The 
Paraklesis
Service

With the
Little Supplicatory Canon
To the Most Holy Theotokos

As sung during and outside the
Dormition Fast

The Paraklesis Service 
With the Little Supplicatory Canon
To the Most Holy Theotokos
As sung during and outside the Dormition Fast

(For music, click here)

The Paraklesis Service is served during times of tribulation, but also on each evening of the Dormition Fast, August 1-13, inclusive. In the Dormition Fast, the Little and Great Paraklesis canons can be chanted in alternating sequence from day to day, at the end of Vespers or in a standalone service. If a parish knows only the Little Paraklesis, this alone can be chanted each time. We begin this sequence with the Little Paraklesis, except when August 1 falls on Sunday. We do not chant the Paraklesis on any Saturday evening and also not on the paramon of the Feast of Transfiguration (i.e., in the evening on August 5). On Sunday evening and on the day of Transfiguration in the evening the Great Paraklesis is chanted. Accordingly, the series of Parakleses unfolds for the intervening days. The table below shows the series of Parakleses, in which the date in August runs horizontally and the day of the week on which August 1 falls runs vertically. The intersection of these two yields one of three options: L, G, or --.

Chart for calculating which Paraklesis Canon to use
L = Little Paraklesis / 	G = Great Paraklesis / -- = no Paraklesis service on this day
+ = celebrate Great Vespers for the Transfiguration on this day

 	Aug 1	Aug 2	Aug3	Aug4	Aug 5  +	Aug 6	Aug 7	Aug 8	Aug 9	Aug 10	Aug 11	Aug 12	Aug 13	
Monday	L	G	L	G	--	--	G	L	G	L	G	L	--	
Tuesday	L	G	L	G	--	G	L	G	L	G	L	--	G	
Wednesday	L	G	L	--	--	G	L	G	L	G	--	G	L	
Thursday	L	G	--	G	--	G	L	G	L	--	G	L	G	
Friday	L	--	G	L	--	G	L	G	--	G	L	G	L	
Saturday	--	G	L	G	--	G	L	--	G	L	G	L	G	
Sunday	G	L	G	L	--	G	--	G	L	G	L	G	L	

If Paraklesis will be offered with Vespers, it is chanted after “The Prayer of St. Simeon” with the omission of the opening blessing of the Paraklesis Service. Rather, at this point, the reader recites Psalm 142, O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication… and the rest, as shown in the body of the text.

However, if Paraklesis is offered, more commonly, without Vespers as a standalone service, then follow the order of the service exactly as it appears in this text.

In the Paraklesis Service, we remember names of the living in need of God’s mercy and help during the three litanies. If your parish has a long list of names, then the priest may choose to read it in the final litany only.
	
An Icon of the Theotokos is placed on a stand in the center of the Solea and the Beautiful Gate remains closed. The priest, being vested in exorasson and blue epitrachelion, standing on the Solea before the Icon of the Theotokos, makes three metanias and says in an audible voice:

Priest: 	Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People:	Amen.
Priest:	Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present, and fillest all things, the Treasury of good things, and Giver of life: Come, and abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O good One.
People:	Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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.
Priest:	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.
Reader:	Amen.
Lord, have mercy.  (twelve times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. 

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. 

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.

PSALM 142
O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant, for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the earth. He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become despondent; within me my heart is troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Thy works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands. I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after Thee like a waterless land. Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I put my hope. Cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul. Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto Thee have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for Thy name’s sake, O Lord, shalt Thou quicken me. In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy mine enemies. And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.

“GOD IS THE LORD” IN TONE FOUR
Choir: 	God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us. Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Verse 1. 	O give thanks unto the Lord and call upon His Holy Name. (Refrain)

Verse 2. 	All nations compassed me about: but in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them. (Refrain)

Verse 3. 	This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. (Refrain)

TROPARIA
(Tone Four) To the Theotokos let us run now most earnestly, we sinners all and wretched ones, and fall prostrate in repentance, calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, come unto our aid, have compassion upon us; hasten thou for we are lost in a throng of transgressions; turn not thy servants away with empty hands, for thee alone do we have as our only hope.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

(Chant the apolytikion of the church temple.)

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

(Tone Four) O Theotokos, we shall not cease from speaking of all thy mighty acts, all we the unworthy ones; for if thou hadst not stood to intercede for us, who would have delivered us from such numerous dangers? Who would have preserved us all until now in true freedom? O Lady, we shall not turn away from thee; for thou dost always save thy servants from all manner of grief.

PSALM 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy Great Mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt 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 Thy good pleasure unto Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built up. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

THE LITTLE SUPPLICATORY CANON IN TONE EIGHT
(NOTE: We do not chant the heirmoi as listed at the start of each ode, except for the ninth, because they do not pertain to the theme of the Paraklesis canon. However, they are listed here to set the melody pattern for the subsequent troparia. We begin Odes 1-8 with “Most Holy Theotokos, save us!”)

