Transcription
A Book of Prayers1
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A Book of Prayers3
Memory Eternal!Mr. Louis “Lou” Kopcha(March 21, 1917 – April 26, 2013)Protodeacon Simeon “Sam” Kopcha(May 3, 1927 – April 30, 2010)4
DedicationThis Book of Prayers, published by Saints Cyriland Methodius Orthodox Church, Terryville,Connecticut, is produced and distributed in lovingmemory of two brothers, Protodeacon Simeon“Sam” Kopcha and Louis “Lou” Kopcha, who aretremendously influential in the history of theparish.Both of these good men were persons of greatpersonal piety—men who prayed regularly, evenconstantly.Louis, the elder brother by a decade, is known forhaving completely worn out several prayer booksin his lifetime, through tireless use. ProtodeaconSimeon, the younger brother, was particularlydevoted to the Church’s liturgical prayer, servingfor decades as a choir director and also as anordained deacon of the Church.The two brothers spoke almost every day,encouraging one another in every good endeavor,including, one must suppose, prayer.May the example of these two pious men inspireus to heed the directive of the Holy Apostle Paul,first given to the Christians of Thessalonicaalmost two thousand years ago: “Pray withoutceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)Memory Eternal! Вечная память! Αἰωνία ἡμνήμη! May their souls dwell with the blessed!5
Table of ContentsA Rule of PrayerOpening Blessing 10Glorification of God 10Invocation of the Holy Spirit 10Trisagion (Thrice Holy) Prayers 10The Lord’s Prayer 11Lord Have Mercy 11Call to Worship 12A Psalm of Repentance (Psalm 50/51) 12The Creed: The Symbol of Faith 14The Jesus Prayer 15Hymn to the Theotokos 15Dismissal (Closing Prayer) 15Prayers for Different Times of DayA Morning Prayer 16The Morning Prayer of the Optina Elders 16A Prayer for any Hour of the Day 17An Evening Prayer 17A Night Prayer, Preparing for Sleep 18Prayers Just Before Going to Sleep 18Prayers of IntercessionBrief Prayers of Intercession 19A Longer Prayer of Intercession 19Prayers for OthersA Prayer for the Sick 21Another Prayer for the Sick 21A Prayer for the Terminally Ill 21A Prayer for the Departed 226
Another Prayer for the Departed 22A Prayer of Parents for Their Children 23A Prayer of Children for Their Parents 24A Prayer for Enemies 24Prayers for Various OccasionsThe Prayer of Saint Ioannikios 26A Prayer of Saint Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow,Asking God to Meet Our Needs 26A Prayer for the Acceptance of God’s Will 26A Prayer asking God to Help Us be Obedient to His HolyWill 27A Prayer of Repentance 27A Prayer for Love of God 28Prayer Before Meals 28Prayer After Meals 29A Prayer Before any Work 29A Prayer After any Work 30A Prayer Before Reading the Holy Scriptures 30A Prayer Before Lessons or Study 30A Prayer of Married Persons 31A Prayer of a Widow or Widower 31A Prayer of a Person seeking to Live Purely andChastely 31A Prayer Against Demonic Influence 32A Prayer Against the Misuse of Visual Media 33A Prayer When Facing the Unknown 33A Prayer in Time of Need or Trouble 34A Prayer Before Traveling 34The Prayer of Saint Macarius the Egyptian 357
Prayers and Hymns for Various Seasons of the YearThe Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephrem 36The Paschal Troparion 36The Christmas Kontakion 36Prayers to the Mother of God, Various Saints and to the Holy AngelsTo the Mother of God, the Theotokos and Ever-VirginMary 37A Prayer to Saint John the Baptist 37A Prayer to Saint Nicholas 39A Prayer to Saint Herman of Alaska 41A Prayer to Saint Innocent, Enlightener of Alaska 42A Prayer to the Guardian Angel 44Another Prayer to the Guardian Angel 44Prayers of Preparation Before Holy CommunionA Prayer of Saint Basil the Great 45Another Prayer of Saint Basil the Great 47A Prayer of Saint John Chrysostom 48A Prayer of Saint John of Damascus 50Another Prayer of Saint John of Damascus 51A Prayer of Saint John Chrysostom 51Prayers of Thanksgiving after Holy CommunionA Prayer of Thanksgiving after Holy Communion 53A Prayer of Saint Basil the Great 54A Prayer of Saint Simeon Metaphrastes 54Another Prayer 55A Prayer to the Theotokos 568
Abba Macarius was asked, “How should one pray?” The oldman said, “There is no need at all to make long discourses; itis enough to stretch out one’s hands and say, ‘Lord, as youwill, and as you know, have mercy.’ And if the conflict growsfiercer say, ‘Lord, help!’ He knows very well what we need,and he shows us his mercy.” – From “The Sayings of theDesert Fathers” in the section about Saint Macarius theGreat.9
