Orthodox Daily Prayers: Collector's Edition E-Book

anonymous

• Herausgeber: Angel Books
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Orthodox Daily Prayers, with instructions and index, is cleanly formatted for easy reading. It was compiled and printed with the blessings of His Grace, the Right Reverend Herman Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania in 1982.

Includes Morning Prayers, Prayers in Preparation for Holy Communion, Canon in Preparation for Holy Communion, Prayers for Thanksgiving After Communion, Commemoration of the Living and the Dead, Prayers at the Table, The Order of Compline, Before Sleep, and more. Instructions in italics.

Leseprobe

ORTHODOX DAILY PRAYERS

COLLECTOR'S EDITION

with Instructions and Index

by Anonymous

INTRODUCTION

THE PRAYERBOOK

The present Prayerbook contains the most basic daily prayers of the Orthodox Christian as they have been transmitted to us essentially by the Russian Church, although the other Orthodox Traditions in this matter are very similar.

In this book, we will find the Psalms of the Holy Prophet King David, the prayer which Our Lord Himself taught His holy disciples, prayers of the desert fathers, prayers of the great hierarchs and teachers of the Church, as well as the prayers of more recent fathers.

The publication of such prayers does not limit the free expression of the Christian soul to the Creator, the Most-holy Theotokosand the Saints. On the contrary, by reading these prayers we learn how to pray. They become models for our own, personal prayers. Often, we would like to pray but, distracted by the bustling world around us, or troubled by fear or sorrow, we do not even know how to begin. We then begin with the Prayerbook and find that not only much of what we wanted to say is included in the prayers of the fathers, but that afterwards, we find words of our own to continue the outpouring of our soul.

There is yet another gift in the Prayerbook. As Orthodox Christians we are all members of the same Body. We express and partake of that oneness in the services of the Church, especially in the Divine Liturgy. Through the Prayerbook, this oneness is brought into our homes or any place that an Orthodox Christian reads it. Our own prayers are carried to the Throne of Godon the wings of prayers that have been used by the people of God for centuries. We no longer pray alone.

THE RULE OF PRAYER

Many rules of prayer have developed in the history of the Church. At no place or time has there been a uniform rule. In 19th Century Russia, for example, the rule varied considerably from one monastery to another, though certain basic elements were found in all of them. Therefore, the term “Rule of Prayer” should never be understood as a strait jacket, regulating and limiting our communion with God.

What the Rules do teach us is the importance of regularity in our life of prayer. It is better to say a few prayers every day without fail than to say a great number of prayers on an irregular, impulsive basis. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have a spiritual father should consult him before establishing our own Rule. Those of us who do not, should begin with a modest Rule, increasing it only when it has become a regular and integral part of our lives.

THE TRANSLATION

We have attempted to use a contemporary but dignified form of the English language throughout this present translation. Wherever possible, existing translations of the Orthodox Church in America have been used. For example, the Prayers in Preparation for Holy Communion are taken from the official Divine Liturgybook (Saint Tikhon’s Seminary Press, 1977) with very few changes. The Psalms, verses, troparia, and prayers not included in that edition have now been translated and included to complete the traditional order.

The Psalms are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible with changes made wherever significant differences with the Orthodox liturgical Psalter (based on the Septuagint) made it necessary. The numbering of the Psalms follows the Septuagint throughout the Prayerbook. We are leaving to Biblical scholarsthe study of the merits of the various texts of the Holy Scriptures. Our object here is to provide the English-speaking Orthodox Christian with a Prayerbook as closely equivalent as possible to the Prayerbooks that Orthodox Christiansof other nationalities have used for generations.

MORNING PRAYERS

Having awakened, arise from your bed without laziness and, having gathered your thoughts, make the Sign of the Cross, saying:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Afterwards, stand in silence for a few moments until all your senses are calmed. At that point, make three prostrations, saying:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercyon me, a sinner.

Then, begin the Morning Prayers with these words:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and all the saints, have mercyon us. Amen.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth Who art everywhere and fillest all things. Treasury of Blessings 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.(Repeat three times.)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity! Have mercyon us! Lord, cleanse us from our sins! Master, pardon our transgressions! Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy!(Repeat three times.)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, 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.

