Short story
Historically, the vigil dates back to the night services of the first Christians, widespread from the 1st century. Subsequently, the tradition of performing special prayers at night was preserved mostly in monastic monasteries. Some of them, for example, the so-called “Unsleeping” monastery (from the 4th-5th centuries), founded by St. Alexander, generally tried to perform services continuously, in fulfillment of the commandment of St. Paul “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).
Useful materials
Many holy fathers especially advised the faithful to be diligent in night prayer.
St. John Chrysostom writes: “Bend your knees, sigh, pray to your Lord to be merciful to you; He especially bows (to mercy) with night prayers, when you make the time of rest a time of weeping.” And St. Isaac the Syrian states: “Let every prayer that we perform at night be more honorable in your eyes than all the deeds of the day.”
It so happened that these advices were carried out especially zealously by the monks of the monastery of St. Savva the Sanctified (from the 6th century). According to the Rules of the monastery, they spent the entire week in solitary silence, only converging on the eve of the holidays for general church prayer. The night vigil was for them spiritual consolation, reinforcement among their exploits. Thus a following was gradually formed, which then, together with the Rule of St. Savva, also called Jerusalem (after the location of the monastery), passed to Rus'. But unlike Byzantium, vigils began to be served in parish churches as well.
Gradually, a generally accepted opinion developed about the all-night vigil as one of the main services required for preparation for Communion.
1
November
1893
St. Theophan the Recluse wrote, answering a question from one of the laity about the procedure for preparing for Communion: “It is possible to attend church at Vespers, All-Night Vigil or Matins and then take Communion at Mass. And other days of fasting you can replace all services with bows with the Jesus Prayer.”
Until the middle of the 17th century. The vigil was carried out according to the Charter of St. Savva. Then, after the liturgical reform of Patriarch Nikon, the service gradually decreased, now its duration is only 2-3 hours.
The priest, standing before the holy doors as the revealed head, says the prayers of light.
Also the great litany.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord in peace.
Lik: Lord, have mercy.
Let us pray to the Lord for heavenly peace and the salvation of our souls.
Lik: Lord, have mercy.
Let us pray to the Lord for the peace of the whole world, the welfare of God’s holy churches and the unity of all.
Lik: Lord, have mercy.
For this holy temple and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
Lik: Lord, have mercy.
About the Great Lord and our Holiness Patriarch (name), and about our Lord, the Most Reverend Metropolitan (or Archbishop, or Bishop) (name), honorable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, about all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.
Lik: Lord, have mercy.
Let us pray to the Lord for our God-protected country, its authorities and its army.
Lik: Lord, have mercy.
For this city (or for this village, or for this holy monastery), for every city, country and those who live in them by faith, let us pray to the Lord.
Lik: Lord, have mercy.
Let us pray to the Lord for the blessing of the air, for the abundance of earthly fruits and times of peace.
Lik: Lord, have mercy.
For those floating, traveling, sick, suffering, captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lik: Lord, have mercy.
Let us pray to the Lord that we may be delivered from all sorrow, anger and need.
Lik: Lord, have mercy.
Intercede, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Your grace.
Lik: Lord, have mercy.
Let us commemorate our most holy, most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, commending ourselves and each other, and our whole life to Christ God.
Lik: To you, Lord.
Proclamation: I! for all glory, honor, and worship is due to You, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and to the ages of ages.
Lik: Amen.
Also kathisma.
If there is still a week, let us verse the 1st kathisma. If we have polyeleos on the feast of the Mother of God, or holy day, we sing:
Blessed is the man: first antiphon.
Psalm ́.
Blessed is the man who does not follow the counsel of the wicked. Alleluia, three times. And on the path there are not a hundred sinners, and in the seats of the destroyers he does not sit, but in the law of the Lord is his will, and in his law one learns day and night. And it will be like a tree planted by the outgoing waters, which will yield its fruit in its season, and its leaf will not fall away, and everything that is created will prosper. Not like wickedness, not like that, but like dust that the wind sweeps away from the face of the earth. For this reason, wickedness will not rise to judgment, below the sinner to the council of the righteous. I know the Lord is the way of the righteous, and the way of the wicked will perish. Alleluia, three times.
Psalm 2.
Are the nations reeling and people having learned in vain? The king of the earth appeared, and the princes gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ. Let us break their bonds and cast away their yoke from us. He who lives in Heaven will laugh at them, and the Lord will mock them. Then he will cry out to them with his wrath and will crush me with his wrath. And I am appointed King by Him over Zion, His holy mountain, proclaiming the commandment of the Lord. The Lord spoke to Me: You are My Son, I have given birth to You today. Ask from Me, and I will give You the tongues of Your inheritance, and Your possession, the ends of the earth. I have protected you with a rod of iron, as I have crushed the vessels of the wicked. And now, O king, understand, be punished, all you who judge the earth. Work for the Lord with fear and rejoice in Him with trembling. Alleluia, three times. Accept punishment, lest the Lord become angry and perish from the righteous path, when His wrath will soon flare up. Blessed are all who hope Nan. Alleluia, three times.
Psalm 3.
Lord, why have you multiplied our cold? Many people rise up against me, many people say to my soul: there is no salvation for him in his God. But you, Lord, are my Protector, my glory, and lift up my head. With my voice I cried to the Lord, and He heard me from His holy mountain. I fell asleep, and smelled, and arose, as if the Lord would intercede for me. I will not be afraid of those people around who attack me. Arise, Lord, save me, my God. Alleluia, three times. I! you have struck down all those who were at enmity with me in vain: you have crushed the teeth of sinners. Salvation is the Lord, and Your blessing is upon Your people. Alleluia, three times.
Glory, and now: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to you God. Three times.
Small Litany.
The rite of evening worship and its order
Nowadays this solemn service is a combination of:
- Vespers (lithiums are also performed before revered holidays);
- Matins;
- service 1 hour.
Vespers
The service opens with the deacon’s cry “Arise!” and the glorification of the Holy Trinity, which the priest pronounces publicly. Then the clergy in the altar three times call those gathered to worship the Lord by singing: “Come, let us worship...”
All-night vigil
While the choir sings Psalm 103, praising the world created by the Lord, the priest, accompanied by the deacon, burns incense in the temple for all those present. The incense smoke here is an image of the Holy Spirit overshadowing God’s creation. The closing of the royal doors after incense symbolizes the fall of people. Repentant verses from the Psalter (Psalms 1-3), sung with the gates closed, speak of the repentance of sinners. At this moment, all those praying are called to remember their weaknesses and sins.
Then the verses of Psalm 140 are sung - the evening prayer to the Lord: “Let my prayer be corrected... Lifting up my hand, the evening sacrifice...” and stichera, ending with a “dogmatic” dedicated to the Incarnation of Christ. At his singing the gates open. The entrance of the clergy symbolizes the Nativity of Christ for the salvation of people.
When a vigil takes place before great patronal feasts, after the evening entrance the following may be performed:
- reading Old Testament proverbs dedicated to a holy holiday;
- lithium, deep prayer; it occurs when the priests enter the middle of the temple or into the vestibule; On the eve of patronal feasts, many churches hold a lithium in the open air, then it is usually accompanied by a procession of the cross around the church.
At the end of the litia, the consecration of bread, wine, and church oil occurs. It is preceded by the prayer of St. Simeon “Now you are releasing your servant...”, as well as the singing of “Rejoice to the Virgin Mary”
Vespers ends with the singing of “Blessed be the Name of the Lord,” the reading of Psalm 33, and the final blessing (“dismissal”) from the priest.
Matins
It begins immediately after Vespers with the reading of the Angelic Song of the Nativity of Christ “Glory to God in the highest...”. Then, with the lamps extinguished, the reading of 6 psalms begins, telling about the misfortunes of King David and the search for God’s help. After the third psalm, the priest, in front of the royal door, performs “in himself” (not out loud) 12 morning prayers for all those coming.
After the Six Psalms comes the Litany, after which the song “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord…” is sung. With these words the inhabitants of Jerusalem greeted Christ just a few days before His Crucifixion. Nowadays this chant is a reminder of the Savior’s Sacrifice on the Cross.
Then the order of worship provides for the “versification of the Psalter,” that is, the reading of one of its parts, or, in Greek, kathisma. There are 20 of them in the Psalter; the choice for liturgical reading is determined by the day being celebrated. In some churches, kathismas are not read in full, but during monastic services they are never omitted.
Then comes the culmination of the all-night vigil: the Gospel is brought out from the altar. The priest walks around the church again with the censer. At the same time they sing:
- on Sundays - the so-called “Sunday Immaculates”, glorifying the Resurrection, having as their refrain the verse of Psalm 118 “Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me by thy justification”;
- If the service is performed on the eve of a holiday, its chants and magnification are performed.
After the reading of the Gospel, the polyeleos begins - the anointing of all those present with consecrated oil. At the same time, the canon of a Sunday or holiday is read.
Matins ends with praises to God and the Most Pure Mother of God:
- “praise” psalms are sung (from 148 to 150), glorifying God’s greatness;
- hymn to the Mother of God.
At her words, “Blessed are you, O Virgin Mother of God...” the royal doors open, as a sign of the destruction of the barrier between the Creator and man. One of the most ancient chants, the Great Doxology, begins with the exclamation “Glory to Thee, who showed us the light.” At the end of it, the choir sings Sunday or holiday troparia, followed by the final blessing of the priest.
First hour
Immediately after Matins, the First Hour is read, already preparing believers for the main sacrament - the liturgy associated with the Savior's Sacrifice on the Cross. At the 1st hour we remember the condemnation of the Lord by Pilate and his delivery to death.
At the same time, a blessing is asked for a new day, forgiveness of sins.
Vespers service
As usual, we start with the verb:
For the prayers of the saints, our father, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
The psalmist speaks in a meek and equal voice with quietness, and with all attention and with the fear of God, in the hearing of all: A men.
King , Comforter, True Soul, who is everywhere and fulfills everything, the treasure of good things, and the Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save us, O Blessed One, our soul.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us (three times, and three bows).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse our sins. Master, forgive our iniquities. Saints, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord have mercy (three times).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
O our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven and on earth, give us our daily bread this day, and forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors, and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. A min.
Lord have mercy, 12. Glory, even now.
Come , let us bow to our God the King (bow).
Come , let us bow to Christ, the King and our God (bow).
Come , let us bow and fall before the Lord Jesus Christ himself, the King and our God (bow).
Also, Psalm 103.
Bless the Lord my soul. Lord my God, you are greatly exalted. In confession and in the commanded party, clothe yourself. Dress yourself in light like a robe, piercing the sky like skin. Covering and exceeding His waters, placing the clouds for His ascent. Walking on the wing of the wind. The angels create their spirits, and the servants scorch their fire. Having founded the earth on His firmament, He will not bow forever. The abyss is like its robe. There will be water on the mountains. They will flee from Your rebuke, and they will be afraid of the voice of Your thunder. The mountains rise and the fields descend, into a place you have founded for them. Set a limit, they will not pass it, they will turn lower to cover the earth. Sending springs into the wilds, waters will flow through the mountains. All the animals in the village are soldered. The onagers are waiting for their thirst. The birds of the sky will take root in you, and from the midst of the stones they will give a voice. Having watered the mountains from Your highest ones, the earth will be satisfied with the fruit of Your works. Vegetating pasture for cattle, and grass for the service of man. Lime bread from the ground, and wine gladdens a man's heart; anoint his face with oil. And bread will strengthen a person’s heart. The trees of Poland will be satisfied; you have planted the cedars of Lebanon. That's where the birds will nest; Erodian's dwelling possesses them. The mountains are high with trees, the stone is a refuge for the hare. You created the moon in time, the sun knew its west. Put down the darkness and there will be night, and all the animals of the oak forest will pass through it. Skimney roaringly delight, and ask God for food for yourself. The sun rises, and they gather together and lie down in their beds. A man will go out to his work, and to his work until the evening. Because Your works, Lord, have been magnified, You have done all things with wisdom. The earth is filled with Your creation. This sea is great and spacious, there are reptiles, they are innumerable, the small animals are with the great. The ships sail there, this serpent, who created it, swears at him. Everyone is looking to You, to give them food at a good time. If I give it to you, they will collect it. I will open Your hand, and all things will be filled with goodness. I will turn Your face away; they will rebel. Take away their spirits, and they will disappear and return to their dust. Send forth Your spirit and they will be created, and you will renew the face of the earth. Be the glory of the Lord forever; the Lord will rejoice in His deeds. Looking at the earth and making it shake. Touching the mountains and they will rise. I will sing to the Lord in my belly, I will sing to my God until I am. May he enjoy my conversation, and I rejoice in the Lord. Sinners will die from the earth, and wicked women, as if they would not exist. Bless the Lord my soul.
At the end of the psalm the verse verses: Because of your magnified works, O Lord, you have done all things with wisdom.
The same, Slava, and now. And liluia, alleluia, glory to you, God (three and three bows).
Lord have mercy (12), Glory, even now. Kathisma ordinary.
Whenever there is little vespers, and according to the psalm we say: Glory, even now. And liluia, alleluia, glory to you, O God (three times). Lord have mercy (three times). Glory, even now.
Also Psalm 140.
Lord , I have called to You, hear me. Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry to You. Let my prayer be corrected, like incense before You, the lifting of my hand: the evening sacrifice. Lord, place a guard over my mouth, and a guard over my mouth. Do not turn my heart into words of wickedness, and do not bear the guilt of sins. With men who commit iniquity, I have no regard for their chosen ones. The righteous will show me with mercy and reprove me. Let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head. For my prayer is also in their favor. The victims were at the stone of their judge. My words will be heard, as if it were possible, as if the thickness of the earth had sagged on the earth, their bones crumbled in hell. For my eyes are in You, Lord, Lord, I trust in You, do not take away my soul. Save me from the snares that they have made, and from the temptation of those who practice iniquity. Sinners will fall into their darkness; I am the only one who will go beyond.
Psalm 141. cry out to the Lord, with my voice I will pray to the Lord. I will pour out my prayer before Him, and I will declare my sorrow before Him. My spirit always disappears, and You know my paths. On this path, I walked along it, hiding the net for me. Looking at the right hand and glances, and the sky knowing me. Fleeing from me perished, and no one sought my soul. I cry to You, Lord, saying: You are my hope, You are my part in the land of the living. Hear my prayer, as if I have greatly humbled myself. Deliver me from those who persecute me, for you have become stronger than me. Bring my soul out of prison, to confess to Your name. The righteous are waiting for me, until now reward me.
Psalm 129. And from the depths I cried to You, Lord, Lord, hear my voice. You will be Your ears, listening to the voice of my prayer. If you see iniquity, Lord, Lord, whoever will stand, for from You there is cleansing. For Your name, Lord, I have endured You; my soul has endured in Your word; my soul has trusted in the Lord. From the watch of the morning until the night, from the watch of the morning, let Israel trust in the Lord. For there is mercy from the Lord, and great deliverance from Him: and He will deliver Israel from all their iniquities.
Psalm 116. Blame the Lord, all nations, praise Him, all people. For His mercy is established upon us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever.
Also, stichera of the present day according to the charter. Therefore, this verse is the creation of the holy martyr Anfinogenes.
With the calm wind, the holy glory, the immortal Father in heaven, the blessed one, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to the west of the sun, seeing the evening light, we sing to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, God. Thou art worthy at all times, never to be the voice of the reverend, the Son of God, giving life to the whole world: for his sake the whole world glorifies Thee.
Also, daytime prokinnas. On Saturday evening there is a prokeimenon: The Lord reigns, clothed in gibberish.
Verse one. Oh, the Lord is clothed in strength, and girded.
Verse in the mountains. And establish the universe, even if it does not move.
Verse three. for your house, holy things, Lord, in the length of the day.
Weekly evening: Now bless the Lord, all servants of the Lord.
Poem. From those standing in the temple of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
Monday evening: The Lord will hear me when I call on Him.
Poem. In nowhere I cried, the God of my righteousness heard me.
Tuesday evening: mercy , Lord, will marry me all the days of my life.
Poem. The Lord shepherds me, and nothing will deprive me.
Wednesday evening: God , in Your name save me, and in Your power judge me.
Poem. God , hear my prayer, inspire the words of my mouth.
On Thursday evening: help comes from the Lord, who created heaven and earth.
Poem. My eyes have turned to the mountains, but my help will come from nowhere .
On Friday evening: God , You are my protector, and Your mercy will precede me.
Poem. And take me away from my enemies, O God, and deliver me from those who rise up against me.
Whenever there is no troparion for the saint, then we sing Alleluia in tone 6. And these verses are spoken:
Monday evening: Lord , do not rebuke me with Your wrath, nor show me with Your anger.
On Tuesday and Thursday evening: Praise the Lord our God, and bow down at His foot, for He is holy.
Wednesday evening: into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
If it is the Sabbath for the repose, we sing: Aleluia , Alleluia, Alleluia, in tone 8.
Poem. Blessed have I been chosen and accepted by the Lord.
Poem. memory is from generation to generation.
Poem. souls will dwell in good things.
And another verse. And liluia, alleluia, alleluia.
According to the prokeme, or the litany, or the alleluia, the psalm says: In the likeness of the Lord, this evening we will be preserved without sin (bow). Blessed are you, Lord God of our fathers (bow), and praised and glorified is Your name forever, Amen (bow). Lord, Thy mercy be upon us, as we trust in Thee. Blessed art thou, Lord, teach us by thy justification; Blessed art thou, O Lord, enlighten us with Thy justification; Blessed are you, Saints, enlighten us with Your justification. Lord, Your mercy endures forever, and do not despise the work of Your hand. Praise is due to you, singing is due to you. Glory befits you, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
Also litany. And on the poem there are stichera, according to the regulations.
Also, the prayer of St. Simeon the God-Receiver: Now dost thou release thy servant, Master, according to thy word, in peace, for my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all men, light unto revelation in the tongue, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Is the same. Trisagion, and according to Father . Jesus' prayer. A min.
Troparion according to the charter. Let us say the litany. And let go.
Whenever there is fasting, or whenever we sing Alleluia, we say this troparion, tone 4.
Blessed Virgin Mary, rejoice, joyful Mary, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you gave birth to Christ the Savior, the Savior of our souls (bow to the ground).
Glory. To the keeper of Christ, we pray to you: remember us all, that we may get rid of our iniquities. Grace has been given to you, pray for us (bow to the ground).
And now. Pray for us, holy apostles, prophets, and martyrs, and all the saints, that we may be delivered from troubles and sorrows, for you are warm representatives of the Savior, all of you are money-grubbers (bow to the ground).
Also, 6 gardened. in Your mercy, Virgin Mary, do not despise our prayers in sorrow. But deliver us from troubles, O One Pure and Blessed One (without bowing).
Lord have mercy (40), in a meek and quiet voice. God bless.
Jesus' prayer. A min.
O Heavenly King, strengthen our power, establish our faith, tame our tongues, pacify the world, and preserve this holy temple well, and make our fathers and brethren who have gone before, in shelters with the righteous. And in the Orthodox faith and in repentance, Lord, accept and have mercy on us, for we are Good and Lover of Mankind.
Also, Lord have mercy, three times. Glory, even now.
the most honorable Cherub, and the most glorious Seraphim, without corruption of God the Word, who gave birth to the real Mother of God (bow to the ground).
And bless the Lord with me, father.
For the prayers of the saints, our father, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. A min.
And we say the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian, making prostrations to the ground.
Lord and Master of my life, the spirit of despondency, neglect, love of money and idle talk, drive away from me (great bow).
May I grant the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Thy servant (great bow).
Hey , Lord the King, grant me to see my sins, and not to condemn my brother, for blessed are you forever, amen (great bow).
And other bows (12), saying in itself: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner (twice with bows); God , be merciful to me, a sinner (bow). God , cleanse my sins and have mercy on me (bow). Greetings from me, Lord, have mercy (bow). Without the number of sinners, Lord, forgive me (bow). And again, having finished bowing, we say the entire prayer written above: Lord and Master to my belly (one great bow).
And according to this, the Trisagion, and according to Father . Lord have mercy (12). Glory, even now. Lord have mercy (twice), God bless. And a seven-day vacation.
Lord have mercy (three times). And initial bows.
Features of the service for the Presentation of the Lord
This is a special holiday that is considered great. He is classified, however, as one of the Theotokos, and not “of the Lord,” that is, dedicated to Christ. The All-Night Vigil of the Presentation has some peculiarities.
Commitment time
The holiday is celebrated on February 15, so sometimes it falls during the preparation for Lent, and sometimes on its first day, Monday (not later).
Holiday, Sunday
If this happens, the service for the holiday is performed the day before, on Forgiveness Sunday. In this case (as in general, if Candlemas falls on a Sunday), the hymns of the Resurrection of Christ are sung along with the holiday ones.
Preparing for Lent
If the Presentation is celebrated during the days of preparation for Great Lent, when penitential chants are already sung, they are also performed along with the festive ones.
Interesting fact
But if the holiday falls on Meat Eating (preceding Maslenitsa) Parent's Saturday, then the service for the deceased takes place a week earlier. There is also a practice of moving this service to Thursday of Meat Week.
Holiday readings
Proverbs, passages from the Old Testament, read at Candlemas, are dedicated to the Mother of God. This
- fragments of the books of Exodus, Leviticus about the firstborn, dedicated to God;
- Isaiah’s prophecy about the burning of a person’s sins by a “burning coal” that touched his lips;
- Chapter 10 of the book of the same prophet is about the appearance of the Lord in Egypt, the fall of idols, which, according to legend, really happened after the Nativity of Christ.
Chants
They are dedicated to Christ, the Mother of God, and also rights. Simeon the God-Receiver.
The troparion of the holiday sounds like this: “Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, for from You has risen the Sun of Truth, Christ our God, enlightening those who are in darkness: rejoice and you, the righteous elder, have been received into the arms of the Liberator of our souls, who gives us resurrection.”
Ceremony of the All-Night Vigil
The morning service at the all-night vigil is a continuation of the evening service.
If the prayers and chants of Vespers go back primarily to the times of the Old Testament, the expectation of the Savior and the fulfillment of prophecies about Him, then morning worship, especially Sunday, points more to New Testament times, namely, the Nativity of Christ the Savior and His Resurrection from the dead.
The Matins sequence is divided into four parts.
In the first - in the sixth psalm, the morning prayers of the priest, the great litany, “God is the Lord and has appeared to us...” - the worshipers confess their sins and ask for God’s help for the coming day.
The second part consists of kathismas with polyeleos and the Gospel.
The Holy Church in both parts of Matins gradually raises those praying from a sad, repentant mood to joy, thanksgiving and praise of the Lord for His ineffable mercies revealed to the human race.
In the third part - the canon - sacred events or saints of God honored on a given day are remembered or glorified.
In the fourth part, consisting of psalms of praise and a great doxology with litanies and ending with a dismissal, a special praise is offered to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
The beginning of the morning service is usually announced by the ringing of a bell (the so-called 2nd ringing; the 1st calls for vespers; the 3rd rings before the reading of the Gospel).
The reader speaks the Six Psalms (3, 37, 62, 87, 102 and 142 psalms) with all attention and fear of God. Like the opening psalm at Vespers, the Six Psalm at Matins awakens deep religious feelings in the believing soul and prepares the worshiper for the great litany.
The first of the six psalms - the 3rd - has the inscription: Psalm to David, who sometimes fled from the face of Absalom his son,
indicating under what circumstances the psalm was written.
The second psalm of the sixth psalm - the 37th - Psalm to David - in remembrance of the Sabbath.
Saint Athanasius of Alexandria explains this inscription as David’s request for God to grant him Sabbath, that is, peace from the distress that was weighing on him. The psalm expresses David's feelings of deep repentance for actions that caused many disasters to himself and his people.
Third Psalm - 62nd - Psalm to David, when he was in the wilderness of Judea,
was written by David in the Judean desert, where the psalmist was fleeing the persecution of Saul.
Fourth Psalm – 87th – Song. Psalm of the sons of Korah. To the head of the choir at Mahalaf, for singing. Teachings of Heman Ezrahite.
The composer of this psalm is considered to be Heman, one of the three famous Levitical singers who lived in the time of David. The psalm expresses the state of a person in extreme humiliation and exhaustion.
Fifth Psalm – 102nd – Psalm to David
The psalmist devotes to the goodness, inexhaustible mercy and long-suffering of God.
Sixth Psalm – 142nd – Psalm to David, when Absalom his son persecuted him,
talks about a man pursued by enemies, experiencing fear and despondency, but realizing that he is punished for his sins; Having realized his guilt and repented, he asks God for forgiveness and mercy.
Reader
: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”
(three times).
"God! You will open my mouth, and my mouth will declare Your praise” (twice).
Psalm 3
Lord, why have you multiplied the cold! many people rise up against me; Many say to my soul: there is no salvation for him in his God. But you, Lord, are my protector, my glory, and lift up my head. With my voice I cried to the Lord, and He heard me from His holy mountain. I fell asleep and fell asleep, and arose, as if the Lord would intercede for me. I will not be afraid of the people around who attack me. Arise, Lord, save me, my God, for Thou hast struck down all those who are at enmity with me in vain; You crushed the teeth of sinners. Salvation is the Lord's, and Your blessing is upon Your people.
I fell asleep and fell asleep, and arose, as if the Lord would intercede for me.
Psalm 3:
God! Why have those who oppress me increased so much? Many are rebelling against me; many say about me: “There is no salvation for him from his God.” But You, Lord, are my Intercessor, my Glory, and You lift up my head. With my loud voice I cry to the Lord, and He hears me from His holy mountain. I calmly lie down, sleep and get up, for the Lord protects me. And I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people attacking me all around. Arise, Lord! Save me, my God! After all, you defeat everyone who is hostile against me for no reason, you crush the weapons of the wicked. Salvation is from the Lord, and Your blessing is upon Your people.
Psalm 37
God! let not Thy wrath reprove me, nor punish me with Thy wrath: for Thy arrows have pierced me, and Thou hast strengthened (gravitates) Thy hand upon me. There is no healing in my flesh from the face of Your wrath, there is no peace in my bones from the face of my sin: for my iniquities have exceeded my head, for a heavy burden has weighed down upon me. My wounds have grown stale and rotten because of my madness. Suffered and sloshed to the end; I walked all day, mourning, because my body was filled with reproaches, and there was no healing in my flesh. I was embittered and humbled to death: I roared with the sighing of my heart. God! All my desire is before You, and my sighing is not hidden from You; my heart is troubled, my strength has left me, and the light of my eyes, and she will not be with me. My friends and my sincere ones have come closer and closer to me; and my neighbor is far from me, and I am in need, seeking my soul; and those who seek evil say vain words to me, and I will learn from the flatterers all day long. But because I am deaf, I do not hear, and because I am dumb, I do not open my mouth; and as a man he did not hear, nor did he have reproach in his mouth. For in Thee, O Lord, have I trusted; You will hear, O Lord, my God. As if I said: may my enemies never give me joy, and may my feet never move, but your words will never be able to move against me; for I am ready for wounds, and my illness is before me. For I will proclaim my iniquity, and take care of my sin. My enemies live, and have become stronger than me, and those who hate me without truth have multiplied. Those who reward me with evil, repaying the slander of me, persecute the goodness. Do not forsake me, O Lord my God, do not depart from me. Come to my help, O Lord of my salvation!
Do not forsake me, O Lord my God, do not depart from me. Come to my help, O Lord of my salvation!
Psalm 37:
Lord, rebuke me not in Thy fear, and do not punish me in Thy wrath. For Your arrows have pierced me, and Your hand is heavy on me. There is no healing for my flesh from Your wrath; there is no peace to my bones from my sins. For my iniquities have exceeded my head and weigh me down like a heavy burden. My wounds stink and fester from my madness. I was completely bent over from suffering; I walk around in sadness all day; for my loins are mocked, and there is no relief for my flesh. I suffered and was extremely humiliated; I cried from the torment of my heart. God! All my desire is before You, and my sigh is not hidden from You. My heart was troubled, my strength left me, and there was no light in my eyes. My friends and neighbors came and stood against me; and those closest to me have moved far away from me. And those who sought my life strained their strength, and those who wished me harm spoke lies and dreamed up intrigues every day. But I, like a deaf man, did not hear and was like a dumb man who did not open his mouth. And I became like a man who does not hear and has no answer in his mouth. For I trusted in You, O Lord, that You would hear, O Lord my God. And I said, Let not my enemies gloat over me. But when my feet faltered, they boasted over me. I am ready to suffer, and my sorrow is always before me. I recognize my iniquity and I lament my sin. But my enemies live and have become stronger than me, and those who unjustly hate me have become exalted. Those who repay me with evil for good have slandered me because I strived for good. Do not leave me, Lord my God! Don't leave me. Hasten to help me, O Lord, my Savior.
Psalm 62
God, my God! to You in the morning; My soul thirsted for Thee, since my flesh multiplied for Thee in the empty, impassable, and waterless land, so in the Holy One I appeared to Thee, to see Thy power and Thy glory: for Thy mercy is better than life. With my lips praise Thee; Thus I will bless Thee in my belly, and in Thy name I will lift up my hands. For my soul may be filled with fatness and ointment, and my lips will praise You with joy.
If I remember You on my bed, I will learn from You in the morning, as if You were my helper, and in Your shelter I will rejoice. My soul clings to You; Thy right hand is acceptable to me. They, having sought my soul in vain, will enter the underworld of the earth; they will surrender into the hands of arms, parts of the fox will be. The king will rejoice in God; Everyone who swears by Him will boast, because the mouth of those who speak unrighteously is stopped.
In the morning I learned from You, as You were my helper, and in the shelter of Your wing I will rejoice. My soul clings to You, but Your right hand accepts me!
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to You, God (three times - without bowing).
Psalm 62:
God, my God! From early morning I strive for You. My soul thirsted for You, and how many times did my flesh long for You in the impenetrable and waterless desert.
So would I appear before You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and glory. For Your mercy is more precious than life. My lips will praise You. So I will glorify You all my life and in Your name I will raise my hands in prayer. May my soul be filled with fat and oil, and may my lips praise You with a joyful voice, when I remember You on my bed, when I think about You in the morning. For You are my Helper, and I will rejoice under the shelter of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right hand has embraced me. But they sought my life in vain; they themselves will go to the grave, they will be handed over to arms, they will become prey for foxes. The king will rejoice in God, and everyone who swears will boast. By them, for the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.
Psalm 87
Lord, God of my salvation! I cried in the days and in the nights before You. May my prayer come before You, incline Your ear to my prayer: for my soul is filled with evil and my belly is drawing near to hell. He would be used with those descending into the ditch, like a man without help, there would be freedom in the dead; like the plague of those sleeping in the tomb, whom You did not remember, and they were rejected by Your hand. Placing me in the pit of hell, in the dark and shadow of death. Thy wrath was established upon me, and all Thy waves were brought upon me. You removed those who knew me from me, making me an abomination to yourself, and you were betrayed and did not depart. My eyes are weary from poverty; I have cried out to You, O Lord, all day long: I have lifted up my hands to You. Eating dead people work wonders? or will the doctors resurrect and confess to You? Who is the story of Thy mercy in the grave, and Thy truth in destruction? Will Thy wonders be known in darkness, and Thy righteousness in forgotten lands? And I cried to You, O Lord, and my morning prayer will precede You. Why, O Lord, dost Thou take away my soul, and turn Thy face away from me? I am poor, and in labor from my youth, I was lifted up, humbled and exhausted. Thy wrath has come upon me, Thy fears have troubled me. It washed over me like water all day long, possessing me all together (from everywhere). You removed from me a friend and a sincere and known one from my passions.
Lord, God of my salvation! I cried in the days and in the nights before You. May my prayer come before You, incline Your ear to my prayer!
Psalm 87:
Lord God, my Savior! Day and night I cry to You. Let my prayer reach You; incline Your ear to my prayer. For my soul was filled with suffering and my life approached hell. I was numbered among those who went down to the grave. I became like a helpless man, left to himself among the dead - like the slain, sleeping in the grave, whom You no longer remember and who are rejected from Your hand. They put me in a ditch underground in the dark darkness of the grave. Thy terrors are heavy upon me, and with all Thy waves Thou hast struck me. You have removed my acquaintances from me; they were disgusted with me; I was betrayed and had no way out. My eyes are faint with grief. I cry to You, Lord, all day long; I stretch out my hands to You. Will You work miracles on the dead? Or will the doctors resurrect them and they will praise you? Will anyone in the grave tell Your mercy and Your truth along with decay? Will Your miracles and Your truth be known in the darkness of the grave in the land of oblivion? And I cry to You, Lord, and in the morning my prayer will be before You. Why, Lord, do You reject my soul, turn Your face away from me? I am poor and in labor from my youth; after his elevation he was humbled and became weak again. Your wrath has passed over me; Thy fears have troubled me; they surround me every day, like water, and together they control me. You removed from me my friend and sincere and my acquaintances because of my passions.
Psalm 102
Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is within me, His holy name! Bless the Lord, my soul, and do not forget all His rewards! Who cleanses all your iniquities, who heals all your illnesses; who delivers your belly from corruption; crowning you with mercy and bounties; who fulfills your desires for good; Your youth will be renewed like an eagle. The Lord grant alms and destiny to all those who are offended. He told Moses His ways, to the sons of Israel His desires. The Lord is generous and merciful, long-suffering and abounding in mercy. He is not completely angry, he is at enmity forever. He did not make us eat because of our iniquities, but repaid us because of our sins; for as the height of heaven from the earth, the Lord established His mercy on those who fear Him. The east is far removed from the west, and our iniquities have been removed from us. As a father gives generously to his sons, the Lord will provide for those who fear Him. As He knew our creation: I will remember, as the dust of Esma. Man is like grass; his days are like grass; Like the color of the village, the tacos will fade. For the spirit has passed through it, and it will not be, and no one will know its place. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness is on the sons of sons, who keep His covenant and remember His commandments to do. The Lord has prepared His throne in heaven, and His kingdom possesses all. Bless the Lord, all His Angels, mighty in strength, who do His word, to hear the voice of His words! Bless the Lord, all His might, His servants who do His will! Bless the Lord, all His works, in every place of His dominion! Bless the Lord, my soul.
In every place of His dominion, bless the Lord, my soul!
Psalm 102:
Bless, my soul, the Lord and all that is within me - His holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, and do not forget all His benefits; He forgives all your iniquities, heals all your ailments, delivers your life from destruction and crowns you with His mercy and pity; He will fulfill your desire for good, and your youth will be renewed like that of an eagle. The Lord shows mercy and judgment to all those who are offended. He showed Moses His ways, and the children of Israel His desires. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and abounding in mercy: He will not be angry to the end, nor will He be indignant forever. He does not deal with us according to our iniquities, nor does He reward us according to our sins; for according to the height of the heavens above the earth, the Lord shows mercy to those who fear Him. As far as the place of sunrise is from the place of its setting, so far has He removed our iniquities from us. As a father has mercy on his sons, so the Lord has mercy on those who fear Him. For He knows our composition, He remembers that we are dust. A man is like grass, the days of his life are like a flower of the field: so quickly he fades. The wind will pass over him, and he will be no more, and he will no longer know his place. The mercy of the Lord towards those who fear Him continues from century to century, and His benefits extend to the grandchildren of those who keep His covenant and remember His commandments in order to fulfill them. The Lord has set His Throne in heaven, and His Kingdom possesses everyone. Glorify the Lord, all His angels, mighty in power, fulfilling His commands, so that they will listen to the voice of His words. Glorify the Lord, all His Powers, His servants who do His will. Glorify the Lord, all His creatures, in every place of His dominion. Glorify the Lord, my soul.
Psalm 142
God! Hear my prayer, inspire my prayer in Thy truth, hear me in Thy righteousness, and do not enter into judgment with Thy servant! For no one living will be justified before You; Because the enemy drove my soul, he humbled my belly to the ground; He made me sit in dark, like dead centuries. And my spirit is depressed within me, my heart is troubled within me. I have remembered the days of old, I have learned in all Your works, I have learned Your hand in all creation. My hand has lifted up to You, my soul, like a waterless land to You. Hear me soon, Lord: my spirit has disappeared; do not turn Your face away from me, and I will become like those who go down into the pit. I hear Thy mercy upon me in the morning, for I trust in Thee. Tell me, Lord, the way, I will go, as if I have taken my soul to You. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord; I have come running to You, teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Your good Spirit will guide me to the right land! For Thy name's sake, Lord, live for me; By Thy righteousness Thou hast delivered my soul from sorrow; and consume Your mercy by my enemies, and destroy all my cold souls, for I am Your servant.
Hear me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness, and do not enter into judgment with Thy servant (twice).
Your good Spirit will guide me to the right land!
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God (three times).
Psalm 142:
God! Hear my prayer, heed my prayer according to Thy truth; hear me according to Thy righteousness; and thou shalt not enter into judgment with Thy servant; for no living man will be right before You. My enemy began to pursue me and threw my life to the ground. He put me in darkness, like those who had died long ago, and my soul became despondent; My heart was troubled within me. I remember ancient times, I reflect on all Your deeds, I delve into the creations of Your hands. I stretch out my hands to You: my soul thirsts for You, like the parched land of rain. Hear me soon, Lord! My spirit faints: do not turn Your face away from me, lest I become like those who go down to the grave. Let me hear Your mercy early in the morning; for I have placed my hope in You. Show me, Lord, the path I should follow, for my soul ascends to You. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies: I take refuge in You. Teach me to do Your will; for You are my God. May Your Good Spirit guide me along the path of the righteous. For the glory of Your name, O Lord, quicken me; according to Your justice, deliver my soul from sorrow. And by Thy mercy destroy my enemies and destroy all who oppress me, for I am Thy servant.
After reading the three psalms, the priest, leaving the altar and bowing in front of the closed royal doors, with his head uncovered, wearing an epitrachelion, recalling the heavenly Intercessor for us before God, reads to himself (secretly) 12 morning prayers for himself and all those who believe in the Lord.
The first prayer expresses gratitude to God for awakening from sleep and contains a request for God’s help to perform divine services in a worthy manner.
Priest
: We thank Thee, O Lord our God, who raised us up from our beds, and put into our mouths the word of praise, to worship and call upon Thy holy name, and we pray to Thy bounties, which Thou hast always used for our lives, and now send Thy help to standing before the face of Your holy glory and expecting rich mercy from You, and grant them, who always serve You with fear and love, to praise Your inscrutable goodness.
For all glory, honor and worship is due to You, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.
The content of the second and third prayers corresponds to the song of the prophet Isaiah and begins in the same way: “From the morning our spirit flows to You, O God...” With the verses of this song, an alleluia is sung at Lenten Matins, instead of “God is the Lord.”
The second prayer asks to teach us to practice truth and holiness in the fear of God, cries out for God to remember and hear all those praying with the priest, save us, bless and sanctify us, give peace to the world, the Church, the priest and all people; In conclusion, the name of God is glorified:
From the night of the morning our spirit turns to You, O our God, before the light are Your commandments on earth. Let us practice righteousness and holiness in Thy passion; for we glorify Thee, our truly existing God. Incline Your ear and hear us, and remember, O Lord, those who exist and pray with us all by name, and save me by Your power. Bless Your people and sanctify Your heritage. Grant Thy peace, to Thy churches, to the priests, and to all Thy people.
For Thy most honorable and magnificent name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, is blessed and glorified, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
In the third prayer, the priest asks the Lord to teach the believers Divine truth, preserving in us the seal of the Holy Spirit, who will help us lead a righteous life, may he allow us to see a new day:
From the night our morning spirit turns to You, O God; the light beyond is Your commandments. Teach us, O God, Thy righteousness, Thy commandments and Thy justification; Enlighten the eyes of our thoughts, lest we fall asleep in our sins into death. Drive away all darkness from our hearts. Grant us the sun of righteousness, and keep our life unscathed by the seal of Your Holy Spirit. Correct our feet to the path of peace. Let us see the morning and day in joy, and let us send up our morning prayers to You.
For Yours is the power, and Yours is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
The fourth prayer contains a request to God to accept our gratitude again for sleep and awakening and to honor us with eternal blessings:
Master, God, Holy and Incomprehensible, Who made light shine from darkness, Who has reposed us in our nightly sleep and raised us to the praise and supplication of Thy goodness, we beg of Thy goodness, accept us and now worship Thee and thank Thee with strength, and grant us all , even petitions for salvation. Show us sons of light and day and heirs of Your eternal blessings. Remember, O Lord, in the multitude of Your mercies, and all Your people who exist and pray with us, and all our brethren, even on earth, on the sea, in every place of Your dominion, who require Your philanthropy and help, grant to all Your great mercy, May salvation always abiding in soul and body, we boldly glorify Your wonderful and blessed name. For You are the God of mercy and generosity and love for mankind, and to You we send glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
In the fifth prayer, the priest asks the Lord to accept our morning prayers, “like incense before You,” and to give help to all who are vigilant and sing to the glory of God:
O Treasure of the Good, Ever-flowing Source, Holy Father, Wonderworker, All-Powerful and Almighty, we all bow to You and pray to You, Your mercy and Your generosity calling for help and intercession of our humility; Remember, O Lord, Thy servants (prayer), accept all of us in the morning prayer, like incense before Thee, and let not one of us do anything unskillful (unsuitable), but provide us all with Thy bounties. Remember, O Lord, those who watch and sing in the glory of Thy glory and of Thy only begotten Son and our God and Thy Holy Spirit; Be your helper and intercessor, accept their prayers into Your heavenly and mental altar!
For You are our God, and to You we send glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
The sixth prayer contains thanksgiving to God for all His benefits. The priest prays that God will grant us the ability to sing to Him intelligently and pray unceasingly, so that He will remember those who especially need His help.
We thank Thee, O Lord, God of our salvation, for Thou hast done everything for the benefit of our lives, so that we may always look to Thee, the Savior and Benefactor of our souls, for Thou hast given us rest in the past night, and raised us up from our beds, and placed us in worship honorable to Your name. With the same we pray to Thee, Lord: grant us grace and strength, that we may be worthy to sing to Thee wisely and pray unceasingly, in fear and trembling, making our salvation through the intercession of Thy Christ. Remember, Lord, and in the night those who cry to You, hear, and have mercy, and crush under their nose the invisible and fighting enemies.
For You are the King of the world and the Savior of our souls, and we send glory to You, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
In the seventh prayer, repeating requests that the Lord accept our thanksgiving, the priest asks to teach us to live and pray with dignity, in order to be worthy of forgiveness of sins:
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who raised us up from our beds and gathered us together in the hour of prayer, give us grace at the opening of our lips, and accept ours according to the power of thanksgiving, and teach us by Your justification to pray beforehand, as we should not know, if not You, Lord, guide us with Your Holy Spirit. In the same way, we pray to You: if we have sinned even before this hour, in word, or in deed, or in thought, willfully or involuntarily, relax, forgive, forgive. If you see iniquity, Lord, Lord, who will stand? For you have deliverance; You are the One Holy One, the Helper, the sovereign Protector of our life, and it is about You that we always sing.
May the power of Your Kingdom be blessed and glorified, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
In the eighth prayer, an even more earnest petition is raised to the Lord for the acceptance of our prayers and confessions; a request is expressed for the granting of faith, hope and love, as well as for the blessing of our deeds and thoughts:
Lord, our God, having driven away sleepy despondency from us and calling us with the holy calling, even at night to raise our hands and confess to You about the destinies of Your righteousness, accept our prayers, prayers, confessions, nightly services and grant us, O God, unashamed faith, hope is known, love is unfeigned, bless our entrances and exits, deeds, deeds, words, thoughts, and grant us to comprehend at the beginning of the day, praising, singing, blessing Your ineffable goodness.
For blessed be Thy all-holy Name and glorified Thy Kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
The ninth prayer contains a request to grant us a worthy understanding of the Gospel and glorifies God as our enlightenment.
Shine in our hearts, O Master who loves mankind, the imperishable light of Your God-Understanding and open our mental eyes to the understanding of Your Gospel preachings. Place in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments, so that all carnal lusts may be trampled, and we will go through spiritual life, all of which is for Thy good pleasure, both in thought and in action.
For You are the sanctification and enlightenment of our souls and bodies, Christ our God, and we send up glory to You, with Your beginningless Father and Your All-Holy, Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.
The tenth prayer is compiled from the verses of the 50th Psalm in relation to Christian needs, may the Lord be pleased to accept the sacrifice of truth and offering:
Lord our God, who has granted repentance to man and shown us repentance leading to forgiveness in the image of the knowledge of sins and the confession of the prophet David. Yourself, Master, for our many and great fallen sins, have mercy according to Your great mercy and according to the multitude of Your bounties, cleanse our iniquities, for we have sinned against You, O Lord, and the unknown and secret of the human heart, the Leader and the only One who has the power to forgive sins. Having created a pure heart in us, and having strengthened us with a sovereign spirit, and having told us the joy of Thy salvation, do not cast us away from Thy face; but deign, as the Lover of Mankind is good, even until our last breath, to offer Thee a sacrifice of righteousness and an offering at Thy holy altars.
By the mercy and generosity and love of Thy Only Begotten Son, with Him art thou blessed, with Thy All-Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
In the eleventh prayer, the priest asks the Creator of angels to accept our praise, so that we too can join all the creatures of God who glorify Him:
God, our God, intelligent and verbal, composed of the strength of Your will, we pray to You, and we give You dear praise: accept our praise according to your strength, with all Your creations, and reward the rich with Your goodness; for every knee bows to You, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every breath and creature sings Your incomprehensible glory: for You are one, true and abundantly merciful God.
For all the Powers of Heaven praise You, and we send up glory to You, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
The twelfth prayer combines all previous petitions for forgiveness of sins, acceptance of prayer, enlightenment, cleansing, and fulfillment of the commandments for the granting of eternal life. This prayer also ends with the glorification of the Lord God:
We praise, sing, bless and thank Thee, O God of our father, for Thou hast brought forth the shadow of the night, and shown us again the light of day. But we pray to Your goodness: cleanse our sins and accept our prayer with Your great compassion, as we resort to You, the merciful and omnipotent God; Shine in our hearts the true sun of Thy righteousness, enlighten our minds, and guard all our feelings, so that as we walk gracefully in the days of Thy commandments, we will reach eternal life: for You have the source of life, and in the pleasure of being we will be worthy of Thy unapproachable light.
For You are our God, and to You we send glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
At the end of the Six Psalms and prayers, the priest and deacon bow before the holy gates and bow to each other. Then follows the great litany, which always precedes the most important church services, being a prayer expressing the spiritual and physical needs of Christians that have burdened humanity since the fall of our ancestors (it is said by the deacon on the sole, and if there is no deacon, the priest in the altar).
Deacon:
Let us pray to the Lord in peace.
Chorus:
Lord have mercy.
Deacon:
Let us pray to the Lord for peace from above and for the salvation of our souls.
Chorus:
Lord have mercy.
Deacon:
Let us pray to the Lord for the peace of the whole world, the prosperity of God’s holy Churches and the unity of all.
Chorus:
Lord have mercy.
Deacon:
For this holy temple and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
Chorus:
Lord have mercy.
Deacon:
For our Great Lord and Father, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy and our Most Reverend Lord
(name of the river,
ruling bishop), the honorable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.
Chorus:
Lord have mercy.
Deacon:
For our God-protected country, its authorities and army, let us pray to the Lord.
Chorus:
Lord have mercy.
Deacon:
For this city (or: about this village; if in a monastery, then: about this holy monastery), every city, country and the faith of those living in them, let us pray to the Lord.
Chorus:
Lord have mercy.
Deacon:
Let us pray to the Lord for the goodness of the air, for the abundance of earthly fruits and times of peace.
Chorus:
Lord have mercy.
Deacon:
Let us pray to the Lord for those who are sailing, traveling, the sick, the suffering, the captives, and for their salvation.
Chorus:
Lord have mercy.
Deacon:
Let us pray to the Lord for deliverance from all sorrow, anger and need.
Chorus:
Lord have mercy.
Deacon:
Intercede, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Your grace.
Chorus:
Lord have mercy.
Deacon:
Let us commemorate our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed, Glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, for ourselves, and for each other, and for our whole life to Christ our God.
Chorus:
To you, Lord.
Priest
: For all glory, honor and worship is due to You, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Chorus:
Amen.
The deacon sings “God is the Lord and appeared to us...” according to the voice of the troparion of the day (four times).
Before the beginning of the singing, in accordance with the Rule, candles are lit to commemorate the fact that with the appearance of the Lord in the world, a great light shone for people (Isaiah). The song is composed of selected verses from Psalm 117, which briefly convey the content of the entire psalm.
On the weekdays of Great Lent, as well as on the days of remembrance of the dead, instead of “God is the Lord,” “Alleluia” is sung; on fasting days (four times),
to serve for the dead
(three times).
Deacon: God is the Lord and He has appeared to us, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Choir
(repeats): God is the Lord... (the same after each subsequent verse pronounced by the deacon).
Deacon:
Confess to the Lord that He is good, for His mercy endures forever. They cheated me, and in the name of the Lord they resisted them. I will not die, but I will live, and I will tell the works of the Lord.
The stone that was built carelessly, this was at the head of the corner, this was from the Lord and is marvelous in our minds.
The choir sings the Sunday troparion (twice),
“Glory” is the troparion to the saint (from the Menaion), “And now” is the Sunday voice of the Theotokos troparion to the saint (if there is no troparion to the saint, then on “Glory, and now” the Sunday voice of the Theotokos is sung in the present voice).
The Resurrection of the Theotokos, also called the first Theotokos, is contained in the Octoechos in the Sunday service, at Great Vespers, after “Now you let go” and the troparion.
If Sunday coincides with a forefeast, afterfeast, or the celebration of the twelfth feast, instead of the Sunday of the Theotokos, the troparion for the forefeast or feast (on the days of its celebration) is sung.
On the feasts of the Nativity of Christ, Epiphany, Transfiguration and Exaltation, even if they fall on a Sunday, as well as the Ascension and the day of Pentecost, the troparion of the holiday is sung (three times)
(last time on “Glory and Now”).
On the Saturday of Lazarus the troparion for the feast is also sung (three times);
if the Annunciation falls on the Saturday of Lazarus, then the troparion to the Annunciation is sung twice, on “Glory” - the troparion “General Resurrection...” and on “And Now” - the troparion to the Annunciation. If the Ascension is on May 8 - the day of remembrance of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, then the troparion to the Ascension is sung twice, "Glory" - the troparion to the Apostle, "And now" - to the feast of the Ascension.
On the Feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (on the Week of Vai), two troparions are sung: “General Resurrection...” (twice),
“Glory, even now” - “Having been buried in You through baptism...”
(once).
If this day also coincides with the Annunciation, then the troparion to the Annunciation is sung (twice)
and to “Glory, and now” - “General Resurrection...”
(once).
On the feasts of the Theotokos (also on the Presentation of the Lord), if they fall on weekdays, only the troparion for the feast is sung (three times)
(last time on “Glory and Now”).
If the feast of the Theotokos coincides with Sunday, then the Sunday troparion is sung (twice)
and on “Glory, and now” - the troparion for the feast.
If on weekdays the saint is commemorated with a vigil, polyeleos or great doxology, then the troparion to the saint is sung (twice)
and on “Glory, and now” - the Resurrection of the Theotokos according to the voice of the holy troparion, and on Saturday - the Resurrection of the Theotokos in the present voice.
If, according to the Rule of the saint, it is necessary to sing stichera at 6 or the service to the saint does not have a holiday sign, then the troparion to the saint is sung (twice),
“Glory, even now” - Theotokos from the lesser according to the voice of the holy troparion, and on Saturday - Theotokos of the Resurrection according to the voice of the holy troparion.
If troparions are laid for two saints, then first - a troparion for one saint (twice),
on “Glory” - a troparion to another
(once)
and on “And now” - the Theotokos according to the voice of the first saint.
During the days of Great Lent, troparia are sung in glorification of the Holy Trinity - the Trinity Voices. Each voice contains three troparions: the end of the first troparion corresponds to the service of the day: on Monday - “Through the intercession of Thy incorporeal ones, have mercy on us”; on Tuesday - “Through the prayers of Thy Forerunner, have mercy on us”; on Wednesday and Friday - “By the power of Your Cross, save us, Lord”; on Thursday - “Through the prayers of Thy holy apostles and St. Nicholas, have mercy on us” (Trinitarians are contained at the end of the Lenten Triodion and in Irmologia).
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week after Alleluia, “Behold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight...” is sung (three times);
on Thursday and Friday - “When the glory of the disciples ...”
(three times).
At funeral services after “Alleluia” the troparia “In the depth of wisdom...”, “Glory, and now”, “To you is the wall and refuge of the imams...” and on other Saturdays are sung: “Apostles, martyrs and prophets...”, “Glory” - “ Remember, Lord, that Thy servants are good...", "And now" - "Mother of the ineffable Light..."
Charter of the All-Night Vigil for the choir
The vigil is one of the most complex services in its structure with a variety of liturgical material. At the same time, the choir plays a special role in the service, performing its most important chants.
When the vigil was finally established in the Russian Church, by the beginning of the 16th century. special books for the choir appear - Singing Practices, containing chants of the daily cycle, liturgy, all-night vigil. They are arranged in order of service. Initially, Obikhody presented the chants in the so-called “hook” notation; in their newest editions, the text of the chant usually follows, followed by the same text, set to notes more familiar to modern people.
In addition, there are a number of manuals for the choir dedicated to the all-night vigil. They are especially popular among students of theological schools - seminaries, regency courses. They may be:
- complete sequence, according to which one can see the general scheme, order of service; as a rule, the texts of prayers, psalms, litanies are given here, but there are also liturgical instructions for those singing;
- notes of the most important chants, arranged in order of the vigil;
- finally, there are manuals that combine both approaches; here is placed both the sequence of the all-night vigil itself and the notes and chants; As a rule, one chant can be presented in different versions, set to music by different authors. Such manuals are closer to the liturgical book “Obikhod” itself.
Where can I find the flowchart?
This question is usually quite relevant for novice regents. When since the 1990s. a revival of spiritual life began, many choir leaders of newly opened churches drew a short order of worship by hand on a sheet of cardboard in order to see the participation of the choir at one time or another. Nowadays, similar plans for vigils (and other services) are often posted on church websites and Orthodox Internet portals. They can also be seen as part of various kinds of aids for the choir.
The vigil, which originated among monks, is now an integral part of the spiritual life of the laity. This is a special service that takes you away from the bustle of life on the eve of Sunday, dedicated, according to the commandment, to the Lord.
Natalia Sazonova