A Rule of Prayer(A “Rule of Prayer” is a collection of prayers intended to besaid together as a group, at least every morning and evening.The following rule is based upon a traditional rule called“The Rule of Saint Pachomius,” which is often suggested formemorization. When we memorize our rule we always haveour prayers with us.)Opening BlessingIn the Name of the Father, and of the Son, andof the Holy Spirit. Amen.Glorification of GodGlory to You, our God, glory to You!Invocation of the Holy SpiritO Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit ofTruth, Who art everywhere and fillest all things;Treasury of Blessings, and Giver of Life, comeand abide in us, and cleanse us from everyimpurity, and save our souls, O Good One.Trisagion (Thrice Holy) PrayersHoly God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Havemercy on us.Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Havemercy on us.Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Havemercy on us.10
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to theHoly Spirit, now and ever and unto ages ofages. Amen.O most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. OLord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master,pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visitand heal our infirmities, for Your Name’s sake.Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord havemercy.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to theHoly Spirit, now and ever and unto ages ofages. Amen.The Lord’s PrayerOur Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed beThy name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will bedone; on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us thisday our daily bread. And forgive us ourtrespasses, as we forgive those who trespassagainst us. And lead us not into temptation; butdeliver us from evil. Amen.Lord Have MercyLord, have mercy. (12 times)Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to theHoly Spirit, now and ever and unto ages ofages. Amen.11
Call to WorshipCome, let us worship God, our King!Come, let us worship and fall down beforeChrist, our King and our God!Come, let us worship and fall down beforeChrist Himself, our King and our God!A Psalm of Repentance (Psalm 50/51)Have mercy on me, O God, according to Yoursteadfast love; according to Your abundantmercy, blot out my transgressions.Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity andcleanse me from my sin, for I know mytransgressions, and my sin is ever before me.Against You, You only, have I sinned and donethat which is evil in Your sight, so that You arejustified in Your sentence and blameless inYour judgment.Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and insin did my mother conceive me.Behold, You desire truth in the inward being;therefore, teach me wisdom in my secret heart.Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.Fill me with joy and gladness; let the boneswhich You have broken rejoice.12
Hide Your face from my sins and blot out allmy iniquities.Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put anew and right spirit within me.Cast me not away from Your presence, and takenot Your Holy Spirit from me.Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, anduphold me with a willing Spirit.Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, andsinners will return to You.Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Godof my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloudof Your deliverance.O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall showforth Your praise.For You have no delight in sacrifice; were I togive a burnt offering, You would not bepleased.The sacrifice acceptable to God is a brokenspirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, Youwill not despise.Do good to Zion in Your good pleasure; rebuildthe walls of Jerusalem.Then will You delight in right sacrifices, inburnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; thenbulls will be offered on Your altar.13
The Creed: The Symbol of FaithI believe in one God, the Father Almighty,Maker of Heaven and Earth and of all thingsvisible and invisible.And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God,the only-begotten, begotten of the Father beforeall ages. Light of light; true God of true God;begotten, not made; of one essence with theFather, by Whom all things were made; Whofor us men and for our salvation came downfrom Heaven, and was incarnate of the HolySpirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man.And He was crucified for us under PontiusPilate, and suffered, and was buried. And thethird day He arose again, according to theScriptures, and ascended into Heaven, and sitsat the right hand of the Father; and He shallcome again with glory to judge the living andthe dead, Whose Kingdom shall have no end.And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver ofLife, Who proceeds from the Father, Who withthe Father and the Son together is worshippedand glorified, Who spoke by the prophets.In one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Iacknowledge one baptism for the remission ofsins. I look for the resurrection of the dead andthe life of the world to come. Amen.14
