Part 3
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born for our salvation from the Virgin; for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh, to endure death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.
Glory to the Father.... Now and ever....
Thou didst descend into hell, O my Savior, shattering its gates as Almighty; resurrecting the dead as Creator, and destroying the sting of death. Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Man, and we all cry to Thee: O Lord, save us!
Tone 6
The angelic powers were at Thy tomb; the guards became as dead men. Mary stood by Thy grave, seeking Thy most pure Body. Thou didst capture hell, not being tempted by it. Thou didst come to the Virgin, granting life. O Lord who didst rise from the dead: glory to Thee!
Glory to the Father.... Now and ever....
When Christ God, the Giver of Life, raised all of the dead from the valleys of misery with His mighty hand, He bestowed resurrection on the human race. He is the Savior of all, the Resurrection, the Life, and the God of all.
Tone 7
By Thy Cross, Thou didst destroy death! To the thief, Thou didst open Paradise! For the myrrhbearers, Thou didst change weeping into joy! And Thou didst command Thy disciples, O Christ God, to proclaim that Thou art risen, granting the world great mercy!
Glory to the Father.... Now and ever....
The dominion of death can no longer hold men captive, for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers! Hell is bound, while the prophets rejoice and cry: The Savior has come to those in faith! Enter, you faithful, into the Resurrection!
Tone 8
Thou didst descend from on high, O Merciful One! Thou didst accept the three-day burial to free us from our sufferings! O Lord, our Life and Resurrection: glory to Thee!
Glory to the Father.... Now and ever....
By rising from the tomb, Thou didst raise the dead and resurrect Adam. Eve exults in Thy Resurrection, and the world celebrates Thy rising from the dead, O greatly Merciful One!
_NOTE: On the eve of Great Feasts of the Lord or the Theotokos, the Troparion and Kontakion of the Feast are read._
_After the Troparia, the Reader continues:_
Lord, have mercy! _(40 times)_
A Prayer of St. Basil the Great
O Christ God, Who art worshipped and glorified at every place and time; Who art long-suffering, most merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the righteous and art merciful to sinners; Who callest all to salvation with the promise of good things to come: receive, Lord, the prayers we now offer, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our minds and deliver us from all affliction, evil and illness. Surround us with Thy holy angels, that guarded and instructed by their forces, we may reach unity of faith and the understanding of Thine unapproachable glory: for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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!
_When a priest is serving, the Reader concludes:_
Bless, father, in the name of the Lord!
_The priest exclaims:_
O God, be gracious to us and bless us! Shine Thy countenance upon us, and have mercy on us!
_In the absence of a priest, a layman says:_
"Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen".
_In either case, the Reader, after saying_ "Amen", _continues with the following:_
_NOTE: During Great Lent the Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim is said at this point of most services during the week (not on Saturday or Sunday). It is also appropriate for Morning Prayers and the Prayers Before Sleep on the same days._
Prayer of St. Ephraim
O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power and idle talk. _(Prostration)_
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. _(Prostration)_
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. _(Prostration)_
O God, cleanse me a sinner. _(12 times)_
_(Then the entire Prayer of St. Ephraim is read and a single prostration is made at the end.)_
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos by the Monk Paul
O undefiled, immaculate, incorrupt and most pure Lady, the pure Virgin Bride of God! Through your most glorious birth-giving, you united God the Word to mankind and joined our fallen human nature to the heavenly. You are the only hope of the hopeless, the aid of the embattled a ready help to those who run to you and a refuge for all Christians. Do not turn away from me who am sinful and vile, even though I have made myself totally useless through defiled thoughts, words and deeds, and my mind has become enslaved to the lazy pleasures of this life. As Mother of the God Who loves mankind, have pity on me, a prodigal sinner, in that same love for mankind. Receive the prayer I offer to you with defiled lips and pray to your Son, our Master and Lord, with your maternal boldness. May He open even to me the goodness of His deep love for mankind. May He overlook my countless transgressions, turn me to repentance and make me an experienced accomplisher of His commandments. Stand by me always in your mercy, compassion and love of good. Be my fervent intercessor and help in this life, driving off the assaults of enemies and guiding me to salvation. Guard my wretched soul at the time of my death, driving away the dark forms of the evil demons. Deliver me from eternal torments at the Day of Judgment and reveal me an heir of the inexpressible glory of your Son and our God. May I receive this, my Lady most glorious Theotokos, through your help and intercession: through the Grace and love for mankind of your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, to Whom belong all glory, honor and worship, with His Father Who is without beginning, and His most holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
A Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ by the Monk Antiochus
As we prepare for sleep, Master, grant rest to our bodies and souls. Keep us from the dark sleep of sin and from every dark and passionate pleasure of the night. Still the impulses of passions and put out the flaming arrows which the Evil One looses deceitfully against us. Still the rebellions of the flesh and put to sleep our worldly and material reasonings. O God, grant us an alert mind, chaste thoughts, a sober heart, and a light sleep, free of every satanic dream. Raise us at the time of prayer confirmed in Thy commandments--the memory of Thy judgments firmly in us. Grant that we may glorify Thee throughout this night, singing, blessing and glorifying Thy most honorable and majestic name: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
_NOTE: In churches, Compline concludes at this point with brief prayers and a Litany. (See the BOOK OF HOURS)_
_When read privately, Compline moves into PRAYERS BEFORE SLEEP, beginning with the Troparia: "Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us...." (page 68)._
BEFORE SLEEP
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on 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! _(3 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 mercy on 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! _(3 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)_
_After the AMEN, the following Troparia are sung (Tone 6) or read:_
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for laying aside all excuse, we sinners offer to Thee, as to our Master, this supplication: have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
O Lord, have mercy on us, for in Thee have we put our trust. Do not be angry with us, nor remember our iniquities, but look down on us even now, since Thou art compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies; for Thou art our God and we are Thy people; we are all the work of Thy hands, and we call on Thy name.
Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O blessed Theotokos, open the doors of compassion to us whose hope is in you, that we may not perish but be delivered from adversity through you, who are the salvation of the Christian people.
Lord, have mercy! _(12 times)_
1st Prayer, to God the Father, by St. Macarius the Great
O Eternal God and King of all Creation, Who hast granted me to reach this hour: forgive the sins I have committed this day in deed, word and thought. Cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from every defilement of flesh and spirit. Grant, Lord, that I may pass through this night in peace. When I rise from my humble bed, may I please Thy most holy Name all the days of my life and trample under foot the physical and bodiless enemies that wage war against me. Deliver me, Lord, from vain thoughts which defile me and from evil lusts. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
2nd Prayer, to Our Lord Jesus Christ by St. Antiochus
Almighty Word of the Father, Jesus Christ, Who art perfect: never abandon me, Thy servant, for Thy great mercy's sake, but ever abide in me. O Jesus, Good Shepherd of Thy sheep, do not deliver me to the serpent's rebellion! Do not abandon me to Satan's will, for the seed of corruption is within me! Instead, O Lord God the Adored, Holy King Jesus Christ, keep me while I sleep by Thy unwavering Light, Thy Holy Spirit by Whom Thou didst sanctify Thy disciples. O Lord, grant to me, Thine unworthy servant, salvation on my bed. Enlighten my mind with the light of understanding Thy Holy Gospel; my soul with the love of Thy Cross; my heart with the purity of Thy Word; my body with Thy passionless Passion. Keep my thoughts with Thy humility and raise me at the right time to glorify Thee. For Thou art most glorified, with Thine unoriginate Father and Thy most Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
3rd Prayer, to the Holy Spirit
O Lord, the Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth: have compassion and mercy on me, Thy sinful servant! Absolve me, who am unworthy. Forgive all the sins I have committed this day both in my humanity and my inhumanity, behaving worse than beasts in sins voluntary and involuntary, known and unknown, from my youth, from evil suggestions, haste and despondency. If I have sworn by Thy name or blasphemed it in thought; if I have reproached anyone or become angered by something; or slandered or saddened anyone in my anger; or have lied, or slept unnecessarily; or a beggar has come to me and I have despised him; or have saddened my brother or quarrelled with him; or have judged someone; or have allowed myself to become haughty, proud or angry; or, when standing in prayer, my mind has been shaken by the wickedness of this world; or have entertained depraved thoughts; or have over-eaten, over-drunk or laughed mindlessly; or have had evil thoughts or seen the beauty of someone and been wounded by it in my heart; or have spoken inappropriately; or have laughed at my brother's sins when my own transgressions are countless; or have been indifferent to prayer; or have done any other evil that I can not remember--for I have done all this and more: have mercy, O Master, my Creator, on me, Thy despondent and unworthy servant! Absolve, remit and forgive me, in Thy goodness and love for mankind, that I, who am prodigal, sinful and wretched, may lie down in peace and find sleep and rest. May I worship, hymn and praise Thy most honorable Name, with the Father and His only-begotten Son, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