If there is a priest, he adds the usual exclamation.

Having arisen from sleep, we fall down before Thee, O Blessed One, and sing to Thee, O Mighty One, the angelic hymn: Holy! Holy! Holy! art Thou, O God; through the Theotokos, have mercyon us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

Having raised me from my bed and from sleep, O Lord, enlighten my mind and heart, and open my lips that I may praise Thee, O Holy Trinity: Holy! Holy! Holy! art Thou, O God; through the Theotokos, have mercyon us.

Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Judge will come suddenly and the acts of every man will be revealed; but in the middle of the night we cry with fear: Holy! Holy! Holy! art Thou, O God; through the Theotokos, have mercyon us.

Lord, have mercy!(Repeat twelve times.)

Having risen from sleep, I thank Thee, the Holy Trinity. In the abundance of Thy kindness and long patience, Thou hast not been angry with me for my laziness and sinfulness, nor hast Thou destroyed me in my lawlessness. Instead, in Thy usual love for mankind, Thou hast raised me as I lay in despair, that I might rise early and glorify Thy Reign. Enlighten now the eyes of my mind and open my lips, that I might learn of Thy words, understand Thy commandments, accomplish Thy will, hymn Thee in heart-felt confession and praise Thine all-holy name, the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Come, let us worship 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!

Psalm50

Have mercyon me, O God,

according to Thy great mercy;

according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies,

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is ever before me.

Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned,

and done that which is evil in Thy sight,

so that Thou art justified in Thy sentence

and blameless in Thy judgment.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

and in sins did my mother conceive me.

Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward being;

therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Fill me with joy and gladness;

let the bones which Thou hast broken rejoice.

Hide Thy face from my sins,

and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and put a new and right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence,

and take not Thy Holy Spiritfrom me.

Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways,

and sinners will return to Thee.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,

Thou God of my salvation,

and my tongue will sing aloud of Thy deliverance.

O Lord, open Thou my lips,

and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise.

For Thou hast no delight in sacrifice;

were I to give a burnt offering, Thou wouldst not be pleased.

The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

Do good to Zion in Thy good pleasure;

rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,

Then wilt Thou delight in right sacrifices,

in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on Thy altar.

The Symbol of Faith

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 ages. Lightof Light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvationcame down from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spiritand the Virgin Mary, and became man. And He was crucifiedfor us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He arose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose Kingdomshall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke by the prophets. In one Holy, Catholic, and ApostolicChurch. 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.

1st Prayer, by Saint Macariusthe Great

O God, cleanse me a sinner, for I have done nothing good before Thee. Deliver me from the evil one, and may Thy will be in me, that I might open my unworthy lips without condemnation and praise Thy holy name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

2nd Prayer, by Saint Macariusthe Great

Having risen from sleep, I offer Thee, O Savior, the midnight song. Falling down, I cry to Thee: let me not fall asleep in the death of sin. Be gracious to me, Thou Who wast willingly crucified. Raise me quickly as I lie in laziness, and save me as I stand in prayer. After the night’s sleep, O Christ God, shine a sinless day on me and save me.

3rd Prayer, by Saint Macariusthe Great

Having risen from sleep, I run to Thee, O Master, for Thou lovest mankind, and I rush to accomplish Thy work. Help me, I pray Thee, at all times and in all things. Deliver me from every evil thing of this world and from works of the devil. Save me, and lead me into Thine eternal Kingdom. Thou art my Maker, The Provider and Giver of everything good. All my hope is in Thee and I glorify Thee, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

4th Prayer, by Saint Macariusthe Great

O Lord, through Thy abundant goodness and great generosity, Thou hast allowed me, Thy servant, to pass through the hours of this night untempted by any evil of the enemy. Grant also, O Master and Creator of all, that I might accomplish Thy will in Thy true light and with an illumined heart, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

5th Prayer, by Saint Macariusthe Great

O Lord, the Almighty God, Who acceptest the thrice-holy hymn from Thy heavenly hosts: accept this song of the night even from me, Thine unworthy servant. Grant that at every year and hour of my life I might glorify Thee, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

