Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Glory to Thee, O God, glory to Thee.
O heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art in all places, and fillest
all things, Treasury of good things, and Giver of life, come, and dwell in us, and
cleanse us from every stain; and save our souls, O good One.
THE TRISAGION PRAYERS
People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (THRICE)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon
our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
Great Compline 2 Great Compline
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy
will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive
us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (twelve times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
A metania is made after each verse below.
Choir: Come, let us worship and fall down before God our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
The Priest goes to stand at the chanters stand.
PSALM 4
When I called upon Thee, O God of my righteousness, Thou didst hearken unto me; in mine
affliction Thou hast enlarged me. Have compassion on me and hear my prayer. O ye sons of men,
how long will ye be slow of heart? Why do ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Know also
that the Lord hath made wondrous His holy one; the Lord will hearken unto me when I cry unto
Him. Be angry, and sin not; feel compunction upon your beds for what ye say in your hearts.
Sacrifice a sacrifice of righteousness, and hope in the Lord. Many say: Who will show unto us
good things? The light of Thy countenance, O Lord, hath been signed upon us; Thou hast given
gladness to my heart. From the fruit of their wheat, wine, and oil are they multiplied. In peace in
the same place I shall lay me down and sleep. For Thou, O Lord, alone hast made me to dwell in
hope.
PSALM 6
O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, nor chasten me in Thy wrath. Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I am weak. Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled, and my soul is troubled greatly; but
Thou, O Lord, how long? Turn to me again, O Lord, deliver my soul; save me for Thy mercy’s
sake. For in death there is none that is mindful of Thee, and in Hades who will confess Thee? I
toiled in my groaning; every night I will wash my bed; with tears will I water my couch. Through
wrath is mine eye become troubled; I have grown old among all mine enemies. Depart from me
all ye that work vanity, for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord hath heard my
supplication; the Lord hath received my prayer. Let all mine enemies be greatly put to shame and
be troubled, let them be turned back, and speedily be greatly put to shame.
PSALM 12
How long, O Lord, wilt Thou utterly forget me? How long wilt Thou turn Thy face away from
me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul with grievings in my heart by day and by night?
How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Look upon me, hear me, O Lord my God;
Great Compline 3 Great Compline
enlighten mine eyes, lest at any time I sleep unto death. Lest at any time mine enemy say: I have
prevailed against him. They that afflict me will rejoice if I am shaken; but as for me, I have hoped
in Thy mercy. My heart will rejoice in Thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, Who is my
benefactor, and I will chant unto the name of the Lord Most High.
Look upon me, hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten mine eyes, lest at any time I sleep unto death.
Lest at any time mine enemy say: I have prevailed against him.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of
ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (THRICE)
Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of
ages. Amen.
PSALM 24
Unto Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul. O my God, in Thee have I trusted; let me never be
put to shame, nor let mine enemies laugh me to scorn. Yea, let none that wait on Thee be put to
shame; let them be ashamed which are lawless without a cause. Make Thy ways, O Lord, known
unto me and teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, for Thou art God my Savior;
for on Thee have I waited all the day long. Remember Thy compassions; O Lord, and Thy mercies,
for they are from everlasting. The sins of my youth and mine ignorance remember not; according
to Thy mercy remember Thou me, for the sake of Thy goodness, O Lord. Good and upright is the
Lord; therefore will He set a law for them that sin in the way. He will guide the meek in judgment;
He will teach the meek His ways. All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto them that
seek after His covenant and His testimonies. For the sake of Thy Name, O Lord, be gracious unto
my sin; for it is great. Who is the man that feareth the Lord? He will set him a law in the way
which He hath chosen. His soul shall dwell among good things, and his seed shall inherit the earth.
The Lord is the strength of them that fear Him, and His covenant shall be manifested unto them.
Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He it is that will draw my feet out of the snare. Look upon
me, and have mercy on me; for I am one only-begotten and poor. The afflictions of my heart are
multiplied; bring me out from my necessities. Behold my lowliness and my toil, and forgive all
my sins. Look upon mine enemies, for they are multiplied, and with an unjust hatred they have
hated me. Keep my soul and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I have hoped in Thee. The
innocent and the upright have cleaved unto me, for I waited on Thee, O Lord. Redeem Israel, O
God, out of all his afflictions.
