Vespers
The evening service that opens the liturgical day, offered as the lamps are lit.
The Beginning
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
O Come, Let Us Worship
O come, let us worship and fall down before God our King.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
The Introductory Psalm
Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou art become exceeding glorious; Thou art clothed with majesty and honour. Thou deckest Thyself with light as it were with a garment, and spreadest out the heavens like a curtain; Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters, and maketh the clouds His chariot, and walketh upon the wings of the wind; Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flaming fire.
He laid the foundations of the earth, that it never should move at any time. Thou coveredst it with the deep like as with a garment; the waters stand in the hills. At Thy rebuke they flee; at the voice of Thy thunder they are afraid. They go up as high as the hills, and down to the valleys beneath, even unto the place which Thou hast appointed for them. Thou hast set them their bounds, which they shall not pass, neither turn again to cover the earth.
He sendeth the springs into the rivers, which run among the hills. All the beasts of the field drink thereof, and the wild asses quench their thirst. Beside them shall the fowls of the air have their habitation, and sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from above; the earth is filled with the fruit of Thy works.
He bringeth forth grass for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men, that He may bring food out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make him a cheerful countenance, and bread to strengthen man's heart. The trees of the Lord also are full of sap, even the cedars of Libanus which He hath planted, wherein the birds make their nests; and the fir trees are a dwelling for the stork. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats, and so are the stony rocks for the conies.
He appointed the moon for certain seasons, and the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, that it may be night, wherein all the beasts of the forest do move. The lions, roaring after their prey, do seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, and they get them away together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth to his work, and to his labour, until the evening.
O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all; the earth is full of Thy riches. So is the great and wide sea also, wherein are creeping things innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan, whom Thou hast made to take his pastime therein.
These all wait upon Thee, that Thou mayest give them meat in due season. When Thou givest it them, they gather it; and when Thou openest Thy hand, they are filled with good. When Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled; when Thou takest away their breath, they die, and are turned again to their dust. When Thou lettest Thy breath go forth, they shall be made; and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever; the Lord shall rejoice in His works. The earth shall tremble at the look of Him; if He do but touch the hills, they shall smoke. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will praise my God while I have my being. And so shall my words please Him; my joy shall be in the Lord. As for sinners, they shall be consumed out of the earth, and the ungodly shall come to an end. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
And again, from the beginning:
The sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, that it may be night. O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. (Thrice)
The Great Litany
Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our father and bishop (Name), for the honourable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this land, its authorities, and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this city, for every city and country, and for the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For seasonable weather, for the abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For travellers by land, by sea, and by air; for the sick and the suffering; for captives; and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another, and all our life, unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: For unto Thee are due all glory, honour, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Lord, I Have Cried
Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hearken unto me; hearken unto me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hearken unto me; attend to the voice of my supplication when I cry unto Thee. Hearken unto me, O Lord.
Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Hearken unto me, O Lord.
The stichera appointed for the day are sung upon the psalm verses that follow.
On the Lord's Day and the Great Feasts:
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks unto Thy Name.
The righteous await me, until Thou shalt requite me.
On feast days:
Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.
O let Thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint.
On ordinary days:
If Thou, O Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it? For with Thee there is forgiveness.
For Thy Name's sake have I patiently waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited patiently for Thy word, my soul hath trusted in the Lord.
My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch; I say, before the morning watch.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his sins.
O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye peoples.
For His merciful kindness is ever more and more toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Gladsome Light
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 behold the light of evening, we praise God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
For meet it is at all times to worship Thee with voices of praise, O Son of God and Giver of life; therefore all the world doth glorify Thee.
The Prokeimenon
Deacon: Wisdom. Let us attend.
The prokeimenon of the day is chanted.
On Sunday evening, Tone 8:
Behold now, praise the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord. Verse: Ye that stand in the temple of the Lord, even in the courts of the house of our God.
On Monday evening, Tone 4:
When I call upon the Lord, He will hear me. Verse: Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness.
On Tuesday evening, Tone 1:
Thy mercy, O Lord, shall follow me all the days of my life. Verse: The Lord is my shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing; He hath led me in a green pasture.
On Wednesday evening, Tone 5:
Save me, O God, for Thy Name's sake, and judge me in Thy strength. Verse: Hear my prayer, O God, and hearken unto the words of my mouth.
On Thursday evening, Tone 6:
My help cometh even from the Lord, Who hath made heaven and earth. Verse: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
On Friday evening, Tone 7:
Thou art my defence, O God, and Thy goodness preventeth me. Verse: Deliver me from mine enemies, O God, and save me from them that rise up against me.
On Saturday evening, Tone 6:
The Lord is King, and hath put on glorious apparel. Verse: The Lord hath put on His apparel, and hath girded Himself with strength. Verse: For He hath made the round world so sure that it shall not be moved. Verse: Holiness becometh Thy house, O Lord, for ever.
Vouchsafe, O Lord
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name unto the ages. Amen.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Master; give me understanding of Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One; enlighten me with Thy statutes.
O Lord, Thy mercy endureth for ever; despise not the works of Thy hands.
The Litany of Supplication
Deacon: Let us complete our prayer unto the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: Pardon and remission of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: Things good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, and peaceful, and a good defence before the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another, and all our life, unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
The Aposticha
The stichera at the aposticha are sung, with their verses.
The Song of Saint Simeon
Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people: a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.
The Trisagion Prayers
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, 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 the ages of ages. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
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 the ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
The troparion of the day is sung.
The Dismissal
Deacon: Wisdom.
Priest: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Choir: More honourable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim; thee do we magnify.
Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ our God, our hope, glory to Thee.
Choir: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Father, bless.
Priest: May Christ our true God, through the prayers of His most pure Mother and of all the saints, have mercy upon us and save us, for He is good and the Lover of mankind.
Choir: Amen.