6th Prayer, by Saint Basilthe Great

Almighty Lord, the God of hosts and of all flesh, Thou livest in the heights, yet lookest down on the humble, proving the hearts and emotions, clearly foreknowing the secrets of men. Thou art the Light without beginning, in Whom there is no variation nor shadow of change. O Immortal King, accept the prayers which we now offer Thee from defiled lips. Free us from the sins we have committed in deed, word or thought, knowingly and unknowingly. Cleanse us from all defilement of flesh and spirit. Grant us to pass through the entire night of this present life with a watchful heart and a sober mind, awaiting the coming of the bright and manifest day of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, when the Judgeof all will come with glory to reward each according to his deeds. May we not be found fallen and lazy, but alert and roused to action, prepared to enter into His joy and the divine chamber of His glory, where the voice of those who feast is unceasing and indescribable is the delight of those who behold the inexpressible beauty of Thy countenance. For Thou art the true Light which enlightens and sanctifies all, and all creation hymns Thee unto ages of ages. Amen.

7th Prayer, also by Saint Basil

We bless Thee, most high God and Lord of mercies, Who ever doest great and unfathomable things for us—glorious and awesome things without number. Thou givest us sleep for the repose of our frailty, relieving the labors of our over-burdened flesh. We thank Thee for not destroying us in our lawlessness. Instead, Thou hast shown Thy usual love for mankind, and raised us, as we lay in despair, to glorify Thy Reign. Therefore, we implore Thy boundless goodness: enlighten our thoughts and eyes, and awaken our minds from the heavy sleep of laziness. Open our lips and fill them with Thy praise, that we may unwaveringly hymn and confess Thee, the God glorified in all and by all, Father without beginning, with Thine only-begotten Son and Thine all-holy, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

8th Prayer. A Midnight Songto the Most Holy Theotokos

I hymn your Grace, O Lady,

and pray that you grace my mind.

Teach me to walk correctly

on the path of Christ’s commandments.

Strengthen me to watch in song,

dispelling the despair of sleep.

I am bound by fetters of sin,

free me by your prayers, O Bride of God!

Keep me in the night and in the day,

delivering me from warring enemies.

As you bore the life-giving God,

give life to me, who am wounded by passions.

As you bore the unsetting Light,

enlighten my blinded soul.

O wondrous palace of the Master,

make me a home of the divine Spirit.

As you bore the Physician,

heal my soulof its passion-filled years.

I am tossed in the tempest of life:

direct me to the path of repentance.

Deliver me from the eternal flame,

from the evil worm, and from hell.

Make me not a joy for demons,

though I am guilty of many sins.

Make me new, most undefiled one,

for I am aged by senseless sins.

Estrange me from all torments,

and pray for me to the Master of all.

Grant that, with all the saints,

I may inherit the joys of heaven.

Hear, most holy Virgin,

the voice of your useless servant.

Grant me a torrent of tears, most pure one,

to wash the filth of my soul.

The groans of my heart I bring you unceasingly:

open your heart, O Lady!

Accept my prayerful service,

and take it to the compassionate God.

You who are far higher than the angels,

raise me above this world’s confusion.

O light-bearing heavenly cloud,

direct spiritual grace into me.

I raise in praise, all-undefiled one,

hands and lips defiled by sin.

Deliver me from soul-corrupting harm,

praying fervently to Christ,

To Whom glory and worshipare due,

now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

9th Prayer, to Our Lord Jesus Christ

My most merciful and all-merciful God, O Lord Jesus Christ! In Thy great love, Thou didst come down and become flesh in order to save all. Again, I pray Thee, save me by Grace! If Thou shouldst save me because of my deeds, it would not be a gift, but merely a duty. Truly, Thou aboundest in graciousness and art inexpressibly merciful! Thou hast said, O my Christ: “He who believes in me shall live and never see death”. If faith in Thee saves the desperate, behold: I believe! Save me, for Thou art my God and my Maker. May my faith replace my deeds, O my God, for Thou wilt find no deeds to justify me. May my faith be sufficient for all. May it answer for me; may it justify me; may it make me a partaker of Thine eternal glory; and may Satan not seize me, O Word, and boast that He has torn me from Thy hand and fold. O Christ my Savior: save me whether I want it or not! Come quickly, hurry, for I perish! Thou art my God from my mother’s womb. Grant, O Lord, that I may now love Thee as once I loved sin, and that I may labor for Thee without laziness as once I labored for Satan the deceiver. Even more, I will labor for Thee, my Lord and God Jesus Christ, all the days of my life, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

