MATTINS ON SUNDAYS AND FEASTS

PRIEST
Blessed is our God always, now and for ever: world without
end.
According to an old rubric ordering, which is still observed by some
monasteries and in Holy Week, after the Priest has given the blessing, the
service has as follows: [For the modern ordering see below].
READER: Amen.
PRIEST: Glory be to Thee, O our God, glory be to Thee.

O heavenly King and Comforter, Spirit of truth, which art in all

places and fillest all things; Treasure of goodness and Giver of
life: Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from all that defileth.
And save our souls, O Thou who art good.
READER
O Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal, have mercy
upon us. (3)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever, world without end. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us; O Lord, cleanse us
from our sins; O Master, pardon our transgressions; O Holy One,
visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy Name’s sake.
Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. [3]
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever: world without end. Amen.
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy
kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.

1
PRIEST
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever:
world without end.
CHOIR: Amen.
Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. [12]
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever: world without end. Amen.
O come, let us worship and bow down before our King and our
God.
O come, let us worship and bow down before Christ our King
and our God.
O come, let us worship and bow down before the very Christ
our King and our God.
PSALM 19 [20]
The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of
Jacob defend thee; send thee help from the sanctuary, and
strengthen thee out of Zion; remember all thy offerings, and
accept thy burnt offerings; grant thee according to thine own
heart, and fulfil all thy council. We will rejoice in thy salvation,
and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord
fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the Lord saveth His
anointed; He will hear him from His holy heaven with the saving
strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in
horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand
upright. Save, Lord: let the King hear us when we call.
PSALM 20 [21]
The King shall joy in Thy strength, O Lord; and in Thy
salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Thou hast given him his
heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips.
2
For Thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: Thou
settest a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked life of Thee,
and Thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
His glory is great in Thy salvation: honour and majesty hast
Thou laid upon him. For Thou hast made him exceeding glad
with Thy countenance. For the king trusteth in the Lord, and
through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
Thine hand shall find out all Thine enemies: Thy right hand shall
find out those that hate Thee. Thou shalt make them as a fiery
oven in the time of Thine anger: the Lord shall swallow them up
in His wrath, and the fire shall devour them. Their fruit shalt
Thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the
children of men. For they intended evil against Thee: they
imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to
perform. Therefore shalt Thou make them turn their back, when
Thou shalt make ready Thine arrows upon Thy strings against
the face of them. Be Thou exalted, Lord, in Thine own strength:
so will we sing and praise Thy power.

During the reading of Psalm 19, the Priest censes with the katsiou [a hand
held censer]. Today all the above is omitted from the usual daily mattins.
After the Priest has given the blessing, the modern ordering has as follows:
READER
O Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal, have mercy
upon us. (3)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever, world without end. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us; O Lord, cleanse us
from our sins; O Master, pardon our transgressions; O Holy One,
visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy Name’s sake.
Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. [3]
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

3
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy
kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRIEST: For Thine is the kingdom…
READER
Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance,
granting them victory over their enemies; And by Thy Cross, do
Thou, protect Thy commonwealth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Lifted up of Thine own will upon the Cross, do Thou bestow
Thy compassions upon the new commonwealth, that bears Thy
name, O Christ our God, Make glad with Thy strength, our pious
rulers, granting them victory over their enemies; may they have
as an alliance, that invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.
Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.
O formidable and unashamed protector, O good and all
praiseworthy Mother of God, despise not our prayers: sustain the
Orthodox people: save those whom thou hast charged to rule
over us, granting them victory from heaven: for thou didst give
birth to God, thou who alone art blessed.
PRIEST: Have mercy upon us, O God…
CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. [3] And after each
petition.
Again we pray for all pious Orthodox Christians.
Again we pray for our Archbishop…
For Thou art a merciful God and a lover of mankind…
CHOIR: Amen. Bless, father, in the name of the Lord.

4
PRIEST
Glory be to the Holy, Consubstantial, life-giving and undivided
Trinity: always, now and for ever: world without end.
CHOIR: Amen.
THE SIX PSALMS
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill
toward men. [3]
Lord, open Thou my lips and my mouth shall show forth Thy
praise. [2]
PSALM 3
Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they
that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul,
there is no help for him in God. But Thou, O Lord, art a shield
for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the
Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. I laid
me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. I will
not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves
against me round about. Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God: for
Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; Thou
hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto
the Lord: Thy blessing is upon Thy people.
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
PSALM 37 [38]
O Lord, rebuke me not in Thy wrath: neither chasten me in Thy
hot displeasure. For Thine arrows stick fast in me, and Thy hand
presseth me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of
Thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my
sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy
burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and are
corrupt because of my foolishness. I am troubled; I am bowed
down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are
filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my
flesh. I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the
5
disquietness of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before Thee; my
strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone
from me. My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore;
and my kinsmen stand afar off. They also that seek after my life
lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous
things, and imagine deceits all the day long. But I as a deaf man,
heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no
reproofs. For in Thee, O Lord, do I hope: Thou wilt hear, O Lord
my God. For I said, hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice
over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves
against me. For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually
before me. For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for
my sin. But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and
they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. They also that
render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the
thing that good is. Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not
far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. Make
haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

