Akathists
The Akathist Hymn to the Holy Trinity
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Kontakion 1
King of the ages and Lord from before all ages, Creator of all creation, both visible and invisible, God glorified in the Holy Trinity, to Whom every knee bows; of those in heaven, on earth, and beneath the earth. Therefore we too, as those who have been enlightened by the Holy Mystery of Baptism in Your thrice-holy Name—though we are unworthy—dare to offer You this hymn of praise; and You, as our Creator, Provider and Judge, heed the voice of Your servants’ prayer, and do not withhold Your mercy from us, so that from the depths of our souls we may ever cry out to You: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God; have mercy on us, Your fallen creation, for the sake of Your Holy Name.
Ikos 1
The archangels and angels, the principalities and powers, the thrones and dominions, standing before the throne of Thy glory, cannot praise the greatness of Thy perfections. The many-eyed cherubim and the six-winged seraphim, covering their faces, speak to one another with fear and love: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts. And we, who are but earth and dust, would do better to love silence; yet, lest we appear ungrateful and discontented for so many mercies poured out upon us, following the doxology of those on high, with faith and love we say words such as these:
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who are the height of unspeakable perfections and the depth of unfathomable mysteries;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Thou who art everywhere and fulfil all things, Thou who art One, the same yesterday, today and for ever;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who do all things solely by Your will, bringing into being those who are not, as though they were; You who descend into hell and rise again;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who test the hearts and innermost thoughts of men; You who count the stars and give names to them all;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, whose ways are all true and whose judgements are all just and at the same time desirable;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Who punishes the sins of the fathers upon the children, yet shows mercy and helps from generation to generation;
Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God; have mercy upon us, Thy fallen creation, for the sake of Thy Holy Name!
Second Kontakion
Beholding You, Isaiah, upon the high and exalted throne, cried out: ‘Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell amongst a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have beheld the Lord of hosts;’ and when the fiery coal carried by the angel touched his lips, he praised You with purity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the One God. Therefore, O Most Holy Trinity, burn away with the fire of Your Divinity the thorns of our many sins, that we may sing to You with a pure heart: Alleluia!
The Second Ikos
Seeking to understand the incomprehensible, Moses, the greatest of the prophets, said: ‘Show me Your face! Let me see You as You are.’ And Thou didst say unto him: ‘Thou shalt see My back, but My face shall not be revealed unto thee, for no man shall see My face and live.’ But to us, though we are unworthy, You have been pleased to reveal Yourself in the face of Your Only-Begotten Son; therefore, with thanksgiving we say:
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who are the burning love of the seraphim and the ever-shining wisdom of the cherubim;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Thou who art the King above the heavenly thrones, and the true Lord of the dominions above the world;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who are the unconquerable strength of the heavenly powers, and the almighty Ruler of the highest realms;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Thou who art the joyful good news of the archangels and the ceaseless proclamation of the angels;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Thou who art the beginning of all beginnings of understanding and of all heavenly powers, the All-Ruler of the commandments;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Thou who art immortal and dwellest in the unapproachable Light, and with Thy chosen ones, as with friends, speakest face to face;
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God; have mercy on us, Your fallen creation, for the sake of Your Holy Name!
The Third Kontakion
With Your unspeakable power, You uphold all things; with the word of Your unrivalled wisdom, You govern all things; and with the Spirit of Your mouth, You give life to all things and cause them to rejoice. O Creator of all things in three Persons, You measured the heavens with Your right hand and the earth with Your palm; You who sustain and nourish all creation, calling all by name; and there is no one who can hide from the might of Your right hand and Your sight. For this reason, together with all the powers above and below, falling down in humility, we sing to You: Alleluia!