10th Prayer, to the Angel, the guardian of human life

O Holy Angel, who stand by my wretched souland my passionate life: do not abandon me, a sinner, neither depart from me because of my lack of self-control. Leave no room for the evil demon to gain control of me through the violence of this mortal body. Strengthen my weak and feeble hand, and instruct me in the path of salvation. O holy Angel of God, the guardian and protector of my wretched soul and body: forgive all the sorrows I have caused you, every day of my life. If I have sinned in this past night, protect me during this day. Keep me from every adverse temptation, that I may not angerGod by any sin. Pray to the Lord for me, that He may establish me in His fear and make me, His servant, worthy of His goodness. Amen.

11th Prayer, to the Most Holy Theotokos

O Most Holy Theotokos, my Lady: through your holy and all-powerful prayers, turn away from me, your humble and unworthy servant, despair, forgetfulness, unreasonableness, indifference, and all unclean, evil and blasphemous thoughts from my wretched heart and darkened mind. Extinguish the flame of my passions, for I am poor and wretched. Deliver me from my numerous and wicked memories and fantasies. Free me from all evil acts, for you are blessed by all generations, and your most honorable name is glorified unto ages of ages. Amen.

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos! Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne the Savior of our souls!

Most glorious Ever-Virgin Mother of Christ our God, bear our prayer to your Son and our God, that through you He may save our souls.

O heavenly hosts of holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us sinners.

O glorious Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs, and all Saints, pray for us sinners.

Pray to God for me holy ________ (your Patron Saint), for with fervor I run to you, swift helper and intercessor for my soul!

O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; and by virtue of Thy Cross, preserve Thy habitation.

It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy!(Repeat three times.)

Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, for the sake of Thy most pure Mother, our venerable and God-bearing fathers, and all the saints, save me, a sinner. Amen.

Certain pious Christians use the following “Morning Prayer of the Last Elders of Optina” with their morning prayers.

O Lord, grant that I may meet all that this coming day brings to me with spiritual tranquility. Grant that I may fully surrender myself to Thy holy Will.

At every hour of this day, direct and support me in all things. Whatsoever news may reach me in the course of the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and the firm conviction that all is subject to Thy holy Will.

Direct my thoughts and feelings in all my words and actions. In all unexpected occurrences, do not let me forget that all is sent down from Thee.

Grant that I may deal straightforwardly and wisely with every member of my family, neither embarrassing nor saddening anyone.

O Lord, grant me the strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and all the events that take place during it. Direct my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to be patient, to forgive, and to love. Amen.

COMMEMORATION OF THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

To be read daily by every monastic and pious Christian at the end of his rule of prayer.

Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Thine eternal mercies and compassion, for whose sake Thou didst become man and willingly endured crucifixion and death for the salvationof those who rightly believe in Thee. Thou didst rise from the dead and ascend into Heavenand sittest at the right hand of God the Father, looking down on the humble petitions of those who call upon Thee with their whole heart. Bow down Thine ear and hear the prayer which I, Thy useless servant, offer Thee for all Thy people as a spiritual fragrance. First of all, remember Thy Holy, Catholic, and ApostolicChurch which Thou didst obtain through Thy precious Blood. Establish, strengthen, broaden, and multiply her. Give her peace and keep her eternally unassailable by the gates of hell. Calm the quarrels of the churches, put out the arrogance of the heathen, and swiftly destroy and uproot the rebellions of heresies, turning them into nothing through the power of Thy Holy Spirit.

Prostration

Save, Lord, and have mercy on the Holy Orthodox Patriarchs, our Lord, the Most Blessed ________, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada; on our Lord, the Right Reverend ________, Bishop of ________; on priests, deacons and all the clergy whom Thou hast installed to tend Thy reason endowed flock. Through their prayers, save me also, a sinner, and have mercy on me.

