Transfiguration of our Lord

Hymn: Quicumque Christum
All who seek for Jesus, raise
Your eyes above, and upward gaze:
There may ye see the wondrous sign
Of never ending glory shine.

Behold Him in celestial rays
Who never knoweth end of days;
Exalted, infinite, sublime;
Older than heaven or hell or time.

This is the Gentiles' King and Lord;
The Prince by Judah's race adored,
Promised to Abraham of yore
And to his seed forevermore.

To Him the prophets testify;
And that same witness, from on high,
The Father seals by His decree:
Hear and believe my Son, saith He.

All glory, Lord, to Thee we pay,
Transfigured on the mount today;
All glory as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete. Amen.

Antiphon on Magnificat
Christ Jesus, † the brightness of the Father and the express image of His person, Who upholdeth all things by the word of His power, while He was by Himself purging away our sins, vouchsafed on this day to shew Himself in glory uppon an high mountain.

Collect
O God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of Thine only-begotten Son didst confirm the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of the fathers, and in the voice which came down from the bright cloud didst marvellously foreshew the perfect adoption of sons: vouchsafe in Thy mercy to make us coheirs with this glorious King, and grant that we may be partakers of His glory. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen

(from the Monastic Diurnal, pg. 581, Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lancelot Andrewes Press)

O Ye Ice and Cold, Bless Ye the Lord!

Even though we have lately been bundling up against what feels like cold, the weather here in Baghdad has been pretty mild. No snow or frost, very little rain. But we do get news of the snow storms that have pummelled much of the eastern U.S. Apparently the weather back home has caused a lot of trouble for a lot of people. As difficult as is may seem to those suffering the inconvenience of severe winter weather, the Lord can and does use even the ice and snow for His glory. The prayer below, a portion of the book of Daniel that has, unfortunately, been removed from the abbreviated Protestant Old Testament, reminds us of this fact.

O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord;

O all ye winds, bless ye the Lord!

O ye fire and heat, bless ye the Lord;

O ye winter and summer, bless ye the Lord!

O ye dews and storms of snow, bless ye the Lord;

O ye nights and days, bless ye the Lord!

O ye light and darkness, bless ye the Lord;

O ye ice and cold, bless ye the Lord!

O ye frost and snow, bless ye the Lord;

O ye lightnings and clouds, bless ye the Lord!

O let the earth bless the Lord;

Praise and exalt him above all for ever!

("Prayer of the Three Young Men," from Daniel 3.35-66, LXX)

Office of Prayer and Supplication for the Victims of Abortion (excerpt)

Deacon:
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
That He will not remember the transgressions of His people, but will turn away all His righteous wrath which He has stirred up against us, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
That He will bless the good intentions of His servants who strive to rescue His children from violent death, and allow them to begin successfully and to finish without obstacle, through the power and grace of the most Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
That He will guide the hands of His servants to complete their work successfully, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
That He will bless His servants with the grace of the most Holy Spirit, and make their efforts well pleasing in His sight, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
That He will assign a guardian angel to banish from this effort every enemy and obstacle, whether visible or invisible, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
That this work may be ordered in wisdom and may end in perfection, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and all our life unto Christ, our God.

People:
To Thee, O Lord.

Priest:
For unto Thee is due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

+++

Deacon:
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation for the servants of God who strive against the evil of abortion, and for the pardon and remission of their sins.

People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
Again we beg Thee, O Lord, to hear our prayer, and have mercy on Thy servants who strive to save the lives of Thy innocent children. In Thy grace and bounty, fulfill their petitions and forgive all their transgressions, whether voluntary or involuntary. Accept their sacrifice of praise upon Thy heavenly altar; protect them from every visible and invisible enemy; deliver them from all misery, sickness, and affliction; grant them health and length of days, we pray Thee, O Lord, hearken and have mercy.

People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

+++

Deacon:
Again we pray for the children of God condemned to death by the unjust judgement of men: that the Lord our God would soften the hearts of those who seek their violent destruction, and rescue those who are being led forth to the slaughter, we diligently pray Thee, O Lord, hearken and have mercy!