The Third Ikos
Since all creation serves Your command, You reveal everywhere the traces of Your providence and Your unparalleled perfections; therefore, Your unseen attributes, and Your ever-creating power and Divinity, we perceive them through the creatures; for which reason, with wonder and joy, we utter words such as these:
Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, mighty Maker of all things seen and unseen, and Ruler, with abundant love, of things present and to come;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Thou who out of the four elements hast fashioned creation and with the four seasons hast crowned the year;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who commanded the sun to illuminate the day, and the moon and stars to illuminate the night;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who bring forth the winds from Your treasuries; You who clothe the heavens with clouds and send rain and dew to cool the heat;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who gird the hills with joy and the valleys with gladness; You who adorn the lilies of the field and crown the plains with fruit;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Thou who sendest food to the young ravens and waterest all the beasts of the field, and sendest Thy mercies upon all Thy creatures;
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God; have mercy on us, Your fallen creation, for the sake of Your Holy Name!
The 4th Kontakion
Filled with the soul-destroying heresy, the second Judas, the madman Arius, denied that You, the Son of God, are one of the Holy Trinity; and we, though we name one Hypostasis of the Father, another of the Son and another of the Holy Spirit, yet acknowledge one Divinity in the Father and in the Holy Spirit, the same power, of one essence and the same glory, with heart and lips we confess, and having been enlightened by the thrice-illuminating Light in the waters of Holy Baptism, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God we worship, singing: Alleluia!
The 4th Ikos
Hearing that Arius, like a fearsome beast, had entered the speaking flock of Christ, and was snatching the sheep away from the true confession of the righteous faith, the shepherds and teachers of the Holy Church, they gathered in council at Nicaea and confessed Christ to be God, and not a creature; and honouring the Son and the Holy Spirit as equal to the Father, they cried out with a voice like thunder:
Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, the One true God, and not three gods;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, uncreated Father and uncreated Son and Holy Spirit, One and the same uncreated God; and not three distinct uncreated Gods;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God: Father, Who begot the Son before all ages; Son, Who wast born of the Father without beginning; Holy Spirit, Who from all eternity proceeds from the Father, but are not begotten;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God: Father, Who hast called us forth from non-existence; Son, You who have redeemed us who had fallen through Your Cross; Holy Spirit, You who sanctify and give life to all through Your gift;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, Who deigned to establish within our spirit, soul and body the three-part tabernacle for Your indwelling, and did not allow it to be corrupted by sin within us until the very end;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Who hast set the sign of Thy being in three Hypostases upon all Thy works; in this visible world and in the invisible;
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God; have mercy on us, Your fallen creation, for the sake of Your Holy Name!
The 5th Kontakion
Trinity without beginning and maker of all things, having created us in Your image and likeness, You commanded us to do what is pleasing before You; yet we, wretched as we are, having loved our own evil will, have cast aside the vows of the Holy Mystery of Baptism and defiled Your image. Therefore, now we run to You once more and pray: Send us Your gift, deliver us from the hand of our enemies, both visible and invisible, and save us by the ways known to You, so that for ever and ever we may sing to You: Alleluia!
The 5th Ikos
Beholding the wisdom which surpasses Thy perfections and Thy unspeakable acts of kindness towards the poor sons of Adam, O God in three Persons, the one dead in spirit is raised to life, the one defiled by knowledge is cleansed, and the one lost is saved; therefore, with a mind full of thanksgiving, a heart full of thanksgiving, and lips of thanksgiving fashioned by You, we bow our knees and say:
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who in Your counsel as the Triune God decreed to create man, and into his body, taken from the dust, You breathed the breath of life from Your mouth;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Who, in the presence of Adam, in Thy image and likeness, hast honoured us all and made us heirs to the blessings of Paradise;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who in Your wisdom have taught us to be above all visible things, and have subjected all creation beneath our feet;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who have given us the tree of life for nourishment, and have enriched us with the gift of immortality;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, Who did not forsake our forefathers, those who transgressed the commandment, even after their transgression, but settled them near Eden in the hope of salvation.
