Great Vespers
On Saturday evening, as served by a priest, from Hapgood’s Service Book (1906)
Printable booklet (PDF, 27 pages) ↓
Parishes differ in wording and customs; follow your parish’s books when they’re provided.
- Priest
- Deacon
- Reader
- Choir
- Everyone
Words with a dotted underline have a short explanation: hover, tap, or tab to them. For Thee, Thou and other older English, see Words of Prayer.
Varies This is the unchanging framework of Great Vespers on Saturday evening, the first part of the All-Night Vigil before the Lord’s Day. The hymns that change with the week’s Tone, the saint or the feast are marked in boxes like this one and are not printed here.
Vespers is the Church’s evening service. The liturgical day begins at sunset, so Saturday’s Vespers is the first service of the Lord’s Day. It moves from creation and the fall, through the evening hymn to Christ the Light, to Simeon’s song of the salvation he has seen.
The Holy Doors are open. The Priest stands before the Altar with the censer, and the Deacon with the taper.
Great Vespers
The Opening
Arise, Master, give the blessing.
Glory to the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving and Undivided Trinity always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
O come, let us worship God our King. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. O come, let us worship and fall down before the Very Christ, our King and our God. O come, let us worship and fall down before him. (Three reverences.)
Varies Eastertide: in the Paschal season this is sung instead.
From Easter until Ascension Day, in place of, O come, let us worship, shall be sung:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life.
The Psalm of Creation
Then shall be said or sung Psalm civ.; and the Priest, preceded by the Deacon bearing a taper, shall cense the whole temple, after which the Holy Door is closed.
(Psalm 104 in most English Bibles)
Psalm civ.
Praise the Lord, O my soul. Blessed art thou, O Lord.
O Lord my God, thou art become exceeding glorious. Blessed art thou, O Lord.
In wisdom hast thou made them all. Glory to thee, O Lord, who hast made them all.
Varies Sometimes the whole Psalm is read or sung.
Thus much is generally used. But sometimes the whole is read or sung, as followeth:
Praise the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, thou art become exceeding glorious; thou art clothed with majesty and honour.
Thou deckest thyself with light as it were with a garment, and spreadest out the heavens like a curtain.
Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters, and maketh the clouds his chariot, and walketh upon the wings of the wind.
He maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flaming fire.
He laid the foundations of the earth, that it never should move at any time.
Thou coveredst it with the deep like as a garment; the waters stand in the hills.
At thy rebuke they flee; at the voice of thy thunder they are afraid.
They go up as high as the hills, and down to the valleys beneath; even unto the place which thou hast appointed for them.
Thou hast set them their bounds, which they shall not pass, neither turn again to cover the earth.
He sendeth the springs into the rivers, which run among the hills.
All the beasts of the field drink thereof, and the wild asses quench their thirst.
Beside them shall the fowls of the air have their habitation, and sing among the branches.
He watereth the hills from above; the earth is filled with the fruit of thy works.
He bringeth forth grass for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men;
That he may bring food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man: and oil to make him a cheerful countenance, and bread to strengthen man’s heart.
The trees of the Lord also are full of sap, even the cedars of Libanus which he hath planted; wherein the birds make their nests; and the fir-trees are a dwelling for the stork.
The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and so are the stony rocks for the conies.
He appointed the moon for certain seasons, and the sun knoweth his going down.
Thou makest darkness that it may be night; wherein all the beasts of the forests do move.
The lions, roaring after their prey, do seek their meat from God.
The sun ariseth and they get them away together, and lay them down in their dens.
Man goeth forth to his work, and to his labour, until the evening.
O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches.
So is the great and wide sea also; wherein are creeping things innumerable, both small and great beasts.
There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan, whom thou hast made to take his pastime therein.
These all wait upon thee, that thou mayest give them meat in due season.
When thou givest it them, they gather it; and when thou openest thy hand, they are filled with good.
When thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; when thou takest away their breath, they die, and are turned again to their dust.
When thou lettest thy breath go forth, they shall be made: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
The earth shall tremble at the look of him; if he do but touch the hills, they shall smoke.