PSALM 62 [63]
O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul
thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty
land, where no water is. To see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I
have seen Thee in the sanctuary. Because Thy lovingkindness is
better that life, my lips shall praise Thee. Thus will I bless while
I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy name. My soul shall be
satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise
Thee with joyful lips: when I remember Thee upon my bed, and
meditate on Thee in the night watches. Because Thou hast been
my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice. My
soul followeth hard after Thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me.
But those that seek my soul to destroy it, shall go into the lower
parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a
6
portion for foxes. But the king shall rejoice in God; every one
that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that
speak lies shall be stopped.
I meditate on Thee in the night watches. Because Thou hast
been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I
rejoice.
My soul followeth hard after Thee: Thy right hand upholdeth
me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
now and for ever: world without end. Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory be to Thee, O God. [3] Kyrie
eleison. [3]
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

PSALM 87 [88]
O Lord God of my salvation, I cried day and night before Thee:
let my prayer come before Thee: incline Thine ear into my cry;
for my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the
grave. I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am a
man that hath no strength: free among the dead, like the slain
that lie in the grave, whom Thou rememberest no more: and they
are cut off from Thy hand. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in
darkness in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and Thou
hast afflicted me with all Thy waves. Thou hast put away mine
acquaintance far from me; Thou hast made me an abomination
unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. Mine eye
mourneth by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily upon
Thee, I have stretched out my hands unto Thee. Wilt Thou shew
wonders to the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise Thee? Shall
Thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or Thy

7
faithfulness in destruction? Shall Thy wonders be known in the
dark? And Thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? But
unto Thee have I cried, O Lord; and in the morning shall my
prayer prevent Thee. Lord, why castest Thou off my soul? Why
hidest Thou Thy face from me? I am afflicted and ready to die
from my youth up: while I suffer Thy terrors I am distracted.
Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; Thy terrors have cut me off.
They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me
about together. Lover and friend hast Thou put far from me, and
mine acquaintance into darkness.
O Lord God of my salvation, I cried day and night before Thee.
Let my prayer come before Thee: incline Thine ear into my cry.
PSALM 102 [103]
Bless the Lord, O my soul. And all that is within me, bless His
holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His
benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy
diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who
crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who
satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is
renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executeth righteousness and
judgement for all that are oppressed. He made known His ways
unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel. The Lord is
merciful and glorious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He
will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us
according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the
earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As Far as
the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our
transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so
the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame;
He remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as
grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind
passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it
no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to

8
everlasting upon them that fear Him. And His righteousness unto
children’s children; to such as keep His covenant, and to those
that remember His commandments to do them. The Lord hath
prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth all.
Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His
commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word. Bless ye
the Lord, all ye His hosts; ye ministers of His, that do His
pleasure. Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His
dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.
In all places of His dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.
PSALM 142 [143]
Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in Thy
faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness. And enter not
into judgement with Thy servant: for in Thy sight shall no man
be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath
smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in
darkness, as those that have long been dead. Therefore is my
spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. I
remember the days of old; I meditate on all Thy works; I muse
on the work of Thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto Thee:
my soul thirsteth after Thee, as a thirsty land. Hear me speedily,
O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not Thy face from me, lest I be
like them that go down to the pit. Cause me to hear Thy
lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: cause me
to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul
unto Thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto
Thee to hide me. Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God:
Thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken
me, O Lord, for Thy name’s sake: for Thy righteousness’ sake:
bring my soul out of trouble. And of Thy mercy cut off mine
enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am Thy
servant.
Answer me, and in Thy righteousness. And enter not into
judgement with Thy servant:

9
Thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever: world without end. Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory be to Thee, O God. [3]
Our hope, glory be to Thee, O Lord.
And the Priest shall say the Great Litany:
In peace let us pray unto the Lord.
CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. And after each petition.