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who brought us too forth from our mother’s womb, and with the gift of the Gospel, after our birth, have sanctified us;
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God; have mercy on us, Your fallen creation, for the sake of Your Holy Name!
The 6th Kontakion
Preacher of righteousness and zealous for Thy holy Name, Elijah the Most Enlightened, having been called by the angel, stood upon Mount Horeb; and so first there came a great and mighty wind, scattering the mountains, then a great earthquake and a consuming fire; yet it was not in these that he saw You. And after the fire, a gentle whisper of the wind, and there he saw You; so, covering his face, he spoke with joy and awe: Alleluia!
The 6th Ikos
Thou hast caused the Light of knowledge, with the three radiant rays of Thy divinity, to shine upon the whole world; Thou hast driven away the error of idolatry, O God in three Hypostases and Lord; and You have brought the whole human race out of the great darkness of paganism into the marvellous light of the Gospel, through which we who are enlightened, glorifying Your almighty providence, say:
Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Thou who didst utterly destroy, by the waters of the Flood, all creation corrupted by sin, and didst renew the whole human race in the person of Noah;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Thou who delivered Abraham, the father of the faithful, from the confusion of tongues, and from his seed established the true Church;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who brought Your people out of Egypt, fed them with manna in the wilderness, and led them into the land flowing with milk and honey;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, Who filled the prophets with Your Spirit, and through them preserved the faith in the promised Redeemer in the midst of Israel;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Who chastised Thy people for their transgressions through the captivity in Babylon; and after its end, Thou didst again command that Jerusalem be rebuilt;
Holy are You, O Lord our God, Who revealed the Maccabees to be steadfast unto death in the faith and in the teachings of their forefathers; and You have preserved the Church under the Law, like a bride awaiting the coming of her beloved bridegroom, intact;
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord our God; have mercy on us, Your fallen creation, for the sake of Your Holy Name!
The 7th Kontakion
Wishing to show the greatness of Your love and mercy towards the fallen human race, when the time was fulfilled, You sent Your Only-Begotten Son, Who, being born of the Virgin, submitted Himself to the Law, that He might redeem those under the Law; Who, having lived on earth as a Man and redeemed us through His cross, ascended into heaven, from where, fulfilling His promise, He sent the Most Holy Spirit to us, that we might all sing: Alleluia!
The 7th Ikos
Truly marvellous, and a new wonder hast Thou shown, O Marvelous Lady on high, when, after sending the Most Holy Spirit upon the chosen disciples and apostles, Thou sentest them forth to preach throughout the world, to proclaim the great name of the Most Holy Trinity, and to bring all nations to the obedience of the faith. For this reason, marvelling at the power and work of their words, which were inspired by God, we joyfully say:
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who have chosen the weak, the lowly and the despised of the world, to put to shame the strong, the mighty and the wise;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Who hast strengthened countless hosts of martyrs, so that through innumerable torments and deaths the truth of the Gospel and the power of Christ’s gift might be sealed;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, Who through the sign of the Cross softened the heart of the great Constantine, the equal of the Apostles, and through it brought an end to the terrible persecutions against the Christians;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, Who hast strengthened the Church through the seven Ecumenical Councils, as with seven pillars, of the God-bearing Fathers, and hast preserved her unscathed from heretical assaults;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Who hast granted that the teachers, enlightened by God, and the great ascetics of righteous honour might shine, like most radiant stars, upon the strength of the Church;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Who hast also guided Constantine, ruler of the Roman Empire, to the light of the true faith, and through him hast delivered the whole world from the deception of widespread unbelief;
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God; have mercy on us, Your fallen creation, for the sake of Your holy Name!
The 8th Kontakion
Strange and marvellous, at the oak of Mamre, Abraham beheld You, the True God; that is to say, seeing three men, he spoke as though to one: ‘Lord, if I have found favour in Your sight, do not pass by Your servant.’ Thus, to the Three, Who appeared to him in three forms—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, yet one God in one essence—he bowed down to the ground, saying: Alleluia!