I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will praise my God while I have my being.
And so shall my words please him: my joy shall be in the Lord.
As for sinners, they shall be consumed out of the earth, and the ungodly shall come to an end.
Praise thou the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord.
The Prayers of Light
The Priest now taketh his stand before the Holy Door, with head uncovered, and reciteth the Prayers of Light, secretly.
(said during the Psalm; seven prayers)
O Lord, bountiful and compassionate, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy, give ear unto our prayer, and attend to the voice of our supplication. Work upon us a sign for good. Lead us in thy way, that we may walk in thy truth. Make glad our hearts, that we may fear thy holy Name. For thou art great and doest wonders. Thou alone art God, and among all the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord, mighty in mercy, gracious in strength, to aid and to comfort and save all those who put their trust in thy holy Name.
For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Lord, rebuke us not in thy displeasure, neither chasten us in thy wrath: but deal with us according to thy mercy, O Physician and Healer of our souls. Guide us unto the haven of thy will. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge of thy truth, and vouchsafe that the residue of this day and our whole life may be peaceful and without sin; through the intercessions of the holy Birth-giver of God, and of all the Saints.
For thine is the majesty, and thine are 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.
O Lord our God, remember us sinners and thine unprofitable servants when we call upon thy holy Name, and put us not to shame in our expectation of thy mercy: but grant us, O Lord, all our petitions which are unto salvation, and vouchsafe that we may love and fear thee with all our hearts, and do thy will in all things.
For thou art a gracious God, and lovest mankind: and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O thou who, with never-silent hymns and never-ceasing songs of praise to thy glory, art hymned by the holy Powers: Fill our mouths with thy praise, that we may magnify thy holy Name. And grant unto us part and inheritance with all those who fear thee in truth and keep thy commandment; through the intercessions of the holy Birth-giver of God, and of all thy Saints.
For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Lord, Lord, who upholdest all things in the all-pure hollow of thy hand; who showest long-suffering upon us all, and repentest thee at our calamities: Remember thy bounties and thy mercy. Visit us with thy loving-kindness: and grant that, through the residue of thy day, by thy grace, we may avoid the divers subtle snares of the Evil One, and preserve our lives unassailed; through the grace of thine all-holy Spirit.
Through the mercy and love toward mankind of thine Only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O God, great and wonderful, who with wisdom inscrutable and great riches of providence orderest all things, and bestowest upon us earthly good things; who hast given us a pledge of the promised kingdom through the good things already bestowed upon us, and hast made us to shun all evil during that part of the day which is past: Grant that we may also fulfil the residue of this day without reproach before thy holy glory, and hymn thee, the only good one, our God, who lovest mankind.
For thou art our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O great and most high God, who alone hast immortality, and dwellest in light unapproachable; who hast made all creation in wisdom; who hast divided the light from the darkness, and hast appointed the sun to rule the day, the moon and stars also to rule the night; who hast vouchsafed unto us sinners at this present hour also to come before thy presence with confession, and to offer unto thee our evening sacrifice of praise: Do thou thyself, who lovest mankind, direct our prayer as a censer before thee, and accept it for a savour of sweet incense; and grant that we may pass this present evening and the coming night in peace. Endue us with the armour of light. Deliver us from the terror of the night, and from everything that walketh in darkness; and grant that the sleep, which thou hast appointed for the repose of our weakness, may be free from every imagination of the Devil. Yea, O Master, Bestower of all good things, may we, being moved to compunction upon our beds, call to remembrance thy holy Name in the night season: that, enlightened by meditation on thy statutes, we may rise up in joyfulness of soul to glorify thy goodness, offering up prayers and supplications unto thy tender love for our own sins and for those of all thy people: whom do thou visit in mercy, through the intercessions of the holy Birth-giver of God.