4th Prayer, of St. Macarius the Great
What can I bring Thee? With what can I repay Thee, O Immortal King, the bestower of great gifts, O generous Lord, the Lover of mankind? Though I have been lazy in pleasing Thee and have done no good, Thou hast brought me to the end of this day, ordering the conversion and salvation of my soul. Be merciful towards me, a sinner devoid of any good deeds. Raise up my fallen soul, defiled by immeasurable sins. Remove from me every evil thought of this visible life. Forgive, O only Sinless One, all the sins I have committed against Thee this day, in knowledge or in ignorance, in word, deed or thought or through any of my senses. Covering me Thyself, protect me from every assault of the enemy through Thy divine Power, inexpressible Love for mankind and Strength. Cleanse, O God, cleanse the multitude of my sins. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me from the snares of the Evil One, and save my passionate soul. When Thou comest in glory, illumine me with the light of Thy countenance. May I fall uncondemned into a sleep free of apparitions. Keep the thoughts of Thy servant untroubled, and keep far from me every satanic activity. Enlighten the reason-endowed eyes of my heart, that I fall not into the sleep of death. Send to me an angel of peace, the guide and guardian of my soul and body, that he may deliver me from my enemies. Then, when I arise from my bed, I shall offer Thee prayers of thanksgiving. Yea, Lord, hear me, Thy sinful servant, impoverished in will and conscience. Grant that I may learn from Thy words when I arise. Cause Thy Angels to drive demonic despondency far from me. May I bless Thy holy Name and praise and glorify Mary, the most pure Theotokos, whom Thou hast given to us sinners as an intercessor. Receive her as she prays for us. We know that she imitates Thy love for mankind and never ceases to pray. Through her intercessions, the Sign of the Precious Cross and for the sake of all Thy saints, O Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on my wretched soul, for Thou art Holy and most glorified unto ages of ages. Amen.
5th Prayer
O Lord our God, forgive all the sins I have committed this day in word, deed and thought, for Thou art good and lovest mankind. Grant me a peaceful sleep, free of restlessness. Send Thy Guardian Angel to protect and keep me from all harm. For Thou art the Guardian of our souls and bodies, and to 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.
6th Prayer
O Lord our God, in Whom we believe and upon Whose Name we call more than any other name: grant relief to our souls and bodies as we go to sleep. Keep us from every fantasy and dark pleasure. Halt the rushing of passions and quench the fiery arousals of the flesh. Grant us to live chastely in word and deed. Having embraced a virtuous life, may we not fall away from Thy promised blessings, for blessed art Thou for ever. Amen.
7th Prayer, by St. John Chrysostom
_Prayers of Supplication, corresponding to the twenty-four hours of day and night._
For the Day
Lord, exclude me not from Thy heavenly blessings. Lord, deliver me from eternal torments. Lord, whether I have sinned in mind or thought, word or deed, forgive me. Lord, deliver me from all ignorance, forgetfulness, cowardice, and stone-like insensitivity. Lord, deliver me from every temptation. Lord, enlighten my heart which evil desires have darkened. Lord, as a man I have sinned: as a gracious God, have mercy on me, seeing the weakness of my soul. Lord, send Thy Grace to my aid, that I may glorify Thy holy name. Lord Jesus Christ, inscribe me, Thy servant, in the book of life, and grant me a good end. Lord, my God, even though I have done nothing good before Thee, grant by Thy Grace that I may make a good beginning. Lord, sprinkle the dew of Thy Grace into my heart. Lord of Heaven and earth, remember me, Thy sinful, shameful and impure servant, in Thy Kingdom. Amen.
For the Night
Lord, accept me in penitence. Lord, abandon me not. Lord, lead me not into temptation. Lord, grant me good thoughts. Lord, grant me tears, the remembrance of death and compunction. Lord, grant me the thought of confessing my sins. Lord, grant me humility, chastity and obedience. Lord, grant me patience, courage and meekness. Lord, cause the root of good to dwell in me--Thy fear in my heart. Lord, grant that I may love Thee with all my soul and mind and to do Thy will in all things. Lord, protect me from certain people, demons and passions, and from any other unseemly thing. Lord, I know that Thou doest as Thou wilt: may Thy will be in me, a sinner, for blessed art Thou for ever. Amen.
