Common Prayers
St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church
The Lord's Prayer (Our Father) "ΠΡΠ΅ Π½Π°Ρ"
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. Amen.
Serbian (Transliterated)Otce nas, ize jesi na nebesjeh. Da svjatitsja imja Tvoje, da pridet carstvije Tvoje, da budet volja Tvoja, jako na nebesi i na zemlji. Hljeb nas nasushnij, dazd nam dnes i ostavi nam dolgi nasja, jakoze i mi ostavljajem dolznikom nasim. I ne vovedi nas vo iskushenije, no izbavi nas ot lukavago. Amin.
Serbian (Cyrillic)ΠΡΡΠ΅ Π½Π°Ρ, ΠΈΠ·Π΅ ΡΠ΅ΡΠΈ Π½Π° Π½Π΅Π±Π΅ΡΡΠ΅Ρ . ΠΠ° ΡΠ²ΡΠ°ΡΠΈΡΡΡΠ° ΠΈΠΌΡΠ° Π’Π²ΠΎΡΠ΅, Π΄Π° ΠΏΡΠΈΠ΄Π΅Ρ ΡΠ°ΡΡΡΠ²ΠΈΡΠ΅ Π’Π²ΠΎΡΠ΅, Π΄Π° Π±ΡΠ΄Π΅Ρ Π²ΠΎΡΠ° Π’Π²ΠΎΡΠ°, ΡΠ°ΠΊΠΎ Π½Π° Π½Π΅Π±Π΅ΡΠΈ ΠΈ Π½Π° Π·Π΅ΠΌΡΠΈ. Π₯ΡΠ΅Π± Π½Π°Ρ Π½Π°ΡΡΡΡ Π½ΠΈΡ, Π΄Π°Π·Π΄ Π½Π°ΠΌ Π΄Π½Π΅Ρ ΠΈ ΠΎΡΡΠ°Π²ΠΈ Π½Π°ΠΌ Π΄ΠΎΠ»Π³ΠΈ Π½Π°ΡΡΠ°, ΡΠ°ΠΊΠΎΠ·Π΅ ΠΈ ΠΌΠΈ ΠΎΡΡΠ°Π²ΡΠ°Ρ Π΄ΠΎΠ»Π·Π½ΠΈΠΊΠΎΠΌ Π½Π°ΡΠΈΠΌ. Π Π½Π΅ Π²ΠΎΠ²Π΅Π΄Π΅ Π½Π°Ρ Π²ΠΎ ΠΈΡΠΊΡΡΡ Π΅Π½ΠΈΡΠ΅, Π½ΠΎ ΠΈΠ·Π±Π°Π²ΠΈ Π½Π°Ρ ΠΎΡ Π»ΡΠΊΠ°Π²Π°Π³ΠΎ. ΠΠΌΠΈΠ½.
The Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3x)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3x)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Nicene Creed / Π‘ΠΈΠΌΠ²ΠΎΠ» Π²Π΅ΡΠ΅
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. Light of 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 salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate and suffered and was buried. And the third day, He rose 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 kingdom shall 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 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.
SerbianΠΠ΅ΡΡΡΠ΅ΠΌ Ρ ΡΠ΅Π΄Π½ΠΎΠ³Π° ΠΠΎΠ³Π°, ΠΡΠ°, Π‘Π²Π΅Π΄ΡΠΆΠΈΡΠ΅ΡΠ°, Π’Π²ΠΎΡΡΠ° Π½Π΅Π±Π° ΠΈ Π·Π΅ΠΌΡΠ΅ ΠΈ ΡΠ²Π΅Π³Π° Π²ΠΈΠ΄ΡΠΈΠ²ΠΎΠ³ ΠΈ Π½Π΅Π²ΠΈΠ΄ΡΠΈΠ²ΠΎΠ³. Π Ρ ΡΠ΅Π΄Π½ΠΎΠ³Π° ΠΠΎΡΠΏΠΎΠ΄Π° ΠΡΡΡΠ° Π₯ΡΠΈΡΡΠ°, Π‘ΠΈΠ½Π° ΠΠΎΠΆΡΠ΅Π³, ΠΠ΅Π΄ΠΈΠ½ΠΎΡΠΎΠ΄Π½ΠΎΠ³, ΠΎΠ΄ ΠΡΠ° ΡΠΎΡΠ΅Π½ΠΎΠ³ ΠΏΡΠ΅ ΡΠ²ΠΈΡ Π²Π΅ΠΊΠΎΠ²Π°; Π‘Π²Π΅ΡΠ»ΠΎΡΡ ΠΎΠ΄ Π‘Π²Π΅ΡΠ»ΠΎΡΡΠΈ, ΠΠΎΠ³Π° ΠΈΡΡΠΈΠ½ΠΈΡΠΎΠ³ ΠΎΠ΄ ΠΠΎΠ³Π° ΠΈΡΡΠΈΠ½ΠΈΡΠΎΠ³, ΡΠΎΡΠ΅Π½ΠΎΠ³, Π½Π΅ ΡΡΠ²ΠΎΡΠ΅Π½ΠΎΠ³, ΡΠ΅Π΄Π½ΠΎΡΡΡΡΠ½ΠΎΠ³ ΠΡΡ, ΠΊΡΠΎΠ· ΠΊΠΎΠ³Π° ΡΠ΅ ΡΠ²Π΅ ΠΏΠΎΡΡΠ°Π»ΠΎ; ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ΅ ΡΠ°Π΄ΠΈ Π½Π°Ρ ΡΡΠ΄ΠΈ ΠΈ ΡΠ°Π΄ΠΈ Π½Π°ΡΠ΅Π³ ΡΠΏΠ°ΡΠ΅ΡΠ° ΡΠΈΡΠ°ΠΎ Ρ Π½Π΅Π±Π΅ΡΠ°, ΠΈ ΠΎΠ²Π°ΠΏΠ»ΠΎΡΠΈΠΎ ΡΠ΅ ΠΎΠ΄ ΠΡΡ Π° Π‘Π²Π΅ΡΠΎΠ³Π° ΠΈ ΠΠ°ΡΠΈΡΠ΅ ΠΡΠ΅Π²Π΅ ΠΈ ΠΏΠΎΡΡΠ°ΠΎ ΡΠΎΠ²Π΅ΠΊ; Π ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ΅ ΡΠ°ΡΠΏΠ΅Ρ Π·Π° Π½Π°Ρ Ρ Π²ΡΠ΅ΠΌΠ΅ ΠΠΎΠ½ΡΠΈΡΠ° ΠΠΈΠ»Π°ΡΠ°, ΠΈ ΡΡΡΠ°Π΄Π°ΠΎ ΠΈ Π±ΠΈΠΎ ΠΏΠΎΠ³ΡΠ΅Π±Π΅Π½; Π ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ΅ Π²Π°ΡΠΊΡΡΠ°ΠΎ Ρ ΡΡΠ΅ΡΠΈ Π΄Π°Π½, ΠΏΠΎ ΠΠΈΡΠΌΡ; Π ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ΅ Π²Π°Π·Π½Π΅ΠΎ Π½Π° Π½Π΅Π±Π΅ΡΠ° ΠΈ ΡΠ΅Π΄ΠΈ ΡΠ° Π΄Π΅ΡΠ½Π΅ ΡΡΡΠ°Π½Π΅ ΠΡΠ°; Π ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ΅ ΠΎΠΏΠ΅Ρ Π΄ΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ° ΡΠ»Π°Π²ΠΎΠΌ, Π΄Π° ΡΡΠ΄ΠΈ ΠΆΠΈΠ²ΠΈΠΌΠ° ΠΈ ΠΌΡΡΠ²ΠΈΠΌΠ°, ΠΠ΅Π³ΠΎΠ²ΠΎΠΌ Π¦Π°ΡΡΡΠ²Ρ Π½Π΅ΡΠ΅ Π±ΠΈΡΠΈ ΠΊΡΠ°ΡΠ°. Π Ρ ΠΡΡ Π° Π‘Π²Π΅ΡΠΎΠ³Π°, ΠΠΎΡΠΏΠΎΠ΄Π°, ΠΠΈΠ²ΠΎΡΠ²ΠΎΡΠ½ΠΎΠ³Π°, ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΠΎΠ΄ ΠΡΠ° ΠΈΡΡ ΠΎΠ΄ΠΈ, ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ΅ ΡΠ° ΠΡΠ΅ΠΌ ΠΈ Π‘ΠΈΠ½ΠΎΠΌ Π·Π°ΡΠ΅Π΄Π½ΠΎ ΠΏΠΎΡΡΡΡΠ΅ ΠΈ Π·Π°ΡΠ΅Π΄Π½ΠΎ ΡΠ»Π°Π²ΠΈ, ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ΅ Π³ΠΎΠ²ΠΎΡΠΈΠΎ ΠΊΡΠΎΠ· ΠΏΡΠΎΡΠΎΠΊΠ΅. Π£ ΡΠ΅Π΄Π½Ρ, ΡΠ²Π΅ΡΡ, ΡΠ°Π±ΠΎΡΠ½Ρ ΠΈ Π°ΠΏΠΎΡΡΠΎΠ»ΡΠΊΡ Π¦ΡΠΊΠ²Ρ. ΠΡΠΏΠΎΠ²Π΅Π΄Π°ΠΌ ΡΠ΅Π΄Π½ΠΎ ΠΊΡΡΡΠ΅ΡΠ΅ Π·Π° ΠΎΠΏΡΠΎΡΡΠ΅ΡΠ΅ Π³ΡΠ΅Ρ ΠΎΠ²Π°. Π§Π΅ΠΊΠ°ΠΌ Π²Π°ΡΠΊΡΡΠ΅ΡΠ΅ ΠΌΡΡΠ²ΠΈΡ . Π ΠΆΠΈΠ²ΠΎΡ Π±ΡΠ΄ΡΡΠ΅Π³ Π²Π΅ΠΊΠ°. ΠΠΌΠΈΠ½.