For thou art a gracious God, and lovest mankind, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Great Litany
Then the Priest (or the Deacon, if there be one) shall come out through the North Door, and taking his stand in the usual place, shall recite
(the deacon’s part below is the priest’s when no deacon serves)
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace that is from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world; for the welfare of God’s holy Churches, and for the union of them all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy Temple, and for those who with faith, devoutness, and in the fear of God have entered therein, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Varies Petitions for the civil authorities: these differ by country and parish.
Here follow petitions for the Ruler of the Land and for all the Authorities (Emperor, or King, and Reigning House, or President, according to the elements and nationalities of which the Parish is constituted).
That he will aid them and subdue under their feet every foe and adversary, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this city, for this holy Temple, and for every city and land, and for those who with faith dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For healthful seasons; for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those who travel by sea or by land; for the sick and the suffering; for those who are in captivity, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
That he will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, peril and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Lord, have mercy.
Calling to remembrance our most holy, undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
To thee, O Lord.
Exclamation.
For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
Blessed Is the Man
Then shall be said or sung several verses from the First Selection of the Psalms (Stikhoslóvie Kafísmi).
(Psalms 1 and 2, sung with Alleluia)
Psalms i., ii.
Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, and the way of the ungodly shall perish. Alleluia. (Thrice.)
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice unto him with reverence. Alleluia. (Thrice.)
Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Alleluia. (Thrice.)
Arise, O Lord: Save me, O my God. Alleluia. (Thrice.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to thee, O Lord. (Thrice.)
The Little Litany
Then the Deacon saith
Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Lord, have mercy.
Calling to remembrance our most holy, undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
To thee, O Lord.
Exclamation.
For thine is the majesty, and thine are 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.
Lord, I Have Cried
And here shall be sung immediately, Lord, I have cried unto thee, with its Verses (Stikhí), as appointed. And in the mean time the Deacon censeth the Sanctuary and all the Temple.
Psalms cxli., cxlii., cxxx., cxvii.
(Psalms 141, 142, 130 and 117 in most English Bibles)
Lord, I have cried unto thee, hear me. Hear me, O Lord.
Lord, I have cried unto thee, hear me: receive the voice of my prayer when I call upon thee. Hear me, O Lord.
Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as incense, and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
The Priest prayeth, secretly.
(said during the Psalms)
In the evening, and in the morning, and at noonday we praise thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, and we pray unto thee, O Lord of all: Direct thou our prayer before thee as incense, and incline not our hearts unto words or thoughts of wickedness; but deliver us from all who seek after our souls. For unto thee, Lord, O Lord, lift we up our eyes, and in thee have we trusted. Put us not to shame, O our God.
Aloud.
For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Varies The stichera change with the week’s Tone and the saint or feast; they are not printed here.
The Canticles (Stikhíry; see Appendix A) are then sung or read in the proper Tone, as appointed, preceded by Verses (Stikhí).
(Hapgood gives the closing verses below; the stichera are sung between them.)
(On the Lord’s Day and the Great Feasts): Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks unto thy Name.
The righteous await me, until thou shalt requite me.
(On Feast Days): Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord: O Lord, hear my voice.
O let thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint.
(On Ordinary Days): If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it.
For thy Name’s sake I have patiently waited for thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited patiently for thy word; my soul hath trusted in the Lord.
(Or): My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his sins.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Varies The hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmatik) changes with the Tone. Hapgood gives Tone I as an example.
Then shall be sung the Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmátik) in the proper Tone.
Tone I. (Example.)
Let us sing the praises of Mary, Virgin, Door of heaven, Glory of all the world, sprung forth from man, who also bare the Lord; the Song of the Bodiless Powers, and the Enriching of the faithful. For she revealed herself as Heaven and the Temple of the Godhead. She destroyed the bulwarks of enmity, and ushered in peace, and threw open the kingdom. Wherefore, in that we possess this confirmation of our faith we have a defender, even the Lord who was born of her. Be bold, therefore, be bold, ye people of God, for he, the All-Powerful, will vanquish your foes.
The Entrance
While the Dogmátik is being sung, the Holy Door is opened, and the Priest and Deacon pass before the High Place, through the Left Door, and stand before the Holy Door.