People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

+++

Deacon:
Again we pray for all who have fallen into the hands of the godless civil authority for the sake of God's children, and who languish in courts and prisons: that the Lord our God may look upon them with compassion; that He may comfort, strengthen and preserve them; and that He may deliver them speedily from bondage and oppression, let us all say: O Lord, hearken and have mercy.

People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
By Thine infinite power, O Lord, our God, move to compassion and mercy the hearts of those who hold Thy servants in cruel captivity; restrain them from doing harm or permitting evil to befall Thy servants, but rather cause them to relent and to release them; free the captives whole and unharmed, O Lord, and bestow Thy mercy upon them, let us all say: hearken quickly and graciously have mercy!

People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
Thy vile enemies, O Lord, have annihilated Thy children and defiled Thy churches, and have imprisoned Thy faithful servants. Look down from heaven, therefore, and behold, and forsake us not utterly, but quickly cleanse the land of Thy people of the wickedness of those who oppose Thee, with humble heart we entreat Thee, our God Who art mighty in strength and wondrous in wisdom: O Compassionate One, hearken and have mercy!

People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
Again we pray for all those here present, who await from Thee Thy great and abundant mercy.

People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
For Thou art a merciful God, and lovest mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

+++

Priest:
O most merciful, all gracious and compassionate Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, Son of God: we entreat Thee, most gracious Master: look with compassion upon Thy children who have been condemned to death by the unjust judgement of men. And as Thou hast promised to bestow the heavenly kingdom on them born of water and the Spirit, and who in blamelessness of life have been translated unto Thee; and Who said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven" - we humbly pray, according to Thy unfailing promise: grant the inheritance of Thy kingdom to the multitude of spotless infants who have been cruelly murdered in the abortuaries of this land; for Thou art the resurrection and the life and the repose of all Thy servants and of these innocents, O Christ our God.
Turn the hearts of those who seek to destroy Thy little ones. We beseech Thee to pour forth Thy healing grace upon them, that they may be convicted in their hearts and turn from their evil ways. Remember all of them that kill our children as on the altars of Moloch, and render not unto them according to their deeds, but according to Thy great mercy convert them: the unbelieving to true faith and piety, and the believing that they may turn from evil and do good.

O Holy Master, Almighty Father and pre-eternal God, Who alone made and directs all things; Who rises up quickly against the evil of the impious ones; who, by providence, teaches Thy people preservation of justice and the obliteration of evil on earth; Who condescends to raise up warriors for the protection of the people of God: we entreat Thee with compunction, that as Thou didst give David power to defeat Goliath, and as Thou didst condescend through Judas Maccabeus, to seize victory from the arrogant pagans who would not call on Thy Name; so too, grant protection to us, Thy servants against the enemies rising against us as we go forth to do spiritual battle against the evil one and those who do his will rather than Thine.

For Thou art a merciful God, and lovest mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.


From ocf.org

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest.
To Thee is due praise, O God.
Praise Him, all ye His angels; praise Him, all ye His hosts.
To Thee is due praise, O God.
Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him all ye stars and light.
Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and thou water that art above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Lord; for He spake, and they came to be;
He commanded, and they were created.
He established them for ever, yea, for ever and ever;
He hath set an ordinance, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all ye abysses.
Fire, hail, snow, ice, blast of tempest, which perform His word.
The mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees, and all cedars.
The beasts and all the cattle, creeping things and winged birds.
Kings of the earth, and all peoples, princes and all the judges of the earth.
Young men and virgins, elders with the younger;
let them praise the name of the Lord, for exalted is the name of Him alone.
His praise is above the earth and heaven, and He shall exalt the horn of His people.
This is the hymn for all His saints, for the sons of Israel,
and for the people that draw nigh unto Him.
Sing unto the Lord a new song;
His praise is in the church of the saints.
Let Israel be glad in Him that made him,
let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King.
Let them praise His name in the dance;
with the timbrel and the psaltery let them chant unto Him.
For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people, and He shall exalt the meek with salvation.
The saints shall boast in glory, and they shall rejoice upon their beds.
The high praise of God shall be in their throat, and two-edged swords shall be in their hands.
To do vengeance among the heathen, punishments among the peoples.
To bind their kings with fetters, and their nobles with manacles of iron.
To do among them the judgment that is written.
This glory shall be to all His saints.
Praise ye God in His saints, praise Him in the firmament of His power.
Praise Him for His mighty acts, praise Him according to the multitude of His greatness.
Praise Him with the sound of trumpet, praise Him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise Him with timbrel and dance, praise him with strings and flute.
Praise Him with tuneful cymbals, praise Him with cymbals of jubilation.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
(The Lauds [Praises] from Matins)