The 8th Ikos
Thou art everywhere present, and ever watchful over all Thy creation, not only through the might of Thy immeasurable power, but also through Thy all-working abundance; and to us, as Your Son has said, even the hairs of our heads are all numbered with You, so that not one of them may fall without Your will. For this reason, placing our hope in Your providence, we speak with boldness and love:
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who have willed that the whole human race should be divided into tribes and nations, and to each of them You have appointed a place and a time to live;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, through whom kings reign and the mighty do justice, and You guard Your chosen ones as the apple of Your eye;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, from Whom spring forth wisdom and understanding, all strength and power, all health and beauty;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Who ordainst wars, and yet bringest them to an end; You who crown the weapon that bears justice with victory, whilst the weapon of injustice, even in the midst of victories, You have already decreed to be shattered;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who work signs in heaven and on earth, sending fire, pestilence and famine upon mankind, lest they stray for ever from Your righteous ways;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Who exaltest the humble on earth and settest them to sit with the rulers of Thy people; but the proud Thou destroyest, that they may have no place;
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord our God; have mercy on us, Your fallen creation, for the sake of Your Holy Name!
The 9th Kontakion
All creation, above and below, ceaselessly glorifies You, the eternal Creator and God: in heaven, some sing day and night: ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’, whilst others lay their crowns at Your feet. And we on earth, together with all creation, as those adorned with the image of Thy co-eternal glory, pray to Thee and await from Thee great and abundant mercy, singing: Alleluia!
The 9th Ikos
The loquacious philosophers, though they labour greatly with their minds to fathom the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, cannot comprehend how there is one God of one essence. And knowing full well the countless acts of goodness towards us from each of the three divine Persons, with faith and gratitude we say:
Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Who in Thy righteous judgement hast ordained that we all should return to the earth from whence we were taken, and on the day of the Resurrection be raised up again;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, You who have decreed beforehand that the sun, the moon and the stars shall be darkened for a time, and that the earth and all that is upon it shall be purified by fire, so that in their place a new heaven may appear, in which righteousness dwells;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who have appointed the day on which all the tribes and nations shall stand before You for judgement, so that each may receive his reward according to his deeds.
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, Who will say to the righteous on the day of reward: ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, from Whom the sinners who have not repented in fear will then hear: ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels’;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, Who have promised to preserve Your Church unshaken until the end of the world, so that it may not be overcome even by the gates of hell;
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God; have mercy on us, Your fallen creation, for the sake of Your holy Name!
The 10th Kontakion
Wishing to save the world, You appeared at the River Jordan, Most Holy and Divine Trinity: the Father, in a voice from heaven, testifying to the Beloved Son; the Son, in human form, receiving Baptism from the servant; and the Holy Spirit descending in the form of a dove upon Him who was being baptised. Thus, in the name of God, yet in three Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we have learnt to enlighten through Baptism every person who comes into the world, singing: Alleluia!
The 10th Ikos
O Everlasting King, Who causes the sun to rise upon the good and the wicked; You who love the righteous and have mercy on sinners, wash away our spiritual and bodily impurity; deign to make Your dwelling within us, though we are Your unworthy servants. Drive away impure thoughts, wipe away unseemly deeds, and direct our tongues to speak what is pleasing before You, so that, with a pure heart and lips, we may humbly utter words such as these:
Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, of Whom the company of the Apostles speaks openly and to Whom the assembly of the prophets ever looks;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, whom the host of martyrs confesses with divine reverence, and whose Holy Name the host of the most pious glorifies.
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, for Whom the multitude of hermits ceaselessly yearn, and by Whom their ascetic labours are crowned;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, to Whom the hierarchs and shepherds of the Church offer songs of thanksgiving; and the teachers of the world expound Thy doctrine unto us for our salvation;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God; accept our prayer and the intercession of all the saints, and especially of the Most Holy Virgin, who stretches out her hands to You on our behalf;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God; surround us with Your holy angels and drive away from us the evil spirits beneath the heavens;
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God; have mercy on us, Your fallen creation, for the sake of Your holy Name!
