Morning Rule — Byzantine

Byzantine — full rule

25 min

Having risen from sleep, before any other action, stand reverently before an icon, conscious of being in the presence of God who sees all things, and make the sign of the cross.

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

Pause for a moment, until your senses have settled and your thoughts have left every worldly thing behind. Then make three small bows, saying:

O God, be merciful to me a sinner. (Three times)

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Your most pure Mother and of all the saints, 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.

From Easter to Ascension, the Heavenly King is replaced by the Paschal troparion: Christ is risen from the dead, by death He trampled death, and to those in the tombs He granted life. (Three times)

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. (Three times)

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.

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 50 — A Prayer of Repentance

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your compassions, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight, that You may be justified in Your words and prevail when You are judged.

For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, You have loved truth: You have made known to me the secret and hidden things of Your wisdom. Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that are humbled shall rejoice.

Turn Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, and with a governing spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You.

Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Your praise. For if You had desired sacrifice, I would have given it; with whole-burnt offerings You shall not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then shall You be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings; then shall they offer bullocks upon Your altar.

The Jesus Prayer

Counted on a prayer rope (chotki), repeat the Jesus Prayer one hundred fifty times. Let the words unite with the breath — Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God on the in-breath, have mercy on me, a sinner on the out-breath. Let the prayer rest in the heart, not in the mind.

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. (Three times)

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Your most pure Mother and of all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.