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Sunday SchoolSunday School Meetings are held Monthly the 1st Sunday after the Divine Liturgy The following set of prayers were edited and published in 2006 as part of an Eagle Scout Project by the Boy Scouts of Troop 25 of The Metropolitan Cathedral of St John the Theologian, Tenafly, New Jersey, under the guidance of the Rev. John Alexandrou, Dean of the Cathedral and the Sunday School Directors, Mr. and Mrs. Ted and Esmene Koroniades. The Creed (The Symbol of Faith) I believe in One God, Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in One Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, through whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became Man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and He suffered and was buried. On the third day He rose according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead; and the life of the age to come. Amen. Morning Prayers In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Glory to Thee, our God, Glory to Thee. Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, treasury of good gifts and Giver of Life, come and abide in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us. (Thrice) Glory to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. Lord, be merciful toward our sins. Master, forgive our transgressions. Holy One, visit us and heal our infirmities, for Thy names sake. Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. As we rise from sleep we worship Thee, O good and powerful Lord, and to Thee we sing the Angel��s hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God; through the Mother of God, have mercy on us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Having raised me from the bed and sleep, O Lord, enlighten my mind, and open my heart and lips to praise Thee, O Holy Trinity; Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God; through the Mother of God, have mercy on us. Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Suddenly the Judge will come, and the deeds of each will be laid bare; but at midnight let us cry with fear: Holy, Holy art Thou, O God; through the Mother of God, have on mercy on us. Lord, have mercy. (12 times) The Lords Prayer Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed by 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. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen Prayer of St. Basil the Great As I rise from sleep I thank Thee, O Holy Trinity, for through Thy great goodness and patience Thou hast not angered with me, an idler and sinner, nor hast Thou destroyed me in my sins, but hast shown Thy usual love for men, and when I was prostrate in despair, Thou hast raised me to keep the morning watch and glorify Thy words and understand Thy commandments and do Thy will and sing to Thee in heartfelt adoration and praise Thy Most Holy Name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our Lord, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen. Evening Prayers Now that the day has come to a close, I thank Thee, O Lord, and I ask that the evening with the night may be sinless; grant this to me, O Saviour, save me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now that the day has passed, I glorify Thee, O Master, and I ask that the evening, with the night may be without offence; grant this to me, O Saviour, and save me. Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Now that the day has run its course, I praise thee, O Holy One, and I ask that the evening with the night may be undisturbed; grant this to me, O Saviour, and save me. Lord, have mercy. (12 times) O Lord our God, if during this day I have sinned, whether in word or deed or thought, forgive me all, for thou art good and lovest mankind. Grant me peacefull and undisturbed sleep, and deliver me from all influence and temptation of the evil one. Raise me up again in proper time that I may glorify thee; for Thou art blessed; with thine Only begotten Son and thine All holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. (Say the Creed and add your private prayers). As you lie down to sleep say: Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my soul and my body. Do thou thyself bless me, have mercy upon me, and grant me life eternal. Amen. Prayers at Mealtime Before Lunch First, recite the Lords Prayer Our Father, who art in Heaven . . . Then, O Christ our God, bless the food and drink of thy Servants, for Thou are holy always, now and forever, and unto the ages of the ages. Amen. After Lunch We thank Thee, O Christ our God, that Thou have satisfied us with Thine earthly gifts; grant that we may not fall short of Thy Heavenly Kingdom, but as You were Present, O Saviour, among Thy disciples and gave them Peace, come also among us and save us. Before Dinner The hungry shall eat and shall be satisfied, and they that seek out the Lord shall praise Him; their hearts shall live forever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and from all ages of ages. Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. O Christ our God, bless the food and drink of thy . . . After Dinner Thou hast gladdened us, O Lord, by Thy deeds, and in the works of Thy hand we have rejoiced, the light of Thy countenance has been shown upon us, O Lord, and Thou hast put gladness in our hearts, We have been satisfied with the corn and oil and wine. In peace we will lie down and sleep for Thou, O Lord, alone shall make us dwell in hope. Hymns �V Troparia for Some of�nthe Major Holy Days�n The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14) SOSON KIRIE TON LAON SOU O LORD, SAVE THY PEOPLE O Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance. Grant victory over their enemies to Orthodox Christians, and protect thy people with thy cross. THY CROSS Thy cross, o master, we reverence, and we glorify Thy Holy Resurrection. Christmas (December 25) Thy Birth O Christ Thy birth, O Christ our God, rose upon the world as the light of knowledge; for through it those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star to adore Thee, the Sunrise from on high. O Lord, Glory to Thee. Epiphany (January 6) Lord, when You were baptized in the Jordan, the veneration of the Trinity was revealed. For the voice of the Father gave witness to You, calling You Beloved, and the Spirit, in the guise of a dove, confirmed the certainty of His words. Glory to You, Christ our God, who appeared and enlightened the world. Annunciation (March 25) Today is the beginning of our salvation and the manifestation of the mystery which is from eternity. The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces grace. So with him let us also cry to the Mother of God: Rejoice, thou art full of Grace: The Lord is with thee. TO THEE, THE CHAMPION GENERAL�K O Champion General, I your city now inscribe to you triumphant anthems as the tokens of my gratitude, being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos. But since you have the dominion unassailable, from all kinds of perils free me so that unto you, I may cry aloud: rejoice, O Bride unwedded. Resurrection CHRIST HAS RISEN ... Christ has risen from the dead, trampling on death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life. Ascension Thou, O Christ our God, have ascended with glory and have caused Thy disciples to rejoice in the promise of the Holy Spirit; and they were confirmed through the blessing, that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. Pentecost Blessed art Thou, Christ our God, Who did make the Fisherman wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them did draw the world into thy net. Lover of men, glory to thee. PREPARATORY PRAYERS FOR HOLY COMMUNION Begin with prayers on pages, 1, 2, and 3; from the Bible, read Psalms 23, 24, and 116. Then the following: PRAYER OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM I believe, O Lord, and I confess that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. And I believe that this is Thy pure body and Thy own precious blood. Therefore I pray Thee, have mercy on me and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown. And grant that I may partake and of Thy Holy Mysteries without condemnation, for the remission of sins and for life eternal. Amen. PRAYER OF ST. SEMEON Behold I approach for Divine Communion. O Creator, let me not be burnt by communicating, For Thou art Fire which burns the unworthy. But purify me from every stain. Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Thy enemies; I will not give Thee a kiss like Judas; but like the Thief do I confess Thee. Remember me O Lord, in Thy Kingdom. Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ my God, let not these Holy Gifts be to me for judgement through my being unworthy, but for the purification and sanctification of my soul and body, and as a pledge of the life and kingdom to come. For it is good for me to cling to God and to place in the Lord my hope of salvation. Thanksgiving After Holy Communion (Glory to Thee, O God, (three times). Prayer I thank thee, O Lord, my God, that Thou hast not rejected me, as a sinner, but hast granted me to be a communicant of Thy Holy Things. I thank you Thee that Thou hast granted me, unworthy as I am, to partake of Thy pure and heavenly Gifts. But, O Lord, Lover of men, Who didst die for us and rise again and bestow upon us these Thy dread and life-giving Mysteries for the well-being and sanctification of our souls and bodies, grant that these may be averting of everything hostile, for the enlightenment of the eyes of my heart, for the peace of the powers of my soul, for unashamed faith, for sincere love, for the fullness of wisdom, for the keeping of Thy commandments, for an increase of Thy divine grace, and for the familiarity with Thy kingdom; that being kept by Them in Thy holiness I may ever remember Thy grace, and never live for myself but for Thee our Lord and benefactor. And so when I have passed from existence here in the hope of eternal life, may I attain the everlasting rest, where the song is unceasing of those who behold the ineffable beauty of Thy face. For thou art the true desire and the unutterable gladness of those who love Thee, O Christ our God, and all creation sings of Thee throughout the ages. --- Prayer of St. Basil the Great Lord Christ our God, King of the ages and Creator of all, I thank Thee for all the blessings Thou hast granted me and for the communion of Thy pure and lifegiving Mysteries. I pray Thee, therefore, good Lord and Lover of men, guard me under Thy protection and within the shadow of Thy wings; breath worthily to partake of Thy Holy Things for the forgiveness of sins and for life eternal. For Thou art the Bread of Life, the Source of Holiness, the Giver of all that is good, and to Thee we send up the glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Prayer Before Lessons Most gracious Lord! Send down upon us the grace of Thy Holy Spirit to grant us intelligence and strengthen the powers of our soul, that we may attend to the instruction given us, and grow up to glorify Thee, our creator, to gladden our parents, and to serve the Church and our people. Prayer After Lessons We thank Thee, our Creator, that Thou have granted us Thy grace to attend to this instruction. Bless our parents and teachers who are leading us to the knowledge of good, and grant us energy and strength to persevere in our studies. Apolitikion of St. John the Theologian Beloved Apostle of Christ our God, hasten to deliver a people without defense. He who permitted you to recline upon His bosom, accepts you on bended knee before Him. Beseech Him, O Theologian, to dispel the persistent cloud of nations, asking for us peace and great mercy. |