Holy Communion Prayers
I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first. I believe also that this is truly Thine own most Pure Body, and that this is truly Thine own Precious Blood. Therefore, I pray Thee: have mercy upon me and forgive me my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, committed in knowledge or in ignorance. And make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Thy most pure Mysteries, for the remission of my sins, and unto life everlasting.
Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like thief will I confess Thee; Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.
May the communion of Thy Holy Mysteries be neither to my judgement, nor to my condemnation, O Lord, but to the healing of soul and body. Amen.
O Master Christ our God, King of the Ages, Maker of all things; I thank Thee for all the good things Thou hast given me, especially for the communion with thy most pure and life-creating Mysteries. I pray Thee, O gracious Lover of Man: preserve me under Thy protection, beneath the shadow of Thy wings. Enable me, even to my last breath, to partake worthily and with a pure conscience of Thy Holy Things, for the remission of sins and unto life eternal. For Thou art the Bread of Life, the Fountain of Holiness, the Giver of all Good; to Thee we ascribe glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirt, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Daily Prayers
Thou hast raised me from bed and 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 Lord. For the sake of the Mother of God, have mercy upon us.
O Lord our God, whatever I have sinned this day in word, deed or thought, forgive me, for Thou art gracious and lovest mankind. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep. Send me thy guardian angel to shield me and protect me from every evil; for Thou art the Guardian of our souls and bodies, 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 Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art Holy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Psalm 145:15-16The eyes of all wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them food in due season. Thou openest Thy generous hand, and givest to all living things from Thy bounty. Amen.
We give thanks to Thee, O Christ our God, that Thou hast satisfied us with Thy earthly blessings; deprive us not also of Thy heavenly Kingdom; but as Thou didst come to Thy disciples and didst grant them peace, so come to us and save us, O Savior. Amen.
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.
O Theotokos and Virgin rejoice, O 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.
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
(Repeat as many times as possible for daily prayer)
Gospode Isuse Hriste, Sine BoΕΎiji, pomiluj me greΕ‘nog.