The structure of Vespers

From Notes from Underground:

The core of Vespers goes back to the Old Testament: "When Aaron sets up the lamps in the evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before the Lord from generation to generation" (Exodus 30:8).

So at the heart of Vespers are lights and incense. There is a procession of priests, deacons and other ministers with lighted lamps and incense, which comes from the north door of the sanctuary, and goes to the holy (central) door, and the altar and its lamps are censed by a deacon, while the congregation sings the hymn:

O gladsome light of the holy glory of the immortal Father: heavenly holy blessed Jesus Christ!Now that we have come to the setting of the sun, and beheld the light of evening, we praise the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.For meet it is at all times to praise Thee, Son of God and Giver of LifeTherefore all the world doth glorify Thee.

Then is sung:

The Lord is King! He is robed in majesty
For he has established the world so that it should never be moved!
Holiness befits Thy house, O Lord, for evermore!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Amen.

Followed by intercessions and led by a deacon, after which it is sung again, interspersed with hymns (Aposticha) on the themes of the day.

You can find more information on Vespers here:
Orthodox Worship: Vespers
Vespers - Orthodox Wiki
What is Vespers? - a blogger writes for a friend visiting Vespers

O Almighty Lord, in wisdom You created all things, and by your inexpressible providence and great goodness You have brought us to these most salutary days for the purification of body and soul, for the control of our evil inclinations, and for the hope of resurrection. During the forty days You gave Moses, your servant, the tablets of the law, inscribed by your divine hands; now also grant to us, O Gracious One, to fight the good fight, to run the course of the fast, to preserve our faith unstained, to crush under foot the heads of invisible serpents, to be victorious over sin, and without condemnation to attain and worship the holy resurrection.

For blessed and glorified is your most honorable and majestic Name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen

(Presanctified Liturgy, Prayer Before the Ambo)

St Patrick's Prayer

Orthodox Christians who observe the Old Calendar celebrate today the life and work of St Patrick, the Enlightener of Ireland. Below is a morning prayer attributed to this great saint, called the "Lorica (Breastplate) of St. Patrick"

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through the confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the Judgment Day.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of demons,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ to shield me todayAgainst poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

O Lord, in Thy displeasure rebuke us not, neither chasten us in Thy wrath, but deal with us according to Thy tenderness, O Physician and Healer of our souls. Guide us unto the haven of Thy will. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts unto the knowledge of Thy truth, and grant unto us that the remainder of the present day and the whole time of our life may be peaceful and sinless, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the Saints.

For Thine is the strength, and Thine are 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. Amen.
(Second Antiphon, Presanctified Liturgy)

O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and of great mercy, give heed to our prayer, and attend to the voice of our supplication. Work upon us a sign for good. Guide us in Thy way, that we may walk in Thy truth. Gladden our hearts that we may fear Thy holy name. For Thou art great and workest wonders. Thou alone art God, and among the gods there is none like unto Thee, O Lord, powerful in mercy, and good in might, to help and to comfort and to save all those who hope in Thy holy name.