The Jesus PrayerO Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercyon me, a sinner.(The “Jesus Prayer” may be repeated 3, 12, 40 or 100 timesat this moment and then constantly throughout the day.)Hymn to the TheotokosIt is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, everblessed and most pure, and the Mother of ourGod. More honorable than the Cherubim, andmore glorious beyond compare than theSeraphim. Without defilement you gave birth toGod the Word. True Theotokos, we magnifyyou!Dismissal (Closing Prayer)Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, OLord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and saveus. Amen.15
Prayers for Different Times of DayA Morning PrayerArising from sleep, I thank You, O all-holyTrinity, for in Your great goodness andlongsuffering patience, You have not turnedYour anger upon me, a lazy sinner, nor haveYou let me perish in my transgressions, buthave dealt with me according to Your love formankind. You have lifted me from my despair,that I may be vigilant and glorify Your might.Now, therefore, illumine the eyes of my mindand open my mouth that I may learn Yourwords, understand Your precepts, and do Yourwill; thus I will sing to You wholeheartedly andpraise Your all-holy name of the Father and ofthe Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and everand unto ages of ages. Amen.The Morning Prayer of the Optina EldersO Lord, grant me to greet the coming day inpeace. Help me in all things to rely upon Yourholy will. In every hour of the day reveal Yourwill to me. Bless my dealings with all whosurround me. Teach me to treat all that comes tome throughout the day with peace of soul andwith firm conviction that Your will governs all.In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughtsand feelings. In unforeseen events let me notforget that all are sent by You. Teach me to act16
firmly and wisely, without embittering andembarrassing others. Give me strength to bearthe fatigue of the coming day with all that itshall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray;and You, Yourself, pray in me. Amen.A Prayer for any Hour of the DayO Christ our God, who at all times and in everyhour in heaven and on earth are worshiped andglorified; who are longsuffering, merciful, andcompassionate; who loves the just and showsmercy upon sinners; who calls all to salvationthrough the promise of the good things to come;O Lord, in this hour receive our supplicationsand direct our lives according to Yourcommandments. Sanctify our souls, purify ourbodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our minds;deliver us from all tribulation, evil, anddistress. Surround us with Your holy angels sothat, guided and guarded by them, we mayattain to the unity of the Faith and to the fullknowledge of Your unapproachable glory. ForYou are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.An Evening PrayerO Eternal God, O King of all creation, Whohave kept me safe to attain to this hour, forgiveme the sins which I have committed this day inthought, word, and deed. And cleanse, O Lord,my humble soul from every stain of flesh and17
spirit: Grant me, O Lord, to pass this night inpeace, to rise again from my bed, to pleaseYour holy Name all the days of my life, and tovanquish the enemies, both physical andspiritual, that contend against me. Deliver me,O Lord, from the vain thoughts that defile meand from evil desires. For Yours are theKingdom, and the power, and the glory, of theFather, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.A Night Prayer, Preparing for SleepO Lord, God our Father, if during this day Ihave sinned in word, deed, or thought, forgiveme in Your goodness and love. Grant mepeaceful sleep; protect me from all evil andawaken me in the morning that I may glorifyyou, Heavenly Father, together with Your Sonand Your Holy Spirit, now and ever and untoages of ages. Amen.Just Before Going to SleepInto Your hands, O Lord Jesus Christ, Icommend my spirit and body; bless me, saveme, and grant me eternal life. Amen.Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, OLord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon usand save us. Amen.18
Prayers of IntercessionBrief Prayers of IntercessionO Holy Saint, NAME, my heavenly patron, prayto God for me, a sinner.Remember, O Lord, all those in need of yourmercy and help, especially NAMES.Remember, O Lord, all those who have fallenasleep in You, the Lord, in the hope ofresurrection and eternal life, especially NAMES.A Longer Prayer of IntercessionO Lord Jesus Christ, our God, in Your mercy andloving-kindness You regard the humble prayersof all who
A Book of Prayers. 2 . 3 A Book of Prayers. 4 Memory Eternal! Mr. Louis “Lou” Kopcha (March 21, 1917 – April 26, 2013) Protodeacon Simeon “Sam” Kopcha (May 3, 1927 – April 30, 2010) 5 Dedication This Book of Prayers, published by Saints Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Church, Terryville, Connecticut, is produced and distributed in loving memory of two brothers, Protodeacon Simeon .