Then the Deacon, having censed the Holy Pictures (ikóni), shall say in a low voice to the Priest:
Bless, Master, the Holy Entrance.
And the Priest, blessing with the sign of the cross, shall say:
Blessed is the Entrance of thy Holy Ones, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
And when the Dogmátik is finished the Deacon shall lift up the censer, as he standeth in the middle of the Holy Door, and shall say aloud:
Wisdom, O believers!
O Gladsome Radiance
Then shall be sung the Hymn (Tropár) composed by Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem.
O gladsome radiance of the holy glory of the Father immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed, Jesus Christ!
In that we now are come unto the setting of the sun, and behold the light of even, we hymn thee, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God.
For meet is it that at all times thou shouldest be magnified by voices propitious, O Son of God, who bestowest life. For which cause all the world doth glorify thee.
The Priest and the Deacon enter the Sanctuary and go to the High Place.
The Gradual
Let us attend. Wisdom!
Peace be unto all.
And to thy spirit.
Wisdom! Let us attend. — The Gradual (Prokímen) of the . . . Tone.
On Saturday Evening (the Lord’s Day):
The Lord is King, and hath put on glorious apparel.
Verse: The Lord hath put on his apparel, and hath girded himself with strength.
Verse: For he hath made the round world so sure that it shall not be moved.
Verse: Holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, forever.
(On the other evenings of the week Hapgood gives a different Gradual for each day.)
Varies Read only on certain feasts and appointed days.
Here, on certain Feasts and appointed days only, are read the Parables (Paremíi), the Deacon having said before each Parable, Wisdom! Let us attend!
(Readings from the Old Testament; they change with the feast.)
The Augmented Litany
The Gradual being finished, the Deacon shutteth the Holy Door, and goeth out through the North Door, and saith
Let us say, with all our soul and with all our mind let us say,
Lord, have mercy.
O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we beseech thee, hearken and have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech thee: hearken, and have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Varies Petitions for the civil authorities: these differ by country and parish.
Here follow petitions for the Ruler of the Land and for all the Authorities (Emperor, or King, and Reigning House, or President, according to the elements and nationalities of which the Parish is constituted).
Furthermore we pray for our Holy Synod (or Patriarch); for our Bishop (or Archbishop, or Metropolitan), N.; and for all our brethren in Christ.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Furthermore we pray for all their Christ-loving Army and Navy.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Furthermore we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy Temple; and for all our devout fathers and brethren, Orthodox believers, departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Furthermore we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, forgiveness and remission of sins for the servants of God, our brethren of this holy Temple.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Furthermore we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-honourable Temple; for those who labour in its service; for the singers; and for the people here present, who await in firm hope thy great and rich mercies.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Exclamation.
For thou art a merciful God, who lovest mankind, 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.
Vouchsafe, O Lord
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin. Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is thy name forever. Amen.
Let thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have set our hope on thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord; teach me thy statutes. Blessed art thou, O Master; make me to understand thy commandments. Blessed art thou, O Holy One; enlighten me with thy precepts.
Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever: O despise not the works of thy hands. To thee belongeth worship, to thee belongeth praise, to thee belongeth glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Litany of Supplication
Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Succour us, save us, be merciful unto us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Lord, have mercy.
An evening all-perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us beseech of the Lord.
Grant it, O Lord.
An Angel of Peace, the faithful guide and guardian both of our souls and bodies, let us beseech of the Lord.
Grant it, O Lord.
The pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us beseech of the Lord.
Grant it, O Lord.
All things which are profitable to our souls and bodies, and peace to the world, let us beseech of the Lord.
Grant it, O Lord.
That we may pass the residue of our life in peace and penitence, let us beseech of the Lord.
Grant it, O Lord.
A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful; and a good defence before the dread Judgment Seat of Christ, let us beseech of the Lord.
Grant it, O Lord.
Calling to remembrance our most holy, undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
To thee, O Lord.
Exclamation.
For thou art a gracious God, and lovest mankind, 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.
Peace be with you all.
And with thy spirit.
Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.
To thee, O Lord.