For the peace from on high…

For the peace and union…
For this holy temple…
For our Archbishop …
For this city [or monastery or village]…
For fair seasons…
For them that travel by land…
That we may be delivered…
Succour, save, have mercy…
Mindful of our Most Holy and undefiled…
CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST: For unto Thee belong all glory….

CHOIR: Amen.
The choir shall then sing “God is the Lord…” in the tone of the week or
the tone of the Dismissal hymn of the Feast.

God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us. Blessed is He that
cometh in the name of the Lord.

10
O give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon His holy name.
God is the Lord…
All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I
will destroy them.
God is the Lord…
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
God is the Lord…
And then the Resurrection Dismissal hymn in the tone of the week or the
Dismissal hymn of the Feast or saint of the day.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
And then the Resurrection Dismissal hymn in the tone of the week or the
Dismissal hymn of the Feast or saint of the day.
Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.
And the Theotokion in the tone of the previous hymn.
The Priest shall say the short litany:
Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.
CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. And after each petition.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us…

Mindful of our Most Holy and undefiled…
CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST: For Thine is the might…

CHOIR: Amen.
And the choir shall sing the Kathismata, and if it be a Sunday, the choir
shall also sing the Benedictions in Tone 5.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.
The company of the angels were amazed when they beheld
Thee numbered among the dead, yet the power of death, O

11
Saviour, Thou didst destroy, and didst raise up Adam with
Thyself, and from Hades Thou didst set all men free.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.
O women disciples, why do ye mingle sweet scented spices
with your tears of pity, the radiant angel within the tomb cried
unto the Myrrhbearers: Behold the sepulchre and rejoice, for the
Saviour hath risen from the grave.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.
Very early in the morning the Myrrhbearers hasted unto Thy
sepulchre lamenting, but the angel stood before them and said,
weep not for the time of lamentation is past, but tell the Apostles
of the Resurrection.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.
With sweet smelling ointment the myrrhbearing women came
to Thy tomb, O Saviour, but they heard an angel say unto them:
Why count ye the living among the dead, for as God He hath
risen from the dead.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
We worship the Father together with His Son and the Holy
Spirit, The Holy Trinity, One in essence, and together with the
seraphim we cry: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O Lord.
Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.
Thou hast delivered, O Virgin, who hast borne the Giver of
Life, Adam from sin, and to Eve thou hast brought joy in place
of sorrow. For He who took flesh from thee, who is both God
and man, hath made life to flow in them that fell from life.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory be to Thee, O God. [3]
The Priest shall say the short litany:
Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.

12
CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. And after each petition.
Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us…
Mindful of our Most Holy and undefiled…
CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.
PRIEST: For blessed is Thy Name and glorified…

CHOIR: Amen.
On Sundays the reader shall recite the Hypakoe from the Octoechos and then
the choir shall sing the Hymn of Degrees in the tone of the week; otherwise
the first antiphon of the Hymn of Degrees in Tone 4 as follows:
From my youth up many passions have warred against me, but
do Thou, O my Saviour, succour and save me. [2]
Ye that hate Zion, shall be put to shame by the Lord: for as
grass in the fire shall ye be withered up. [2]
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
By the Holy Spirit is every soul filled with life: through
purification it is raised in high and made bright, by the Threefold
Unity in a holy mystery.
Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.
Streams of grace spring forth from the Holy Spirit, watering, the
whole of creation, giving it life.
Then follows the prokhimenon: on Sundays, in the tone of the week; on
Feasts, as appointed.
DEACON: Let us pray unto the Lord.
CHOIR: Kyrie eleison.

PRIEST: For Thou our God art holy…

CHOIR: Amen.

Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. [3]

13
DEACON
That we may be accounted worthy to hear the Holy Gospel, let
us beseech the Lord our God.
Wisdom. Stand steadfast. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
PRIEST: Peace unto all.

CHOIR: And unto thy spirit.

PRIEST
The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. [name].
DEACON: Let us give heed.