8th Prayer, to our Lord Jesus Christ
O Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, for the sake of Thy most honorable Mother, Thy bodiless Angels, Thy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, the Divinely inspired Apostles, the bright and victorious Martyrs, the venerable and God-bearing Fathers and all the Saints: deliver me from this present assault of the devil. Yea, O Lord my Creator, Who desirest not the death of the sinner, but that he should return to Thee and live: grant repentance to me, wretched and unworthy. Snatch me from the jaws of the consuming serpent, its mouth opened to devour me and take me down to hell alive. Yea, my Lord and my Comfort, Who didst put on corruptible flesh for my wretched sake: deliver me from wretchedness and bring comfort to my wretched soul. Implant in my heart the accomplishment of Thy precepts, the abandonment of evil deeds and the obtainment of Thy blessings. In Thee, O Lord, have I trusted: save me!
9th Prayer, to the Most Holy Theotokos, by Peter, the Studite monk
Before you, the Most Pure Mother of God, I who am wretched fall down and pray: you know, O Queen that I sin constantly and anger your Son and my God. No matter how often I repent, I appear a liar before God, and repent with trembling. Can God shake me and I do those same things again an hour later? Knowing this, my Mistress, O Lady Theotokos, I pray: have mercy on me, strengthen me and grant that I may do good. You know, my Lady Theotokos, that I abhor my evil deeds and love the Law of my God with all my mind. But, most pure Lady, I do not know how I can love what I abhor and turn away from what is good. Do not allow my will to be done, Most Pure One, for it is not appropriate. May the will of your Son and my God be done. May He save and enlighten me, and give me the Grace of His Holy Spirit, in order that I might stop sinning from this time on and live the remainder of my life in obedience to your Son, to Whom belongs all glory, honor and majesty, with His Father Who is without beginning, and His Most Holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
10th Prayer, to the Most Holy Theotokos
O Good Mother of the Good King, most pure and blessed Mary the Theotokos: pour out the mercy of your Son and our God on my passionate soul. Direct me towards good deeds through your prayers, that I may pass through the remainder of my life without stain, and find Paradise through you, O Virgin Theotokos who alone are pure and blessed.
11th Prayer, to the Holy Guardian Angel
Angel of Christ, my holy guardian, the protector of my soul and body: forgive me for all the sins I have committed this day. Deliver me from all the evil of my militant Enemy, that I may not anger my God by any sin. Pray for me, your sinful and unworthy servant, that you may show me worthy of the goodness and mercy of the All-Holy Trinity, the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ and all the Saints. Amen.
Then this Kontakion to the Theotokos
O victorious leader of triumphant hosts! We your servants, delivered from evil, sing our grateful thanks to you, O Theotokos! As you possess invincible might, set us free from every calamity so that we may sing: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
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!
All my hope I place in you, O Mother of God: keep me under your protection!
Virgin Theotokos, do not despise me a sinner who craves your help and intercession. My soul hopes in you, have mercy on me!
Also the Prayer of St. Ioannikios
My Hope is the Father; my Refuge is the Son; my Protection is the Holy Spirit: O Holy Trinity, glory to Thee!
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 unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_
Lord, bless!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, our venerable and God-bearing fathers and all the saints, save me, a sinner. Amen.
A Prayer of St. John of Damascus, said pointing at the bed
O Master Who lovest mankind, is this bed to be my coffin? Or wilt Thou enlighten my wretched soul with another day? Behold: before me lies the coffin, before me stands death! O Lord, I fear Thy judgment and the endless torments, yet I cease not to do evil. I always anger Thee, my Lord God, and Thy most pure Mother, all the heavenly hosts and my holy Guardian Angel. I know, Lord, that I am unworthy of Thy love for mankind. Indeed, I am worthy of every condemnation and torment. Yet, Lord, save me whether I want it or not! When Thou savest the righteous, it is no great thing. When Thou hast mercy on the pure, it causes no wonder, for they are worthy of Thy mercy. Astound us with Thy mercy towards me, a sinner. Reveal in this manner Thy love for mankind, that my wickedness may not overcome Thine inexpressible goodness and mercy. As Thou wilt, order my life!
_Wishing to lie down on your bed, say:_
Enlighten my eyes, Christ--God, that I fall not asleep to death and that my enemy may not say of me: I have overcome him.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Be the Helper of my soul, O God, for I walk among many snares. Deliver me from them, O Good One, and save me, for Thou lovest mankind.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Let us ever hymn the most glorious Mother of God, who is holier than the Holy Angels. With heart and lips let us confess that she is the Theotokos, for she truly bore God incarnate for us and prays ceaselessly for our souls.
_Kiss your Cross. Then, make the Sign of the Cross over your bed, from head to foot and either side, saying the Prayer to the Precious Cross:_