ΠΠΎΡΠΏΠΎΠ΄Π΅ ΠΡΡΡΠ΅ Π₯ΡΠΈΡΡΠ΅, Π‘ΠΈΠ½Π΅ ΠΠΎΠΆΠΈΡΠΈ, ΠΏΠΎΠΌΠΈΠ»ΡΡ ΠΌΠ΅ Π³ΡΠ΅ΡΠ½ΠΎΠ³.
Seasonal Prayers
Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Hristos voskrese iz mertvih, smertiju smert poprav i suΕ‘Δim vo grobjeh ΕΎivot darovav.
Π₯ΡΠΈΡΡΠΎΡ Π²ΠΎΡΠΊΡΠ΅ΡΠ΅ ΠΈΠ· ΠΌΡΡΠ²ΠΈΡ
, ΡΠΌΡΡΡ ΡΠΌΡΡ ΡΠ½ΠΈΡΡΠΈ ΠΈ ΠΎΠ½ΠΈΠΌΠ° Ρ Π³ΡΠΎΠ±Ρ ΠΆΠΈΠ²ΠΎΡ Π΄Π°ΡΠΎΠ²Π°.
O Lord and Master of my life. Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, 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 transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance! Grant victory to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries, and by virtue of Thy cross, preserve Thy habitation.
Π§Π°ΡΠ½ΠΎΠΌ ΠΡΡΡΡ Π’ΡΠΎΠΏΠ°ΡΠΠΎΡΠΏΠΎΠ΄Π΅ Π½Π°ΡΠΎΠ΄ Π‘Π²ΠΎΡ ΠΈ Π±Π»Π°Π³ΠΎΡΠ»ΠΎΠ²ΠΈ Π½Π°ΡΠ»Π΅ΡΠ΅ Π‘Π²ΠΎΡΠ΅, Π΄Π°ΡΡΡ ΠΏΠΎΠ±Π΅Π΄Ρ ΡΠ²ΠΈΠΌ ΠΡΠ°Π²ΠΎΡΠ»Π°Π²Π½ΠΈΠΌ Π₯ΡΠΈΡΡΠ°Π½ΠΈΠΌΠ° Π½Π°Π΄ ΡΠΈΡ ΠΎΠ²ΠΈΠΌ ΠΏΡΠΎΡΠΈΠ²Π½ΠΈΡΠΈΠΌΠ°, ΠΈ ΡΠ°ΡΡΠ²Π°Ρ ΠΡΡΡΠΎΠΌ Π’Π²ΠΎΡΠΈΠΌ Π½Π°ΡΠΎΠ΄ Π’Π²ΠΎΡ.
Prayers for Specific Needs
Illumine our hearts, O Master Who lovest mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge. Open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy gospel teachings. Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto Thee. For Thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, Who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, Who have sent Your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ to heal every sickness and infirmity, visit and heal also Your servant (name) from all physical and spiritual ailments through the grace of Your Christ. Grant him (her) patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us through Your word to pray for each other that we may be healed. I pray, heal Your servant (name) and grant to him (her) the gift of complete health. For You are the source of healing and to You I give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty God, Who delivered Your people from the bondage of the adversary, and through Your Son cast down Satan like lightning, deliver me also from every influence of unclean spirits. Command Satan to depart far from me by the power of Your only begotten Son. Rescue me from demonic imaginings and darkness. Fill me with the light of the Holy Spirit that I may be guarded against all snares of crafty demons. Grant that an angel will always go before me and lead me to the path of righteousness all the days of my life, to the honor of Your glorious Name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Jesus Christ, Sovereign Master, help me and do not let me sin against You. Incline not my heart to words or thoughts of evil, but deliver me from all temptation. Amen.
O Master, Lord my God, in Whose hands is my destiny: Help me according to Thy mercy, and leave me not to perish in my transgressions, nor allow me to follow them who place desires of the flesh over those of the spirit. I am Thy creation; disdain not the work of Thy hands. Turn not away; be compassionate and humiliate me not, neither scorn me, O Lord, as I am weak. I have fled unto Thee as my Protector and God. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. Save me for Thy mercy's sake, for I have cleaved unto Thee from my youth; let me who seeks Thee not be put to shame by being rejected by Thee for mine unclean actions, unseemly thoughts, and unprofitable remembrances. Drive away from me every filthy thing and excess of evil. For Thou alone art holy, alone mighty, and alone immortal, in all things having unexcelled might, which, through Thee, is given to all that strive against the devil and the might of his armies. 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 ages of ages. Amen.
O Holy Martyr Ephraim, look with compassion upon my distress and, as thou didst deliver the young man from his cruel addiction, so also pray for me that our Lord and Saviour, for Whom thou didst witness unto death, may deliver my soul from captivity to Satan. For I am in cruel bondage and suffering because of my weakness and sinfulness. Beseech our merciful Lord that, as He didst lead the Hebrews forth from slavery in Egypt and called His people out of Babylon, as He delivered the youth from the demon, and freed the daughter of the Canaanite woman, and healed the woman taken in adultery and restored the Samaritan woman, that He may also set me free and deliver me from the demon of addiction***. I confess that I have fallen into this evil through my own slothfulness and weakness, but have mercy and pray for me, O saint and martyr of God.
Short prayer: O Lord, Jesus Christ, through the prayers of Thy Holy Martyr Ephraim, have mercy on me and deliver me from this cruel bondage.
***Note: specific needs may be substituted (e.g. depression, disease, passion, etc.)
Almighty and merciful God, I most humbly and heartily thank Your divine majesty for Your loving kindness and tender mercies, that You have heard my humble prayer, and graciously granted me deliverance from my trouble and misery. I pray to you to continue granting Your helping grace, that I may lead a life pleasing to You, that I may continually offer to You a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forevermore. Amen.
Almighty God and Creator, You are the Father of all people on the earth. Guide, I pray, all the nations and their leaders in the ways of justice and peace. Protect us from the evils of injustice, prejudice, exploitation, conflict and war. Help us to put away mistrust, bitterness and hatred. Teach us to cease the storing and using of implements of war. Lead us to find peace, respect and freedom. Unite us in the making and sharing of tools of peace against ignorance, poverty, disease and oppression. Grant that we may grow in harmony and friendship as brothers and sisters created in Your image, to Your honor and praise. Amen.
