The Hours (Horologion) are the daily cycle of prayer in the Byzantine tradition, sanctifying each part of the day. These prayers follow the Orthodox practice.
Orthros (Matins/Morning Prayer) — Dawn
Opening Prayers
Glory to You, O God, glory to You.
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Trisagion Prayers
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3x)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us of our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.
Psalm 50 (51) — The Great Penitential Psalm
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 know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.
Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight,
that You might be justified in Your words and win 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; the unknown and hidden things of Your wisdom You have made known to me.
You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed;
You shall wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalm 62 (63)
O God, my God, to You I rise early at dawn.
My soul has thirsted for You; how often has my flesh longed for You
in a land barren and untrodden and unwatered.
So in the sanctuary have I appeared before You, to see Your power and Your glory.
For Your mercy is better than life; my lips shall praise You.
So shall I bless You in my life; in Your name shall I lift up my hands.
Great Doxology
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
O Lord, King, heavenly God, Father Almighty;
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
First Hour — 6:00 AM
Opening
Come, let us worship God our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.
Psalm 5
Give ear to my words, O Lord; understand my cry.
Attend to the voice of my supplication, O my King and my God.
For to You will I pray, O Lord.
In the morning You shall hear my voice;
in the morning I shall stand before You, and You shall look upon me.
For You are not a God that wills iniquity, nor shall evil dwell with You.
Psalm 89 (90)
Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever the earth and the world were made,
from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
For a thousand years in Your sight are but as yesterday that is past,
and as a watch in the night.
Third Hour — 9:00 AM
Commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Troparion
Blessed are You, O Christ our God, Who made fishermen all-wise, by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them drawing all the world into Your net. O Lover of mankind, glory to You.
Psalm 16 (17)
Hear, O Lord, my righteousness; attend to my supplication.
Give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.
From Your presence let my judgment come forth;
let my eyes behold uprightness.
You have tested my heart, You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me by fire, and unrighteousness was not found in me.
Kontakion
When the Most High descended and confused the tongues,
He divided the nations;
but when He distributed the tongues of fire,
He called all to unity;
therefore, with one voice we glorify the All-Holy Spirit.
Sixth Hour — 12:00 PM
Commemorating Christ's crucifixion.
Troparion
On the sixth day and at the sixth hour You nailed to the Cross the sin which rebellious Adam committed in Paradise. Tear asunder also the handwriting of our sins, O Christ our God, and save us.
Psalm 53 (54)
O God, save me by Your name, and judge me by Your power.
O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.
For strangers have risen up against me, and mighty men have sought my soul;
they have not set God before them.
For behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the protector of my soul.
Kontakion
O Christ our God, Who at this hour stretched out Your loving arms upon the Cross, that all nations might be gathered unto You: Grant us also, in this hour, to give ourselves to Your service, and to offer our prayers for the whole world. For You alone are Lord and lover of mankind.
Ninth Hour — 3:00 PM
Commemorating Christ's death on the Cross.
Troparion
Seeing the Prince of Life hanging upon the Cross, the thief cried out: If He who is crucified with us were not God incarnate, the sun would not have hid its rays, nor would the earth have trembled and quaked. O Lord, Who endures all things, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.
Psalm 83 (84)
How beloved are Your dwellings, O Lord of Hosts!
My soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God.
Blessed are they that dwell in Your house;
unto ages of ages they shall praise You.
Blessed is the man whose help is from You;
he has made ascents in his heart.
Luke 23:42-43
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
Vespers — Sunset
Psalm 103 (104) — The Psalm of Creation
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great!
You have clothed Yourself with thanksgiving and majesty,
Who covers Yourself with light as with a garment,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain.
Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks upon the wings of the wind,
Who makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.
Who established the earth upon its firm foundation;
it shall not be moved unto ages of ages.
O Gladsome Light (Phos Hilaron)
O Gladsome Light of the holy glory of the Immortal Father,
heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ.
Now that we have come to the setting of the sun
and behold the light of evening,
we praise God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
For it is right at all times to worship You
with voices of praise,
O Son of God and Giver of Life;
therefore all the world glorifies You.
The Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)
Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word;
for my eyes have seen Your salvation,
which You have prepared before the face of all peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to Your people Israel.
Compline — Before Sleep
Psalm 50 (51):1-4
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 know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.
Psalm 69 (70)
O God, be attentive unto helping me; O Lord, make haste to help me.
Let them be shamed and confounded that seek my soul;
let them be turned back and put to shame that desire evils for me.
But let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
and let them that love Your salvation say continually: Let God be magnified.
Prayer Before Sleep
Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
You have redeemed me, O Lord God of Truth.
O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me;
attend to the voice of my prayer when I call upon You.
Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You,
the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
Kontakion to the Theotokos
O Champion General, I, your city, ascribe to you
victory-songs of thanksgiving as one delivered from terrors.
But since you have invincible might, free me from all dangers,
that I may cry out to you: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded!
Great Doxology
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You,
we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
O Lord, King, heavenly God, Father Almighty;
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
Who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
You Who take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
You Who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For You alone are Holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
O Heavenly King
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth,
Who are everywhere present and fill all things,
Treasury of good things and Giver of life:
Come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain,
and save our souls, O Good One.
Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Psalm 103 (104) — The Psalm of Creation
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great!
You have clothed Yourself with thanksgiving and majesty,
Who covers Yourself with light as with a garment,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain.
Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks upon the wings of the wind,
Who makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.
Who established the earth upon its firm foundation;
it shall not be moved unto ages of ages.
O Gladsome Light (Phos Hilaron)
O Gladsome Light of the holy glory of the Immortal Father,
heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ.
Now that we have come to the setting of the sun
and behold the light of evening,
we praise God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
For it is right at all times to worship You
with voices of praise,
O Son of God and Giver of Life;
therefore all the world glorifies You.
Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Your servant.
Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
Psalm 50 (51) — The Great Penitential Psalm
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 know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.
Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight,
that You might be justified in Your words and win 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;
the unknown and hidden things of Your wisdom You have made known to me.
You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed;
You shall wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Prayer Against Temptation
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
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 uphold me with Your free Spirit.
Lord, You know the weakness of my flesh and the wandering of my mind. I am not able to resist temptation by my own power, but I place all my trust in You. Guard me by Your grace, and deliver me from the passions that war against my soul. Amen.
Evening Prayer of Confession
O Lord our God, whatever sins I have committed this day in word, deed, or thought, forgive me, for You are good and love mankind. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep. Send Your guardian angel to protect and guard me from all evil. For You are the guardian of our souls and bodies, and to You we give glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Glory to You, O God, glory to You.
We thank You, O Lord our God, for all Your benefits which You have bestowed upon us, and for the communion of the pure and life-giving Mysteries. Keep us in Your holiness, that all the day long we may meditate upon Your righteousness. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Psalm 117 (118):1-4
O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good,
for His mercy endures forever.
Let Israel now say that He is good,
for His mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Aaron now say that He is good,
for His mercy endures forever.
Let all who fear the Lord now say that He is good,
for His mercy endures forever.
Troparion of the Resurrection
Having risen from the tomb, and having burst the bonds of Hades,
You have destroyed the sentence of death, O Lord,
delivering all from the snares of the enemy.
Manifesting Yourself to Your Apostles, You sent them forth to preach.
And through them You have granted Your peace to the world,
O only plenteous in mercy.
Prayer After Meals
We thank You, O Christ our God, that You have satisfied us with Your earthly gifts. Deprive us not of Your heavenly kingdom, but as You came among Your disciples, O Savior, and gave them peace, come to us and save us.
The Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)
Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word;
for my eyes have seen Your salvation,
which You have prepared before the face of all peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to Your people Israel.
