creatures prowl around.

Young lions roar for their prey,* and call out to God for their meat.

As the sun rises, they will come together,* and lay themselves down in their dens.

Man will go out to his labor,* and work until eventide.

How great are Your works, O Lord!* In wisdom You have wrought them all.

The earth is filled with Your creatures.* Even the wide and open sea itself,

Within it there are countless creeping things,* living beings small and large.

Upon it there are ships a-sailing,* and that great beast You made to have fun therein.

All of them look up to You,* to give them their food in due time.

You provide and they gather up;* You open Your hand and they are full.

You hide Your face and they cringe;* You suspend their breath, and they die and return to their dust.

You send forth Your breath and they live;* You renew the face of the earth.

May the Lord's glory endure forever;* may the Lord rejoice in His works;

He looks upon the earth and makes it quake;* He touches the mountains and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;* I will praise my God as long as I last.

Would that my thoughts be pleasing to Him:* and I will rejoice in the Lord.

May sinners vanish from the earth, and may the wicked be no more.* Bless the Lord, O my soul!

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

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God (3x)

Litany of Peace

 

Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

 

Choir: Lord, have mercy (and after each petition).

 

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

 

For peace throughout the whole 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., Pope of Rome, for our most blessed Patriarch, N., our most reverend Metropolitan, N., our God-loving Bishop, N., the reverend priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

 

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

 

For this city (or For this village, or For this holy monastery), for every city and country and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

 

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

 

For 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 all tribulation, wrath, and misfortune, let us pray to the Lord.

 

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

 

Priest: 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.

 

Choir: To You, O Lord.

 

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

 

Choir: Amen.​​​

Psalm 140

O Lord, I have cried to You hear me,*; hear me, O Lord!* O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me;* receive the voice of my prayer* when I call upon You.* Hear me, O Lord!

Let my prayer rise like incense before You;* and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.* Hear me, O Lord!

Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth* and a portal around my lips.

 

Incline my heart away from evil dealings,* from finding excuses for sinful deeds.

In company with those who work iniquity,* let me not partake of what they choose.

 

May the just chasten me with justice and reprove me;* may the oil of the wicked never touch my head.

Yet even then shall I pray for their welfare.* Their rulers were swallowed near the rock.

My words will be heard,* for they were sweet.

As a lump of clay broken on the ground,* so their bones were strewn near the grave.

To You, Lord, O Lord, my eyes are lifted up.* In You have I hoped; let not my soul be lost.

Keep me from the snare that was set for me,* and from the stumbling-blocks of the wicked.

The wicked shall fall into their own nets, * while I remain alone until I can escape.

Psalm 141

 

With my voice I cried to the Lord;* with all my voice I implored the Lord.

Before Him I pour out my supplications;* before Him I declare my distress.

When my breath was escaping me,* then you knew my paths;

On the road upon which I was walking,* they set up snares for me.

I looked to my right and observed* there was no one friendly to me;

Even flight was denied me;* there was no one to take care of my life.

I cried out to You, O Lord, and said:* You are my hope, my share in the land of the living.

Listen to my supplication,* for I am laid very low.

 

Deliver me from my oppressors;* for they have overwhelmed me.

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

Psalm 129

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Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!​

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Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.​​​

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If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

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I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.​

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From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.​

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Tone 1

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

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Looking toward the beauties of paradise,* and richly delighting in meadows of incorruption,* you blossomed forth the knowledge of God for the world;* and partaking thereof with spiritual love, O venerable one,* we grow spiritually in soul.

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Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

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Having written of the coming of the Judge with streams of tears,* you teach all to light the lamps of their souls,* announcing the arrival of the Bridegroom,* that we may all clothe ourselves with splendid vesture* to greet Christ the Bridegroom.

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Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

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Protecting your body with abstinence,* you mortified the movements of the passions, O father,* by prayers and vigils. The power of the Spirit which dwelled within you* has shown you to be a spiritual beacon* for the whole world.

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Tone 6, Glory…

Having resolved to forsake the tumults of life, O ever-memorable Ephrem,* you attained to the desert with love of stillness;* and thereby led actively to God,* you shone forth as a lamp upon the world,* and poured forth the words of life upon men.* Never cease to make us steadfast by your prayers, O venerable father,* that our souls may be delivered from the alien foe.

 

Now…

Beholding our Life hanging upon the Tree,* the most immaculate Theotokos cried out, lamenting maternally:* “O my Son and my God, save those who hymn You with love!”

 

Priest (or deacon): Wisdom! Stand aright.

 

Choir: 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.

Priest: Let us be attentive! Peace † be with all. Wisdom! Let us be attentive!

 

Tone 1

Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me* all the days of my life.