Saints, Angels, and the Departed
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!
Pray to God for me, O Saint _____________ well-pleasing to God. I fervently entreat you who are the sure help and intercessor for my soul.
O saint of God, (the name of the saint), pray to God for me, for my home and my family. Amen.
O angel of God, my holy guardian, given to me from heaven, enlighten me this day, and save me from all evil. Instruct me in doing good deeds, and set me on the path of salvation. Amen.
O angel of Christ, holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me everything wherein I have offended you every day of my life, and protect me from all influence and temptation of the Evil One. May I never again anger God by my sins. Pray for me to the Lord, that He may make me worthy of the grace of the All-Holy Trinity, and of the blessed Mother of God, and of all the saints. Amen.
Christ our eternal King and God, You have destroyed death and the devil by Your Cross and have restored man to life by Your Resurrection; give rest, Lord, to the soul of Your servant (name) who has fallen asleep, in Your Kingdom, where there is no pain, sorrow or suffering. In Your goodness and love for all men, pardon all the sins he (she) has committed in thought word or deed, for there is no man or woman who lives and sins not, You only are without sin.
For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and Repose of Your servant (name), departed this life, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory with Your Eternal Father and Your All-holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit; both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers for Students
Christ my Lord, the Giver of light and wisdom, who opened the eyes of the blind man and transformed the fishermen into wise heralds and teachers of the gospel through the coming of the Holy Spirit, shine also in my mind the light of the grace of the Holy Spirit. Grant me discernment, understanding and wisdom in learning. Enable me to complete my assignments and to abound in every good work, for to You I give honor and glory. Amen.
Most blessed Lord, send the grace of Your Holy Spirit on me to strengthen me that I may learn well the subject I am about to study and by it become a better person for Your glory, the comfort of my family and the benefit of Your Church and our Nation. Amen.
Christ, the true light, who enlightens and sanctifies every person coming into the world, let the light of Your countenance shine upon me (us) that I (we) may see Your unapproachable light; and guide my (our) steps in the way of Your commandments, through the intercessions of Your all-holy Mother and of all the Saints. Amen.
Daily Prologue
By St. Nikolaj of Ε½iΔa (VelimiroviΔ)
The following are the daily readings of The Prologue from Ohrid - a literary work compiled by St. Nikolaj of Ε½iΔa (VelimiroviΔ). Bishop Nikolai is often called the "Serbian Chrysostom" for his theological wisdom and articulateness. His work is a compilation of lives of saints, hymns, reflections, and homilies. It was originally written in Serbian. The Prologue in Serbian (Srpski/Π‘ΡΠΏΡΠΊΠΈ) - Daily Prologue (ΠΡΠΎΠ»ΠΎΠ³)
1. VENERABLE ATHANASIUS OF MOUNT ATHOS
Athanasius was born in Trebizond of God-fearing parents. He became orphaned at an early age but, by the Providence of God, a commander took him under his care and brought him to Constantinople to be educated. Because of his meekness and humbleness, he was the favorite of his peers. During the children's games, the children chose one to be an emperor, one a commander and Athanasius as abbot as though it was some kind of foretelling! Having completed his education, Athanasius (who before tonsuring was called Abraham) withdrew into the desert of Maleinos near Athos, the Holy Mountain, where he lived the life of an ascetic as a disciple of the then renowned Michael Maleinos. Desiring a more difficult life of mortification, Athanasius settled on Holy Mt. Athos to live in silence (the life of a silentary). But many who were desirous of a life of asceticism began to gather around him and, therefore, he was compelled to build his famous Lavra [monastery]. In that, he was assisted by the Byzantine emperors: at first, Nicephorus Phocas, who himself thought to withdraw and to become a monk and, after him, John Tzimiskes. Countless temptations befell Athanasius both from demons and from men but he, as a brave soldier of Christ, resisted and conquered all by his immeasurable meekness and continual prayer to the Living God. Filled with the Grace of God, Athanasius was made worthy to see the All-holy Birth-giver of God who miraculously brought forth water from a rock and promised that she would also be the abbess [Ikonomisa, the one in charge of the provisions of the monastery]. In work and in prayer, Athanasius surpassed his brethren and loved all with the love a spiritual father and shepherd. Death came to Athanasius unexpectedly. At one time, he with six other monks, climbed upon a newly built vestibule of the church to inspect the wall which was being constructed and the wall caved in on them and buried them. Thus, this great beacon of monasticism died in the year 980 A.D. Many times following his death Athanasius appeared to his brethren either to comfort them or to reprimand them.
2. THE VENERABLE MARTYR, CYPRIAN THE NEW
Cyprian was born in the village of Klitzos in Epirus. Following the death of his good parents, Cyprian went to the Holy Mt. Athos, was tonsured a monk and devoted himself completely to a life of asceticism in a cell near the monastery of Kutloumousiou. He imposed upon himself labor upon labor and mortification upon mortification until he became renown and respected throughout the entire Holy Mountain. Cyprian was still not satisfied with himself. He was tormented by the thought that he could not be saved except through martyrdom for Christ. Therefore, he left the Holy Mountain and arrived in Thessalonica and came before the Pasha of Thessalonica and called upon him to reject the false faith of Muhammad and to accept the true faith of Christ. The Pasha ordered him scourged and driven out. Unsatisfied with such a small suffering for Christ, Cyprian traveled to Constantinople and wrote a letter to the Grand Vezir in which he outlined the falseness of Muhammad and the truthfulness of the Lord Christ. Enraged, the Vezir sent him to Skeik Ul Islamu and he, after having heard all that Cyprian had to say, ordered him beheaded. Cyprian was joyful beyond measure and went to the scaffold as to a wedding feast. Thus, this godly man suffered for Christ on July 5, 1679, and realized his burning desire.