Prayer for the Sick
O Lord Almighty, Healer of our souls and bodies, Who puts down and raises up, Who chastens and heals also: Visit now in Your mercy our infirm brother (sister). Stretch forth Your arm that is full of healing and health, and raise them up from their bed of sickness, and cure them of their illness. Put away from them the spirit of disease and of every malady, pain, and fever to which they are bound. And if they have sins and transgressions, grant to them remission and forgiveness, for You love mankind. Yes, O Lord my God, pity Your creation, through the compassions of Your Only-Begotten Son, together with Your All-Holy, Good, and Life-Creating Spirit, with Whom You are blessed, both now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer for a Sick Child
O Lord our God, Who watches over and heals our children, look with compassion upon this child who is ill. Grant healing according to Your will, comfort to those who keep vigil, and patience to all who suffer. For You are the Physician of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and to You we give glory, together with Your eternal Father, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to the Theotokos for a Sick Child
O most holy Theotokos, Mother of the Physician of all, look down from heaven with your tender compassion upon this child who suffers. As you brought forth Christ, the Healer of all creation, beseech Him now to restore this little one to health. Cover this child with your protecting veil, and grant peace to those who love and care for them. Through your prayers, may we all find strength in the Lord. Amen.
Troparion for Healing
O Physician and Helper of those who are in sickness, Protector and Guardian of those who are in need: Save Your servants from their afflictions, O Lord, for You alone are the Source of healing, the Hope and Comfort of the despairing, the Savior and God of all. To You we offer glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer of Optina Elders
O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace. Help me in all things to rely upon Your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal Your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by You. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray. And You, Yourself, pray in me. Amen.
Prayer for the Departed
O God of spirits and of all flesh, Who has trampled down death and overthrown the devil, and given life to Your world: Give rest, O Lord, to the soul of Your departed servant in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place of repose, where all sickness, sighing, and sorrow have fled away. Pardon every transgression which they have committed, whether by word or deed or thought. For You are a good God and love mankind; because there is no man who lives yet does not sin, for You only are without sin, Your righteousness is to all eternity, and Your word is truth. For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Your departed servant, O Christ our God, and to You we give glory, together with Your Father, who is from everlasting, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion for the Departed
With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Your servant,
where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting.
Memory Eternal
Memory eternal! Memory eternal! Memory eternal!
Grant, O Lord, eternal rest to Your departed servant, and make their memory to be eternal!
Trisagion for the Dead
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us of our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.
Kontakion to the Theotokos
O Champion General, I, your city, ascribe to you
victory-songs of thanksgiving as one delivered from terrors.
But since you have invincible might, free me from all dangers,
that I may cry out to you: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded!
Prayer in Great Grief
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Who did weep at the tomb of Lazarus: Accept the tears of our sorrow; and by Your Passion heal the wounds of our souls. By Your Resurrection raise us from the depths of grief to the heights of joy. Let Your divine consolation descend upon us, and cause the light of Your love to shine in the darkness of our mourning, for You are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion in Time of Sorrow
Remember, O Lord, in Your goodness those who weep and mourn this day; comfort them with Your Holy Spirit, the Comforter. Grant them the peace that passes all understanding, and lead them by still waters to restore their souls. For You are the Resurrection and the Life, and to You we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Psalm 41 (42):1-5
As the deer pants for the water brooks,
so pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while they continually say to me, "Where is your God?"
When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go with the multitude;
I went with them to the house of God,
with the voice of joy and praise,
with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
for the help of His countenance.
Psalm 129 (130) — De Profundis
Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.
My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—
yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy,
and with Him is abundant redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Morning Prayer of Dedication
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to You, O God, glory to You.
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Prayer for a Humble Heart
O Lord, You are gentle and humble of heart. Teach me true humility, that I may know myself as I am before You, neither exalting myself above others nor despising my neighbor. Help me to see Your image in every person I meet, and to serve them as I would serve You. Grant me a heart that is meek and lowly, free from pride and vainglory, for Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Prayer of Self-Offering
Lord, I know not what to ask of You. You alone know what I need. You love me more than I know how to love myself. O Father, give to Your child what I myself know not how to ask. I dare not ask either for crosses or consolations. I simply present myself before You. I open my heart to You. Behold my needs which I know not myself; see and do according to Your tender mercy. Smite or heal; depress me or raise me up. I adore all Your purposes without knowing them. I am silent; I offer myself in sacrifice. I yield myself to You; I would have no other desire than to accomplish Your will. Teach me to pray. Pray Yourself in me. Amen.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Prayer Before Sleep
Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
You have redeemed me, O Lord God of Truth.
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.