For to Thee belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(First Antiphon, Presanctified Liturgy)

O great and most high God, Who alone hast immortality, and dwellest in light unapproachable, Who hast fashioned all creation in wisdom, Who hast divided the light from the darkness, and hast set the sun to rule the day and the moon and stars to rule the night, Who hast also vouchsafed unto us sinners at this present hour to come before thy presence with confession and to present unto Thee our evening doxology, do Thou thyself, 0 Lord, Lover of man, direct our prayer as incense before Thee, and accept it for an odor of sweet fragrance, and grant that our present evening and coming night be peaceful. Clothe us with the armor of light. Deliver us from the fear of night, and from everything that walketh in darkness, and grant that the sleep that Thou hast given for the repose of our infirmity may be free from every fantasy of the Devil. Yea, O Master of all, Leader of the good, may we, being moved to compunction upon our beds, remember Thy name in the night. And, enlightened by the exercise of Thy commandments, may we rise up in joyfulness of soul to the glorification of Thy goodness, and offer supplications and prayers unto Thy tenderness of heart, for our own sins and those of all Thy people, whom do Thou look upon in mercy, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos.


For Thou art a good God who lovest man, and unto Thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(Seventh Prayer, Presanctified Liturgy)

O God, great and wonderful, Who with goodness indescribable and rich providence orderest all things, and grantest unto us earthly goods, who hast given us a pledge of the promised kingdom through the good things already granted unto us, and hast made us to shun all harm during that part of the present day which is past, grant that we may also fulfill the remainder of this day blamelessly before Thy holy glory, and hymn Thee, our God, who alone art good and lovest man.

For Thou art our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(Sixth Prayer, Presanctified Liturgy)

Rites of Betrothal & Marriage

O Lord our God, who went with the servant of the Patriarch Abraham into Mesopotamia when he was sent to seek a wife for his master Isaac and, by the means of drawing of water at the well, revealed to him that he should betroth Rebecca; Do Thou Thyself bless the betrothal of these Thy servants, Matthew and Kathryn, and confirm the word they have spoken. Strengthen them in the holy union which is from Thee. For Thou, in the beginning, made them male and female, and by Thee is the woman joined to the man as a helpmate and for the continuation of the human race.

Therefore, O Lord our God, who has sent forth Thy truth to Thine inheritance, and Thy covenant unto Thy servants our fathers, even Thine elect from generation to generation. Look Thou upon Thy servant, Matthew, and upon Thy handmaid, Kathryn, and establish and confirm their betrothal in faith, in oneness of mind, in truth and in love.

Thou, O Lord, declared that a pledge should be given and confirmed in all things. By a ring was power given unto Joseph in Egypt; by a ring was Daniel exalted in the land of Babylon; by a ring was Tamar's integrity revealed; by a ring did our heavenly Father show compassion upon His son, for He said, put a ring on his right hand, and kill the fatted calf, and let us cat and rejoice. Thine own right hand, O Lord, armed Moses in the Red Sea. By Thy true word the heavens were established, and the foundations of the earth were made firm. By Thy mighty word and Thine uplifted arm, the right hands of Thy servants shall be blessed. Therefore, O Master, do Thou now Thyself bless this putting on of rings with Thy heavenly benediction: and let Thine Angel go before them all the days of their life.

For Thou are He who blesses and sanctifies all things, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O God most pure, the Creator of every living thing who transformed the rib of Adam our forefather into a woman and blessing them Thou said, "Be fruitful and multiply, and subdue the earth," making of two one flesh. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, so that they are no longer two but one. What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder."

Thou opened the womb of Sarah, and blessed Thy servant Abraham, making him the father of many nations. Thou gave Isaac to Rebecca, blessing her in childbearing. Thou joined Jacob and Rachel and from them generated the twelve patriarchs. Thou united Joseph and Asenath, and as the fruit of their generation bestowed on them Ephraim and Manasses. Thou accepted Zacharias and Elizabeth, and proclaimed their child the Forerunner. From the root of Jesse in the flesh Thou caused to blossom forth the ever-Virgin, for Thou was incarnate of her; born for the redemption of the human race.