PSALM 30
In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me not be put to shame in the age to come; in Thy righteousness
deliver me, and rescue me. Bow down Thine ear unto me, make haste to rescue me, be Thou unto
me a God to defend me and a house of refuge to save me. For my strength and my refuge art Thou,
and for Thy Name’s sake wilt Thou guide me and nourish me. Thou wilt bring me out of this snare
which they have hid for me, for Thou art my defender, O Lord. Into Thy hands I will commit my
spirit; Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Thou hast hated them that cling to empty
vanities; but I have hoped in the Lord. I will rejoice and be glad in Thy mercy, for Thou hast
regarded my lowliness; Thou hast saved my soul out of necessities, and hast not shut me up in the
Great Compline 4 Great Compline
hands of enemies; Thou hast set my feet in a spacious place. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am
afflicted; mine eye is troubled with anger, as also my soul and my belly. For my life is spent with
grief, and my years with groanings; my strength hath grown weak in poverty, and my bones are
troubled. I am become a reproach among all mine enemies, and greatly for my neighbors also, and
a fear to mine acquaintances. They that saw me without fled from me. I am forgotten by the heart
like a dead man. I am become like a broken vessel. For I have heard the reproach of many that
dwell round about; when they assembled together against me, they devised to take away my life.
But as for me, I have hoped in Thee, O Lord; I said: Thou art my God; in Thy hands are my lots.
Deliver me from the hands of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make Thy face to
shine upon Thy servant, save me in Thy mercy. O Lord, let me not be put to shame, for I have
called upon Thee; let the ungodly be put to shame and let them be brought down into Hades.
Speechless be the deceitful lips which speak iniquity against the righteous man with arrogance and
contempt. How great is the multitude of Thy goodness, O Lord, which Thou hast hid for them that
fear Thee, which Thou hast wrought for them that hope in Thee before the sons of men. Thou shalt
hide them in the secrecy of Thy presence from the disturbance of men; Thou shalt shelter them in
the tabernacle from contradiction of tongues. Blessed is the Lord, for He hath made His mercy
wondrous in a fortified city. But as for me, I said in mine ecstasy: I am cast away from the presence
of Thine eyes. Therefore hast Thou heard the voice of my supplication when I cried unto Thee. O
love ye the Lord, all ye His saints, for the Lord requireth truth; and unto them that act with
exceeding pride, He rendereth them their due. Be ye courageous, and let your heart be
strengthened, all ye that hope in the Lord.
PSALM 90
He that dwelleth in the help of the Most High shall abide in the shelter of the God of Heaven. He
shall say unto the Lord: Thou art my helper and my refuge. He is my God, and I will hope in Him.
For He shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunters and from every troubling word. With His
shoulders will He overshadow thee, and under His wings shalt thou have hope. With a shield will
His truth encompass thee; thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that
flieth by day, nor for the thing that walketh in darkness, nor for the mishap and demon of noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but unto thee shall it not come
nigh. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and thou shalt see the reward of sinners. For Thou,
O Lord, art my hope. Thou madest the Most High thy refuge; no evils shall come nigh thee, and
no scourge shall draw nigh unto thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to
keep thee in all thy ways. On their hands shall they bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot
against a stone. Upon the asp and basilisk shalt thou tread, and thou shalt trample upon the lion
and dragon. For he hath set his hope on Me, and I will deliver him; I will shelter him because he
hath known My Name. He shall cry unto Me, and I will hearken unto him. I am with him in
affliction, and I will rescue him and glorify him. With length of days will I satisfy him, and I will
show him My salvation.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of
ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (THRICE)
Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)
Great Compline 5 Great Compline
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of
ages. Amen.
The choirs, beginning with the Right, antiphonally chant “God is With Us.” The choirs sing the
stichos together after each verse, making a metania each time. If your parish does not have two
choirs, the chanters each take a verse after singing “God is With Us” together.
“GOD IS WITH US” IN TONE SIX
Right: God is with us. Understand, all ye nations, and submit yourselves:
Stichos: For God is with us.
Left: Hear ye, even unto the uttermost ends of the earth: For God is with us.
Right: Submit yourselves, ye mighty ones: For God is with us.
Left: If again ye shall rise up in your might, again shall ye be overthrown: For God is with us.
Right: If any take counsel together, them shall the Lord destroy: For God is with us.
Left: And the word which ye shall speak shall not abide in you: For God is with us.
Right: For we fear not your terror, neither are we troubled: For God is with us.
Left: But the Lord our God, He it is to Whom we will ascribe holiness, and Him shall we fear:
For God is with us.
Right: And if I put my trust in Him, He shall be my sanctification: For God is with us.
Left: I will set my hope on Him, and through Him shall I be saved: For God is with us.
Right: Lo, I and the children whom God hath given me: For God is with us.
Left: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: For God is with us.
Right: And they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, on them hath the light shined: For
God is with us.
Left: For unto us a Son is born, unto us a Child is given: For God is with us.
Right: And the government shall be upon His shoulder: For God is with us.
Left: And of His peace there shall be no end: For God is with us.
Right: And his name shall be called the Angel of Great Council: For God is with us.
Left: Wonderful, Counsellor: For God is with us.
Right: The Mighty God, the Highest Power, the Prince of Peace: For God is with us.
Left: The Father of the world to come: For God is with us.
Right: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: For God is with us.
Left: Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. For God is with us.
Both: God is with us. Understand, all ye nations, and submit yourselves: For God is with us.
