The First Hour
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The First Hour

 

The Introductory Prayers to Every Hour

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

Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord bless us. Amen.

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

 

Having invoked the Holy Trinity, be still so that your thoughts may be freed from worldly cares. Make the sign of the cross and bow three times, each time saying the prayer of the publican: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

We Praise Thank You, O Lord

O Lord, we praise you and we glorify You. O Lord, we bless You and trust in You. O Lord, we entreat and plead to You. O Lord, we submit ourselves to Your holy name and we serve You. O You, to Whom all knees bend and all tongues confess, we bow down to You. You are the God of gods, Lord of lords and King of kings. You are the creator of all, visible and invisible. As Your Holy Son taught us to pray in this manner, make us worthy to pray:

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 the evil one, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

O My Lady Mary

O my lady Mary, with the salutation of Saint Gabriel the Angel, greetings to you. You are virgin in body and in conscience. Greetings to you, Mother of the God of hosts. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. O full of grace, rejoice for God is with you. Pray and beseech your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, that He may forgive us our sins.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving 

Let us give thanks to the beneficent and merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ; for He has covered us, helped us, guarded us, preserved us, accepted us unto Himself, spared us, supported us, and brought us to this hour. Let us then ask Him, the Lord our God, the Almighty, to guard us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our lives. 

O Master, Lord, God the Almighty, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, we thank You for everything, concerning everything, and in everything; for You have covered us, helped us, guarded us, preserved us, accepted us to Yourself, spared us, supported us, and brought us to this hour. 

Therefore, we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, grant us to complete this holy day, and all the days of our lives, in all peace with Your fear. Take away from us, all your people, and from this holy place that is Yours, all envy, all temptation, all the work of Satan, the counsel of wicked men, and the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest. 

But provide for us those things which are good and profitable; for it is You Who have given us the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy. 

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, by the grace, compassion and love of mankind of Your Only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, through Whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto You, with Him, and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver, Who is of one essence with You, now and at all times, and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.

The Penitent’s Prayer

Psalm 50 (51) 

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be justified in Your words and blameless in Your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being, and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For You will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; You will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Do good to Zion in Your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will You delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar. Alleluia.

 

The First Hour 
(Prime)

(6 A.M.)

This prayer commemorates the hour in which our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead. It is prayed in the morning after rising from sleep to thank God for the beginning of a new day and to glorify Him in His Resurrection.

 

Come Let Us Kneel Down 

Come! Let us kneel down. 

Let us ask Christ our God. 

Come! Let us kneel down. 

Let us beseech Christ our King. 

Come! Let us kneel down. 

Let us entreat Christ our Savior.

O Lord, Jesus Christ, the Word of God, our God, through the intercession of Saint Mary and all Your saints, preserve us, and bring us to a good start. Have mercy on us according to Your will forever.

The night has passed; we thank You, O Lord, and we ask You to keep us away from sin this day and deliver us.

Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God, a Chapter from his epistle to the Ephesians, may His blessing be with us all. Amen

The Pauline Epistle from Saint Paul to the Ephesians (4:1-5) 

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is over all and through all and in all.

Glory be to God forever. Amen.

May the reading of Your Word be concluded in peace. We worship You, O Christ, with Your Good Father and the Holy Spirit, for You have come and saved us.

 

ንሰግድ ለከ ክርስቶስ ምስለ ኣቡከ ኄር ሰማያዊ ወመንፈስከ ቅዱስ ማሕየዊ እስመ መጻእከ ወኣድኀንከነ።

 

The Faith of the Church 

One is God, the Father of everyone. 

One is His Son, Jesus Christ the Word, Who took flesh and died, and rose from the dead on the third day, raising us with Him. 

One is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, one in His being (Hypostasis), proceeding from the Father, purifying the whole creation, and teaching us to worship the Holy Trinity, one in divinity and one in essence. We praise Him and bless Him forever. Amen

We offer to Christ, our King and our God, the prayer of the first hour of this blessed day, beseeching Him to forgive us our sins. 

From the Psalms of our father David, the prophet and the king.  May his blessings be upon us all. Amen.