CHOIR: Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

And the Priest shall read the Mattin’s Gospel.
After the reading of the Gospel, the choir shall say:
Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee.
And the reader recites Psalm 50 [51]. On Sundays, the reader first recites the
Resurrection hymn “We have seen the Resurrection of Christ” and
then Psalm 50 is sung.
We have seen the Resurrection of Christ; let us worship the
holy Lord Jesus, who alone is without sin. We venerate Thy
Cross, O Christ, and we praise and glorify Thy holy
Resurrection. For Thou art our God: we know no other save
Thee; upon Thy name we call. Come all ye faithful, let us
venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ: for lo, through the
Cross joy hath come to all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we
sing the praises of His Resurrection: for He endured the Cross on
our behalf, and hath destroyed death by death.
PSALM 50 [51]
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving
kindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies
blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine
iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Against Thee, Thee only
have I sinned: and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou
mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and clear when Thou
14
judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my
mother conceive me. Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward
parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know
wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me,
and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and
gladness; that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit
within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not
Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy
salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Then will I teach
transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto
Thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my
salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness.
O Lord, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth Thy
praise. For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou
delightest not in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a
broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou will
not despise. Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion: build the
walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt Thou be pleased with the
sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt
offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
And then the choir shall sing the following in Tone 2.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
At the prayers of the Apostles, O merciful Lord, cleanse me
from the multitude of my transgressions.
Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.
At the prayers of the Mother of God, O merciful Lord, cleanse
me from the multitude of my transgressions.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving
kindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies
blot out my transgressions.

15
Jesus having risen from the tomb as He foretold, hath granted
unto us, life eternal and great mercy.
On Great Feasts, certain other Feasts, and during the period of the Triodion,
the hymn “Jesus having risen from the tomb” is replaced by a hymn of
the Feast; and special texts for the Feast may also be appointed in place of the
verses “At the prayers of the Apostles etc”.
DEACON
Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance…
CHOIR: Kyrie eleison [12]

PRIEST: Through the mercies, compassions and…

The Deacon shall now say the Short Litany, but in monasteries now follows
the reading or singing of the Canon, and after the third ode the Short Litany.
Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.
CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. And after each petition.

Succour, save, have mercy…

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled…
CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST: For Thou art our God…

And the choir shall sing or read the appointed Kathismata usually found after
the third ode of the Canon. And in parishes the Deacon shall straightway say
the short litany, but in monasteries after the sixth ode.
Again and again in peace … [as above]
PRIEST: For Thou art the King of peace…

CHOIR: Amen.
And the reader shall read the appointed Kontakion, Oikos and the Synaxarion
[a short account of the lives of the saints being celebrated on that day]. In
monasteries, the 7th and 8th ode of the Canon are read, but in parishes, after the
Synaxarion the choir shall sing the appointed Katavasias. Before the eighth
ode of the Katavasias the choir shall add the verse:
We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord.

16
And after the eighth ode of the Canon or as is the usual practice in parishes,
after the eighth ode of the Katavasias, the Deacon exclaims:
Let us honour in hymns and magnify the Theotokos and Mother
of the Light.
And the choir shall sing the Magnificat.
My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in
God my Saviour.
More honourable than the cherubim, and past compare more
glorious than the seraphim, who inviolate didst bear God the
Word, Very Mother of God, thee we magnify.
For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for,
behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
More honourable than the cherubim…
For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is
His name: and His mercy is on them that fear Him from
generation to generation.
More honourable than the cherubim…
He hath showed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the
proud in the imagination of their hearts.
More honourable than the cherubim…
He hath put down the mighty from their seats and exalted them
of low degree: He hath filled the hungry with good things and
the rich He hath sent empty away.
More honourable than the cherubim…
He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His
mercy: as He spake to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed
for ever.
More honourable than the cherubim…
And then the ninth ode of the Katavasias or in monasteries the completion of
the Canon.

17
After the ninth ode the Deacon shall say the short litany:
Again and again in peace … [as above]
PRIEST: For all the powers of heaven praise Thee…

CHOIR: Amen.
On Sundays:
Holy is the Lord our God [2]
Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool; for He
is holy.
The choir shall then sing the appointed Exapostilaria [Hymns of Light],
followed by the Praises.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord
from the heavens: praise Him in the heights. To Thee belongeth
the hymn, O God.
PSALM 148
Praise the Lord from the heavens: praise Him in the heights. To
thee belongeth the hymn, O God.
Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him all His hosts.
Praise ye Him, sun and moon: praise Him, all ye stars of light.
Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above
the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Lord: for He commanded and
they were created.
He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: He hath made a
decree which shall not pass.
Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deep.
Fire, and hail; snow and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling His
word.
Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars,

18
Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl.
Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the
earth.
Both young men, and maidens; old men and children: let them
praise the name of the Lord: for His name alone is excellent.
His glory is above the earth and heaven, He also exalteth the
horn of His people.
The praise of all His saints; even of the children of Israel, a
people near unto Him.
PSALM 149
Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise in the
congregations of saints
Let Israel rejoice in Him that made him: let the children of Zion
be joyful in their King.
Let them praise His name in the dance: let them sing praises
unto Him with the timbrel and harp.
For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the
meek with salvation.
Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their
beds.
Let the high praises of God be on their mouth, and a two-edged
sword in their hand.
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishment upon
the people.
To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of
iron.
And then the following as verses before the appointed hymns according to the
number to be sung.