Great Compline 6 Great Compline
TROPARIA IN TONE SIX
Left: Now that the day hath come to a close, I thank Thee, O Lord, and I ask that the evening with
the night may be sinless; grant this to me, O Savior, and save me.
Right: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now that the day hath passed, I glorify Thee, O Master, and I ask that the evening with the night
may be without offence; grant this to me, O Savior, and save me.
Left: Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Now that the day hath run its course, I praise Thee, O Holy One, and I ask that the evening with
the night may be undisturbed; grant this to me, O Savior, and save me.
MORE VERSES IN TONE SIX
Right: With never-silent hymns, the bodiless powers of the cherubim glorify Thee.
Left: With never-ceasing voices, the six-winged seraphim extol Thee.
Right: With thrice-holy songs, all the host of angels praise Thee.
Left: For Thou art the Father before all ages and hast with Thee Thy Son, Who also is from
everlasting.
Right: And hast also the Spirit of life, co-equal in honor, and showest forth the undivided Trinity.
Left: O all-holy Virgin, Mother of God, and ye eye-witnesses and servants of the Word:
Right: With all the choirs of the prophets and the martyrs, who have attained unto life immortal:
Left: Intercede ye fervently for us all, for all we are in dire distress:
Right: That being delivered from the wiles of the evil one, we may loudly sing the angelic song:
Both: Holy, holy, holy, thrice-holy Lord, have mercy on us, and save us. Amen.
THE NICENE-CONSTANTINOPOLITAN CREED
People: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things
visible and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten
of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one
essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation
came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became
man. And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And on the
third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the
right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead,
Whose Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life,
Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and
glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the dead, and
the life of the world to come. Amen.
Now the choirs, beginning with the Left, chant the following verses in Tone Six. A prostration
is made after each verse.
Great Compline 7 Great Compline
VERSES IN TONE SIX
L, R, L: O all-holy Lady Theotokos, intercede for us sinners. (THRICE)
R, L: O all ye heavenly powers, holy angels and archangels, intercede for us sinners. (TWICE)
R, L: O holy John, Prophet and Forerunner and Baptist of our Lord Jesus Christ, intercede for
us sinners. (TWICE)
R, L: O holy, glorious apostles, prophets and martyrs, and all the saints, intercede for us
sinners. (TWICE)
R, L: O our venerable and God-bearing fathers, shepherds and ecumenical teachers, intercede
for us sinners. (TWICE)
R, L: O holy Saint N. (patron of the community), intercede for us sinners. (TWICE)
R, L: O invincible and ineffable and divine power of the precious and life-giving Cross, forsake
not us sinners. (TWICE)
R, L, R: O God, be gracious unto us sinners. (THRICE)
Both: And have mercy on us. (ONCE)
THE TRISAGION PRAYERS
People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (THRICE)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon
our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy
will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive
us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
On Monday and Wednesday evenings, the following are chanted.
TROPARIA IN TONE TWO
Lighten my eyes, O Christ God, that I sleep not unto death, lest mine enemy say: I have prevailed
over him.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Be Thou the Defender of my soul, O God, for I walk amidst a multitude of snares. Deliver me
from them, and save me, O good One, for Thou art the Lover of mankind.
Great Compline 8 Great Compline
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Seeing that we have no boldness because of the multitude of our sins, do thou, O Virgin Theotokos,
fervently entreat Him Who was born of thee: for the prayer of a mother availeth much to the good
will of the Master. Despise not the supplications of sinners, O all-revered one; for merciful and
mighty to save is He Who graciously deigned to suffer for us
On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, the following are chanted.
TROPARIA IN TONE EIGHT
Thou knowest, O Lord my Creator, the sleepless vigilance of mine invisible enemies and the frailty
of my miserable flesh. Into Thy hands, therefore, will I commit my spirit. Cover me with the wings
of Thy goodness, that I sleep not unto death; and enlighten the eyes of my spiritual understanding,
that I may delight in Thy divine words; and make me, in a time acceptable unto Thee, to glorify
Thee in praise, as the only good One Who loveth mankind.
Look Thou upon me, and have mercy on me, O Lord my God.
How fearful is Thy judgment, O Lord, when the angels stand round about, and men are led before
Thee, and the books are opened, and deeds are tried, and all thoughts are searched out. What
judgment shall then be awarded unto me, who was conceived in sins? Who shall quench the flame
for me? Who shall enlighten my darkness, if not Thou, O Lord, Who showest mercy upon me
because of Thy love for mankind.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Grant me tears, O God, as once to the sinning woman of old; and graciously vouchsafe that I may
wash Thy feet which delivered me from the path of straying, and that I may offer unto Thee an
ointment of sweet fragrance, even a pure life, fashioned by my repentance. And so shall I, also,
hear Thy voice which I long for, saying: Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
In that I have in thee, O Theotokos, that hope which maketh not ashamed, I shall be saved; in that
I possess thine intercession, O all-immaculate one, I will not fear. I will pursue mine enemies, and
drive them away, taking along thy refuge as a breastplate, as an all-powerful aid, and fervently
imploring I cry unto thee: O Lady, save me by thine intercessions, and raise me up again from dark
sleep to glorify thee in song, by the might of the Son of God, Who through thee wast incarnate.
