Prayers and Devotions

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. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, Father + Son and Holy Spirit: now and ever, and forever. 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 gave birth to Christ the Savior, and Deliverer of our souls.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, the only-begotten, born of the Father before all ages. Light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in essence with the Father; through Whom all things were made. For us men and for our salvation, He came down from heaven and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. He rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and He is coming again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His Kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, Creator of Life, Who proceeds from the Father. Together with the Father and the Son He is worshipped and glorified; He spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I profess one Baptism for the remission of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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

Creed: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, the only-begotten, born of the Father before all ages. Light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in essence with the Father; through Whom all things were made. For us men and for our salvation, He came down from heaven and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. He rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and He is coming again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His Kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, Creator of Life, Who proceeds from the Father. Together with the Father and the Son He is worshipped and glorified; He spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I profess one Baptism for the remission of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, Father + Son and Holy Spirit: now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Hail Mary: 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 gave birth to Christ the Savior, and Deliverer of our souls.  (3x)

Glory Be: Glory be to the Father + and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

O my Jesus: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven especially those in most need of Thy mercy.

Five sets of the following prayers are prayed, each time meditating on a specific mystery. 

The Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday):  The Annunciation; The Visitation; The Nativity of Our Lord; The Presentation in the Temple; The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple

The Luminous Mysteries (Thursday):  The Baptism of Our Lord in the Jordan; The Miracle at the Wedding Feast of Cana; Jesus’ Proclamation of the Kingdom of Heaven; The Transfiguration; The Institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper

The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday): The Agony in the Garden; The Scourging at the Pillar; The Crowning with Thorns; Jesus Carries His Cross; The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord

The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday):  The Resurrection; The Ascension; The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and Mary; the Assumption of Mary into Heaven; The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

The Lord’s Prayer
Hail Mary  (10x)
Glory Be
O my Jesus

After the completion of the five decades, the following prayers are said:

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.  To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that, meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the name of the Father + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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

It is truly proper to glorify you, O Theotokos, the ever blessed, immaculate, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who a virgin gave birth to God the Word.  You truly the Theotokos, we magnify.

Prayers to The Theotokos

O Theotokos with the greatest confidence we come before You to invoke Your aid for our church. Through your tender mercy we beg you, O Theotokos to obtain for us the help we need to receive every grace and blessing. Protect our clergy and enlighten them with wisdom, strength and virtue to guide their flocks to eternal salvation. O compassionate Mother, continue to help our families to grow in peace, faith and love through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

By the Elders of the Optina Monastery

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 Your 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 Your 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 You.

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 be patient, to forgive, and to love. 

Amen.

Prayer Before Meals

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

May the poor eat and be satisfied, may they who seek the Lord praise Him, and may their hearts live forever.

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

(If there is a priest) Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. Give the blessing.

(Priest) O Christ our true God, bless the food and drink of Your servants, for You are holy, always now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Prayer After Meals

We give thanks to You, O Christ, Our God, for having refreshed us with Your earthly good things. Exclude us not from Your heavenly kingdom, but as You came in the midst of Your disciples, O Saviour, and granted them peace, come also to us and save us.

O awesome beauty for all the faithful, you are the true fulfillment of the prophecies. You are the glory of the apostles and the joy of the martyrs, the pride of women and a wonderous protection for the whole world. O Lady, with the mantle of your mercy, protect our Church and all the people who sing out to you: Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you, and through you He grants great mercy to the world. Amen. 

For Conception, Pregnancy, and in Difficult Childbirth

O Most Holy Mother of God and Ever Virgin Mary, you are a mystical garden in which grew the Tree of Eternal Life. You are the Gardener of the Gardener of Life, the Soil whose Fruit shall not perish, and the Key to Paradise.

You are the Mother of both Lamb and Shepherd, the Protection against unseen enemies, more Spacious than the Heavens, the Trust of Mortals before God, and the Unfading Rose. When God so wills, the very order of nature is abolished. In a mysterious and miraculous manner, the Infinite and Eternal God took flesh from your most pure body and became man. You are the temple, the tabernacle, the gate, the palace, and the throne of the King. 

Most Holy Mother of God, we beg you to look with favor on our request. Ask your Divine Son to grant conception to your handmaid, and protect her throughout her term with health for both her and her child, and protect her and her child during birth from all danger and every visible and invisible enemy. Grant to her a godly child who is healthy in body, mind, and spirit, and who is virtuous in actions, and who is eager to please God in all things. Ask your Divine Son to grant to your handmaid the holy gifts of peace of mind, serenity, tranquility, and resignation to the will of God. Amen

Heavenly Father, Who sent Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to be the Physician of our souls and bodies, Who came to heal sickness and infirmity, Who healed the paralytic, and brought back to life the daughter of Jairus, Who healed the woman who had been sick for twelve years by her mere touch of your robe, visit and heal also your beloved servants from all physical and spiritual maladies by the power and grace of Your Christ.

