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The Synekdemos: Daily
Prayers for Orthodox
Christians
EDITED BY N. MICHAEL VAPORIS
In memory of GREGORY (TAVLARIDES) TAYLOR,
the greatest benefactor of Orthodox Christian
theological education in the New World.
Preface
The need for a bilingual edition of the
Synekdemos, the very popular prayer book of the
Orthodox Church, has been present for a long
time among Greek Orthodox Christians.
Unfortunately for the translator/editor, the
Synekdemos contains some 1300 pages of text in
the original Greek, making the publication of a
bilingual volume of the entire book a
cumbersome task.
The present volume is much more modest. It
contains only the first part of the Synekdemos,
that is, the prayers and services used by
Orthodox Christians on a daily basis. I hope that
despite this limitation the book proves useful for
those who wish an English translation of the daily
prayers and services but would also like to have
the original Greek text on the facing pages.
I owe special thanks to Father Peter Chamberas
for reviewing the entire volume and offering
many valuable suggestions. Thanks are due to
the translation committee of the faculty of
Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek School of
Theology whose English translation of the Creed
is used here. I am also indebted to Fathers
Thomas FitzGerald and George Papademetriou,
Professor Ioanna Buttlar Clarke, Miss Georgia
Stathopoulou, and Miss Eleni Baker for their
invaluable suggestions and assistance. Any
imperfections are, of course, my own.
Father N. Michael Vaporis
Contents
1. The Symbol of Faith
2. Morning Prayers
3. Prayers at Mealtime
4. Before Sleep
5. The Six Psalms
6. Small Compline
7. Service of Preparation for Holy Communion
8. Thanksgiving Following Holy Communion
The Symbol Of Faith
I believe in one God,
Father Almighty,
Creator 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.
Who for us men
and for our salvation
came down from heaven
and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit
and the Virgin Mary
and became man.
He was crucified for us
under Pontius Pilate,
and he suffered and was buried;
And he rose on the third day,
according to the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
And He will come again with glory
to judge the living and dead.
His kingdom will have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the Creator of life,
Who proceeds from the Father,
Who together with the Father and the Son
is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke through the prophets.
In one, holy, catholic,
and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
I look for the resurrection of the dead.
and the life of the age to come. Amen.
Morning Prayers
After rising from sleep, stand with reverence and
fear of God, make the sign of the cross, and say:
In the name of the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth,
who are present everywhere filling all things,
Treasury of good things and Giver of life, come
and dwell in us. Cleanse us of every stain, and
save our souls, gracious Lord.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have
mercy on us (3).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
All holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive
our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy
One, visit and heal our infirmities for your name s
sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
Our Father,
who are in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your 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 yours is the kingdom and the power and the
glory,
of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Then the following prayers to the Holy Trinity:
Having risen from sleep, we fall before you, O
good One, and sing to you, mighty One, the
angelic hymn: Holy, holy, holy are you, O God.
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, have
mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit.
Having aroused me from sleep and bed, O Lord,
enlighten my mind and open my heart and lips
that I may sing to you, Holy Trinity: Holy, holy,
holy are you, O God. Through the Theotokos,
have mercy on us.
Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Suddenly the Judge will come and everyone s
deeds will be revealed. But with awe we cry out
in the middle of the night: Holy, holy, holy are
you, O God. Through the prayers of the
Theotokos, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy (12).
Psalm 120 (121)
I will lift, up my eyes to the hills. From where
comes my help? My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth. He will not allow
your foot to be moved; he who keeps you will
not slumber. Behold, he who watches over Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord shall
protect you; the Lord is your shelter at your right
hand. The sun shall not burn you by day, nor the
moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from
all evil; the Lord shall preserve your soul. The
Lord shall preserve your going out and your
coming in from this time forth, and forevermore.
A Prayer Of Thanksgiving
As I rise from sleep, I thank you, Holy Trinity, for
because of your great goodness and patience,
you were not angry with me, an idler and sinner,
nor have you destroyed me in my sins, but have
shown your usual love for me. And when I was
prostrate in despair, you raised me to glorify with
your power. Enlighten now my mind s eye, open
my mouth to study your words and understand
your commandments, to do your will and sing to
you in heartfelt adoration, and praise your most
holy name, of the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of
ages. Amen.
Another Prayer
Glory to you, King, God almighty, who through
your divine and loving providence have
consented that I, an unworthy sinner, should rise
from sleep and obtain entrance into your holy
house. Accept, Lord, the voice of my prayer as
you accept those of your holy and spiritual
powers; and that not through my defiled lips, but
from a pure heart and humble spirit, praise may
be offered to you so that I also, with the bright
lamp of my soul, may become a companion of the
wise virgins and glorify you, God the Word, who
is glorified in the Father and the Spirit. Amen.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages.
Amen.
I believe in one God,
Father Almighty,
Creator 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.
Who for us men
and for our salvation
came down from heaven
and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit
and the Virgin Mary
and became man.
He was crucified for us
under Pontius Pilate,
and he suffered and was buried;
And he rose on the third day,
according to the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
And He will come again with glory
to judge the living and dead.
His kingdom will have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the Creator of life,
Who proceeds from the Father,
Who together with the Father and the Son
is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke through the prophets.
In one, holy, catholic,
and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
I look for the resurrection of the dead.
and the life of the age to come. Amen.
