Prayers
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Morning Prayers

Thou hast raised me from bed and sleep, O Lord; enlighten my mind and heart, and open my lips, that I may praise Thee, O Holy Trinity: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God. For the sake of the Mother of God, have mercy upon us.

O Christ, the True Light, Who illumines and sanctifies every human being coming into the world: let the light of Thy countenance be turned upon us, that in it we may behold the unapproachable Light. guide our footsteps toward working according to Thy commandments, through the intercessions of Thy most pure Mother, and of all the saints. Amen.

To Thee, O Master Who lovest mankind, I hasten on rising from sleep; by Thy mercy I go forth to do Thy works, and I pray unto Thee: help me at all times, and in all things; deliver me from every evil thing of this world and from the pursuit of the devil; save me and lead me into Thine eternal Kingdom. For Thou art my Creator, Provider and Bestower of every good; wherefore all my hope is in Thee, and to Thee I ascribe glory, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

We bless Thee, O God in the highest and Lord of mercies, Who ever works great and mysterious deeds for us, glorious, wonderful and countless, Who provides us with sleep as a rest from our infirmities, and as a repose for our bodies tired by labor. We thank Thee that Thou hast not destroyed us in our transgressions, but in Thy love toward mankind, Thou hast raised us up that we might glorify Thy Majesty. We entreat Thine infinite goodness, enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our minds from the heavy sleep of indolence; open our mouths and fill them with Thy praise, that we may unceasingly sing and confess Thee, Who art God glorified in all and by all, the eternal Father, the Only- Begotten Son, and the All-Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Grant unto me, my Lord, that with peace in mind I may face all that this new day is to bring. Grant unto me grace to surrender myself completely to Thy holy will. Instruct and prepare me in all things for every hour of this day. Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, do Thou teach me to accept them calmly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Thy holy will. Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say. When things unforeseen occur, let me not forget that all cometh down from Thee. Teach me to behave sincerely and reasonable toward every member of my family and all other human beings, that I may not cause confusion and sorrow to anyone. Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day and to bear my share in all its passing events. Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love. Amen.

Prayers at Meal Times

Before Breakfast

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us! Lord, cleanse us from our sins! Master, pardon our transgressions! Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name’s sake. 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! (3 times) O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art holy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

After Breakfast

More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you. 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! (3 times) God is with us, through His Grace and love for mankind, always now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Before Lunch

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. 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! (3 times) O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art holy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

After Lunch

We thank Thee, Christ our God, for Thou hast satisfied us with Thine earthly gifts. Deprive us not of Thy Heavenly Kingdom, but as Thou camest among Thy disciples, O Savior, giving them peace, so come to us and save us! 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! (3 times) Blessed is God, Who has had mercy on us and fed us from His rich gifts, through His Grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Before Supper

The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise Him; their hearts shall live forever! 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! (3 times) O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art holy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

After Supper

Thou, O Lord, hast made us glad by Thy works; in the works of Thy hands shall we rejoice. Lift up the Light of Thy countenance upon us, O Lord! Thou hast put joy in my heart. With teh fruit of wheat, wine and oil have we been satisfied. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for Thou alone, O Lord, makest me to dwell in hope. 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! (3 times) God is with us, through His Grace and love for mankind, always now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Creed

The Creed is the Orthodox confession of faith adopted by the first two Ecumenical Councils, in Nicea in 325, and in Constantinople in 381. The Creed is a brief, yet complete summary of Christian Orthodox doctrines.

 

  1. I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;
  2. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father; by Whom all things were made;
  3. Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from the Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man;
  4. And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried;
  5. And rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures;
  6. And ascended into the Heavens, and sits at the right hand of the Father;
  7. And He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end;
  8. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life; Who proceeds from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke by the Prophets;
  9. In One, Holy, Catholic*, and Apostolic Church.
  10. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins.
  11. I look for the resurrection of the dead,
  12. And the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

The True Meaning of the Word “CATHOLIC” in the Creed: “In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.”

