Morning Prayers
During Bright Week the Paschal Hours replace these Morning 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.
Upon awakening, before beginning any other task, stand piously before a holy icon, presenting yourself to Almighty God and make the sign of the Cross thrice, saying:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Pause a moment, so that all your senses and thoughts are cleared of all earthly concerns. Then read the following prayers, without haste and with heartfelt attention.
O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. (thrice)
O God, forgive all my sins before You.
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)
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.
Troparia to the Holy Trinity
Having risen from sleep we worship You, O Good One and we sing the Angelic hymn to You, Almighty Lord: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O God. Through the prayers of the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having raised me up from bed and sleep, O Lord, enlighten my mind and open my heart and lips to praise You, the Holy Trinity: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O God. Through the prayers of the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Suddenly the Judge will come and the deeds of all will be laid bare; but in the middle of the night let us cry with fear: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O God. Through the prayers of the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity
As I rise from sleep I thank You, All-holy Trinity, for through Your great goodness and patience You have not been angry with me, an idler and sinner, nor have You destroyed me in my sinfulness. Rather, You have shown Your usual love for man-kind and when I was prostrate in despair, You raised me up to keep the morning watch and glorify Your power. Now enlighten the eyes of my mind and open my mouth to study Your words, to understand Your commandments, to do Your will, to chant to You in heartfelt confession and to praise Your all-holy name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Call to Worship our Lord, Jesus Christ
O come, let us worship God our King.
O come, let us worship and bow down before Christ our King and our God.
O come, let us worship and bow down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the multitude of Your compassions, blot out my transgression.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is continually before me.
Against You only have I sinned and done this evil before You, that You might be justified in Your words, and prevail when You are judged.
For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me.
For behold, You loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Your wisdom You have made clear to me.
You will sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; You will wash me and I will be made whiter than snow.
You will make me hear joy and gladness; the bones that have been humbled will rejoice.
Turn Your face away from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, and with Your governing spirit establish me.
I will teach transgressors Your ways and the ungodly will turn back to You.
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, God of my salvation; and my tongue will rejoice in Your righteousness.
O Lord, You will open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
For if You had desired sacrifice, I would have given it; with whole burnt offerings You will not be pleased.
A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled, God will not despise.
Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.
Then will You be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings.
Then they will offer bullocks upon Your altar.
The Symbol of Faith
I believe in one God, the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, being of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from the heavens and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man; who was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate and suffered and was buried; and He rose on the third day according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; and His kingdom will have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the Prophets.
In One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen.
1st Prayer — of St. Macarius the Great
O God, cleanse me, a sinner, for I have never done anything good in Your sight. Deliver me from all evil and may Your will be done in me, that I may open my unworthy mouth without condemnation and praise Your holy name, 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. Macarius the Great
Having risen from sleep, my Saviour, I offer You the midnight song and I fall down and cry out to You: Grant that I not fall asleep in the death of sin. You who willingly endured the crucifixion, have compassion on me and hasten to raise me up, for I am prostrate in idleness. Deliver me in my prayer and intercession, and after the night’s sleep, shine upon me with a sinless day, O Christ our God, and save me.
3rd Prayer — of St. Macarius the Great
Having risen from sleep, O Master, Lover of mankind, I hasten to You. Through Your loving-kindness I strive to do Your work and I pray: Help me at all times and in everything, delivering me from every evil of the world and every attack of the devil, leading me into Your eternal kingdom. For You are my Creator, the Giver and Guardian of all that is good. All my hope is in You and I glorify You, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
4th Prayer — of St. Macarius the Great
Lord, in Your abundant goodness and great compassion You have granted that I, Your servant, pass the time of this night without the temptation of the evil one. You, Yourself, Master and Creator of all, now grant me to do Your will, through the light of Your truth and with an illumined heart, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
5th Prayer — of St. Macarius the Great
Almighty Lord God, You receive from Your heavenly powers the thrice-holy hymn: Receive also from me, Your unworthy servant, this nocturnal hymn and grant that at all times and in every hour of my life, I send up glory unto You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
6th Prayer — of St. Basil the Great
Almighty Lord, God of the heavenly powers and of all flesh, You live on high and care for the humble. You search our hearts and innermost thoughts, and clearly see the secrets of all. Eternal and everlasting Light, in You there is no change, nor shadow of deviation. Immortal King, receive our prayers which we offer You from unclean lips at the present time, trusting in the abundance of Your compassion.
Forgive all sins committed by us in thought, word or deed, voluntarily or involuntarily, and cleanse us from all defilement of flesh and spirit. Grant that we may pass the night of this entire present life with wakeful hearts and sober thoughts, ever awaiting the coming of the radiant day of the appearance of Your Only-begotten Son, our Lord,
God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, when
the Judge of all will come with glory to render to every person according to their deeds. May we not be found fallen and idle, but awake and alert for action, ready to accompany Him into the joy and divine
palace of His glory, where the voice of those keeping festival is ceaseless and the delight of those who behold the inexpressible beauty of Your face is indescribable.