Thou through Thine unspeakable gift and great goodness came to Cana of Galilee, and blessed that marriage, making it clear it is Thy will that there should be lawful marriage and from it the begetting of children. Do Thou, O Master, accept the prayers of Thy servants. As Thou were pres­ent at Cana of Galilee, be Thou also present here with Thine invisible presence.

Bless this marriage, and grant these Thy ser­vants, Matthew and Kathryn, a peaceful life, a long life, chastity, love for one another in the bond of peace, gratitude from their posterity, Grace upon their children, a crown of glory which never fades. Make them worthy to see their children's children; preserve their marriage in purity, granting them of the dew of heaven above, and of the fruitfulness of the earth. Fill their houses with wheat, wine, oil and every good thing, that they may give to those in need. Grant also to, those who are here present with them all their requests which are for their salvation.

For Thou are the God of mercy, compassion and love towards man and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Blessed are Thou, O Lord our God, the Priest of mystical and pure marriage, and the Ordainer of the marriage of the body. Thou are the Guardian of immortality and the Good Steward of the means of life. In the beginning, O Master, Thou Thyself created man, and appointed him king over Thy creation saying, "It is not good that man should be alone on earth, let us make a helper fit for him." Then taking one of his ribs. God made woman. Adam, seeing her, said, "This is at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh, she shall be called woman because she was taken out of man." For this reason man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one. What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

O Master, our Lord and God, send now also Thy heavenly Grace upon these Thy servants, Matthew and Kathryn. Grant that this Thy handmaid may be subject in all things to her husband, and may Thy servant be the head of his wife that they may live according to Thy will.

Bless them O Lord our God, as Thou blessed Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and all the Patriarchs, Joseph and Asenath, Moses and Zipporah, Joachim and Anna and Zachariah and Elizabeth.

Preserve them. O Lord our God. as Thou preserved Noah in the ark, Jonah in the whale and the three Holy Children from the fire, sending upon them the dew from heaven. May that joy, come upon them which the blessed Helena had when she found the precious Cross.

Remember them, O Lord our God, as Thou remembered Enoch, Shem, Elijah, and Thy Forty Holy Martyrs, bestowing upon them crowns from heaven. Remember the parents who have nourished them; for the prayers of parents make firm the foundations of houses. Remember also Thy servants, the groomsmen and the bridesmaids, who have come together in this joy.

Remember, O Lord our God, Thy servant, Matthew, and Thy handmaid, Kathryn, and bless them. Grant them of the fruit of the body, fair children, harmony of soul and body. Exalt them like the cedars of Lebanon like a fruitful vine. Give them fruitfulness like the full ears of grain, that having sufficiency in all things, they may abound in every work that is good and acceptable to Thee. Let them see their children's children, like a newly planted olive orchard around their table. And having obtained favor before Thee may they shine like stars of heaven in Thee, our Lord.

For unto Thee are due all glory, honor and wor­ship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Holy God, who created man from the dust, and from man’s rib made woman joining her to him as a helpmate, for it seemed good to Thy Majesty for man not to be alone on earth. Do Thou now, O Master, extend Thy hand from Thy holy dwelling and unite this Thy servant, Matthew, and this Thy handmaid, Kathryn, for by Thee is the husband united to the wife. Unite them in one mind. Wed them into one flesh. Grant them of the fruit of the body and the procreation of fair children.

For Thine is the majesty, and 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. Amen.

The servant of God, Matthew, is crowned unto the handmaid of God, Kathryn, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit now and ever, and unto ages or ages. Amen.

The handmaid of God, Kathryn, is crowned unto the servant of God, Matthew, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Lord our God, crown them with glory and honor. (thrice)

O Lord our God, who in Thy saving providence did agree by Thy presence in Cana of Galilee to declare marriage honorable: Do thou the same Lord, now also maintain in peace and harmony Thy servants, Matthew and Kathryn, whom it pleases Thee to join together. Cause their marriage to be honorable. Preserve their life blameless. Mercifully grant that they may live together in purity. Enable them to attain to a ripe old age, walking in Thy commandments with a pure heart.