3. THE VENERABLE LAMPADUS
Loving Christ with a fervent love from his early youth, Lampadus withdrew into the wilderness of Irenopolis where he gave himself up to a life of asceticism. Since he overcame all passions and desires of the flesh, his soul was radiant with a heavenly light and an unspeakable peace not of this world. Lampadus was a miracle-worker, both during life and after death. He lived a life of mortification probably in the tenth century.
HYMN OF PRAISE
TO THE HOLY BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD
On Mt. Athos, a Lavra glows,
Wondrous monastery of Athanasius
One thousand years have slid by it
But the spirit and bread did not run out
It was neither lacking in spirit or bread
Nor the glowing vision of God's heaven.
Thus it was written in books of old:
About the Lavra, the Abbess - Ikonomisa worries,
Mount Athos is her state,
The most fortified wall of Orthodoxy;
That mystical Abbess - Ikonomisa
Is it not the All-pure Birth-giver of God?
The Lavra, She upholds and Iveron feeds,
And Hilendar protects and Rusikon defends,
Karakallou and Zograph, Simonpeter,
And Pandocrator, all She protects
Those fortifications, to Her citizens they belong
But peace and defense to all She is.
REFLECTION
By striking the rod, how did Moses bring forth water from the rock? How did God send down manna from heaven and feed the people of Israel in the wilderness? Thus, ask all those who have a very weak conception of the might of the Omnipotent God. And still they are perplexed why such miracles do not take place again in order that all peoples may believe in God. But the Israelites, with their own eyes, witnessed countless miracles of God and still they did not believe. Meanwhile, God repeats the old great miracles wherever and whenever it is needed. One time, when a famine ensued in the Lavra of Athanasius, all of the brethren dispersed whereever. Dejected, Athanasius began to move about and to seek out another place. A lady on the road asked him: "Where are you going?" "Who are you?" Athanasius asked bewildered because he sees a woman on the Holy Mountain, where access to women is not permitted. "I am she to whom you have dedicated your community. I am the Mother of your Lord." Athanasius said: "I am afraid to trust you, for even demons can manifest themselves into angels of light. With what shall you prove to me the truthfulness of your words?" Then the Holy Birth-giver of God said to him: "Strike your rod upon this rock and you will know who I am that speaks to you. Know that I am always remaining the Abbess - Ikonomisa of your Lavra." Athanasius then struck the rock with his rod. At that moment the rock shook and cracked as thunder and water gushed forth from the shattered rock. Frightened, Athanasius turned so as to prostrate before the Holy All-pure One but She had already vanished. He returned to his Lavra and even to his greater amazement, found all the barns (storehouses) overflowing with wheat. Here, then, is a repetition of the great miracles by which the miracles of old are confirmed and by which the faithful are strengthened in the Faith.
CONTEMPLATION
To contemplate the miraculous crossing of the Israelites across the Red Sea (Exodus 14):
1. How Moses waved the rod according to the command of God and the sea was divided and the people of God passed over on the dry bottom of the sea;
2. How the Egyptians pursued the Israelites along the same path but Moses waved the rod and the sea came together;
3. How this teaches me that whatever He wills, all is possible with God and that He saves His faithful servant from the greatest danger and punishes the unfaithful.
HOMILY
About the sobriety of the mind
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:13).
Brethren, the mind is the guide of the soul and the advisor to the soul. God gave only a soul to the animals [an irrational soul] that is why He did not give them freedom but guides them with His mind. God gave man a soul [a rational soul] and mind and with the mind, freedom. The mind and freedom are inseparable. From this, are all the empty tales of certain philosophers concerning how man truly has a mind but does not possess freedom. For it is clear from daily experience that freedom is an inseparable companion of the mind. But, as man does not possess a perfect mind, so he does not possess perfect freedom but, nevertheless, stands under the direction and guidance of God. God alone has a perfect mind and perfect freedom. We, therefore, are only the "image and likeness" of the mind and the freedom of God. We possess a sufficient enough mind that we may know the will of God and enough freedom that we can decide to fulfill the will of God. When the mind loses the absolute guiding power over the soul then, what follows in the soul is many guiding principles which result in the confusion, chaos and destruction.
What do the words of the apostle mean: "gird up the loins of your mind and be sober" They mean: do not allow your mind to fantasize but concentrate the mind on the contemplation on the law of God. They also mean: do not allow your mind to abuse the God-given freedom of plunging the soul into the slavery of the flesh, the world and the devil but nail the mind to Christ as to a cross so that your soul may resurrect in Christ. Further they mean: close your mind off from all self-willed imaginations from which it becomes intoxicated and falls into the booty of the devil and keep the mind girded in the narrowness of your heart where it will become sober through prayer and become pure through tears. Briefly, it means: exercise your mind not to abuse your freedom by ridiculing the Living and Merciful God and deadening the soul by passions.
O Lord Jesus, the Mind of God and the Wisdom of God, help us to gird our mind so that it would think only of what is from You and that what is Yours, so that the mind would lead our soul soberly to salvation.
To You be glory and thanks always. Amen.
Common Prayers of Orthodox Christians
The Lord's Prayer (Our Father) "ΠΡΠ΅ Π½Π°Ρ"
Matthew 6:9-13/Luke 11:2-4
Lord's Prayer in English
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. Amen.
Lord's Prayer in Serbian
Otce nas, ize jesi na nebesjeh. Da svjatitsja imja Tvoje, da pridet carstvije Tvoje, da budet volja Tvoja, jako na nebesi i na zemlji. Hljeb nas nasushnij, dazd nam dnes i ostavi nam dolgi nasja, jakoze i mi ostavljajem dolznikom nasim. I ne vovedi nas vo iskushenije, no izbavi nas ot lukavago.