The Priest now stands on the solea in front of the Holy Doors, facing east.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (FORTY TIMES)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
Choir: More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the
Seraphim. Thou who without corruption bearest God the Word; and art truly
Theotokos: we magnify thee.
Choir: Bless, Father, in the Name of the Lord.
Great Compline 9 Great Compline
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on
us and save us.
Choir: Amen.
A PRAYER OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT
Priest: O Lord, Lord, Who deliverest us from every arrow that flieth by day, deliver us also from
everything that walketh in darkness. Receive the lifting up of our hands as an evening sacrifice.
Vouchsafe us also to pass without reproach the course of night untempted of evil things, and
redeem us from every disturbance and dread that cometh to us from the devil. Grant unto our souls
contrition and unto our thoughts care concerning the trial of Thy fearful and righteous judgment.
Nail our flesh to the fear of Thee, and mortify our earthly members, that, even in the quietness of
sleep, we may be illumined by the contemplation of Thy judgments. Withdraw from us every
unseemly fantasy and injurious desire. Raise us up at the time of prayer confirmed in the faith and
progressing in thy commandments, through the favor and grace of Thine only begotten Son, with
Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and
ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
A metania is made after each verse below.
Choir: Come, let us worship and fall down before God our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
The Priest goes to stand at the chanters stand.
PSALM 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy Great Mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy
compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me
from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I
sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail
when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear
me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou
made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt
wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the
bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine
iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away
from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy
salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and
the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my
salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my
mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with wholeburnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is
broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Zion, and
let the walls of Jerusalem be built up. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness,
with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
Great Compline 10 Great Compline
PSALM 101
O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto Thee. Turn not Thy face away from me; in the
day when I am afflicted, incline Thine ear unto me. In the day when I call upon Thee, quickly
hearken unto me. For my days are vanished like smoke, and my bones consumed like wood for
the burning. I am smitten like grass, and withered is my heart, for I forgot to eat my bread. By
reason of the voice of my groaning, my bone hath cleaved unto my flesh. I am become like a
pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl in a ruined house. I have watched, and am like a sparrow
that sitteth alone upon the house-top. The whole day long mine enemies reproached me, and they
that praised me made an oath against me. For before the face of Thy wrath and Thine anger I ate
ashes like bread, and my drink I mingled with weeping; for after uplifting me, Thou hast dashed
me down. My days like a shadow have declined, and I, like grass, am withered. But Thou, O Lord,
forever abidest, and Thy remembrance is unto generation and generation. Thou shalt rise up and
have pity upon Zion, for it is time to have compassion on her; yea, the time is come. For Thy
servants have taken pleasure in her stones, and they shall feel pity for her dust. And the nations
shall fear Thy Name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory. For the Lord shall build up
Zion, and He shall be seen in His glory. He hath regarded the prayer of the humble, and hath not
despised their supplication. Let this be written for another generation, and the people that is being
created shall praise the Lord. For He hath looked out from His holy height, the Lord from Heaven
hath looked upon the earth, to hear the groaning of them that be in fetters, to loose the sons of the
slain, to declare in Zion the Name of the Lord, and His praise in Jerusalem. When the peoples are
gathered together, and the kings to serve the Lord, He answered Him in the way of His strength:
The fewness of my days declare unto me. Take me not away at the half of my days; in generations
and generations are Thy years. In the beginning, O Lord, Thou didst lay the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the works of Thy hands. They shall perish, but Thou abidest; and all like a
garment shall grow old. And as vesture shalt Thou fold them, and they shall be changed; but Thou
art the same, and Thy years shall not fail. The sons of Thy servants shall have their dwelling, and
their seed for ever shall be guided aright.
The Priest stands before the icon of Christ on the iconostasis, and says:
THE PRAYER OF MANASSES, KING OF JUDAH
Priest: O Lord Almighty, Thou God of our fathers, of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and of their righteous
seed; Who hast made Heaven and earth with all the array thereof; Who hast bound the sea by the
word of Thy command; Who hast shut up the deep and sealed it by Thy fearful and glorious Name;
Whom all things fear, yea and before Whose power they tremble; for the majesty of Thy glory
cannot be borne and the anger of Thy threatening toward sinners is intolerable; and yet Thy
merciful promise is immeasurable and unsearchable; for Thou art the Lord most high, of great
compassion, long-suffering, abundant in mercy, and repentest of the evils against me. Thou, O
Lord, according to Thy great goodness, hast promised repentance and forgiveness to them that
have sinned against Thee; and of Thine infinite mercies hast appointed repentance unto sinners,
that they may be saved. Thou, therefore, O Lord of hosts, hast not appointed repentance to the just,
to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, who have not sinned against Thee; but Thou hast appointed
repentance unto me, who am a sinner; for my sins are more in number than the sands of the sea.
