Common Prayers of Orthodox Christians
The Lord's Prayer (Our Father) "Оче наш"
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.
Отце нас, изе јеси на небесјех. Да свјатитсја имја Твоје, да придет царствије Твоје, да будет воља Твоја, јако на небеси и на земљи. Хљеб нас насусхниј, дазд нам днес и остави нам долги насја, јакозе и ми остављај долзником насим. И не воведе нас во искусхеније, но избави нас от лукаваго. 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.
Символ вере
Верујем у једнога Бога, Оца, Сведржитеља, Творца неба и земље и свега видљивог и невидљивог. И у једнога Господа Исуса Христа, Сина Божјег, Јединородног, од Оца рођеног пре свих векова; Светлост од Светлости, Бога истинитог од Бога истинитог, рођеног, не створеног, једносуштног Оцу, кроз кога је све постало; Који је ради нас људи и ради нашег спасења сишао с небеса, и оваплотио се од Духа Светога и Марије Дјеве и постао човек; И Који је распет за нас у време Понтија Пилата, и страдао и био погребен; И Који је васкрсао у трећи дан, по Писму; И Који се вазнео на небеса и седи са десне стране Оца; И Који ће опет доћи са славом, да суди живима и мртвима, Његовом Царству неће бити краја. И у Духа Светога, Господа, Животворнога, Који од Оца исходи, Који се са Оцем и Сином заједно поштује и заједно слави, Који је говорио кроз пророке. У једну, свету, саборну и апостолску Цркву. Исповедам једно крштење за опроштење грехова. Чекам васкрсење мртвих.
И живот будућег века. Амин.
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)
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.
Христос воскресе из мртвих, смрћу смрт уништи и онима у гробу живот дарова.
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.
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.
Daily Prologue
by St. Nikolaj of Žiča (Velimirović)
The following are the daily readings of The Prologue from Ohrid - a literary work compiled by St. Nikolaj of Žiča (Velimirović). 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/Српски) - Daily Prologue (Пролог)
1. SAINT MARTIN THE CONFESSOR, POPE OF ROME
Martin became pope on July 5, 649 A.D., at the time of the furious debates between the Orthodox and the Monothelete heretics, who adhered to the belief in a single will in Christ. Reigning at that time was Constans II, the grandson of Heraclius. The Patriarch of Constantinople was Paul. In order to establish peace in the Church, the emperor complied a booklet, entitled Type [Typos] which was very favorable to the heretics. Pope Martin convoked a Council of one-hundred five bishops (in the Church of the Holy Savior in the Lateran Palace in October) which condemned this pamphlet of the emperor. At the same time, the pope wrote a letter to Patriarch Paul imploring him to adhere to the purity of the Orthodox Faith and to counsel the emperor to renounce this heretical sophistry. This letter angered both the emperor and the patriarch. The emperor dispatched Olympius, one of his commanders, to Rome to bring the pope to Constantinople in bonds. The commander did not dare to bind the pope but bribed a soldier to slay him in church with a sword. When the soldier entered the church with the concealed sword, he was instantly blinded. Thus, by the Providence of God, Martin escaped death. At that time, the Saracens attacked Sicily and Olympius was ordered to Sicily and there he died. Then, according to the intrigue of the heretical Patriarch Paul, the emperor dispatched Theodore, another commander, to bind the pope and to bring him to Constantinople under the accusation that he, Pope Martin, was in collaboration with the Saracens and does not honor the All-Pure Mother of God. When the commander arrived in Rome and read the accusation against him, Pope Martin responded that: "This was slanderous and that he has no association with the Saracens, the adversaries of Christianity. As regards the All-Pure Mother of God; if one does not honor her and does not confess her and does not reverence her, let him be cursed in this world and in the next." However, this did not alter the decision of the commander. Pope Martin was bound and brought to Constantinople where he lay for a long time in prison, painfully ill, suffering from anxiety and hunger, until finally, he was sentenced to exile to Cherson. Pope Martin lived for two years in exile and died in the year 655 A.D., offering his soul to the Lord, for Whom he suffered much. Two years prior to Pope Martin's death, the repentant Paul died. When the emperor visited him before his death, Paul turned his head toward the wall and wept, confessing that he had greatly sinned against Pope Martin and begged the emperor to release him.