For You are the True Light that enlightens and sanctifies all and all creation glorifies You throughout the ages. Amen.
7th Prayer — of St. Basil the Great
We bless you, Most High God and Lord of Mercy. You always perform innumerable, great, inscrutable, glorious and awesome works for us. You grant us sleep for rest from our infirmities and rest for our bodies, tired from work. We thank You for not destroying us
with our sins, but in Your usual love for mankind You have raised us up to glorify Your power. Therefore, we implore Your incomparable goodness: enlighten the eyes of our understanding, raise up our minds from the heavy sleep of idleness. Open our mouths and fill them with Your praise, that we may be able to chant hymns to You and confess You without distraction.
For You are God glorified in all and by all, the Father without beginning, with Your Only-begotten Son and Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
8th Prayer — to our Guardian Angel
O Holy Angel, attendant of my wretched soul and my passionate life, neither forsake me, a sinner, nor shrink from me because of my lack of self-control. Grant the subtle demon no means of mastering me through violence to my mortal body. Strengthen my poor and feeble hand and guide me in the way of salvation. Holy Angel of God, guardian and protector of my wretched body and soul, forgive me all wherein I have offended you every day of my life — and for whatever sins I may have committed during the past night. Protect me during the present day and guard me from every temptation of the enemy so that I may not anger God by any sin. And pray to the Lord for me, that He may strengthen me in His fear and make me, His servant, worthy of His goodness. Amen.
9th Prayer — to the Theotokos
My Most Holy Sovereign Lady, Theotokos, by Your holy and all-powerful prayers banish from me, Your humble and miserable servant, despondency, laziness, folly, carelessness and all
impure, evil and blasphemous thoughts of my wretched heart and my darkened mind.
Quench the flame of my passions, for I am poor and miserable, and deliver me from my many cruel memories and deeds, freeing me from all their evil effects.
For You are blessed by all generations and glorified is Your most honourable name unto the ages of 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.
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.
Prayer to all the Saints
Glorious Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs and all Holy Ones, pray to God for us sinners.
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.
Troparion to the Life-giving Cross of our Lord
O Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance! Grant victory to Orthodox Christians over their adversaries, and by Your Cross preserve Your commonwealth.
Commemoration
Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Your Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, for which You have spilled Your precious Blood: confirm, strengthen and increase her. Multiply, comfort and preserve her invincible forever before the gates of hell; end disharmony among the churches. Quench the tumult of the heathen. Swiftly put down and root out the rebellion of all heresies and by the power of Your Holy Spirit reduce them to nothing. (prostration)
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our civil authorities; protect our nation with peace, subduing our every foe and adversary. Fill the hearts of our leaders with peaceful, benevolent thoughts for Your Holy Church and for all Your people so that we, in their tranquility, may lead a peaceful and quiet life in true faith and in all godliness and purity. (prostration)
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the Holy Orthodox Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Archbishops and Bishops, Presbyters and Deacons and all the Priestly Orders, whom You have appointed to pastor Your reason-endowed flock, and through their prayers have mercy on me and save me, a sinner. (prostration)
Save O Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father – [name] – and through his holy prayers forgive me all my sins. (prostration)
Save O Lord, and have mercy on my parents, brothers and sisters and all my relatives, friends and neighbours and grant them Your earthly and heavenly good things. (prostration)
Save O Lord, and have mercy on the old and the young, on the poor, on orphans and widows and on those who are suffering from maladies and sorrows, dangers and afflictions, attacks and captivity, imprisonment and exile. Especially, save and have mercy on Your servants who are suffering from persecution for Your sake and for the Orthodox Faith from the godless, from apostates and from heretics. Remember them, visit them, bring them consolation and swiftly grant them relief, freedom and deliverance by Your power. (prostration)
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our benefactors who help us, support us, who are compassionate to us and who entreat us, unworthy though we be, to pray for their salvation and the attainment of Your eternal blessings. (prostration)
Save O Lord, and have mercy on all those travelling; family members, those in God’s service, and on all Orthodox Christians. (prostration)
Save O Lord, and have mercy on those whom, by my recklessness, I have tempted and turned from the path of salvation and have led into evil and harmful deeds. By Your Divine Providence restore them again to the True Path. (prostration)
Here you may add prayers for a personal intention.
Save O Lord, and have mercy on those who hate us and deal wrongly with us by doing us harm and do not permit them to come to perdition because of me, a sinner. (prostration)
With the light of Your knowledge enlighten those who have forsaken the Orthodox Faith and are blinded by destructive heresies and unite them again to Your Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. (prostration)
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.
Prayers for the Departed
Remember, O Lord, the souls of Your departed servants, my parents and all my relatives, [their names], and all those reposed in the hope of resurrection and eternal life, our departed fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, the Orthodox resting here and throughout the world. Forgive all their sins, both voluntary and involuntary, grant them rest in Your heavenly kingdom and the communion of Your eternal and divine blessings. (prostration)
Magnification of the 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)