My transgressions, O Lord, are multiplied, my transgressions are multiplied, and I am not worthy
to behold and look unto the height of Heaven for the multitude of mine iniquities. I am bowed
down with many iron bands, so that I cannot lift up my head by reason of my sins, neither have I
Great Compline 11 Great Compline
any respite; for I have provoked Thy wrath and done that which is evil before Thee; I did not Thy
will, neither kept I Thy commandments; I have set up abominations and multiplied detestable
things.
The Priest and people NOW KNEEL for the remainder of the Prayer of Manasses.
Now, therefore, I bow the knee of my heart, beseeching Thee for grace, I have sinned, O Lord, I
have sinned, and I acknowledge mine iniquities; but I humbly beseech Thee, forgive me, O Lord,
forgive me, and destroy me not with mine iniquities. Be not angry with me forever, by reserving
my evils for me; neither condemn me to the lower parts of the earth; for Thou, O Lord, art the God
of them that repent; and in me wilt Thou show all Thy goodness; for Thou wilt save me that am
unworthy, according to Thy Great Mercy. I will praise Thee henceforth all the days of my life; for
all the hosts of Heaven doth sing Thy praise, and Thine is the glory unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. (The Priest and people now rise.)
THE TRISAGION PRAYERS
People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (THRICE)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon
our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy
will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive
us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
TROPARIA OF CONTRITION IN TONE SIX
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for laying aside all defense, we sinners offer unto
Thee, as Master, this supplication: Have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Lord, have mercy on us, for in Thee have we put our trust; be not exceedingly wroth with us,
nor remember our iniquities, but look down upon us even now, as Thou art compassionate, and
deliver us from our enemies; for Thou art our God, and we are Thy people; we are all the work of
Thy hands, and we call upon Thy Name.
The curtain and the Holy Doors are now opened.
Great Compline 12 Great Compline
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Open unto us the door of thy compassion, O blessed Theotokos. As we set our hope in thee, may
we not be confounded; through thee may we be delivered from all adversities, for thou art the
salvation of the race of Christians.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (FORTY TIMES)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
Choir: More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the
Seraphim. Thou who without corruption bearest God the Word; and art truly
Theotokos: we magnify thee.
Choir: Bless, Father, in the Name of the Lord.
Still standing on the solea before the Holy Doors, facing east, the Priest says:
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy
on us and save us.
Choir: Amen.
A PRAYER OF ST. MARDARIUS THE MARTYR
Priest: O Master God, Almighty Father, O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and O Holy
Spirit, one Godhead and one Power: Have mercy on me a sinner; and by the judgments which
Thou hast established, save me, Thine unworthy servant, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
A metania is made after each verse below.
Choir: Come, let us worship and fall down before God our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
The Priest enters the sanctuary through the south door to stand before the Holy Table, facing east.
PSALM 69
O God, be attentive unto helping me; O Lord, make haste to help me. Let them be shamed and
confounded that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and brought to shame that desire evils
against me. Let them be turned back straightway in shame that say unto me: Well done! Well done!
Let them be glad and rejoice in Thee all that seek after Thee, O God, and let them that love Thy
salvation say continually: The Lord be magnified. But as for me, I am poor and needy; O God,
come unto mine aid. My helper and my deliverer art Thou, O Lord; make no long tarrying.
PSALM 142
O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy
righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant, for in Thy sight shall no man living
be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the earth.
He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become
Great Compline 13 Great Compline
despondent; within me my heart is troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Thy
works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands. I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul
thirsteth after Thee like a waterless land. Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away.
Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to
hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I put my hope. Cause me to know, O Lord, the
way wherein I should walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul. Rescue me from mine enemies,
O Lord; unto Thee have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Thy good
Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for Thy name’s sake, O Lord, shalt Thou quicken
me. In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou
utterly destroy mine enemies. And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul, for I am Thy
servant.
THE LITTLE DOXOLOGY (Plain Reading)
+ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.
+ We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee; we give thanks unto Thee
for Thy great glory.
+ O Lord, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty; O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
and the Holy Spirit.
+ O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Who takest away the sin of the world, have
mercy on us; O Thou Who takest away the sins of the world.
+ Receive our prayer, O Thou Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.
+ For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, O Jesus Christ, to the Glory of God the Father.
Amen.
+ Every day will I bless Thee, and I will praise Thy Name forever; yea, forever and ever.
+ Lord, Thou hast been our refuge in all generations. I said: Be merciful unto me; heal my soul,
for I have sinned against Thee.
+ Lord, I have fled unto Thee: teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God.
+ For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light.