 

PSALM 1 

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Alleluia.

PSALM 2 

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us burst Their bonds apart and cast away Their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then He will speak to them in His wrath, and terrify them in His fury, saying, “As for me, I have set My King on Zion, My holy hill.”

I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten You. Ask of me, and I will make the nations Your heritage, and the ends of the earth Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. Alleluia.

PSALM 3 

O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. 

But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and He answered me from His holy hill. 

I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.

Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For You strike all my enemies on the cheek; You break the teeth of the wicked.

Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be on Your people! Alleluia.

PSALM 4 

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him.

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O LORD!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Alleluia.

PSALM 5 

Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You do I pray. O LORD, in the morning You hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for You and watch.

For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

But I, through the abundance of Your steadfast love, will enter Your house.

I will bow down toward Your holy temple in the fear of You. Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before me.

For there is no truth in their mouth; their innermost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against You.

But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. For You bless the righteous, O LORD; You cover him with favor as with a shield. Alleluia.

PSALM 6 

O LORD, rebuke me not in Your anger, nor discipline me in Your wrath. Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But You, O LORD—how long?

Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of Your steadfast love. For in death there is no remembrance of You; in Sheol who will give You praise?

I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.

Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer. All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment. Alleluia.

PSALM 8 

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, You have established strength because of Your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?

Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! Alleluia.

PSALM 11 (12) 

Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

“Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

You, O LORD, will keep them; You will guard us from this generation forever. On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man. Alleluia.

PSALM 12 (13) 

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

But I have trusted in Your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me. Alleluia.

PSALM 14 (15) 

O LORD, who shall sojourn in Your tent? Who shall dwell on Your holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. Alleluia.

PSALM 15 (16) 

Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from You.”

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let Your Holy One see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Alleluia.

PSALM 18 (19) 

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is Your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern His errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Alleluia.

PSALM 24 (25) 

To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for You shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long.

Remember Your mercy, O LORD, and Your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of Your goodness, O LORD!

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

For Your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will He instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant. My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.

Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You.

Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. Alleluia.

PSALM 26 (27) 

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple.

For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to You, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” Hide not Your face from me. Turn not Your servant away in anger, O You Who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.

Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Alleluia.

PSALM 62 (63) 

O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh faints for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary, beholding Your power and glory. Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips, when I remember You upon my bed, and meditate on You in the watches of the night; for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.

But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by Him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped. Alleluia.

PSALM 66 (67) 

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You!

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You!

The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear Him! Alleluia.

PSALM 69 (70) 

Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me! Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt! Let them turn back because of their shame who say, “Aha, Aha!”

May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You! May those who love Your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay! Alleluia.

PSALM 112 (113) 

Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!

Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!

The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens! 

Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD! Alleluia.

PSALM 142 (143) 

Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In Your faithfulness answer me, in Your righteousness! Enter not into judgment with Your servant, for no one living is righteous before You.

For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that You have done; I ponder the work of Your hands. I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. 

Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not Your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.

Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to You for refuge. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

For Your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! And in Your steadfast love You will cut off my enemies, and You will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am Your servant. Alleluia.

Holy, Holy, Holy. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to our teacher Saint John. May his blessing be with us all. Amen.

The Holy Gospel 

According to Saint John (1:1-17)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true Light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about Him, and cried out, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because He was before me.’”) For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

 

Glory be to God forever. Amen.

May the reading of Your Word be concluded in peace. We worship You, O Christ, with Your Good Father and the Holy Spirit, for You have come and saved us.

 

ንሰግድ ለከ ክርስቶስ ምስለ ኣቡከ ኄር ሰማያዊ ወመንፈስከ ቅዱስ ማሕየዊ እስመ መጻእከ ወኣድኀንከነ።

 

  LITANIES  

1. O the true Light, Who gives light to every man born into the world, You came into the world through Your love for mankind. All creation rejoiced in Your coming. You saved our father, Adam, from the seduction, and delivered our mother, Eve, from the pangs of death, and gave us the spirit of sonship. Let us, therefore, praise You and bless You saying:

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

ስብሐት ለኣብ ወወልድ ወመንፈስ ቅዱስ።

 

2. As the daylight shines upon us, O Christ our God, the true Light, let inner spiritual awareness and bright thoughts shine within us, and do not let dark passions hover over us. Let us praise You with David saying, “My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on Your promise.” O Lord our God, hear our voices according to Your great mercy and deliver us through Your compassion.