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verse: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In green pastures He gives me repose.

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Deign, O Lord

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Deign, O Lord, * to keep us this evening without sin.

 

Blessed are You, O Lord God of our Fathers,* and praised and glorified is Your name forever. Amen.

 

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us* because we have set our hope in You.

 

Blessed are You, O Lord,* teach me Your command-ments.

 

Blessed are You, O Master,* make me understand Your commandments.

 

Blessed are You, O Holy One,* enlighten me with Your laws.

 

O Lord, Your mercy endures forever;* do not despise the work of Your hands.

It is proper to praise You,* and hymns belong to You.

 

Glory belongs to You,* Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

 

Now and for ever* and ever. Amen.

 

Litany

 

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

    

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

 

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

    

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

 

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

    

Choir: Grant this, O Lord (after each petition).

 

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

 

For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offen-ses, let us ask the Lord.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

    

Choir: To You, O Lord

 

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

    

Choir: Amen.

 

Priest: Peace † be with all.

    

Choir: And with Your spirit.

 

Priest: Bow your heads to the Lord.

    

Choir: To You, O Lord.

 

Priest (quietly): O Lord our God, You lowered the heavens when You came down for the salvation of the human race. Now look upon Your servants and upon Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads to You, the Judge, both awesome and loving. They do not await human help, but look for Your mercy and are ready to receive Your salva-tion. Guard them at all times, this evening and tonight, against all enemies, against the devil's assaults, against vain thoughts and evil dreams.

 

Priest: May the might of Your kingdom be blessed and exalted, Father Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

    

Choir: Amen.

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Aposticha

Tone 8

О Christ God who was lifted up upon the Cross,* You saved the race of mankind.* We glorify Your sufferings!

 

I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us.

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You were nailed to the Cross, О Christ God,* opening the gates of paradise.* We glorify Your divinity!

 

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud.

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Your martyrs, О Lord, were no longer mindful of the things of life,* but ignored their tortures for the sake of the life which is to come,* and were shown to be inheritors thereof;* therefore, they rejoice with the angels.* By their supplications grant great mercy to Your people.

 

Tone 4, Glory…

Making your couch wet with your tears, as did the prophet,* and achieving repentance by instruction of life,* by your works and discourses you have shown us the fear of judgment;* and, assembling, we all honour your memory, O most blessed one,* doer of all-glorious deeds of the Lord, O ever-memorable Ephrem.* We entreat you now: pray to Christ God in behalf of our souls.

 

Now…

When she beheld You, the Lamb and Shepherd, upon the Tree,* the Ewe-lamb who gave You birth lamented* and exclaimed to You maternally:* “How is it that You have been suspended upon the tree of the Cross, O Longsuffering One?* How is it that Your hands and feet have been pierced with nails by the iniquitous, O Word,* and that You have shed Your blood, O Master?”

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Canticle of Simeon

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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!

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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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Troparia

Tone 8

Your abundant tears made the wilderness bloom,* and your sufferings made your labours fruitful a hundredfold;* you became a shining torch over the world.* O venerable father Ephrem,* pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls.

 

Tone 8

Your abundant tears made the wilderness bloom,* and your sufferings made your labours fruitful a hundredfold;* you became a shining torch over the world.* O venerable father Ephrem,* pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls.

 

Glory… Now…​

When the Mother beheld upon the cross* the Lamb, the Shepherd, and the Saviour of the world,* she exclaimed tearfully:* The world rejoices at the sight of its redemption,* but my heart is afire as I see Your pain on the cross,* which You accept for the sake of all, O my Son and my God!

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Litany

 

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

    

Choir: Lord, have mercy (3x).

 

We also pray for our most holy universal Pontiff, N., Pope of Rome; for our most blessed Patriarch, N.; our most reverend Metropolitan, N.; our God-loving Bishop, N., for those who serve and have served in this holy church, for our spiritual fathers, and for all our brethren in Christ.

  

 Choir: Lord, have mercy (3x).

 

We also pray for our nation under God, for our govern-ment, and for all the military.

    

Choir: Lord, have mercy (3x).

 

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.

  

 Choir: Lord, have mercy (3x).

 

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

    

Choir: Amen.

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Priest: Wisdom!​

  

 Choir: 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.

 

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

    

Choir: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen. Lord, have mercy (3x). Give the blessing.

 

Priest:

Christ our true God, through the prayers of His immaculate Mother; by the power of the precious and life-giving cross; of the holy, glorious, and all-praiseworthy apostles Our Venerable Father Ephrem the Syrian and of all the saints, will have mercy and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.

    

Choir: Amen.

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On Weekdays: O Lady, receive the prayers of your servants,* and deliver us from all sorrows and tribulations.

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