+ O continue Thy loving-kindness unto them that know Thee.
+ Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin.
+ Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified be Thy Name forever.
Amen.
+ Let Thy mercy, O Lord: be upon us, as we do put our hope in Thee.
+ Blessed art Thou, O Lord: teach me Thy statutes.
+ Blessed art Thou, O Master; make me to understand Thy statutes.
+ Blessed art Thou, O Holy One; enlighten me with Thy statutes.
+ Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever. O despise not the works of Thy hands. To Thee
belongeth worship, to Thee belongeth praise, to Thee belongeth glory: to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
In the first week of Great Lent, here we sing the proper quarter of the “Great Canon of
Repentance” by Saint Andrew of Crete. Before each troparion (except the irmoi, the “Glory”
and the “Both Now”) we sing “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me”, and we make
one prostration. Outside of the first week, we sing the canon of the day or of the Theotokos, or
continue Great Compline without a canon. Only when we do not sing a canon do we say “It is
truly meet.”
Great Compline 14 Great Compline
THEOTOKION (Plain Reading)
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, who art ever-blessed and all-blameless, and the mother
of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the
Seraphim. Thou who without corruption bearest God the Word; and art truly Theotokos: we
magnify thee.
THE TRISAGION PRAYERS
People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (THRICE)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon
our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy
will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive
us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
While the choirs chant “O Lord of Hosts” with the verses of Psalm 150, the priest does the
Great Censing of the entire church. After, the priest stands before the holy altar table, facing
east.
The choirs, beginning with the Right, antiphonally chant “O Lord of Hosts.” If your parish does
not have two choirs, the chanters each take a verse and sing “O Lord of Hosts” together.
“O LORD OF HOSTS” IN TONE SIX
Right: O Lord of hosts, be with us, for we have none other help in times of sorrow but Thee. O
Lord of hosts, have mercy on us.
Left: Praise ye God in His saints, praise Him in the firmament of His power.
O Lord of hosts, be with us, for we have none other help in times of sorrow but Thee. O Lord of
hosts, have mercy on us.
Right: Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the multitude of His greatness.
O Lord of hosts, be with us, for we have none other help in times of sorrow but Thee. O Lord of
hosts, have mercy on us.
Left: Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet, praise Him with the psaltery and harp.
O Lord of hosts, be with us, for we have none other help in times of sorrow but Thee. O Lord of
hosts, have mercy on us.
Great Compline 15 Great Compline
Right: Praise Him with timbrel and dance, praise Him with strings and flute.
O Lord of hosts, be with us, for we have none other help in times of sorrow but Thee. O Lord of
hosts, have mercy on us.
Left: Praise Him with tuneful cymbals, praise Him with cymbals of jubilation. Let every breath
praise the Lord.
O Lord of hosts, be with us, for we have none other help in times of sorrow but Thee. O Lord of
hosts, have mercy on us.
Both: Praise ye God in His saints, praise Him in the firmament of His power.
O Lord of hosts, be with us, for we have none other help in times of sorrow but Thee. O Lord of
hosts, have mercy on us.
Right: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Were not Thy saints our intercessors, O Lord, and Thy goodness pitying us, how could we have
dared to praise Thee, O Savior, Whom the angels bless ceaselessly? Wherefore, O Thou Who
knowest the secret things of the heart, spare our souls.
Left: Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Greatly have mine iniquities multiplied, O Theotokos. Wherefore, I take refuge in thee, O pure
one, seeking salvation. Visit my weak soul, and intercede with thy Son our God to grant me
forgiveness of the sins I have committed, O thou who alone art blessed.
Right: O all-holy Lady Theotokos, forsake me not in the years of my life, O protection of mankind;
but help me and have mercy on me.
Both: In thee, O Mother of God, I place all my hope; keep me under thy protection.
Reader: Lord, have mercy. (FORTY TIMES)
Reader: O Christ our God, Who art worshipped and glorified at all times at every hour both in
heaven and on earth; Who art long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and compassion; Who lovest
the just man and showest mercy upon the sinner; and Who callest all men to repentance through
the promise of blessings to come; receive, O Lord, at this very hour our supplications, and direct
our lives in the way of Thy commandments: sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, set our minds
aright, cleanse our thoughts; deliver us from all affliction, trouble, and distress; compass us about
with Thy holy angels, that, guided and guarded by them, we may attain unto the unity of the Faith,
and to the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory; for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages.
Amen.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
Choir: More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the
Seraphim. Thou who without corruption bearest God the Word; and art truly
Theotokos: we magnify thee.
Great Compline 16 Great Compline
Choir: Bless, Father, in the Name of the Lord.
Priest: May God be merciful unto us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, and
be merciful unto us.
Choir: Amen.
THE PRAYER OF ST. EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN
Priest: O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of
power, and idle talk. (prostration)
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Thy servant.
(prostration)
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother;
for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. (prostration)
Priest: O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner. (twelve times with a metania each time.)