The Priest, secretly.
O Lord our God, who didst bow the heavens and come down for the salvation of mankind: Look upon thy servants and thine inheritance; for unto thee, the awful Judge, who yet lovest mankind, have thy servants bowed their heads, and submissively inclined their necks, awaiting not succour from men, but expecting thy mercy and looking confidently for thy salvation. Guard them at all times, both during this present evening and in the approaching night, from every foe, from all adverse powers of the Devil, and from vain thoughts and from evil imaginations.
Aloud.
Blessed and glorified be the majesty of thy kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
The Litiya
Varies Served sometimes, especially on the eve of a great feast.
But sometimes (especially on the Eve of a Great Feast) there followeth the Litiyá, that is, the Petitions of Fervent Devotion.
When there is a Litiyá, the Priest and Deacon, preceded by taper bearers, come together to the end of the Temple opposite the Sanctuary, while the Choir is singing the Canticles (Stikhíry Litíyny) of the Temple or of the Feast. Then the Deacon saith, aloud, the following Prayer:
O God, save thy people, and bless thine heritage. Visit thy world with mercy and bounties; exalt the horn of Orthodox Christians, and send down upon us thy rich mercies. Through the prayers of our all-undefiled Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary: through the might of the precious and life-giving Cross: through the protection of the honourable Bodiless Powers of heaven; of the honourable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; of our Holy Fathers, great Hierarchs and Œcumenical Teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Divine and John Chrysostom; of our Holy Father Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker; of our Holy Fathers of All-Russia, Wonderworkers, Peter, Alexis, Jonah and Philip; of the holy, glorious, right-victorious Martyrs; of our reverend and God-bearing Fathers, the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint N. (the Patron Saint of the Temple); and of all thy Saints: We beseech thee, O all-merciful Lord, give ear unto us sinners, who make our supplications unto thee, and have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy. (40, usually 12, times.)
Here follow petitions for the Ruler of the Land and for all the Authorities (Emperor, or King, and Reigning House, or President, according to the elements and nationalities of which the Parish is constituted).
(Petitions for the civil authorities differ by country and parish.)
Furthermore we pray for our Holy Synod (or Patriarch); for our Bishop (or Archbishop, or Metropolitan), N.; for the honourable Presbytery, the Diaconate in Christ; and for all our brethren in Christ; and for every Christian soul that is afflicted and weary, in need of God’s mercies and succour; for the protection of this holy Temple, and for those who dwell therein; for the peace and quietness of the whole world; for the welfare of God’s holy Churches; for the salvation and assistance of our fathers and brethren who, with diligence and in the fear of God, do labour and serve; for those who are absent and abroad; for the healing of those who lie in sickness; for the repose, refreshment, blessed memory and remission of sins of all our devout fathers and brethren, Orthodox believers, departed this life before us, who here, and in all the world, lie asleep in the Lord; for the deliverance of captives; and for our brethren who are taking part in these ministrations; and for all who minister and have ministered in this holy Temple, let us say:
Lord, have mercy. (8, usually 12, times.)
Furthermore we pray that he will preserve this city and this holy Temple, and every city and land from pestilence, famine, earthquake, flood, fire, the sword, the invasion of enemies, and from civil war; and that our good God, who loveth mankind, will be graciously favourable and easy to be entreated, and will turn away from us all the wrath stirred up against us, and deliver us from all his righteous chastisement which impendeth against us, and have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy. (3 times.)
Furthermore we pray that the Lord God will hearken unto the voice of petition of us sinners, and show mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Then the Priest maketh mention, secretly, of whomsoever he will, both of the living and of the dead.
Hear us, O God our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of those who are far off upon the sea; and show mercy, show mercy, O Master, upon us sinners, and be merciful unto us.
For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, 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.
Peace be with you all.
And with thy spirit.
Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.
Then, as all bow their heads, the Priest reciteth the following Prayer, so that all may hear:
O most merciful Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, through the prayers of our all-undefiled Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary (and thence as in the preceding prayer, ending with): and of all thy Saints: Make our prayer acceptable; grant us remission of our transgressions; hide us under the shadow of thy wings; drive far from us every foe and adversary; make our life peaceful, O Lord. Have mercy upon us and upon thy world; and save our souls: for thou art gracious and lovest mankind.
