Evening Rule — Byzantine

25 min

At the close of the day, stand reverently before an icon and make the sign of the cross.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O God, be merciful to me a sinner. O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me. O Lord, forgive me, for I have sinned without number.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O Heavenly King

O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O Good One.

Trisagion

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.

(Three times)

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

Most Holy Trinity

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us of our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for the sake of Your Name.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

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

Our Father

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 evil.

Amen.

Pater noster, qui es in cælis,

sanctificétur nomen tuum.

Advéniat regnum tuum.

Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra.

Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie,

et dimítte nobis débita nostra,

sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris.

Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem,

sed líbera nos a malo.

Amen.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)

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

Call to Worship

Come, let us worship our King and God.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ, our King and God.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ Himself, our King and God.

Psalm 140 — Evening Prayer

Lord, I have called to You; hasten to help me. Give ear to my voice when I cry to You.

Let my prayer rise before You as incense; let the lifting up of my hands be as the evening sacrifice.

Set, O Lord, a guard before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to invent excuses for sins, with men who work iniquity; and let me not partake of what they delight in.

The just man shall correct me in mercy and reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head, for my prayer shall yet be against the things in which they take pleasure.

Their judges falling against the rock have been swallowed up; they shall hear my words, for they are sweet.

As a furrow of the earth is broken upon the ground, so their bones are scattered by the mouth of hell.

For unto You, O Lord, O Lord, are my eyes; in You have I hoped. Take not away my soul. Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and from the stumbling-blocks of those who work iniquity.

The sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I shall pass by.

The Jesus Prayer

Counted on a prayer rope (chotki), repeat the Jesus Prayer one hundred fifty times. Let the words rest in the heart.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Hymn to the Mother of God

It is truly proper to glorify you, who have borne God, the ever-blessed, immaculate, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who, a virgin, gave birth to God the Word — you, truly the Mother of God, we magnify.

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. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Before sleep, briefly examine the day before God — words, thoughts, and actions — and entrust the night to His care.

Into Your hands, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, I commend my spirit. Bless me, have mercy on me, and grant me everlasting life. Amen.