For Thou art our God, the God whose property it is to show mercy and to save, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen

O God, our God, who came to Cana of Galilee, and blessed there the marriage feast: Bless, also, these Thy servants, who through Thy good providence are now united together in the Community of Marriage. Bless their goings out and their comings in. Replenish their life with good things. Receive their crowns into Thy kingdom, preserving them spotless, blameless, and without reproach, unto ages of ages. Amen.

May the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the all-holy, consubstantial and life-giving Trinity, one Godhead and one kingdom, bless you and grant to you length of days, fair children, prosperity of life and faith, and fill you with abundance of all earthly good things, and make you worthy to obtain the blessings of the promise: through the prayers of the holy Theotokos, and of all the Saints. Amen.

May He who by His presence at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee declared marriage to be an honorable estate, Christ our true God; through the prayers of His most pure Mother, of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles, of the holy, God-crowned sovereigns, Constantine and Helena, equal to the Apostles, of the holy Great Martyr Procopius; and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us: foras­much as he is good and loves mankind. Amen.

O Lord, Lord, Who upholdest all things in the most pure hollow of Thy hand, Who art long-suffering toward us all, and repentest Thee at our wickedness, remember Thy compassion and Thy mercy. Look upon us with thy goodness; grant unto us also by Thy grace, through the remainder of the present day, to avoid the divers subtle snares of the Evil One, and keep our lives unassailed, through the grace of Thine all-holy Spirit.
Through the mercy and love of man of thine onlybegotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(Fifth Prayer, Presanctified Liturgy)

O Thou to Whom the holy Powers sing with unending hymns and unceasing doxologies, fill our mouths with Thy praise, that we may magnify Thy holy name. And grant unto us part and inheritance with all those that fear Thee in truth and keep Thy commandments, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all thy Saints.

For to Thee belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(Fourth Prayer from the Presanctified Liturgy)

BLESSED ART THOU, O Lord God Almighty, Source of all good things, Sun of Righteousness, who shinest forth upon them that were in darkness the light of salvation, through the manifestation of Thine Only-begotten Son and our God; and who hast given unto us, unworthy though we be, blessed purification through hallowed water, and divine sanctification through life-giving Chrismation; who now also hast been graciously pleased to regenerate Thy servant who hast newly received Illumination by water and the Spirit, grant unto him forgiveness of sins, whether voluntary or involuntary. Do Thou, the same Master, compassionate King of all, grant also unto him the seal of the gift of Thy holy, and almighty, and adorable Spirit, and participation in the holy Body and the precious Blood of Thy Christ. Keep him in Thy sanctification; confirm him in the Orthodox faith; deliver him from the evil one, and from his snares. And preserve his soul in purity and uprightness, through the saving fear of Thee; that he may please Thee in every deed and word, and may be a child and heir of Thy heavenly kingdom.

For Thou art our God, the God who shows mercy and saves; and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

(Rite of Chrismation)

GREAT ART THOU, O Lord, and marvelous are Thy works, and there is no word which is sufficient to hymn Thy wonders.

For Thou, of Thine own good will, hast brought into being all things which before were not, and by Thy might, Thou upholdsest creation, and by Thy providence Thou orderest the world. When Thou didst join together the universe out of four elements, Thou didst crown the circle of the year with four seasons. Before Thee tremble all the Powers endowed with intelligence. The sun sings unto Thee. The moon glorifies Thee. The stars meet together before Thy presence. The light obeys Thee. The deeps tremble before Thee. The springs of water are subject unto Thee. Thou hast spread out the heavens like a curtain. Thou hast established the earth upon the waters. Thou hast set round about the sea barriers of sand. Thou hast poured forth the air for breathing. The Angelic Powers serve Thee. The choirs of the Archangels fall down in adoration before Thee. The many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim as they stand around and fly, veil their faces in awe before Thine ineffable glory.