THE PRAYER OF ST. EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN
Only one prostration is made at the end of this reciting.
Priest: O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of power and
idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yea, O
Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed
unto ages of ages. Amen.
If it is not the first week of Great Lent, then the Priest closes the Holy Doors and curtain. Then
he exits the sanctuary through the north door and goes to stand on the solea in front of the Holy
Doors, facing east.
THE TRISAGION PRAYERS
People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (THRICE)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon
our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy
will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive
us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Great Compline 17 Great Compline
Reader: Lord, have mercy. (twelve times)
Most-holy Theotokos, save us.
PRAYER OF PAUL THE CENOBITE TO THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS
This can be read by the Priest or Reader in front of the icon of the Virgin on the Iconostasis.
O Lady, Bride of God, spotless, blameless, pure and immaculate Virgin, thou who without
corruption, by thy glorious birth-giving, has united God the Word to man and joined the fallen
nature of our race to heavenly things; who alone art the hope of the hopeless, the help of those who
are under attack; the ready help of those who flee unto thee and the refuge of all Christians: Despise
me not, an accursed sinner, though I have rendered myself unworthy by my shameful thoughts,
words and deeds, and through indolence have become a slave to the pleasures of life; but as the
Mother of God, who lovest mankind, mercifully have compassion upon me, a sinner and a
prodigal, and receive my prayer, though it be offered unto thee by unworthy lips; and using Thy
boldness as a mother, importune Thy Son, our Lord and Master, that He may open to me also the
tender compassions of His goodness so as to overlook my numberless transgressions and turn me
to repentance and show me forth as a zealous doer of His commandments. And because thou art
merciful, compassionate and benevolent, be thou ever near me in this present life as an ardent help
and protection, defending me from the assaults of adversaries and leading me to salvation. And at
the time of my departure from this life, care for my miserable soul, and drive far from it the dark
visions of evil demons; and in the awesome Day of Judgment, deliver me from eternal punishment,
and present me as an inheritor of the ineffable glory of Thy Son, our God. May this be my lot, O
Lady, most holy Theotokos, through thy mediation and help, through the grace and love toward
mankind of thine only-begotten Son, our Lord, and God, and Savior, Jesus Christ, to Whom are
due all glory, honor and worship, with his unoriginate Father, and His All-Holy, and good, and
life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
PRAYER OF THE MONK ANTIOCHUS TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
This can be read by the Priest or the Reader in front of the icon of Christ on the Iconostasis.
And grant unto us, O Master, when we depart to sleep, repose of body and soul; and protect us
from the murky sleep of sin and from all the dark pleasures of the night. Calm the impulses of
passions, and quench the fiery darts of evil which are craftily thrown against us; check the
turbulence of our flesh, and still all earthly and material thoughts. And grant us, O God, a prudent
reason, a vigilant heart, a tranquil sleep free from all the fantasies of Satan. Raise us up again at
the time of prayer strengthened in Thy commandments, holding steadfastly within us the
remembrance of Thy judgments. Grant us grace to glorify Thee all through the night that we may
praise, and bless, and glorify Thine all-honorable and majestic Name, of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
The first person then says:
O most glorious, ever-virgin and blessed Theotokos, present our prayer to thy Son our God, and
intercede with Him that through thee He may save our souls.
Great Compline 18 Great Compline
The second person then says:
The Father is my Hope; the Son is my Refuge; the Holy Spirit is my Protection. O Holy Trinity:
Glory to Thee.
The first person then says:
In thee, O Mother of God, I place all my hope; keep me under thy protection.
During the first week in Great Lent, the Priest dons his phelonion and reads from the Holy
Gospel from the Holy Doors. On Wednesday night, if he has already read the lection in the
Presanctified Divine Liturgy, he does not repeat it here.
THE COMPLINE GOSPEL
Deacon: And that we may be accounted worthy to hear the Holy Gospel, let us pray to the
Lord God.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)
Deacon: Wisdom! Attend! Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Priest: The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint N.
Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Deacon: Let us attend!
MONDAY NIGHT: LUKE 21:8-36
Priest: The Lord said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My Name,
saying: ‘I am He’, and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore, do not go after them. But when you
hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the
end will not come immediately.” Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and
pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from Heaven. But before all these
things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues
and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My Name’s sake. But it will turn out
for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore, settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand
on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will
not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and
friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My Name’s sake.