Now and forever and unto the ages of all ages, Amen. 

ይእዜኒ ወዘልፈኒ ወለዓለመ ዓለም ኣሜን።

 

3. You are the honored Mother of the Light; from the risings of the sun to its settings, we offer you praises. O Mother of God, the second heaven, you are the bright and unchanging flower, and the ever-virgin mother; for the Father chose you, and the Holy Spirit overshadowed you, and the Son condescended and took flesh from you. Wherefore, ask Him to give salvation to the world which He created, and to deliver it from all tribulations. Let us praise Him a new praise, and bless Him. 

Now and forever and unto the agesof all ages, Amen. 

ይእዜኒ ወዘልፈኒ ወለዓለመ ዓለም ኣሜን።

 

The Gloria 

Let us praise with the angels, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and good will toward men.” 

We praise You. We bless You. We serve You. We worship You. We confess You. We glorify You. We give thanks to You for Your great glory, O Lord, King of heaven, God the Father, the Almighty; O Lord, the one and Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. You, Who takes away the sin of the world, receive our prayers unto You. Who sits at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. You alone are Holy. You alone are the Most High, Lord, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit; glory to God the Father. Amen. 

Every day we will bless You, and praise Your holy name forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

From the night season, my soul awakes early unto You, O my God, for Your precepts are a light upon the earth. I was meditating on Your ways, for You have become a helper unto me. In the morning You shall hear my voice. Early I will stand before You, and You shall see me.

 

The Trisagion 

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was born of the holy virgin Mary, have mercy upon us, Lord.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was baptized in the river Jordan and was crucified on the cross, Have mercy upon us, Lord.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who rose from the dead and ascended into heaven in glory, Who sits at the right hand of the Father and will come again to judge the living and the dead, have mercy upon us, Lord.

Glory be to the Father, glory be to the Son, glory be to the Holy Spirit both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen and amen. Let it be. Let it be.

O Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. 

O Lord, forgive us our sins. O Lord, forgive us our iniquities. O Lord, forgive us our trespasses. 

O Lord, visit the sick of Your people, heal them for the sake of Your holy name. Repose the souls of our brothers and sisters who have slept, O Lord. O You Who are without sin, Lord have mercy on us. O You Who are without sin, Lord help us and receive our supplications. For Yours is the glory, the dominion, and triple holiness. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord bless. Amen.

Make us worthy, O Lord, to pray thankfully:

The Lord’s Prayer ….

 

The Magnificat: 

Saint Mary’s Hymn of Praise for Our Lord

(Luke 1:46-55)

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. 

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. 

He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His offspring forever.”

 

Hail to Saint Mary 

Hail to you. We ask you, O Saint, full of glory, the ever virgin, the Mother of God (Theotokos), the Mother of Christ, lift up our prayers unto your beloved Son, that He may forgive us our sins. 

Hail to the Holy Virgin, who bore for us the true Light, Christ our God. Ask the Lord on our behalf to have mercy on our souls, and forgive us our sins. 

O Virgin Mary, the holy Mother of God, the trusted advocate of the human race, intercede on our behalf before Christ, Whom you bore, that He may grant us the forgiveness of our sins. 

Hail to you, O Virgin, the right and true queen. Hail to the pride of our race, Emmanuel, Whom you bore for us. 

We ask you, our trusted advocate, to remember us, before our Lord Jesus Christ, that He may forgive us our sins. Amen.

 

Introduction to the Creed 

We exalt you, the Mother of the true Light. We glorify you, O Saint, the Mother of God, for you brought forth the Savior of the whole world Who came and saved our souls. 

Glory to You, our Master, our King, Christ, the pride of the apostles, the crown of the martyrs, the joy of the righteous, the firmness of the churches, the forgiver of sins. 