For Thou, who art God inexpressible and everlasting, hast descended upon earth, and hast taken on the semblance of a servant, and wast made in the likeness of man. For, because of the tender compassion of Thy mercy, O Master, Thou couldest not endure to behold mankind oppressed by the Devil; but Thou hast come, and hast saved us. We confess Thy grace. We proclaim Thy mercy. We conceal not Thy gracious acts. Thou hast delivered the generations of our mortal nature. By Thy birth Thou hast sanctified the Virgin’s womb. All creation magnifies Thee, who hast manifested Thyself. For Thou, O our God, hast revealed Thyself upon earth, and dwelt among men. Thou hast hallowed the streams of Jordan, sending down upon them from heaven Thy Holy Spirit, and hast crushed the heads of the dragons who lurked there.

Wherefore, O King who lovest mankind, come Thou now and sanctify this water, by the coming of Thy Holy Spirit.

And grant unto it the grace of redemption, the blessing of the Jordan. Make it the fountain of incorruption, the gift of sanctification, the forgiveness of sins, the remedy of infirmities, the final destruction of demons, unassailable by hostile powers, filled with angelic might. Let those who would ensnare Thy creature flee far from it. For we have called upon Thy Name, O Lord, and it is wonderful, and glorious, and terrible unto adversaries.

Let all adverse powers be crushed beneath the sign of the image of Thy Cross.

We pray Thee, O God, that every aerial and unseen phantom may withdraw itself from us; and that no demon of darkness may conceal himself in this water; and that no evil spirit which instills darkening of intentions and rebelliousness of thought may descend into it with him who is about to be baptized.

But do Thou, Master of all, show this water to be the water of redemption, the water of sanctification, the purification of flesh and spirit, the loosing of bonds, the remission of sins, the illumination of the soul, the laver of regeneration, the renewal of the spirit, the gift of adoption to sonship, the garment of incorruption, the fountain of life. For Thou hast said, O Lord: "Wash, be clean, and put away evil things from your souls." Thou hast bestowed upon us from on high a new birth through water and the Spirit. Wherefore, O Lord, manifest Thyself in this water, and grant that he who is baptized therein may be transformed; that he may put away from him the old man, which is corrupt through the lusts of the flesh, and that he may put on the new man, and be renewed after the image of Him who created him; that being buried, after the pattern of Thy death, in baptism, he may, in like manner, be a partaker of Thy Resurrection; and having preserved the gift of Thy Holy Spirit, and increased the measure of grace committed unto him, he may receive the prize of his high calling, and be numbered with the firstborn whose names are written in heaven, in Thee, our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. For unto Thee are due all glory, dominion, honor, and worship, together with Thy Father, who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

(From the Rite of Baptism)

O LORD AND MASTER; who hast created man in Thine own likeness, and bestowed upon him the power of life eternal; who also despisest not those who have fallen away through sin, but hast provided salvation for the world through the Incarnation of Thy Christ: Do Thou, the same Lord, delivering also this Thy creature from the bondage of the enemy, receive him into Thy heavenly kingdom. Open the eyes of his understanding, that the illumination of Thy Gospel may shine brightly in him. Assign unto him an angel of light, who shall deliver him from every snare of the adversary, from encounter with evil, from the demon of the noonday, and from evil thoughts.

Expel from him every evil and unclean spirit which hides and makes its lair in his heart, the spirit of deceit, the spirit of evil, the spirit of idolatry and of every covetousness; the spirit of falsehood and of every uncleanness which operates through the prompting of the Devil. And make him a reason-endowed sheep in the holy flock of Thy Christ, an honorable member of Thy Church, a child of the light, and an heir of Thy Kingdom; that having lived in accordance with Thy commandments, and preserved inviolate the Seal, and kept his garment undefiled, he may receive the blessedness of the Saints in Thy Kingdom.

Through the grace and bounties, and love towards mankind 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. Amen.

