Evening Prayers
During Bright Week the Paschal Hours replace these Evening Prayers.
From Thomas Sunday until the Leave-taking of Pascha, instead of the prayer “O Heavenly King…” we read the Paschal Tropar:
“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and on those in the tombs bestowing life”, (thrice).
From the Leave-taking of Pascha to Pentecost, begin with the Trisagion.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (thrice)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Your most pure Mother, and of all the Saints, have mercy on me. Amen.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
O Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (thrice)
The Small Doxology
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to the all–Holy Trinity
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
O Lord, cleanse us from our sins.
O Master, pardon our transgressions.
O Holy One, visit us and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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 the evil one. Amen.
Penitential Troparia
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us. Having no defense, we sinners offer this prayer to You, as Master: have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy on us for we put our hope in You. Be neither exceedingly angry with us, nor mindful of our transgressions, but look upon us in Your tender-heartedness 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.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Open for us the doors of loving-kindness, O blessed Theotokos, that we who have hoped in You may not perish, but through You may be delivered from all adversity, for You are the salvation of Christian people.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
1st Prayer – of St. Maсarius the Great to God the Father
O eternal God and King of all creation, who has granted that I attain this hour, forgive the sins that I have committed today in thought, word and deed.
O Lord, cleanse my humble soul from all defilement of flesh and spirit.
Grant that I may pass this night in peaceful slumber, so that when I rise from my humble bed I may praise Your most holy name all the days of my life and conquer all fleshly and bodiless foes. Lord, deliver me from vain and frivolous thoughts and evil desires that defile me.
For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
2nd Prayer – of St. Antiochus
Almighty Word of the Father, the only perfect one, Jesus Christ, in Your great mercy never leave me, but always dwell in me, Your servant. O Jesus, Good Shepherd of Your sheep, do not allow me to fall victim to the revolt of the serpent and do not leave me to Satan’s will, for the seed of corruption is within me. Rather, Lord, worshipful God, holy King Jesus Christ, guard my sleep with the unfailing light — Your Holy Spirit, through whom You sanctified Your Disciples.
Lord, grant me, an unworthy servant, Your salvation upon my bed.
Enlighten my mind with the light of the understanding of Your holy Gospel.
Enlighten my soul with the love of Your Cross.
Enlighten my heart with the purity of Your word.
Enlighten my body with Your passionless passion.
Preserve my thoughts by Your humility. And awaken me in due time to glorify You, for You are supremely glorified, with Your Father who is from everlasting and Your most holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages. Amen.
3rd Prayer – “The Evening Prayer”
O Lord our God, in Your goodness and love for mankind forgive me all the sins I have committed this day in thought, word or deed. Grant me a peaceful and calm sleep. Send Your Guardian Angel to guard and protect me from all evil. For You are the defender of our souls and bodies and we send up glory to You — Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
4th Prayer – of Saint John Chrysostom, for Every Hour of the Day and Night
O Lord, deprive me not of Your heavenly bounties.
Lord, deliver me from eternal torment.
Lord, forgive my sins committed in thought, word or deed.
Lord, deliver me from all blindness, forgetfulness, despondency and stony insensibility.
Lord, deliver me from all temptation.
Lord, enlighten my heart, darkened by evil desires.
Lord, God of compassion, if I have sinned, have mercy on me for You see the deficiency of my soul.
Lord, impart Your grace to assist me in my needs — that I may glorify Your holy name.
Lord Jesus Christ, inscribe me, Your servant, in the book of life and grant me a blessed repose.
Lord my God, though I have done nothing good before You, in Your grace, grant me the determination to do good.
Lord, sprinkle my heart with the dew of Your grace.
Lord of heaven and earth, remember me, Your sinful, shameful and impure servant in Your kingdom. Amen.
O Lord, receive me in repentance.
Lord, do not depart from me.
Lord, deliver me not into temptation.
Lord, grant me an upright mind.
Lord, grant me tears and a remembrance of death and sorrow.
Lord, grant me the thought of confessing my sins.
Lord, grant me humility, chastity and obedience.
Lord, grant me patience, generosity and meekness.
Lord, implant the root of all blessing,
the fear of You in my heart.
Lord, enable me to love You with all my soul and mind and in everything to do Your will.
Lord, protect me from unrighteous people, unclean spirits, passions and all that is harmful to me.
Lord, You know Your creation and as it is Your desire, allow Your will to be done in me, a sinner, for You are blessed unto the ages. Amen.