2. THE HOLY MARTYRS ANTHONY, JOHN AND EUSTACE [EUSTATHIUS]
All three were pagans and, at first, were fire worshippers. All of them were servants in the palace of the Lithuanian Prince Olgard in Vilna. They were formerly called: KRUGLETZ, KUMETZ AND NEZILO. All three were baptized by Nestor, the priest. All three were hanged, one after the other on the same oak tree in the year 1347 A.D. Christians cut down the tree and erected a church in honor of the Holy Trinity. The revered relics of these martyrs were then placed in this church and a holy altar table was carved from the stump of the oak tree. Their relics repose in Vilna.
3. THE HOLY MARTYR ARDALION, THE ACTOR
At first Ardalion was an actor-comedian. For the sake of entertaining the people, he eagerly played the role of a martyr for the Faith deriding Christians in every possible manner. When a persecution surfaced during the reign of Emperor Maximian, his spirit completely changed. In front of the crowd, he cried out in a loud voice that he is a Christian and that he was not jesting. For this, Ardalion was condemned, suffered for Christ and died tied to a red hot framework of rods thus portraying a true and honorable role of a martyr.
HYMN OF PRAISE
SAINT MARTIN
Saint Martin the Pope, before the Senate speaks:
May my body be crushed and burned,
And the most cruel sufferings, I will joyfully endure;
But, the True Faith, I will not deny.
The Good Savior was God and Man,
Two natures different with two wills, He bore,
But, two natures in one person,
And, both wills in a single light.
Such a Faith, all the Fathers passed on to us,
For such a Faith, many suffered.
May I suffer also; of all, the least
The servant of my Lord, of all the most sinful!
Thus, Martin confessed his faith to all
And truth did he speak before the heretics.
O what is the worth of man when he fears God:
Above little men, he [Martin] stands as a mountain!
REFLECTION
"It is befitting for a monk to love God as a son and to fear Him [God] as a slave," says St. Evgarius. Naturally, this is also befitting to every Christian, even though he might not be a monk. It is a great art for anyone to unite love for God and to have fear of God. Many other Holy Fathers whenever they speak about love for God, at the same time, also mention fear of God, and vice-versa. In his homily: "On Perfect Love," St. John Chrysostom speaks about suffering and the pains of Hell at the same time. Why? Because the great love of man toward God without fear, imperceptibly crosses over into pride and then, again, a great fear of God without love leads to despair.
CONTEMPLATION
To contemplate the resurrected Lord Jesus:
1. How He appeared to the disciples on the shore of the lake and addresses them as "children" (St. John 21:5) .
2. How He fills their nets again with fish and they knew Him but did not dare to ask Him, "Who are You?" (St. John 21:12).
HOMILY
About the personal experience of all the apostles
"What we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands---We proclaim now to you " (1 St. John 1:1).
Behold, such is the apostolic preaching! The apostles do not speak as worldly sages, nor like philosophers and even less as theoreticians who make suppositions about something in order to discover something. The apostles speak about things which they have not sought but which unexpectedly surrounded them; about the fact which they did not discover but, so to speak, unexpectedly found them and seized them. They did not occupy themselves with spiritual researches nor have they studied psychology, neither did they, much less, occupy themselves with spiritism. Their occupation was fishing - one totally experiential physical occupation. While they were fishing, the God-Man [Jesus] appeared to them and cautiously and slowly introduced them to a new vocation in the service of Himself. At first, they did not believe Him but they, still more cautiously and slowly with fear and hesitation and much wavering, came toward Him and recognized Him. Until the apostles saw Him many times with their own eyes and until they discussed Him many times among themselves and, until they felt Him with their own hands, their experienced fact is supernatural but their method of recognizing this fact is thoroughly sensory and positively learned. Not even one contemporary scholar would be able to use a more positive method to know Christ. The apostles saw not only one miracle but numerous miracles. They heard not only one lesson but many lessons which could not be contained in numerous books. They saw the resurrected Lord for forty days; they walked with Him, they conversed with Him, they ate with Him, and they touched Him. In a word: they personally and first handedly had thousands of wondrous facts by which they learned and confirmed one great fact, i.e., that Christ is the God-Man, the Son of the Living God, the Man-loving Savior of mankind and the All-Powerful Judge of the living and the dead.
O resurrected Lord confirm us in the faith and ardor of Your Holy Apostles.
To You be glory and thanks always. Amen.