ΠΡΡΠ΅ Π½Π°Ρ, ΠΈΠ·Π΅ ΡΠ΅ΡΠΈ Π½Π° Π½Π΅Π±Π΅ΡΡΠ΅Ρ . ΠΠ° ΡΠ²ΡΠ°ΡΠΈΡΡΡΠ° ΠΈΠΌΡΠ° Π’Π²ΠΎΡΠ΅, Π΄Π° ΠΏΡΠΈΠ΄Π΅Ρ ΡΠ°ΡΡΡΠ²ΠΈΡΠ΅ Π’Π²ΠΎΡΠ΅, Π΄Π° Π±ΡΠ΄Π΅Ρ Π²ΠΎΡΠ° Π’Π²ΠΎΡΠ°, ΡΠ°ΠΊΠΎ Π½Π° Π½Π΅Π±Π΅ΡΠΈ ΠΈ Π½Π° Π·Π΅ΠΌΡΠΈ. Π₯ΡΠ΅Π± Π½Π°Ρ Π½Π°ΡΡΡΡ Π½ΠΈΡ, Π΄Π°Π·Π΄ Π½Π°ΠΌ Π΄Π½Π΅Ρ ΠΈ ΠΎΡΡΠ°Π²ΠΈ Π½Π°ΠΌ Π΄ΠΎΠ»Π³ΠΈ Π½Π°ΡΡΠ°, ΡΠ°ΠΊΠΎΠ·Π΅ ΠΈ ΠΌΠΈ ΠΎΡΡΠ°Π²ΡΠ°Ρ Π΄ΠΎΠ»Π·Π½ΠΈΠΊΠΎΠΌ Π½Π°ΡΠΈΠΌ. Π Π½Π΅ Π²ΠΎΠ²Π΅Π΄Π΅ Π½Π°Ρ Π²ΠΎ ΠΈΡΠΊΡΡΡ Π΅Π½ΠΈΡΠ΅, Π½ΠΎ ΠΈΠ·Π±Π°Π²ΠΈ Π½Π°Ρ ΠΎΡ Π»ΡΠΊΠ°Π²Π°Π³ΠΎ. Amin.
The Nicene Creed
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. Light of 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 salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate and suffered and was buried. And the third day, He rose 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 kingdom shall 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 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.
Π‘ΠΈΠΌΠ²ΠΎΠ» Π²Π΅ΡΠ΅
ΠΠ΅ΡΡΡΠ΅ΠΌ Ρ ΡΠ΅Π΄Π½ΠΎΠ³Π° ΠΠΎΠ³Π°, ΠΡΠ°, Π‘Π²Π΅Π΄ΡΠΆΠΈΡΠ΅ΡΠ°, Π’Π²ΠΎΡΡΠ° Π½Π΅Π±Π° ΠΈ Π·Π΅ΠΌΡΠ΅ ΠΈ ΡΠ²Π΅Π³Π° Π²ΠΈΠ΄ΡΠΈΠ²ΠΎΠ³ ΠΈ Π½Π΅Π²ΠΈΠ΄ΡΠΈΠ²ΠΎΠ³. Π Ρ ΡΠ΅Π΄Π½ΠΎΠ³Π° ΠΠΎΡΠΏΠΎΠ΄Π° ΠΡΡΡΠ° Π₯ΡΠΈΡΡΠ°, Π‘ΠΈΠ½Π° ΠΠΎΠΆΡΠ΅Π³, ΠΠ΅Π΄ΠΈΠ½ΠΎΡΠΎΠ΄Π½ΠΎΠ³, ΠΎΠ΄ ΠΡΠ° ΡΠΎΡΠ΅Π½ΠΎΠ³ ΠΏΡΠ΅ ΡΠ²ΠΈΡ
Π²Π΅ΠΊΠΎΠ²Π°; Π‘Π²Π΅ΡΠ»ΠΎΡΡ ΠΎΠ΄ Π‘Π²Π΅ΡΠ»ΠΎΡΡΠΈ, ΠΠΎΠ³Π° ΠΈΡΡΠΈΠ½ΠΈΡΠΎΠ³ ΠΎΠ΄ ΠΠΎΠ³Π° ΠΈΡΡΠΈΠ½ΠΈΡΠΎΠ³, ΡΠΎΡΠ΅Π½ΠΎΠ³, Π½Π΅ ΡΡΠ²ΠΎΡΠ΅Π½ΠΎΠ³, ΡΠ΅Π΄Π½ΠΎΡΡΡΡΠ½ΠΎΠ³ ΠΡΡ, ΠΊΡΠΎΠ· ΠΊΠΎΠ³Π° ΡΠ΅ ΡΠ²Π΅ ΠΏΠΎΡΡΠ°Π»ΠΎ; ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ΅ ΡΠ°Π΄ΠΈ Π½Π°Ρ ΡΡΠ΄ΠΈ ΠΈ ΡΠ°Π΄ΠΈ Π½Π°ΡΠ΅Π³ ΡΠΏΠ°ΡΠ΅ΡΠ° ΡΠΈΡΠ°ΠΎ Ρ Π½Π΅Π±Π΅ΡΠ°, ΠΈ ΠΎΠ²Π°ΠΏΠ»ΠΎΡΠΈΠΎ ΡΠ΅ ΠΎΠ΄ ΠΡΡ
Π° Π‘Π²Π΅ΡΠΎΠ³Π° ΠΈ ΠΠ°ΡΠΈΡΠ΅ ΠΡΠ΅Π²Π΅ ΠΈ ΠΏΠΎΡΡΠ°ΠΎ ΡΠΎΠ²Π΅ΠΊ; Π ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ΅ ΡΠ°ΡΠΏΠ΅Ρ Π·Π° Π½Π°Ρ Ρ Π²ΡΠ΅ΠΌΠ΅ ΠΠΎΠ½ΡΠΈΡΠ° ΠΠΈΠ»Π°ΡΠ°, ΠΈ ΡΡΡΠ°Π΄Π°ΠΎ ΠΈ Π±ΠΈΠΎ ΠΏΠΎΠ³ΡΠ΅Π±Π΅Π½; Π ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ΅ Π²Π°ΡΠΊΡΡΠ°ΠΎ Ρ ΡΡΠ΅ΡΠΈ Π΄Π°Π½, ΠΏΠΎ ΠΠΈΡΠΌΡ; Π ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ΅ Π²Π°Π·Π½Π΅ΠΎ Π½Π° Π½Π΅Π±Π΅ΡΠ° ΠΈ ΡΠ΅Π΄ΠΈ ΡΠ° Π΄Π΅ΡΠ½Π΅ ΡΡΡΠ°Π½Π΅ ΠΡΠ°; Π ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ΅ ΠΎΠΏΠ΅Ρ Π΄ΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ° ΡΠ»Π°Π²ΠΎΠΌ, Π΄Π° ΡΡΠ΄ΠΈ ΠΆΠΈΠ²ΠΈΠΌΠ° ΠΈ ΠΌΡΡΠ²ΠΈΠΌΠ°, ΠΠ΅Π³ΠΎΠ²ΠΎΠΌ Π¦Π°ΡΡΡΠ²Ρ Π½Π΅ΡΠ΅ Π±ΠΈΡΠΈ ΠΊΡΠ°ΡΠ°. Π Ρ ΠΡΡ
Π° Π‘Π²Π΅ΡΠΎΠ³Π°, ΠΠΎΡΠΏΠΎΠ΄Π°, ΠΠΈΠ²ΠΎΡΠ²ΠΎΡΠ½ΠΎΠ³Π°, ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΠΎΠ΄ ΠΡΠ° ΠΈΡΡ
ΠΎΠ΄ΠΈ, ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ΅ ΡΠ° ΠΡΠ΅ΠΌ ΠΈ Π‘ΠΈΠ½ΠΎΠΌ Π·Π°ΡΠ΅Π΄Π½ΠΎ ΠΏΠΎΡΡΡΡΠ΅ ΠΈ Π·Π°ΡΠ΅Π΄Π½ΠΎ ΡΠ»Π°Π²ΠΈ, ΠΠΎΡΠΈ ΡΠ΅ Π³ΠΎΠ²ΠΎΡΠΈΠΎ ΠΊΡΠΎΠ· ΠΏΡΠΎΡΠΎΠΊΠ΅. Π£ ΡΠ΅Π΄Π½Ρ, ΡΠ²Π΅ΡΡ, ΡΠ°Π±ΠΎΡΠ½Ρ ΠΈ Π°ΠΏΠΎΡΡΠΎΠ»ΡΠΊΡ Π¦ΡΠΊΠ²Ρ. ΠΡΠΏΠΎΠ²Π΅Π΄Π°ΠΌ ΡΠ΅Π΄Π½ΠΎ ΠΊΡΡΡΠ΅ΡΠ΅ Π·Π° ΠΎΠΏΡΠΎΡΡΠ΅ΡΠ΅ Π³ΡΠ΅Ρ
ΠΎΠ²Π°. Π§Π΅ΠΊΠ°ΠΌ Π²Π°ΡΠΊΡΡΠ΅ΡΠ΅ ΠΌΡΡΠ²ΠΈΡ
.
Π ΠΆΠΈΠ²ΠΎΡ Π±ΡΠ΄ΡΡΠ΅Π³ Π²Π΅ΠΊΠ°. ΠΠΌΠΈΠ½.
Prayer Before Holy Communion
I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first. I believe also that this is truly Thine own most Pure Body, and that this is truly Thine own Precious Blood. Therefore, I pray Thee: have mercy upon me and forgive me my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, committed in knowledge or in ignorance. And make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Thy most pure Mysteries, for the remission of my sins, and unto life everlasting.
Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like thief will I confess Thee; Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.
May the communion of Thy Holy Mysteries be neither to my judgement, nor to my condemnation, O Lord, but to the healing of soul and body. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving After Holy Communion/A Prayer of St. Basil the Great
O Master Christ our God, King of the Ages, Maker of all things; I thank Thee for all the good things Thou hast given me, especially for the communion with thy most pure and life-creating Mysteries. I pray Thee, O gracious Lover of Man: preserve me under Thy protection, beneath the shadow of Thy wings. Enable me, even to my last breath, to partake worthily and with a pure conscience of Thy Holy Things, for the remission of sins and unto life eternal. For Thou art the Bread of Life, the Fountain of Holiness, the Giver of all Good; to Thee we ascribe glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirt, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Morning Prayer
Thou hast raised me from bed and 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 Lord. For the sake of the Mother of God, have mercy upon us.
Evening Prayer
(Before going to sleep) O Lord our God, whatever I have sinned this day in word, deed or thought, forgive me, for Thou art gracious and lovest mankind. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep. Send me thy guardian angel to shield me and protect me from every evil; for Thou art the Guardian of our souls and bodies, 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.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
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.
Prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God
O Theotokos and Virgin rejoice, O 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.
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. (Repeat as many times as possible for daily prayer)
Gospode Isuse Hriste, Sine BoΕΎiji, pomiluj me grešnog.
ΠΠΎΡΠΏΠΎΠ΄Π΅ ΠΡΡΡΠ΅ Π₯ΡΠΈΡΡΠ΅, Π‘ΠΈΠ½Π΅ ΠΠΎΠΆΠΈΡΠΈ, ΠΏΠΎΠΌΠΈΠ»ΡΡ ΠΌΠ΅ Π³ΡΠ΅ΡΠ½ΠΎΠ³.
Paschal Troparion
Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Paschal Troparion in Serbian
Hristos voskrese iz mertvih, smertiju smert poprav i suscim vo grobjeh zivot darovav.
Π₯ΡΠΈΡΡΠΎΡ Π²ΠΎΡΠΊΡΠ΅ΡΠ΅ ΠΈΠ· ΠΌΡΡΠ²ΠΈΡ , ΡΠΌΡΡΡ ΡΠΌΡΡ ΡΠ½ΠΈΡΡΠΈ ΠΈ ΠΎΠ½ΠΈΠΌΠ° Ρ Π³ΡΠΎΠ±Ρ ΠΆΠΈΠ²ΠΎΡ Π΄Π°ΡΠΎΠ²Π°.
The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian
O Lord and Master of my life. Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, 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 transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Trisagion and Lord's Prayer
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3x)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3x)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the 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.