5th Prayer – to the Most Holy Theotokos
Most pure and blessed Virgin Mary, blessed Mother of the Most-blessed King, pour out the mercy of Your Son and our God on my passionate soul and guide me in good works through Your prayers. Grant that I may pass the rest of my life without defilement and find paradise through You, O Virgin Theotokos, оnly рure and blessed Lady.
6th Prayer – to one’s Guardian Angel
Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and protector of my soul and body: Forgive all my sins committed during this day and deliver me from every temptation of my enemy, so that I may not anger my God by any sin. Moreover pray for me, a sinful and unworthy servant, so that I might be found worthy of the grace and mercy of the All-holy Trinity together with the Mother of my God, Jesus Christ, and of all the Saints. Amen.
Prayer to the Saint whose Name we bear
Pray to God for me, holy and God-pleasing Saint [name], for with fervour I turn to You, the swift helper and intercessor for my soul.
You may add additional prayers for loved ones or for various needs.
Kondak to the Theotokos
To You, the Champion Leader, we Your servants dedicate a feast of victory and of thanksgiving as ones rescued from sufferings, O Theotokos. As You have invincible power, deliver us from every danger that we may cry out to You: Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded.
Most Glorious, Ever-Virgin, Mother of Christ God, present our prayer to Your Son and our God, that, through You, He may save our souls.
All my hope I place in You, O Mother of God. Keep me under Your protection.
7th Prayer – to the Venerable Cross
Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered and let those who hate Him flee from His face. As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish: as wax melts before the fire, so let the demons perish from the presence of those who love God and who sign themselves with the sign of the Cross saying joyfully: Hail, most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, for you drive away demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified on you. He descended into hades and trampled on the power of the devil and gave us you, His venerable Cross, to drive away all enemies.
O most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, together with the Holy Sovereign Lady, the Virgin Mother of God and all the Saints, help me throughout the ages. Amen.
Prayer for the Forgiveness of Sins
Remit, pardon and forgive our sins, O God, whether voluntary or involuntary, of word or deed, whether committed in knowledge or in ignorance, whether by day or night, in mind or in thought.
Forgive us everything, for You are good and the Lover of mankind.
Commemoration
O Lord, Lover of mankind, forgive those who hate us and deal unjustly with us.
Do good to those who do good unto us.
Grant our brethren and all our relatives their petitions which are for salvation and life eternal.
Visit the sick and grant them healing.
Guide those at sea.
Travel with those who travel.
Assist all Orthodox Christians in their struggles.
Grant remission of sins to those who serve and are kind to us.
Have mercy upon those who have asked us to pray for them, unworthy though we be.
Remember, O Lord, our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep and grant them rest where the light of Your face shines.
Remember O Lord, our brothers in captivity and deliver them from all misfortune.
Remember, O Lord, those who bear fruit and do good works in Your holy churches and grant them their petitions which are for salvation and eternal life.
Remember us also, Lord, Your humble, sinful and unworthy servants — and enlighten our minds with the light of Your knowledge and guide us in the way of Your commandments, through the prayers of our most pure Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary and of all Your Saints, for You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with You. Blessed are You among women and blessed is the fruit of Your womb, for You have borne the Saviour of our souls.
From Pascha until the Leave-taking of Pascha, instead of “It is truly worthy…” we recite:
Irmos of the 9th Ode of the Paschal Canon
Shine forth, Shine forth, O New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has shone upon you. Exult now and be glad O Zion, and rejoice, O pure Theotokos, in the rising of the One born of You.
It is truly worthy
It is truly worthy to bless You O Theotokos, ever-blessed, most pure and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, without corruption You gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify You.
Beneath Your compassion
Beneath Your compassion we take refuge, O Theotokos, reject not our prayers in time of trouble, but deliver us from danger, only pure and blessed one.
Most glorious Ever-Virgin, Mother of Christ our God, present our prayer to Your Son and our God, that, through You, He may save our souls.
During the Great Fast, we say the Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian:
Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian
O Lord and Master of my life! The spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power and idle talk grant me not. (full prostration)
Grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to me, Your servant. (full prostration)
Yes, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own sins, and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen. (full prostration)
Then, say:
“O God, cleanse me a sinner,” twelve times — making the sign of the Cross and bowing at the waist each time. Recite the prayer in full, and perform one full prostration at the end.
Magnification of the Most Holy Trinity
Мy hope іs the Father, my refuge is the Son, my protection is the Holy Spirit: All-holy Trinity, glory to You.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the intercessions of Your most pure Mother, and of all the Saints have mercy on us. Amen.
Prayer before sleep
Make the sign of the Cross three times over the bed and after getting into bed, cross yourself and say:
Guard me O Lord by the power of Your holy and life-giving Cross and protect me from all evil.
Just before going to sleep say: