The history of the appearance of the Akathist to the Lord of Hosts
Before you figure out how and when such a prayer song is read, it is worth knowing the history of the origin of the name of the Lord. The phrase God of Hosts is often found on the pages of the Old Testament in the Bible and is one of the names of the Creator that was used by the Jewish people. According to the tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church, this name is translated as “Lord of the Armies of the Archangels,” and one of the many names of the Lord emphasizes his strength and immeasurable power.
Due to the fact that the word Hosts is a derivative of the word "warlike", some Christians mistakenly believe that the God of Hosts is a personification of the God of War. However, researchers of the Holy Scriptures argue that this is not so, since this name of the Creator practically does not appear on the pages of the Old Testament, where the military battles of the Israeli people are described, but appears already at a time when the Jews led a relatively peaceful life and did not resist the invaders.
Therefore, the phrase Lord God of Hosts is used to mean the omnipotent Creator who created heaven and earth. According to the Holy Scriptures, not only everything inhabiting the earth is the army of the living God, but also the heavenly bodies, which are in complete obedience to the Creator. In the Old Testament there is another name for the God of Israel - Jehovah, which translated means “He lives.”
Some believers are interested in whether it is possible to read an akathist to the Lord of hosts if this name is mentioned exclusively in the Old Testament and is absent in the New. Here it is worth paying attention to the inseparability of the three hypostases of God. Beginning in the 16th century, on icons depicting the Holy Trinity, God of Hosts corresponds to the personality of God the Father. In the New Testament, the Word of the first hypostasis of the Lord put on a body and came into the world as God the Son, Jesus Christ, who was destined to suffer for the sins of mankind and accept martyrdom on the cross of Calvary.
After the resurrection of the Savior and when he created his church on earth, God the Father sent the Holy Spirit to earth, which even today acts in the souls of people. All these three hypostases are manifestations of one Lord, therefore, when a Christian turns to God of Hosts, this also implies a prayer addressed to God the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Saint Dionysius, a famous theologian of the past, called the God of Hosts as Goodness; he associated this with the fact that the Lord gives ineffable goodness to the whole world not through the deeds of people. In addition, the theologian gave the Creator several more names associated with his qualities, such as Light, Beauty, Unity, Good, Life.
A similar name for the Creator with names that reflect his basic essence is also found in the Russian saint John of Kronstadt. In one of the prayers composed by the saint, he calls the Lord Strength and asks him to support him and not allow him to fall in temptation. In the same prayer there are also such names of God as Grace and Light.
After Prince Vladimir baptized Rus', prayer songs called akathists came to us from Byzantium. The Lord, the Mother of God, saints and angels were sung in them. Even historians of the Orthodox religion find it difficult to accurately determine the time when the akathist was written, which is read in honor of the Lord of Hosts. However, since it appeared in Rus', it has taken pride of place in Russian religious hymnography.
Today it is read both as part of holiday services and during regular Sunday prayers. The entire text of the akathist to the Lord of hosts is imbued with reverence and veneration for the Creator. It differs from the usual prayer song in that the last words of the ikos “Rejoice...” are replaced with “Lord God”, as more suitable and consistent with the general content of the text.
If you carefully study the text of the akathist, you will notice that it sets out the entire story, from the Creation of the world to the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. This is presented in a laconic form, and since the akathist is written in a highly artistic form, this makes it one of the most significant in Christian hymnography.
Description of the icon
In Byzantium, images of the Almighty Father were not created or used; in the Russian iconographic tradition, the image appeared in the 16th century. At the heart of creation was the face of the Savior of the Old Denmi (Incarnation of the Eternal Son). The Lord blesses his own people with both hands or holds a scroll or book. His clothes are snow-white, the folds of his chiton are filled with pink shades, his himation (cloak) is green, his hair flows evenly over his shoulders. The halo has a star shape, made up of the intersection of two rhombuses.
Icon of the Lord of Hosts
The image first appeared on an icon called “The Last Judgment.” Father Hosts is shown several times in each of the four compositions of this painting.
- On the first mark, God is resting on a bed after the creation of the world, in His hands is a crucifix and a vessel (a symbol of sending the Son for sacrifice), and on His head is a crown.
- In the second composition, the Lord of hosts is depicted waist-deep and wearing a medallion.
- On the third - He sits on a throne and holds a scroll, next to the right is the risen Christ, and between Them there is the Holy Spirit, crowning the Trinity.
- The fourth mark, called “Come, O People,” shows God seated on the cherubim throne, resplendent with glory, and with the Holy Scriptures opened in his right hands.
- The image of the God of Hosts was widely used in painting icons, creating literary miniatures and murals. In Russian churches of the 16th century, the image of the Lord the Father was often placed on the inside of the main dome. The paintings could be observed in the cathedrals of the Moscow Kremlin, the church in Vyazyoma (Odintsovo), and also in the Yaroslavl monastery.
Important!
Saint Basil the Great taught that the true God has no form and cannot be known, so there is no need to strain your imagination to see Him. One should not confuse material achievements with the endless and indescribable effulgence of the Lord. Any concept that approaches the image of Him turns our knowledge into idolatry. It must be remembered: the icon is a kind of guide for those who have not yet cleared their minds of sinfulness. Saints see God with their inner light, which is also beyond description.
Reading rules
It is necessary to begin reading the solemn prayer song with proper preparation:
- Since this is a hymn of praise, one should feel grateful to the Lord in his heart for all his mercies and daily protection. It must be remembered that everything that a person has in life, from health to work, is by the will and blessings of the Almighty, therefore, when reading the akathist, it is worth giving praise to the Creator with all your heart.
- It is recommended to reinforce the reading of the prayer song by distributing mercy to the poor or donating to a good cause. It is better to offer words of gratitude in front of the icon of the Holy Trinity, which is purchased in a church shop and consecrated in the temple.
It is better to start reading the akathist either early in the morning or in the evening, before going to bed, so that nothing distracts from the prayer rule.
Other prayers to Sabaoth, God the Father
O Almighty Sovereign King! Sit on the clouds, resting in the Highest, who is Blessed in the firmament of heaven. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of hosts, fill heaven and earth with Your glory! Hosanna in the Highest! Fulfill, O God Almighty, this humble prayer and petition of ours, Thy servant (name of the rivers), may Thy ears be attentive to the voice of our prayers, O holy Lord! Mercifully look and hear us, Your servants (the name of the rivers) from earth to heaven crying out to You: save, preserve and have mercy on us, deliver us from all troubles and misfortunes and all evil, protect us with the Holy Spirit day and night and grant us victory at every hour. and to all who pray to You, Your Divine power, miraculous Grace, filled with strength and strength. By the power of the Honest and Life-giving Cross of the Lord, defeat all our enemies, visible and invisible, create them like sheep, and scatter them like dust before the wind, so that they may know Your name, Lord, let them be ashamed forever, for You are the Most High throughout all the earth and there will be no cold for those who trust in Thee forever and ever. Amen.
Akathist: audio, text
Kontakion 1 Lord God of heaven, creator of the world and my holy Creator, glorious Trinity Unity, accept my prayer, behold, I believe in Thee and worship Thee, I thank Thee and humbly glorify Thee, I am Thy unworthy servant, for by Thy wisdom Thou hast created all things, from nothingness came wondrous existence You brought, as you desired, You also created man in Your image and likeness, and behold, I humbly say to You: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
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Ikos 1 The angelic hosts sing praises to Thee tirelessly and praise Thee with every breath. And what will my praise add to Your perfect glory, O God, King of Heaven and earth. O One Eternal One, who was Your adviser when You laid the foundation of the world? With Thy goodness Thou hast created man, so that he may enjoy remaining in Thy love, but whoever transgressed Thy holy commandment Thou didst not put him to eternal death, O my God, holy Heavenly Love, but staying in the land of exile now, I yearn for the Heavenly Fatherland and grieve greatly, as I cannot behold Thee, my glorious Creator, aggravated by my sins, but by faith I behold Thee and Thee alone, my Merciful God, I offer this praise: Glory to Thee, God, Who created all things. Glory to You, for Your glory is above the heavens. Glory to Thee, Thou who created things that exist from things that do not exist. Glory to Thee, all who called from non-existence into being. Glory to You, clothed in light like a robe. Glory to You, for You created man in Your image and likeness. Glory to You, who has elevated man above the visible world. Glory to You, you have named creation God. Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to Thee.
Kontakion 2 Seeing the multitude of my sins, I am afraid of Your judgment. My soul is sick with the passions of lawlessness, and I don’t even remember all of them, but before you condemn me, have mercy on me, merciful Lord. And before I appear to You, cleanse and heal me, O Savior. For I am still on earth, I humbly pray to You, among sinners I am the first, do not repay me for my deeds at Your most righteous judgment, but look upon me with your gracious eye, and justify and have mercy, and place me, unworthy, with Your chosen ones at Your right hand. for every hour I cry: Alleluia.
Ikos 2 Weak reason, our mind, and burdened with vain cares and not having a good nourisher for my thoughts, I cry to You, Savior. O Lord, gather my scattered mind and revive my dead soul, as Peter gave me repentance, as the publican sighed, and as the harlot gave me tears, be my Shepherd and teach me what to think, what to say and what to do. I ran to You alone and cried out to You: Lord, grant me sight of my sins, Lord, give me Your Holy Fear. Lord, grant me to know what meekness and humility are. Lord, heal me from the wounds of unclean thoughts. Lord, send Your Grace to help me a sinner. Lord, enlighten and sanctify my mind. Lord, wash me with the tears of holy Repentance. Lord, clothe me in garments of purity and incorruption. Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner, according to Your great mercy.
Kontakion 3 By the power of Thy right hand, O Most Holy Trinity, undivided in essence, and unmerged in face, having kept the world, I glorify Thee, and send humble thanksgiving to Thee, for Thou hast not forsaken a man living in sins, but has ever brought the conversion of the lost, especially the Only Begotten Son, the Lord our Jesus Christ, you sent into the world to save your people. I thank You, for You graciously accept those who repent and call You beloved children, for this reason I earnestly cry to You: Alleluia.
Ikos 3 Having God's mercy towards sinners in abundance, You revealed to me at this time that You are God and do everything with Your goodness. And I knew in that hour and now I firmly believe that You are the eternal Love who created the world. My soul rejoiced at this and I humbly say to You: Because You unexpectedly and mercifully came to me, unworthy, I thank You. Because you did not remember my sin, I thank you. Because You have sent down Your Holy Spirit to me, a sinner, I thank You. Because You graciously accepted me like a baby on your arm, I thank You. Because You showed me Your Love and how You are Good, I thank You. As you teach me the way of salvation, I thank You. For sorrows and illnesses, O Merciful One, I thank Thee. For the peace and joy you give to us through Your mercy, I thank You. Glory and thanksgiving to You, God, for everything.
Kontakion 4 My mind is overwhelmed with a storm of bewilderment, how is this possible, as if you wanted to show Your face with a pure heart. O God, Predating Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Soul, indivisible Unit. Oh, Good One, open the mouth of creation, let it cry to its Creator. O Incomprehensible God, who has given creation to bless its Creator. But cleanse, O God, I pray to You, cleanse my heart and soul, for I want to love You dearly and to abide with You forever. Save me, Lord, for the sake of Your mercy, you have made me worthy of many destinies and eternal life, so that with the angels and all the saints I sing to You and I am unworthy: Alleluia.
Ikos 4 Hearing faithfully in the holy gospel Your wondrous providence, how you work for every good and want to be saved for everyone. The same marveling, I say: hallowed, O God, is Your Glorious name, may Your Holy Kingdom come, may Your Good Will be done, as it is in Heaven and on earth. All works are done by Your hand, God, and I trust in You and I call upon Your Holy Name. Be my Helper and Patron for my salvation. Behold my God and I will glorify Him, a wonderful God and I will exalt Him, gloriously I will be glorified: Glory to You, Wonderful in Your saints. Glory to You, for You humble people so that they may call to You. Glory to You, who seeks pure hearts. Glory to You, who dearly loves humble souls. Glory to You, the One Great and Glorious. Glory to You, the One Quiet and Merciful in Your incomprehensible glory. Glory to You, the One Holy and True. Glory to You, the Only Good and Perfect One. Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to Thee.
Kontakion 5 The earthly and heavenly things were created by the Word of God, but the Creator loved man more than all others, giving him His Image and Likeness and sanctifying him with His Spirit. Now you continually cry to us, O Lord: Come to Me and I will give you rest. We know that you are the Way, the Truth and the Eternal Life, Christ. But I always turn away from You in sinful self-will to a distant land, and my soul, like a waterless desert, longs to know Your Will and to drink in Your Grace and calls: Alleluia.
Ikos 5 You see, O Lord, how through sinful deeds and thoughts I have destroyed the beauty and purity of my soul, but renew, O my Creator, let me glorify Thee; days of my life, to You alone, I cry tirelessly: Lord, cleanse my iniquities. Lord, deliver me from vain thoughts. Lord, extinguish the flame of my mental and physical passions. Lord, create a pure heart in me. Lord, do not leave me without Your Favor and Help. Lord, do not take Your Holy Spirit from me, who is unworthy. Lord, be with me in Your mercy now and forever, Lord, do with me according to Your will, as is ever blessed, Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner, according to Your great mercy.
Kontakion 6 Preachers, the holy apostles appeared, revealing the secret of your incarnation, O Savior, to the world, but how could it be that one holy man from the Trinity appeared on earth? Oh, how God is man in the flesh, and he is nailed to the Cross and suffers. I see the Lord in the garden of Gethsemane, kneeling and sweating like drops of blood falling to the ground. I see my God on the Cross and wash my hand and nose with His Holy Divine Blood. O meek and humble Lord of the world, you did this out of love and obedience to the Heavenly Father and said to Him: Forgive them, Father. For this reason You save, O Merciful One, all Your people. And save me, a sinner, for everything is possible for You. I worship Your Passion, Master and I glorify Your Holy Resurrection, and say with emotion: Alleluia.
Ikos 6 Has risen to us the enlightenment of truth in Thy Holy Church. And now I see in Your temple, Son of God, the Holy Cup and I believe with all my soul and thought that this is Your Most Pure Body and this is Your Most Honest Blood. As a sinner, I see the Invisible, I touch the Inviolable, and my lips and belly contain the Inconceivable Heaven. Oh, the depth of Your goodness, O God. Oh, the inscrutability of Your Love, O Lover of Mankind, as You have granted to creatures to eat the flesh of their God and the blood of His Honest, so that they may be deified and live. But I marvel at how this can be, this mystery is great and you alone know it in that hour in man. I humbly bow to You and thank You like this: For in the sacrament of Baptism You named me Your child, I thank You. Because you trust us with Your honest Body and Blood, I thank You. Because you do not reject the prayers of us sinners, I thank You. As you still bless us invisibly, I thank You. Because You have granted forgiveness to me for my sins by Your Power, I thank You. As I am unworthy, You partake of Your Body and Blood, I thank Thee. As you are indescribable Love, I thank You. For You are the Light in Revelation by the tongue, I thank Thee. Glory and thanksgiving to You, God, for everything.
Kontakion 7 Thought to catch all nations for salvation, Thou hast filled Thy Apostles with Thy Holy Spirit, and I humbly pray: Heavenly King come and dwell in us and cleanse us from all filth and create Thy holy and true temples in which Thou shalt love to abide and do not separate from us never again, please. And do Your Holy Will in me and through me, your unworthy servant. Let Your Name, O God, be glorified on earth, as it is not in Heaven, and let everyone call You: Alleluia.
Ikos 7 Wonderful are Your works, O Heavenly God, and glory is due to You, singing is due to You, worship and honor are due to You, and again endless glory, great praise, my Most Gracious, Most Gracious, Most Wonderful God. I, Thy fallen creation, must weep for my sins and my unworthiness, but do not forsake me, Heavenly Love. Oh, help me, fallen, O Good God, for there is no life without You, but death truly. And I pray to You: by Your great mercy, heal, have mercy and save me, a sinner, O my God. And vouchsafe an eternal life, where those who rejoice have a dwelling place and endless sweetness, who behold the ineffable kindness of Your face. I put my greatest trust in You, and I praise You, the Holy God, unworthy servant: Glory to You, place Your mercy on Your hand in all matters. Glory to Thee, who covers all things with goodness. Glory to You, a man who forgives all iniquity. Glory to You, who so loved Your creation. Glory to You, who guides the innermost thoughts of hearts. Glory to You, for You do not desire the destruction of Your creation, but to save everyone. Glory to Thee, O lover of Thy enemies. Glory to You, who commanded us to pray for those who offend us. Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to Thee.
Kontakion 8 Strangely, the Trinity of the Holy Mysteries and minds are not cognizable, I most gloriously worship You in three persons, my One God, I ask You for forgiveness of many of my sins. I cry to you, seeing my great fall and infirmity, and because I myself cannot be healed, nor can I rise again, but You, my Creator, weigh this more than me, and You alone can help me, for there is no sin that exceeds Your mercy. Behold, I fall before You, merciful God, and from the depths of my soul I cry to You with tears: cleanse me, my Glorious Creator, and heal and sanctify me, and help me, a sinner, to love You alone with all my heart and thought and with all my soul and never turn aside to evil. Oh, help me, the Creator, for I sing to You: Alleluia.
Ikos 8 You are aware, O God, of all my iniquities and all the sins that are hidden from You, knowing the heart, but you also hear my sighing and accept my prayer. What can I do if I am not the imam of Your help? What good would the Imam do if he did not give it to me? How can I be saved, if not by Your mercy and condescension towards the sinner who repents? I am poor and wretched because of good deeds, because of my negligence and laziness, and I am worthless before you: I have not acquired the tears of Adam and I do not strive to imitate the repentance of the righteous. I also continually grieve You with my deeds and words, but accept therefore the sighing of my aching soul, and let me know Your love and immeasurable Goodness, for I cry to You alone: Lord, forgive me all my sins, for which I grieve greatly. Lord, have mercy on me and, above all, have mercy on me forever. Lord, guide me in every good work. Lord, raise me from laziness to Your praise. Lord, create a pure heart in me. My Creator, heal me according to Your Great Love. Lord, grant me to do Your Will for Your glory. Lord, give me Your Grace and let my soul burn with love. Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner, according to Your great mercy.
Kontakion 9 All ranks of angels bring praise to You, O Glorious God, in Heaven. I, Thy servant, thank Thee for all Thy good deeds that have been for me on the earthly path, for every day is filled with them. I am, Lord, unworthy of Thy love and great goodness, but again, O Savior, do not turn away from me, who is filthy, and never take away Thy rich mercy from me. I cry to you, the Good Benefactor: Alleluia.
Ikos 9 My mind cannot wander, as it is darkened by worldly passions, I call Thee with an angelic song: Holy, Holy, Holy, Thou art Father, Son and Holy Soul, Ever Worshiped One, our God. I, a sinner, Thy creation on this earth, long for You, and I seek You alone, to You, O my Creator, I fall with tears and pray to Thee: My God, help me, a sinner, do not love this world, but love You alone, my God , to love You with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul, to think and pray to You unceasingly and strive diligently until my last breath. Thou art always instructing me in good deeds, keeping me from all sin with Thy ineffable love for mankind. Thou reign in me, O Good Lord, and be Thy all over me, and be pleased with me to live according to Thy Will, so I call to Thee: For Thou hast mercifully come to save sinners, I thank Thee. Because you accidentally found me when I was lost, I thank You. Because you have mercifully forgiven me for repenting my sins, I thank You. Because You cover me with Your grace, I thank You. As we have always been looked upon by Thy love, I thank Thee. Because you have not forgotten those who have fallen away from You through their sins, I thank You. For the eternal life of the imams has hope in You, I thank You. Because You give us earthly blessings every day, I thank You. Glory and thanksgiving to You, God, for everything.
Kontakion 10 Thou didst appear on earth to save Thy creation, the Quiet Light of the Holy Glory of Thy Heavenly Father. For the sake of suffering, you endured the Cross, and you also brought us out of hell, and you showed us Your Mother as our intercessor. By Your Holy Spirit you give the Church the Divine Mysteries. For this reason, You are our praise, Helper and Enlightenment, and therefore we all rejoice in our God, the Wonderful, Most Good and Most Glorious, and we call: Alleluia.
Ikos 10 Glorious King of Heaven and earth, who created man from the earth and gave him to know Himself by the Holy Spirit. The thief repented and was made worthy of paradise, and the peoples who were languishing in the darkness of idols were called to His praise. Look with Thy merciful eye upon Thy people, and for a small conversion grant great mercy, strengthen us in Thy grace, so that we may not perish, but be reborn into the Eternal Life and ever sing to Thy: Glory to Thee, Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal. Glory to You, who loved Your creation very much. Glory to Thee, Who foretells that which does not exist, but which exists. Glory to You, who sees a thousand years, like one day. Glory to You, the Only Strong and Mighty One. Glory to Thee, Omniscient and Almighty. Glory to You, the Good and Merciful Creator of the world. Glory to Thee, the One Ever Reigning. Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to Thee.
Kontakion 11 I offer the all-contrite song to Thee, Merciful Lord, I know Thy mercy in the Three Persons, One God, and Thy memory warms my soul and my soul is drawn to love Thee. And I want, I really want to love You, but even though I want, as it should be, I don’t love at all. Many vain thoughts dominate my mind, and I continually fall away from You. Cleanse, O Creator, my mind and heart and soul, sanctify, Holy God. May I love You alone, I call to You in repentance: Alleluia.
Ikos 11 O Heavenly Light, you came to those who are in the darkness of ignorance, my most gracious Lord, merciful to my Creator. I also pray to You: enlighten me with Your Light, so that I do not live before men, but before You alone. And let me not think, I am a damned one, to appear holy before people, but let me cry directly to You, O Good One, with tears of true repentance. Grant me a sinner, O God, to see my sins and my unworthiness, grant me contrition of heart and tears, so that my soul may be washed from defilement and in clean clothes may appear before You, Heavenly Bridegroom, I cry to You alone: Lord, forgive me all my sins . Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. Lord, never leave Thy servant for me, but rest ever in me. Lord, cleanse me from pride, hypocrisy and other filth. Lord, send Your Grace to help me, a sinner. Lord, teach me to do Your Will. Lord, Holy One, visit and heal my infirmities. Lord, grant me, a sinner, the spirit of humility and Holy Love. Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner, according to Your great mercy.
Kontakion 12 Grant me Grace and Your Favor on the path of my life, O Heavenly God, Most Merciful Creator and Creator of the world, may the flame of Your Love kindle in my lazy and wretched soul, so that You alone, the Good Life-Giver, may be my breath, my hope, Holy Love , Heavenly One, my Benefactor, I have mercy, I will serve You, and I will strive to see and abide with You and do Your Will in everything. And never take Thy holy mercies away from me, so that we may strengthen them, reach Thy Everlasting Glory, and there I sing forever: Alleluia.
Ikos 12 Sing unceasingly your wonders and mercy into the unsearchable abyss, O Lord. For You are my God, You are my joy, You are my strength and salvation, even if we crucify You with our sins, You forgive us and give Your mercy, even if we retreat from You and betray You, but You do not abandon us, Your Love always creates the world, Your Goodness contains everything, moved by Your Spirit, visible and invisible, grant me to sing to You ever since: For You have brought me from the dust of corruption into eternal bliss, I thank You. Because You have revealed the Light of Truth to me, I thank You. For Your Love is Sweet, I thank You. As you nourish Heavenly and earthly with Your Grace, I thank You. As if everything is aimed at creating good, I thank Thee. As you catch people to salvation, I thank You. If you want to have me in the light, I thank You. If you want to hide from me so that I may recognize the weakness of man, I thank Thee. Glory and thanksgiving to You, God, for everything.
Kontakion 13 O most holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Soul. Accept my unworthy prayer and the small praise that I brought to You, and be merciful to Your servant, send down upon us Your Holy Heavenly Blessing, and help in every good work, and raise us up to Your praise, do with us as You will, and as You will, and as we weigh, so that we may reach Your Kingdom and there, with all Your saints, the angels will sing to You everlastingly: Alleluia. (Three times, then Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1)
Prayer Lord God, be merciful to me, a sinner, accept my unworthy prayer and extend Your helping hand to me, for my soul always desires to abide in the sweetness of Your love, but the sin that lives in me leads me to evil, and every day I fall away from You for thoughts of pride, conceit, prodigal thoughts, dislike and enmity for the brethren, condemnation of neighbors, envy and addiction to earthly things. Do not, merciful Lord, leave the sad servant to remain in evil, captivity and passions, diseases. Lord, I grieve for Your people too. I pray, O Good One, that not even one perish from people, but that you save everyone, even if I am a sinner and have no love, I do not want the destruction of those who sin, then how can you, Holy Lyuba, the All-Perfect, care for everyone to be saved and in mind truth come? Behold, I fall before You, Lord God, the Merciful, and I pray: everything is possible for You, through Your destinies, save all Your people and grant what is beneficial to everyone, visit and heal the sick, comfort the sorrowing, feed the poor, turn those who are lost to Your path, and grant faith to the poor Yu. Help, O Good God, every soul living in the world, for we are all in trouble and are not the Imams a strong helper for You. Lord, I pray to Thee, like Thy saint Silouan the Reverend, that all the ends of the earth may know Thee by the Holy Spirit. May they understand how much You loved us and may they forget the sorrows of the earth and cling to You with love. May they live in peace, doing Your will for Your glory, as if there were no wars, troubles, enmity, but may Love and Grace reign. And save us all, and grant us Thy Kingdom, where we will see the powers of the angels praising Thee, the holy apostles in glory, the fathers, the council of saints, who taught us to honor Thee Orthodoxy, the humble multitude of saints, the blessed faces, who despised the world and conquered sin, for You Due to glory, honor and worship, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.
Voice 3: We praise God to you, / We confess the Lord to you. / The whole earth magnifies the Eternal Father to you; / To you, all the Angels, / To you, the heavens and all the Powers. / To you, the unceasing voices of the Cherubim and Seraphim cry: / Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts,/ the heavens and the earth are full of the majesty of Your glory./ The glorious Apostolic face is to You,/ The prophetic number of praise is to You,/ The bright martyr’s army praises You,/ The Holy Church confesses to You throughout the whole universe,/ The Father of incomprehensible majesty, / we worship Your true and Only Begotten Son / and the Holy Comforter of the Spirit. / You, the King of glory, Christ, / Thou art the Father’s Ever-Essential Son. / You, having received man for the deliverance, / did not abhor the Virgin’s womb. / You, having overcome the sting of death, / You have opened the Kingdom of Heaven to believers./ You sit at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father,/ Judge? come ?ve?rishy./We therefore ask You:/help Thy servant,/whom Thou hast redeemed with Your Precious Blood./Make worthy to reign with Thy saints in eternal glory./Save Thy people, O Lord,/and bless Thy inheritance,/correct and exalt them forever;/ let us bless you all the days/ and praise your name forever and ever./ Grant us, O Lord, to be preserved without sin on this day./ Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us;/ be Thy mercy, O Lord , on us,/ I put my trust in You./ In You, Lord, I put my trust,// let us not be ashamed forever. Amen.