Prayer of Saint Basil
Read daily except on Saturday
We bless you, O God, most high and Lord of
mercy. You are always doing great and
inscrutable things with us, glorious and
wonderful, and without number. You grant us
sleep for rest from our infirmities, and repose
from the burdens of our much toiling flesh. We
thank you, for you have not destroyed us with
our sins, but have continued to love us; and
though we were sunk in despair, you have raised
us up to glorify your power. Therefore, we
implore your incomparable goodness. Enlighten
the eyes of our understanding and raise up our
minds from the heavy sleep of indolence. Open
our mouth and fill it with your praise, that we
may be able without distraction to sing and
confess that you are God, glorified in all and by
all, the eternal Father, with your only begotten
Son, and your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit,
now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Another Prayer
Read on Saturday
Remember, Lord, our fathers and brethren who
have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection
to eternal life, and all those who ended this life in
piety and faith. Pardon their every transgression,
committed voluntarily or involuntarily, in word, or
deed, or thought. Place them in a place of light, a
place of refreshment, a place of peace from
which every ailment, sorrow, and lamentation are
banished, and from which the light of your
countenance shines and gladdens all your saints
from all ages. Bestow on them and on us your
kingdom. Grant to them the participation of your
ineffable and everlasting blessings, and the
enjoyment of your endless and blissful life. For
you are the life, the resurrection, and the peace
of your departed servants, Christ our God, and to
you we give glory, together with your all holy,
good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and
to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer Of Saint Eustratios
Read on Saturday
Most highly do I praise you, Lord, for you have
taken notice of my lowliness and have not
delivered me into the hands of my enemies but
have relieved my soul of its needs. Now, Master,
let your hand shelter me, and let your grace
descend upon me, for my soul is distracted and
pained at the departure from this, my miserable
and sordid body, that the end design of the
adversary may not overtake her and make her
stumble into the darkness for the unknown and
known sins amassed by me in this life. Be
gracious to me, Master, and do not let my soul
see the dark countenance of the evil spirits, but
let her be received by your angels bright and
shining. Glorify your holy name, and by your
might set me before your divine judgment seat.
When I am being judged, do not allow the hand
of the prince of this world to take hold of me, to
throw me, a sinner, into the depths of hell, but
stand by me and be a savior and mediator to me.
Have mercy, Lord, on my soul, defiled through
the passions of this life, and receive her cleansed
by penitence and confession, for .you are blessed
to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers At Mealtime
Before Breakfast
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord,
have mercy. Our Father, who are in heaven,
hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come,
your 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 yours is the kingdom and
the power and the glory, of the Father and the
Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to
the ages of ages. Amen. Christ our God, bless the
food and drink of your servants, for you are holy
always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
Thanksgiving After Breakfast
We thank you, Christ our God, for you have
satisfied us with earthly gifts. Do not deprive us
of your heavenly kingdom, but as you, O Savior,
came among your disciples and gave them peace,
come among us also and save us.
Before Lunch
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord,
have mercy. Our Father, who are in heaven,
hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come,
your 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 yours is the kingdom and
the power and the glory, of the Father and the
Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to
the ages of ages. Amen. Christ our God, bless the
food and drink of your servants, for you are holy
always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
Thanksgiving After Lunch
We thank you, Christ our God, for you have
satisfied us with earthly gifts. Do not deprive us
of your heavenly kingdom, but as you, O Savior,
came among your disciples and gave them peace,
come among us also and save us.
Prayers Before Dinner
The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and they who
seek the Lord shall praise him; their hearts shall
live to the ages of ages. Glory to the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and
to the ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ our
God, bless the food and drink of your servants,
for you are holy always, now and forever and to
the ages of ages. Amen.
Thanksgiving After Dinner
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the
Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of
ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, you have gladdened our
hearts in your creation, and we have rejoiced in
the work of your hands. The light of your
countenance has shined upon us, Lord. You have
gladdened our hearts. We have been satisfied
with the good things of the earth. We shall sleep
in peace and repose in you, for you alone, Lord,
have sustained us in hope.
Another Prayer
Blessed is God, who has mercy upon us and
nourishes us from his bountiful gifts by his grace
and love always, now and forever and to the ages
of ages. Amen.
Prayers Before Sleep
In the name of the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to you, our God, glory to you. Heavenly
King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who are
present everywhere filling all things, Treasury of
good things and Giver of life, come and dwell in
us. Cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls,
gracious Lord.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal, have
mercy on us (3).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
All holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive
our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy
One, visit and heal our infirmities for your name s
sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be your
name. Your kingdom come, your 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 yours is the kingdom and the power and the
glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
Now that the day has come to a close, I thank
you, Lord, and entreat that the evening and the
night be sinless. Grant this to me, Savior, and
save me. Glory to the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit. Now that the day has passed, I glorify
you, Master, and I entreat that the evening with
the night be without offense. Grant this to me,
Savior, and save me. Now and forever and to the
ages of ages. Amen.
Now that the day has ended, I praise you, Holy
One, and entreat that the evening and the night
be undisturbed. Grant this to me, Savior, and
save me.
Lord, have mercy (12).
A Prayer For Children
Lord Jesus Christ, you received the children who
came to you, receive also from the lips of your
child this evening prayer. Shelter me under the
protection of your wings that I may lie down in
peace and sleep. Awaken me in due time that I
may glorify you, for you alone are good and love
all people.
A Prayer For Adults
Lord our God, whatever sins I have committed
this day, in word, deed or thought, forgive me, for
you are good and love all people. Grant me a
peaceful and undisturbed sleep. Protect me from
every abuse and plot of the evil one. Raise me up
in due time that I may glorify you, for you are
blessed, together with your only begotten Son,
and your all holy Spirit, now and forever and to
the ages of ages. Amen.
I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
Creator 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 in glory to judge the
living and dead. His kingdom will have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father, who together
with the Father and the Son is worshiped 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 ages to come. Amen.
At all times and in every hour, you are worshiped
and glorified in heaven and on earth, Christ our
God. Long in patience, great in mercy and
compassion,
☰Menu you love the righteous and show