Here are sung the appointed Canticles (Stikhíry) in the proper Tone, or of the Feast; and so singing we return to the centre of the Temple, where in special vessels the bread, wine, oil and wheat are already prepared.
The Aposticha
Varies These verses and hymns change with the Tone and the day; they are not printed here.
Then the Stikhíry na Stikhóvne (Selected Verses) shall be sung, and the Song of St. Simeon followeth.
The Song of Simeon
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
(Luke 2:29–32; in many parishes it is read by a reader, or sung)
O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O all-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. O Lord, wash away our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
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 the Evil One:
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.
The Hymn of the Feast
Then shall be sung the Hymn (Tropár) of the Feast.
Varies On a feast, its own hymn is sung here. On an ordinary Saturday evening, this one:
Hail, O Virgin Birth-giver of the Lord! Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. For thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.
The Blessing of the Loaves
Varies Only when the Litiya is served, on the great feasts.
After the Deacon hath censed about the table whereon stand the bread, wheat, wine and oil, the Priest, taking one of the loaves, shall make therewith the sign of the cross over the other loaves, and shall say aloud the following Prayer, pointing with his right hand to the loaves, wheat, wine, and oil, as he uttereth the words, Do thou, the same Lord, bless:
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, who didst bless the five loaves and didst therewith feed the five thousand: Do thou, the same Lord, bless these loaves, wheat, wine and oil; and multiply them in this holy habitation, and in all thy world; and sanctify all the faithful who shall partake of them. For it is thou, O Christ our God, who dost bless and sanctify and nourish all things; and unto thee we ascribe glory, with thy Father which hath no beginning, and thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
The End of Vespers
And immediately after the Amen:
Blessed be the Name of the Lord, henceforth and forever. (Thrice.)
Psalm xxxiv.
(Psalm 34; Hapgood gives its first ten verses here)
I will alway give thanks unto the Lord; his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O praise the Lord with me, and let us magnify his Name together.
I sought the Lord, and he heard me; yea, he delivered me out of all my fear.
They had an eye unto him, and were lightened, and their faces were not ashamed.
Lo, the poor crieth, and the Lord heareth him; yea, and saveth him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord tarrieth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
O fear the Lord, ye that are his saints; for they that fear him lack nothing.
The lions do lack, and suffer hunger; but they who seek the Lord shall want no manner of thing that is good.
And the Priest cometh forth, and standeth before the Holy Door. And when the Psalm is finished, he turneth and saith to the People:
The blessing of the Lord, through his grace and loving-kindness, be upon you always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
Varies Eastertide: added in the Paschal season.
And at Eastertide:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life.
And if it be the Vigil Office, and not Vespers only, the Reader immediately beginneth the Six Psalms of the Matins office.
When Vespers Is Served Alone
Varies Only when Great Vespers is served alone, not as part of the Vigil.
But if it be Great Vespers alone:
Wisdom.
Bless, Master.
The Existing is blessed, even Christ our God, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen. Establish, O Lord, the Holy Orthodox Faith, and Orthodox Christians, unto ages of ages.
Save us, O most pure Birth-giver of God.
Glory to thee, O Christ our God, our sure hope; glory to thee.
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. Bless, Master.
And the Priest, turning from the Holy Door towards the people, pronounceth the Benediction:
May Christ, our true God, through the prayers of his most-holy Mother; of Saint N. (the saint of the day); and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us, in that he is gracious and loveth mankind.
Here Great Vespers ends. At the All-Night Vigil, Sunday Matins follows at once, beginning with the Six Psalms.
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Text: Isabel F. Hapgood, Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic (Greco-Russian) Church (Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1906), pages 1–15. Public domain. Scan: archive.org/details/cu31924029363128
A reading aid, not an official service book. It carries no bishop’s blessing. Follow your parish’s books and your priest.