Prostration

Save, Lord, and have mercy on the President of our country, on all our civil authorities and armed forces. Surround them with peace, and speak peace and goodness into their hearts for Thy Holy Church and all Thy people. In their calm may we live a calm and silent life in the True Faith and in all piety and purity.

Prostration

Save, Lord, and have mercyon our father (the name and title of the abbot of your monasteryor of your parish priest) with all our brethren in Christ, and have mercy on me, who am wretched, through their prayers.

Prostration

Save, Lord, and have mercyon my spiritual father ________, and forgive my transgressions through his holy prayers.

Prostration (In Monasteries)

Save, Lord, and have mercyon all our brethren who labor in this holy community—the laborers, the lay workers, and those who work the land for this monastery, and all Christians.

(In Parishes)

Save, Lord, and have mercyon all our brethren who serve this holy Church—the parish council, the choir, the teachers, the custodians and cleaners, and all who work for our parish, and all Christians.

Prostration

(Any inapplicable terms in the following petition are simply omitted.)

Save, Lord, and have mercyon my parents ________ (if they are still living), my wife/husband ________, my children ________, my brothers and sisters and all my relatives according to the flesh, those who are close to my family, and my friends. Grant them Thy worldly and heavenly good things.

Prostration

Save, Lord, and have mercyon our fathers, brothers, and sisters who live with patient faith in the monasteries of the Holy Mountain, Russia, America, and any other place. Through their prayers, have mercy on me a sinner.

Prostration

Save, Lord, and have mercy, according to the multitude of Thy compassions, on all hieromonks, monks, and nuns, and on all who in virginity, reverence, and fasting live in monasteries, in desertsand caves, on mountains and pillars, in hermitages and cleft rocks, on islands in the sea, and who live in the True Faith in every place of Thy dominion, serving Thee piously and praying to Thee. Lighten their burdenand console them in sorrow. Grant them strength and resolution in their struggles, and grant me remission of sins through their prayers.

Prostration

Save, Lord, and have mercyon the old and the young, the poor, the orphansand widows, and on those who are in sickness and in sadness, in misfortunes and in sorrow, in war and in captivity, in prison and in exile—especially those who, being Thy servants, are persecuted for Thy sake and the Orthodox Faith by godless heathens, apostates, and heretics. Remember, visit, strengthen, and comfort them, giving them early release, freedom, and deliverance by Thy might.

Prostration

Save, Lord, and have mercy on our benefactors who have mercy on us and feed us, giving us alms and security, and ask us to pray for them, despite our unworthiness. Be Thou merciful to them and grant their every petition for salvationand the reward of eternal good things.

Prostration

Save, Lord, and have mercy on all our fathers, brothers, and sisters and all Orthodox Christianswho are travelling in Thy service.

Prostration

Save, Lord, and have mercy on those whom I have caused to stumble, turning them away from the path of salvationand leading them to evil and unseemly deeds. Return them to the path of salvation by Thy Divine Providence.

Prostration

Save, Lord, and have mercyon thosewho hate and offend me, and do me harm. Do not let them perish because of me, a sinner.

Prostration

Enlighten with the light of Thy knowledge those who have left the Orthodox Faith and have been blinded by devastating heresies, reuniting them to Thy Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

Prostration

For the Departed

Remember, Lord, all Orthodox Patriarchs and Metropolitans; archbishops and bishops; priests and those who serve in holy orders; those who serve Thee in monastic ranks and the blessed founder of our holy community (or Church). Grant them rest with the saints in Thine eternal dwellings.

Prostration

Remember, Lord, the souls of Thy departed servants, my parents ______ (if they are already dead), and all my relatives according to the flesh. Forgive all their sins, both voluntary and involuntary. Grant them participation in Thine eternal good things and the enjoyment of the eternal and blessed life.

Prostration

Remember, Lord, all our departed fathers, brothers, and sisters, the Orthodox Christians who lie here and everywhere in the hope of the Resurrection and eternal life. Grant them to live with Thy saints under the Lightof Thy countenance. Have mercyon us also, for Thou art good and lovest mankind. Amen.

Prostration

The following is repeated three times, each with a prostration.

Grant remission of sins, Lord, to all our fathers, brothers, and sisters who have departed before us in faith and the hope of the Resurrection, and make their memory eternal.