The 11th Kontakion
All the praise offered to You cannot give You the thanks You deserve for everyone and everything, O God glorified in the Trinity; for there is no mind that can comprehend the multitude of Your mercies bestowed upon us, nor any word that can worthily recount them; yet for all that we have seen and all that is given to us, may thanks, honour and glory be Yours, Most Holy Trinity, such as You Yourself know to be worthy and pleasing to Your glory; therefore, as we worship You, with humility and love we sing: Alleluia!
The 11th Ikos
O Light-Giver, the Three-Sun, You have revealed Yourself as a giver of light, in Your promises, to us who are in the darkness of ignorance concerning our future destiny; yet with thanksgiving we confess You, that You may deign to grant us at least one of the blessings foretold by Your Only-Begotten Son; for which we now say with humility and love:
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God, Who have prepared for Your chosen ones blessings which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and which have not entered the human heart;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, Whom all who are pure in heart shall see as You are and shall know You as You Yourself know them;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, in Whom all who hunger and thirst shall find righteousness, the One who satisfies and is never exhausted;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, from Whom the peacemakers shall be called beloved sons, as those who follow Your Only-Begotten Son, He who has reconciled all things;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, in whom the meek shall inherit the earth; and the poor in spirit shall be deemed worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Who hast promised eternal reward to those who show mercy and endless joy to those who mourn;
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God; have mercy on us, Your fallen creation, for the sake of Your Holy Name!
The 12th Kontakion
Most Holy Trinity, grant us Your almighty gift; accept our confession of sins before the glory of Your Kingdom; heed our sighs, send us the spirit of humility and mercy; so that we may be deemed worthy, with a pure soul and heart, to speak to You on earth without condemnation, just as the angels speak in heaven: Alleluia!
The 12th Ikos
Singing of Your love for mankind, we all glorify You, Trinity without beginning; we believe in One God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; for we know no other God but You; to You we bow down and to You we pray, saying:
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God, grant us Your help, that we may fear no evil, for the defence of our lives and that we may not be terrified by any enemy;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who save repentant sinners; therefore save us too, we who are great sinners;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who pour out Your mercy upon all; pour it out upon us too, and save us, for we are weak;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God; grant us all a prolongation of life so that we may repent, and do not condemn us to be cut down like the barren fig tree;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God; deliver us from the temptations that beset us: from the world, from the flesh and from the devil, and nourish us in faith and love for Thee;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God; make us worthy to see You face to face and to enter Your luminous chamber at the wedding feast of the Lamb;
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God; have mercy on us, Your fallen creation, for the sake of Your holy Name!
The 13th Kontakion
O Most Holy, Life-giving and All-creating Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the One, True God and our Creator, accept this our present thanksgiving; send us the gift and strength from the heights of Your holy dwelling, so that, having cast aside all fleshly desires, we may live in all godliness and purity until the end of our lives, ever praising Thy Most Holy Name and singing: Alleluia! (this kondak is sung three times)
Then it is said again
Ikos 1
The archangels and angels, the principalities and powers, the thrones and dominions, standing before the throne of Thy glory, cannot praise the greatness of Thy perfections. The many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim, covering their faces, speak to one another with fear and love: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts. And we, who are but earth and dust, would do better to love silence; yet, lest we appear ungrateful and discontented for so many mercies poured out upon us, following the doxology of those on high, with faith and love we say words such as these:
Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Thou who art the height of unspeakable perfections and the depth of unfathomable mysteries;
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Thou who art everywhere and fulfil all things, Thou who art One, the same yesterday, today and for ever;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who do all things solely by Your will, bringing into being those who are not, as though they were; You who descend into hell and rise again;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, You who test the hearts and minds of men; You who count the stars and give names to them all;
Holy are You, O Lord, our God, Whose ways are all true and Whose judgements are all just and at the same time desirable.
Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God, Who punishes the sins of the fathers upon the children, yet shows mercy and helps from generation to generation;
Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord, our God; have mercy on us, Your fallen creation, for the sake of Your Holy Name!
Kontakion 1
King of the ages and Lord from before all ages, Creator of all visible and invisible creation, God glorified in the Holy Trinity, to Whom every knee bows; of those in heaven, on earth, and beneath the earth. Therefore we too, as those who have been enlightened by the Holy Mystery of Baptism in Your thrice-holy Name—though unworthy as we are—dare to offer You this hymn of praise; and You, as our Creator, Provider and Judge, heed the voice of Your servants’ prayer, and do not withhold Your mercy from us, so that from the depths of our souls we may ever cry out to You: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O Lord, our God; have mercy upon us, Thy fallen creation, for the sake of Thy Holy Name!
After this, the following is said:
Prayer to God the Father
Almighty Lord, wise and all-good Lord, Beginner without beginning of the Son born of the same substance, and Sender of Your Holy and Life-giving Spirit, eternal and ever-existing; Thou Thyself art the cause of the procession, Whose greatness is boundless, Whose glory is unspeakable, and Whose mercy is immeasurable; Thou Who hast
brought us forth from non-existence and honoured us with Your most precious image; Who hast granted us, the unworthy, not only to know Thee and to love Thee, but even more precious still, that we might call Thee ‘Father’.
We give thanks to You, O God of mercy and compassion, You who have not left us, who have transgressed Your commandment, in the midst of sin and in the shadow of death; but You were pleased to send upon the earth, for our salvation, Your Only-Begotten Son, through Whom the ages were made, so that through His incarnation and His dreadful sufferings, we might be delivered from the torment of the devil and the corruption of death.
We give thanks to You, O God of love and power, that after the ascension of our Most Precious Saviour into heaven, You also sent Your Most Holy Spirit upon His chosen disciples and apostles, so that through the power of their God-inspired preaching they might enlighten the whole world with the pure light of Your Gospel. Therefore, O Lover of mankind, O Lord, hear now the humble prayer of Your unworthy children, for just as You created us solely out of Your goodness and redeemed us through Your mercy, so save us also through Your mercy; so save us also according to Your incomparable compassion; for in our deeds we have not the slightest trace of repentance, but just recompense and separation from Thy Most Radiant Countenance await us.
For if, on the day of judgement and recompense, we are called to account even for every idle word spoken, because of our countless transgressions with which we have sinned before You, then what answer shall we, the wretched ones, give on that day?
For this reason we turn to Your goodness, which surpasses all understanding and speech, praying to You: We have sinned; cleanse us, O Lord; we have acted wickedly; forgive us, O Lord; we have provoked Your wrath; have mercy on us, O Long-suffering One.
And above all, guard our minds, our understanding and our hearts from the evils of the world; deliver us and save us from the all-encompassing storm of passions and from falling into sins, both known and unknown; guide us to the peaceful harbour of faith, love and the hope of eternal life.
Remember us, O Lord, in Your mercy; grant us all our petitions for salvation, and above all a pure and blameless life; make us worthy to love You, to fear You with all our hearts, and to do Your holy will; through the prayers of our Most Holy Lady, the Mother of God, and of all the saints.
For You are our God, good and loving towards mankind, and to You we offer glory, thanksgiving and worship, together with Your Son, the One without beginning, and Your Most Holy, Good and Life-giving Spirit; now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to God the Son
Only-Begotten, Son and Word of God, You who for our salvation deigned to become incarnate and to suffer death; and now, with Your Most Pure Body, You sit at the right hand of the Father in heaven, and You govern the whole world; do not forget us, who are here below, with Your mercy, for though we are utterly defiled and unworthy, yet in You, our Saviour and our God, we believe, and know of no other mediator or hope of salvation.