Grant them the patience that comes from believing that You are always at work in our lives to bring good out of evil. Grant them strength of body, mind, and soul. Raise them up from the bed of pain. Grant them full recovery. May they experience the same surge of healing power flow through their bodies, as did the sick woman who touched your robe. For we, too, are touching your robe today, dear Lord, through this our prayer. We approach you with the same faith she did. Grant them the gift of health. 

For You alone are the source of healing and to You we offer glory, praise and thanksgiving in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

May Christ our Loving God grant to His servants for whom we pray today peace, health and salvation and may He safeguard and keep us all for many blessed years! Amen. 

In the Name of the + Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I confess to Almighty God, one in the Holy Trinity, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, to all the Saints, and to you, Father, all my sins.

While you are saying these prayers, the priest prays over you and blesses you saying: "May Our Lord God Jesus Christ be in your heart and on your lips that you may worthily confess all your sins. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

My last worthy confession was ______.  These are the sins I remember since then.

These are all the sins I remember, Father.

Act of Contrition

For these and all my other sins which I cannot remember or call to mind, I am sorry that I have offended God and angered Him against me. I am sincerely repentant and promise, with the help of God, to better my life. For this I humbly ask of you, Father, salutary penance and absolution.

O Lord, I believe and profess that you are truly Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the first.

Accept me today as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Son of God, for I will not reveal your mystery to your enemies, nor will I give you a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief I profess you:

          Remember me, O Lord, when you come in your kingdom.
          Remember me, O Master, when you come in your kingdom.
          Remember me, O Holy One, when you come in your kingdom.

May the partaking of your holy mysteries, O Lord, be not for my judgment or condemnation but for the healing of soul and body.  

O Lord, I also believe and profess that this, which I am about to receive, is truly your most precious body and your life-giving blood, which, I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting.  Amen.

          O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
          O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.
          O Lord, forgive me for I have sinned without number. 
 

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight; so that you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness, let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. 

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart you, God, will not despise. May it please you to prosper Zion, to build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfullness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 

If you say, "The Lord is my refuge, " and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.

O Archangel Michael, since you are a soldier and leader of the heavinly armies, and the captain of the angels, O Glorious one, deliver from every care and worry, from illness and bitter sin, and protect under your wings those who cry out to you in faith. You see the Lord who is Spirit. You are illuminated by the unapproachable light of the Master's glory. For out of love for the world He took flesh from the Virgin for our sake; by this He wished to save mankind. Amen.

Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; and let those that hate him flee from His face. As smoke vanishes, let them vanish; and as wax melts from the presence of fire, so let the demons perish from the presence of those who love God and who sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross and say with gladness: Hail, most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, for Thou drivest away the demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ Who was crucified on thee, went down to hell and trampled on the power of the devil, and gave us thee, His honorable Cross, for driving away all enemies. O most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, help me together with our holy Lady, the Virgin Theotokos, and with all the Saints throughout the ages. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ, instill in the hearts of young men and women, a willingness to joyfully give their lives for the sake of souls, and call them to your service. Hear my prayer and the prayers of your Church; send us good, faithful and holy priests and religious to lead your people to their eternal happiness. Amen. 

O God, great in might and inscrutable in wisdom, marvelous in counsel above the sons of men, Father of all perfect gifts: You the same Lord, enlighten with Your Holy Spirit the hearts of young people and call them to follow your only Begotten Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd! Give them the courage and generosity necessary to overcome all obstacles to their vocation, for you complete what is lacking! Give to the parents that faith, love and spirit of sacrifice which will inspire them to offer their children to Your service and rejoice whenever one of their children is called to follow Christ in a special way of priesthood or religious consecration. We implore you through the intercession of the Most Pure Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary! Amen!

O Angel of God, my holy Guardian, keep my life in the fear of Christ God, strengthen my mind in the true way and wound my soul with heavenly love, so that guided by You, I may obtain the great mercy of Christ God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

At the heart of Jesus's teachings stand the Eight Beatitudes. Through the Beatitudes Jesus reveals our vocation as His followers - a vocation that involves dying to ourselves so that we might rise to new life not only in eternity, but in this world as well. The Beatitudes help us to keep our spiritual eyes fixed on our eternal hope when life in this world feels like it's falling apart. Ultimately they show us the goal of our existence and point us to true happiness

The Beatitudes have a prominent place in Byzantine worship - at the Sunday Divine Liturgy in place of the Antiphons, and at the funeral service. Unlike the Commandments, we can never exhaust what the Beatitudes challenge us to, so there is endless room for growth. We can consider the Beatitudes as the "Constitution" of the Kingdom of Heaven. 

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdon of Heaven.
2. Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess the land.
3. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.
4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for justice; for they shall be filled.
5. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are the pure of heart; for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called sons of God.
8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice's sake; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.