(From the Rite of Baptism)

IN THY NAME, O Lord God of truth, and in the Name of Thine Only-begotten Son, and of Thy Holy Spirit, I lay my hand upon Thy servant, who has been found worthy to flee unto Thy holy Name, and to take refuge under the shelter of Thy wings. Remove far from him his former delusion and fill him with the faith, hope and love which are in Thee; that he may know that Thou art the only true God with Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and Thy Holy Spirit. Enable him to walk in all Thy commandments, and to fulfill those things which are well pleasing unto Thee; for if a man do those things, he shall find life in them.

Inscribe him in Thy Book of Life, and unite him to the flock of Thine inheritance. And may Thy holy Name be glorified in him, together with that of Thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and of Thy life-giving Spirit. Let Thine eyes ever regard him with mercy, and let Thine ears attend unto the voice of his supplication. Make him to rejoice in the works of his hands, and in all his generation; that he may render praise unto Thee, that he may sing, worship and glorify Thy great and exalted Name always, all the days of his life.

For all the Powers of Heaven sing praises unto Thee, and Thine is the Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

(From the Rite of Baptism)

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

What great blessings have I forsaken, wretch that I am?
From what kingdom have I miserably fallen?
I have squandered the riches that were given me;
I have transgressed the commandments!
Woe to me when I shall be condemned to eternal fire!
Cry out to Christ, O my soul, before the end draws near:
Receive me as the Prodigal, O God, and have mercy on me!

I hid my face in shame, a wretched man!
I have squandered the riches my father gave to me;
I went to live with senseless beasts:
I sought their food and hungered, for I had not enough to eat.
I will arise, I will return to my compassionate father:
He will accept my tears as I kneel before Him crying:
In Your tender love for all men reveive me as one of Your servants
And save me!

Jesus my God, accept me also now in repentance as You did the Prodigal Son:
I have lived all my life in carelessness and provoked You to anger.
I have sinfully wasted the divine wealth that once You gave me;
I have departed far from You and lived as the Prodigal.
Compassionate Father, accept me now also as I return.
Open Your arms to embrace me as a Father now,
accepting me also as the Prodigal Son,
That I may glorify You with thanksgiving most merciful Lord!

(The four Sundays prior to Great Lent are geared toward putting Christians into a mindset of penitence and humility. The themes of each of these days are: Zacchaeus (Lk 19.1-10), the Publican and the Pharisee (Lk 18.9-14), the Prodigal Son (Lk 15.11-32), and the Last Judgement (Rev 20.12–15). Today, in addition to being the Feast of the Entry of our Lord in the Temple, is also the Sunday of the Prodigal Son. The above text is taken from the Vespers service for today.)

Q&A

Q: What Does, "Lead Us Not Into Temptation" in the Lord's Prayer Mean?

A: There is a commentary on the Lord's Prayer by St. Cyprian (c. 205 - 258) considered so good by the Fathers that a hundred years later, when St. Hilary of Poitiers wrote his commentary on Matthew, he omitted commentary on the Lord's Prayer because, he said, "Cyprian has said all there was to say about it."

Cyprian reads this section as saying (or at least meaning), "do not allow us to be led into temptation." His commentary runs: "Of necessity also the Lord has us ask, 'And do not allow us to be led into temptation.' In this part of the prayer he shows that the enemy is powerless against us without God's prior permission. Consequently, during temptation all our fear and devotion and attention should be focused on God, since evil has only such force as He permits (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13). Scripture demonstrates this when it says, 'Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and besieged it; and the Lord gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah, into his hands (Dan. 1:1; 2 Kings 24:11-16). Moreover, evil is given power over us according to our sins. As Isaiah writes, 'Who gave Jacob up to the looters, and Israel to the spoilers? It was the Lord, against whom we sinned, in whose ways we would not walk, and whose law we refused to obey. So he unleashed the fury of his anger against us' (Isa. 42:24-25). And again, when Solomon sinned and strayed from the precepts and paths of the Lord, it was recorded, 'The Lord stirred up Satan against Solomon himself' (1 Kings 11:14 [as Cyprian's text reads])."


Courtesy of St Anthony's Orthodox Church