Therefore, grant us, O Most Good Redeemer, that we may always remember how many torments of soul and body You had to endure to appease the eternal justice of Your Father for our sins; and how You descended from the cross into hell, with Your Most Pure soul, to deliver us from the power of hell’s torment.
And as we remember this, may we guard ourselves against lusts and sins, which were the cause of Your dreadful sufferings and death; and may we love righteousness and virtue, which are more pleasing to You than any gift we might offer.
Therefore, as the One who was tempted in every way, O Most Good One, You alone know how great is the weakness of our spirit and body, and how powerful and cunning is our enemy, who prowls about like a lion, seeking whom he may devour; for this reason, do not deprive us of Your almighty help; but be with us always, guarding and sheltering us, guiding and strengthening us, bringing joy and gladness to our spirit.
And as we run to the bosom of Your love and mercy, may we dedicate our whole life—both temporal and eternal—to You, our Master, Redeemer and Lord; whom we beseech from the depths of our souls, that You may, according to Your own wisdom, to pass unhindered through this dark path of earthly life and reach Your heavenly abode, which You have promised to prepare for all who believe in Your name and follow Your divine teachings.
Prayer to God the Holy Spirit
Heavenly King, most gracious Comforter, Spirit of truth, Who proceeds from the Father before all ages, and rests eternally in the Son; impartial Source of divine gifts, which You bestow as You will; through whom even we, the unworthy, have been sanctified and anointed on the day of our baptism.
Look upon the prayer of Thy servants, come unto us and dwell within us, and purify our souls, that we may become a dwelling-place for the Most Holy Trinity.
Therefore, O Most Good One, do not be repelled by our impurity nor by the wounds of our sins; but heal them with Your all-healing anointing. Enlighten our minds, that we may recognise the vanity of the world and of those who are in the world; revive our understanding, that it may ceaselessly teach us what we ought to do and what we ought to reject; purify and renew our hearts, so that evil thoughts and ungodly desires may no longer spring up day and night.
Tame the body and, with Your dew-giving breath, quench the flame of the passions, through which the most precious image of God is darkened within us.
And drive from us the spirit of sloth, of sorrow, of the love of dominion, and of idle talk; and grant us the spirit of love and patience, the spirit of gentleness and righteousness, so that, having strengthened our weakened hearts and knees, we may journey without sloth along the path of the holy commandments; and thus, shunning all sin and fulfilling all righteousness, may we be deemed worthy to receive a Christian and blameless end, and to enter the heavenly Jerusalem; and there to worship You, together with the Father and the Son, singing for ever and ever: Holy Trinity, glory to You!
Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity
Most Holy Trinity, One in Being, the source of all good; how shall we repay You for all that You have given to us, sinners and unworthy as we are, which You ordained for us even before we were born into this world, and for all that You give to each of us day by day, and for what You have prepared for us all in the age to come?
It was therefore fitting, for so many blessings and acts of mercy, that we should give thanks to You not only with words, but above all with deeds, by keeping and fulfilling Your commandments; yet we, with our passions and evil habits, have cast ourselves into countless sins and transgressions.
For this reason, as those who are defiled, not only do we not dare to appear before Your Most Holy and thrice-radiant Face, but we do not even dare to call upon Your Most Holy Name, had You not deigned Yourself to comfort us by making Yourself known to us; for You love the righteous and the pure, and You save the repentant sinners and receive them with mercy.
Therefore, O Divine Trinity, look down from the heights of Your holy glory upon us, who are so sinful; and accept our good will in place of good deeds, and grant us the spirit of true repentance; so that, hating all sin, we may live in piety and righteousness until the end of our lives, doing Your holy will and glorifying Your most sweet and most blessed Name with a pure mind and good deeds. Amen.