Before Reading the Holy Scripture
Illumine our hearts, O Master Who lovest mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge. Open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy gospel teachings. Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto Thee. For Thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, Who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer for a Sick Person
Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, Who have sent Your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ to heal every sickness and infirmity, visit and heal also Your servant (name) from all physical and spiritual ailments through the grace of Your Christ. Grant him (her) patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us through Your word to pray for each other that we may be healed. I pray, heal Your servant (name) and grant to him (her) the gift of complete health. For You are the source of healing and to You I give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer Against Demonic Influence
Almighty God, Who delivered Your people from the bondage of the adversary, and through Your Son cast down Satan like lightning, deliver me also from every influence of unclean spirits. Command Satan to depart far from me by the power of Your only begotten Son. Rescue me from demonic imaginings and darkness. Fill me with the light of the Holy Spirit that I may be guarded against all snares of crafty demons. Grant that an angel will always go before me and lead me to the path of righteousness all the days of my life, to the honor of Your glorious Name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Orthodox Prayer for Mental Health
O Master, Lord my God, in Whose hands is my destiny: Help me according to Thy mercy, and leave me not to perish in my transgressions, nor allow me to follow them who place desires of the flesh over those of the spirit. I am Thy creation; disdain not the work of Thy hands. Turn not away; be compassionate and humiliate me not, neither scorn me, O Lord, as I am weak. I have fled unto Thee as my Protector and God. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. Save me for Thy mercy's sake, for I have cleaved unto Thee from my youth; let me who seeks Thee not be put to shame by being rejected by Thee for mine unclean actions, unseemly thoughts, and unprofitable remembrances. Drive away from me every filthy thing and excess of evil. For Thou alone art holy, alone mighty, and alone immortal, in all things having unexcelled might, which, through Thee, is given to all that strive against the devil and the might of his armies. 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 ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers to the Holy Martyr St. Ephraim of Nea Makri, who intercedes on behalf of those with addictions to alcohol and drugs.
O Holy Martyr Ephraim, look with compassion upon my distress and, as thou didst deliver the young man from his cruel addiction, so also pray for me that our Lord and Saviour, for Whom thou didst witness unto death, may deliver my soul from captivity to Satan. For I am in cruel bondage and suffering because of my weakness and sinfulness. Beseech our merciful Lord that, as He didst lead the Hebrews forth from slavery in Egypt and called His people out of Babylon, as He delivered the youth from the demon, and freed the daughter of the Canaanite woman, and healed the woman taken in adultery and restored the Samaritan woman, that He may also set me free and deliver me from the demon of addiction***. I confess that I have fallen into this evil through my own slothfulness and weakness, but have mercy and pray for me, O saint and martyr of God.
A short prayer to be said continually by one who is struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol***:
O Lord, Jesus Christ, through the prayers of Thy Holy Martyr Ephraim, have mercy on me and deliver me from this cruel bondage.
***Note: that this could potentially be changed based on whatever one’s specific need might be, e.g. depression, disease, passion, etc.
Thanksgiving after Deliverance from Trouble
Almighty and merciful God, I most humbly and heartily thank Your divine majesty for Your loving kindness and tender mercies, that You have heard my humble prayer, and graciously granted me deliverance from my trouble and misery. I pray to you to continue granting Your helping grace, that I may lead a life pleasing to You, that I may continually offer to You a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forevermore. Amen.
Prayer for Peace
Almighty God and Creator, You are the Father of all people on the earth. Guide, I pray, all the nations and their leaders in the ways of justice and peace. Protect us from the evils of injustice, prejudice, exploitation, conflict and war. Help us to put away mistrust, bitterness and hatred. Teach us to cease the storing and using of implements of war. Lead us to find peace, respect and freedom. Unite us in the making and sharing of tools of peace against ignorance, poverty, disease and oppression. Grant that we may grow in harmony and friendship as brothers and sisters created in Your image, to Your honor and praise. Amen.
Hymn to the Theotokos
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!
Troparion of the Holy Cross
O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance! Grant victory to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries, and by virtue of Thy cross, preserve Thy habitation.
Prayer to One's Patron Saint
Pray to God for me, O Saint _____________ well-pleasing to God. I fervently entreat you who are the sure help and intercessor for my soul.
Prayer to One's Patron Saint II
O saint of God, (the name of the saint), pray to God for me, for my home and my family. Amen.
Prayers to our Guardian Angel
O angel of God, my holy guardian, given to me from heaven, enlighten me this day, and save me from all evil. Instruct me in doing good deeds, and set me on the path of salvation. Amen.
O angel of Christ, holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me everything wherein I have offended you every day of my life, and protect me from all influence and temptation of the Evil One. May I never again anger God by my sins. Pray for me to the Lord, that He may make me worthy of the grace of the All-Holy Trinity, and of the blessed Mother of God, and of all the saints. Amen.
General Prayers for the Departed
Christ our eternal King and God, You have destroyed death and the devil by Your Cross and have restored man to life by Your Resurrection; give rest, Lord, to the soul of Your servant (name) who has fallen asleep, in Your Kingdom, where there is no pain, sorrow or suffering. In Your goodness and love for all men, pardon all the sins he (she) has committed in thought word or deed, for there is no man or woman who lives and sins not, You only are without sin.
For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and Repose of Your servant (name), departed this life, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory with Your Eternal Father and Your All-holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit; both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer of a Student (Study)
Christ my Lord, the Giver of light and wisdom, who opened the eyes of the blind man and transformed the fishermen into wise heralds and teachers of the gospel through the coming of the Holy Spirit, shine also in my mind the light of the grace of the Holy Spirit. Grant me discernment, understanding and wisdom in learning. Enable me to complete my assignments and to abound in every good work, for to You I give honor and glory. Amen.
Prayers Before Study
Most blessed Lord, send the grace of Your Holy Spirit on me to strengthen me that I may learn well the subject I am about to study and by it become a better person for Your glory, the comfort of my family and the benefit of Your Church and our Nation. Amen.
Christ, the true light, who enlightens and sanctifies every person coming into the world, let the light of Your countenance shine upon me (us) that I (we) may see Your unapproachable light; and guide my (our) steps in the way of Your commandments, through the intercessions of Your all-holy Mother and of all the Saints. Amen.