But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls. But when you see
Jerusalem surrounded by armies then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in
Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are
in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may
be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the
edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by
Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon,
Great Compline 19 Great Compline
and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the
earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in
a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up
your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the
fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that
summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom
of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away until all things take
place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But take heed
to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this
life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly; for it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on
the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to
escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
TUESDAY NIGHT: MATTHEW 6:1-13
Priest: The Lord said: “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen
by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in Heaven. Therefore, when you do a
charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in
the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret will Himself reward
you openly. And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing
in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say
to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have
shut your door, pray to your Father Who is in the secret place; and your Father Who sees in secret
will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For
they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your
Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our
Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive
those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine
is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: MARK 11:22-26 (& MATTHEW 7:7-8)
Priest: The Lord said: “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be
taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will
come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe
that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you
have anything against any one; so that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your
trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For
every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
THURSDAY NIGHT: MATTHEW 7:7-11
Priest: The Lord said: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will
be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks
it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a
Great Compline 20 Great Compline
stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to
give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in Heaven give good
things to those who ask Him!”
Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Continue as below, but if there has been a Gospel reading, the Priest immediately gives “The
Peace” instead.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of
ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)
THE PEACE
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
All prostrate as the Priest bows low and says the following prayer:
O Master, great in mercy, Lord Jesus Christ our God, through the intercessions of our all
immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary; by the might of the precious and life-giving
Cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of Heaven; at the supplication of the
honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable
apostles; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing
fathers; of Saint N., the patron and protector of this holy community; of the holy and righteous
ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, and of all Thy saints:
Priest: Make our prayer acceptable;
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Grant us forgiveness of our trespasses;
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Shelter us under the shelter of Thy wings;
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Drive away from us every enemy and adversary;
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Give peace to our life.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: O Lord, have mercy on us and on Thy world and save our souls, for Thou art a
merciful God and lovest mankind.
Great Compline 21 Great Compline
Choir: Amen. (The Priest and people now rise.)
Standing before the Holy Doors, facing east, the priest makes three metanias, saying each time:
Priest: O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.
The priest turns west and bows to the people, saying:
Priest: Forgive me, a sinner.
People: God forgive thee, holy father.
Priest: Let us pray for the peace of the world.
Reader: Lord, have mercy. (after each petition until noted)
Priest: And for pious and Orthodox Christians.
Priest: And for our Father and Metropolitan N., (for our Archbishop N. or Bishop N.), and
for all our Brotherhood in Christ.
Priest: And for the civil authorities of this land.
Priest: And for the welfare of our armed forces.
Priest: And for our fathers and brethren absent from among us.
Priest: And for those who hate us, and those who love us.
Priest: And for those who are kind to us and minister unto us.
Priest: And for those who have requested our prayers, unworthy though we be.
Priest: And for the deliverance of captives.
Priest: And for travelers by land, sea and air.
Priest: And for those who lie in sickness.
Priest: And let us pray also for the abundance of the fruits of the earth.
Priest: And for the soul of every Orthodox Christian.
Priest: Let us bless God-fearing leaders, Orthodox bishops, the founders of this holy
church and our parents and teachers, and all our fathers and brethren gone before
us, the Orthodox who here and everywhere lie asleep in the Lord.
Priest: And let us say also for ourselves.
Reader: Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)
Turning to the east, the Priest says:
Priest: Forgive, O Lord, those who hate us and those who oppress us. Act kindly toward those who
themselves act kindly, and grant our brethren and all those who belong to us all the means of
salvation and of eternal life. Visit those who are in infirmity, and grant them healing. Direct those
who are at sea; be with those who are on land and in the air. Grant those who serve us and are
merciful to us forgiveness of sins; and upon those who have asked for us to pray for them, have
mercy according to Thy Great Mercy. Remember, O Lord, those of our fathers and brethren who
Great Compline 22 Great Compline
have fallen asleep before us. Grant them repose where the light of thy countenance shineth.
Remember, O Lord, our brethren who are in captivity and deliver them from every adverse
circumstance. Remember, O Lord, those who bear fruit and do good works in Thy holy churches,
and grant them all the means of salvation and of eternal life. Remember us also, Thy sinful,
wretched, and unworthy servants and lead us in the way of Thy commandments, through the
intercessions of Thine all-immaculate Mother, our Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and of
all Thy saints, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The faithful come forward to reverence the icon of the Theotokos, receive the blessing of the
priest and kiss his right hand.
On Monday and Wednesday evenings, the following is chanted.
TROPARION IN TONE TWO
O good one, defend by thy mighty hand all those who in faith take refuge in thee; for we sinners,
burdened by the multitude of sins, have no constant intercessor with God in dangers and sorrows
save thee, O Mother of the most high God; wherefore we fall down before thee. Rescue thy
servants from every calamity.
On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and on Great Monday and Great Tuesday, the following
is chanted.
TROPARION IN TONE ONE
As she beheld Thee unjustly slain, O Christ, the Virgin lamenting cried to Thee: O most sweet
Child, how dost Thou unjustly die? And how art Thou suspended upon a tree, Thou Who
suspended the whole earth over the waters? Wherefore, I beg Thee not to leave me alone, Thy
mother and Thy servant, O most merciful Benefactor.
After all have passed, the Priest faces the icon of Christ and says:
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on
us and save us.
Choir: Amen.