19
 8 VERSES
To execute upon them the judgement written: this honour have
all His saints.
PSALM 150
Praise God in the sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His
power.
6 VERSES
Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His
excellent greatness.
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the
psaltery and harp.
4 VERSES
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed
instruments and organs.
Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high
sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the
Lord.
And on Sundays two verses are added:
2 VERSES
Arise, O Lord my God, lift up Thine hand: forget not Thy poor
for ever.
I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: I will speak of
all Thy marvellous works.
But if on a Sunday, hymns to a celebrating saint are also appointed to be
sung, then the two Sunday verses are omitted and replaced by verses sung at
the Aposticha of Vespers.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
On Sundays the hymn that corresponds to the Mattins Gospel,
otherwise the appointed hymn.
Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.
On Sundays, the following hymn to the Mother of God, otherwise the
appointed hymn.

20
Most blessed art thou, O Virgin Mother of God, for through
Him who took flesh from thee, Hades is held captive, Adam has
been recalled, the curse has been made extinct, Eve has been set
free, death has been eradicated, and we have been given life.
Therefore we cry aloud in praise: Blessed art Thou, O Christ our
God, who hast so been pleased, glory to Thee.
And then the Great Doxology:
Glory to Thee, who hast shown to us the light; Glory to God in
the highest, and οn earth peace, goodwill toward men.
We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify
Thee, we give thanks to Thee, for Thy great mercy.
Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty; O Lord the
Only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, and Thou O Holy Spirit.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away
the sin of the world, have mercy upon us, Thou that takest away
the sins of the world.
Receive our prayer, Thou that sittest on the right hand of the
Father, and have mercy upon us.
For Thou only art Holy, Thou only art the Lord, O Jesus Christ,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Everyday I will bless Thee and praise Thy name for ever and
ever.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and
glorified is Thy name for evermore. Amen.
O Lord, let Thy mercy lighten upon us as our trust is in Thee.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes. [3]

21
O Lord, Thou hast been our refuge from generation to
generation. I said, Lord have mercy upon me, heal my soul, for I
have sinned against Thee.
O Lord, unto Thee have I fled for refuge, teach me to do Thy
will, for Thou art my God.
For with Thee is the fountain of life, and in Thy light shall we
see light.
Continue Thy mercy upon those that know Thee.
O Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal, have mercy
upon us.
O Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal, have mercy
upon us.
O Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal, have mercy
upon us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.
Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
O Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal, have mercy
upon us.
And on Sundays the following hymn, otherwise the Dismissal hymn of the
Feast.
Today hath salvation come into the world. Let us sing praises
unto Him who hath risen from the grave and is the Author of our
life; for having destroyed death by death, He hath given unto us
the victory and great mercy.
And then the Enarxis of the Divine Liturgy. But in monasteries where the
Divine Liturgy does not immediately follow Mattins, the Deacon shall say the
following petitions:
Let us all say with our whole soul, and with our whole mind, let
us say,

22
CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. And after each petition.
O Almighty Lord, God of our fathers…
Have mercy upon us, O God …
Again we pray for our Archbishop…
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace…
Again we pray for the blessed…
Again we pray for them that strive…
PRIEST: For Thou art a merciful God…

CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON
Let us complete our supplication unto the Lord.
Succour, save, have mercy...
That this whole day may be perfect…
CHOIR: Grant us O Lord. And after each petition.
For an angel of peace, faithful guide…
For pardon and remission of our sins…
For things good and profitable to our souls…
That we may pass the remainder of our lives…
For a Christian ending to our life…
Mindful of our most holy and undefiled…
CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST: For Thou art the God of mercies…

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace unto all.

23
CHOIR: And unto thy spirit.
DEACON: Let us bow down our heads before the Lord.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST: O Holy Lord, who dwellest in the highest…

For Thine it is to have mercy, and to save…

CHOIR: Amen.

DEACON: Wisdom.

PRIEST: Christ our God, the Supreme Being…

CHOIR: Amen.

May the Lord God make firm the holy and undefiled faith of
pious Orthodox Christians in this holy Church [monastery], this
city [village] and in all Thy world, for ever and ever. Amen.

PRIEST
Glory be to Thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory be to
Thee.
CHOIR
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever: world without end. Amen. Kyrie eleison [3],
holy father give the blessing.
PRIEST
May [He who is risen from the dead] Christ our true God, by the
prayers of His most holy Mother…
By the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God,
have mercy upon us and save us.
CHOIR: Amen.

24