We proclaim the Holy Trinity in One Godhead. We worship Him. We glorify Him.

Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord bless. Amen.

 

The Orthodox Creed 

We believe in one God, God the Father, the Pantocrato, Creator of heaven and earth, and all things, seen and unseen. 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Onlybegotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten not created; of one essence with the Father; by Whom all things were made.
   Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, was incarnate of the of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary and became man.
   And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried. And on the third day He rose from the dead, according to the Scriptures
   and ascended into the Heavens; He sits at the right hand of His Father, and He is coming again in His glory to judge the living and the dead , Whose kingdom shall have no end. 

Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who, with the Father and the Son, is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke in the prophets.

And in one holy, catholic (universal), and apostolic Church. We confess one baptism for the remission of sins. 

We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the coming age. Amen.

Lord, hear us and have mercy on us and forgive us our sins. Amen.
Kyrie eleison. (
ኪርያላይሶን) Lord have mercy. (እግዚኦ መሐረነ ክርስቶስ - (41 times).

 

Holy, Holy, Holy 

Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord of hosts (sabaoth). Heaven and earth are full of Your glory and honor. Have mercy on us, O God the Father, the Pantocrator, O Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, God of hosts, be with us. For we have no helper in our hardships and tribulations but You. O God, absolve, forgive, and remit our transgressions; those which we have committed willingly and those we have committed unwillingly; those which we have committed knowingly and those which we have committed unknowingly, the hidden and the manifest. O Lord, forgive us for the sake of Your Holy name which is called upon us.

Let it be according to Your mercy, O Lord, and not according to our sins. Amen

በከመ ምሕረትከ ኣምላክነ ወኣኮ በከመ በሳነ።

 

Make us worthy, O Lord, to pray thankfully: 

The Lord’s Prayer ….

The Prayer of Intercession ….

 

The First Absolution 

O Lord, God of hosts, Who exists before all ages and abides forever, Who created the sun for daylight, and the night for rest for all men, we thank You for You have let us pass through the night in peace, O King of ages, and brought us to the daybreak. Therefore, we ask You, O our Master, the King of all ages, to let Your face shine upon us, and the light of Your divine knowledge enlighten us. Grant us, O our Master, to be sons of light and sons of day, to pass this day in righteousness, chastity and good conduct. Let us complete all the rest of the days of our life without offense through the grace, the compassion and the love of mankind of Your Only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, and the gift of Your Holy Spirit, now and at all times and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.

 

The Second Absolution 

O God, Who causes the light to burst forth, Who lets His sun shine upon the righteous and the wicked, Who created the light which illuminates the whole world, enlighten our minds, our hearts and our understandings. O Master of all, grant us to please You this day. Protect us from all evil, from every sin and from adversity through Christ Jesus our Lord, with Whom You are blessed, and with the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver Who is of one essence with You, now and at all times and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.

 

The Concluding Prayer for Every Hour

Have mercy on us, O God, and have mercy on us. You, Who at all times and in every hour, in heaven and on earth, are worshipped and glorified. Christ our God, the good, the long-suffering, abundant in mercy and great in compassion; Who loves the righteous and has mercy on sinners of whom I am chief; Who does not wish the death of the sinner but rather that he repents and lives, Who calls all to salvation for the promise of the blessings to come, have mercy on us. 

Lord, receive from us our prayers in this hour and in every hour. Ease our life and guide us in fulfilling Your commandments. Sanctify our spirits. Cleanse our bodies. Guide our thoughts. Purify our intentions. Heal our diseases. Forgive our sins. Deliver us from every evil, grief and distress of the heart. 

Surround us by Your holy angels, that, by their presence, we may be guarded and guided, and attain unity of faith and knowledge of Your incomprehensible and infinite glory. For You are blessed forever. Amen.

Make us worthy, O Lord, to pray thankfully: 

The Lord’s Prayer ….

Holy Trinity Eritrean Orthodox Church in Cincinnati, Ohio
ቅድስት ሥላሴ ኦርቶዶክስ ተዋኅዶ ቤተክርስትያን ኤርትራ ኣብ ሲንሲናቲ ኦሃዮ