The word “catholic” means “universal” as referring to the Church of all times, peoples, and places, Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all and in all (Col. 3:11).

A celebrated definition of “catholic” in the early Church was given by St. Vincent of Lerins, the 5th century monastic Father of Gaul, who in his Communitorium says: “Every care should be taken to hold fast to what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all. That is truly and properly ‘catholic,’ as indicated by the force and etymology of the name itself, which comprises everything truly universal” (ch. 2, Fathers of the Church edition, pg. 270).

The name of “catholic” has been kept from early times in the “Roman Catholic” church, but the teaching of the early Church has been preserved in the Orthodox Church, which even to this day can be and still is called “catholic.”

The Roman Catholic (Western) church separated from the True Church in the year 1054 after changing the Creed and wrongly claiming supremacy of the Bishop of Rome (Pope) over the other bishops.

Drifting further from its origin, the Western church was then shattered into a myriad of sects by the Protestant Reformation. However, in Greece, Russia, the Balkans, Middle East, and elsewhere, the True Apostolic Church continued to flourish, preserving the Faith of Christ pure and unchanged.

Today this Church is known as the Eastern or Orthodox Church and it is a haven for those seeking Christ’s truth.

The Lord’s Prayer

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 the evil one.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

O Heavenly King, the comforter, the spirit of Truth, Who art present everywhere and fillest all things; Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life; come and abide in us and cleanse us from every sta…

Prayers to the Guardian Angel

O angel of God, my holy guardian, given to me from heaven, enlighten me this day, and save me from all evil. Instruct me in doing good deeds, and set me on the path of salvation. Amen.

O angel of Christ, holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me everything wherein I have offended you every day of my life, and protect me from all influence and temptation of the Evil One. May I never again anger God by my sins. Pray for me to the Lord, that He may make me worthy of the grace of the All-Holy Trinity, and of the blessed Mother of God, and of all the saints. Amen.

Prayer of Saint Ephraim

O Lord and Master of my life, Grant not unto me a spirit of idleness, of discouragement, of lust for power, and of vain speaking.

But bestow upon me, Thy servant, the spirit of chastity, of meekness, of patience, and of love. Yea, O Lord and King, grant that I may perceive my own transgressions, and judge not my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer of the Married

My bountiful God, I beseech Thee, listen to my humble prayer, that I may ever feel that the married state is holy and that I must keep it holy. Grant Thy grace that I may never sin against the fa…

Prayer for Parents

Prayer for Parents O merciful Lord God, Thou hast commanded and enjoined me to honor my father and mother, and Thou Thyself hast shown even until death humble obedience to Thy Father.

From the depth of my soul I fervently beseech Thee, O gracious Jesus Christ, my God, hear my prayer and have mercy upon my parents, who have given birth to me and are bringing me up in Thy grace and love. Protect them from all evil, harm and sickness; grant them health, and mercifully pour forth Thy bountiful blessings upon them. Bless their efforts and deeds; have mercy on them according to Thy great mercy, that faithfully serving Thee, through them I also may be worthy to praise and serve Thee. Amen. Our Father, Who art in heaven, bless my father and mother, my guardians, and those who are in authority over me, for their love and tender care for me, and the benefits I receive at their hands. Help me, I pray Thee, to be respectful and obedient to them in all matters according to Thy will; and give me Thy grace to perform all my duties carefully and faithfully, to avoid undesirable company and influence, and resist all temptation that may come my way; that I may live a sober, righteous and godly life, ever praising Thee and glorifying Thy Holy Name. Amen.

Prayer of Parents for their Children

O God, our heavenly Father, Who lovest mankind, and art most merciful and compassionate, have mercy upon our children, Thy servants, (their names), for whom I humbly pray Thee, and commend them to Thy gracious protection.

Be Thou, O God, their guide and guardian in all their endeavors; lead them in the path of Thy truth, and draw them near to Thee, that they may lead a godly and righteous life in Thy love and fear; doing Thy will in all matters. Give them grace that they may be temperate, industrious, diligent, devout and charitable. Defend them against the assaults of the enemy, and grant them wisdom and strength to resist all temptation and corruption of this life; and direct them in the way of salvation, for the merits of Thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, and the intercessions of His Holy Mother, and Thy blessed saints. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving

O Lord my Savior and my Master, I, Thine unprofitable servant, with fear and trembling give thanks unto Thy loving goodness for all Thy benefits which Thou hast poured so abundantly upon me, Thy servant.

I fall down in adoration before Thee and offer Thee, O god, my praises; with fervor I cry to Thee: O God, deliver me henceforth from all adversities and mercifully fulfill in me such of my desires as may be expedient for me. Hear me, I entreat Thee, and have mercy, for Thou art the Hope of all the ends of the earth, and unto Thee, with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed glory, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. I praise Thee, O God of our Fathers, I hymn Thee, I bless Thee, I give thanks unto thee for Thy great and tender mercy. To Thee I flee, O merciful and mighty God. Shine into my heart with the True Sun of Thy righteousness. Enlighten my mind and keep all my senses, that henceforth I may walk uprightly and keep Thy commandments, and may finally attain unto eternal life, even to Thee, Who art the source of life, and be admitted to the glorious fruition of Thy inaccessible Light. For Thou art my God, and unto Thee, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be ascribed glory, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayers to the Patron Saint

O saint of God, (the name of the saint), pray to God for me, for my home and my family. Amen. Pray to God for me, O saint (the name of the saint), well-pleasing to God, for I readily recommend my…

Prayer of Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow

My Lord, I know not what I ought to ask of Thee. Thou and Thou alone knowest my needs. Thou lovest me more than I am able to love Thee.

O Father, grant unto me, Thy servant, all which I cannot ask. For a cross I dare not ask, nor for consolation; I dare only to stand in Thy presence. My heart is open to Thee. Thou seest my needs of which I myself am unaware. Behold and lift me up! In Thy presence I stand, awed and silenced by Thy will and Thy judgments, into which my mind cannot penetrate. To Thee I offer myself as a sacrifice. No other desire is mine but to fulfill Thy will. Teach me how to pray. Do Thyself pray within me. Amen.

Evening Prayers

And now as we lay down to sleep, O Master, grant us repose both of body and of soul, and keep us from the dark passions of the night. Subdue Thou the assaults of passions. Quench the fiery darts of the Wicked One which are thrown insidiously at us; calm the commotions of our flesh and put away all thoughts about worldly and material things as we go to sleep. Grant us, O god, a watchful mind, chaste thoughts, a sober heart, and a gentle sleep, free from all the fantasies of Satan. And raise us up again at the hour of prayer, established in Thy commandments and holding steadfast within ourselves the remembrance of Thy judgments. Give us the words of Thy glorification all night long, that we may praise, bless, and glorify Thy most honorable and magnificent name, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O eternal God! Ruler of all creation! Who hast vouchsafed that I should live even down to the present hour, forgive the sins I have committed this day by deed, word or thought. Cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul of all corporal and spiritual stain. And grant, O Lord, that I may during this night have a peaceful sleep, so that on rising from my humble bed, I should continue to praise Thy holy Name throughout all the days of my life, and that I be victorious over all the physical and spiritual enemies battling against me. Deliver me, O Lord, from all vain thoughts that defile me, and from evil desires. 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 ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. O Lord our God, however I have sinned this day in word, deed or thought, forgive me, for Thou art gracious and lovest mankind. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep. Send me Thy guardian angel to shield me and protect me from every evil; for Thou art the Guardian of our souls and bodies, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Into Thy hands, O Lord, Jesus Christ, my God, I commend my spirit. Bless me, save me and grant unto me everlasting life. Amen.

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St. George Serbian Orthodox Church
3025 Denver Street
San Diego, CA 92117
619-276-5827
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St. George Serbian Orthodox Church
3025 Denver Street, San Diego, CA 92117
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