Ode One
(Heirmos) Traversing the water as on dry land, * and thereby escaping * from the toils of Egypt’s land, * the Israelites cried aloud, proclaiming: * unto our God and Redeemer, let us now sing.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
By many temptations am I distressed; * in search of salvation * unto thee have I taken flight. * O Mother of the Word and Ever-virgin, * from all ordeals and afflictions deliver me.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Attacks of the passions disquiet me; * my soul to repletion * has been filled with despondency. * Bestill them, O Maiden, with the calmness * of thine own Son and thy God, O All-blameless One.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
To Christ God, the Savior, thou gavest birth. * I beg thee, O Virgin, * from afflictions deliver me. * For now unto thee I flee for refuge, * bringing to thee both my soul and my reasoning.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Diseased is my body and my soul. * Do thou make me worthy * of divine guidance and thy care, * O thou who alone art God’s Mother, * for thou art good, and the Birth-giver of the Good.

Ode Three
(Heirmos) Of the vault of the heavens art Thou, O Lord, Fashioner; * so, too, of the Church art Thou Founder. * Do Thou establish me * in unfeigned love for Thee, * Who art the Height of things sought for, * and staff of the faithful, O Thou only Friend of man.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
I have thee as the shelter and the defense of my life. * Thee, the Theotokos and Virgin; pilot and govern me * into thy sheltered port, * for thou art author of good things * and staff of the faithful, O thou only lauded one.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!
I beseech thee, O Virgin, do thou dispel far from me * all of the distress of despair and turbulence in my soul; * for thou, O Bride of God, * hast given birth to the Lord Christ, * Who is Prince of Peace, O thou only all-blameless one.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Since thou gavest birth unto our Benefactor, the cause of good, * from the wealth of thy loving kindness, do thou pour forth on all; * for thou canst do all things, * since thou didst bear Christ, the One Who * is mighty in power; for blessed of God art thou.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
With most grievous diseases and with corrupt passions, too, * I am put to trial, O Virgin; come thou unto mine aid; * for I know thee to be * an inexhaustible treasure * of unfailing healing, O only all-blameless one.

TROPARIA IN TONE EIGHT
Preserve and save, O Theotokos, thy servants from every danger. After God, do all of us for refuge flee unto thee; a firm rampart art thou and our protection.

In thy goodwill, look thou on me, O all-hymned Theotokos, and do thou behold my body’s grievous infirmity, and heal thou the cause of my soul’s sorrow.

LITANY
Censing the Icon of the Theotokos, the Priest says:
Priest: 	Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy Great Mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.
The people respond “Lord, have mercy” (thrice) to this and the remaining petitions until noted.
Priest: 	Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.
Priest: 	Again we pray for our Father and Metropolitan N., (and for our Bishop N.) and for all our brotherhood in Christ.
Priest: 	Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation and pardon and remission of sins for the servants of God, all Orthodox Christians of true worship, who live and dwell in this community, the parishioners and benefactors of this holy temple, and all that serve, sing, labor and gather herein; and for the servants of God [names], and for the forgiveness of their every transgression, both voluntary and involuntary.
Priest: 	For Thou art a merciful God Who lovest mankind, 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.
People: 	Amen.

KATHISMA IN TONE TWO
O fervent advocate, invincible battlement, fountain of mercy, and sheltering retreat for the world, earnestly we cry to thee: Lady Mother of God, hasten thou, and save us from all imperilment, for thou alone art our speedy protectress.

THE LITTLE SUPPLICATORY CANON (CONTINUED) IN TONE EIGHT
Ode Four
(Heirmos) I have hearkened and heard, O Lord, * of Thy dispensation’s most awesome mystery; * and I came to knowledge of Thy works, * and I sang the praise of Thy Divinity.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Lull the tempest of all my sins, * and bestill the raging of passions with thy calm; * for progenitress art thou of Him * Who is Lord and Helmsman, O thou Bride of God.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
O bestow out of the abyss * of thy great compassion on me thy supplicant; * for thou brought forth One compassionate * Who is Savior of all who sing hymns to thee.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
While delighting, O spotless one, * in thy many favors, a hymn of thankfulness * do we all raise up in song to thee, * knowing thee to be the Mother of our God.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Having thee as our staff and hope, * and as our salvation’s unshaken battlement, * from all manner of adversity * are we then redeemed, O thou all-lauded one.

Ode Five
(Heirmos) Lord, enlighten us * by Thy precepts and by Thy commands; * and by the power of Thy lofty arm * bestow Thy peace upon us all, since Thou art Friend of man.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Pure one, fill my heart * with rejoicing unto plenitude, * and grant thine undefiled felicity, * since thou didst give birth unto Him Who is the cause of joy.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Come, deliver us * out of dangers, O pure Mother of God, * since thou art Mother of deliverance, * and of the peace which doth surpass all human reasoning.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Dissipate the gloom * of my trespasses, O Bride of God, * with the clear brightness of thy radiance, * for thou didst bear the Light divine which was before all time.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Heal me, O pure one, * of the sickness which the passions bring, * and make me worthy of thy guardiancy, * and by thy prayers and intercessions grant thou health to me.

Ode Six
(Heirmos) Entreaty do I pour forth unto the Lord, * and to Him do I proclaim all my sorrows, * for many woes fill my soul to repletion, * and lo, my life unto Hades hath now drawn nigh. * Like Jonah do I pray to Thee: * Raise me up from corruption, O Lord, my God.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
My nature, held by corruption and by death, * hath He saved from out of death and corruption, * for unto death He, Himself, hath submitted. * Wherefore, O Virgin, do thou intercede with Him * Who is in truth thy Lord and Son * to redeem me from enemies’ wickedness.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
I know thee as the protection of my life * and most safe fortification, O Virgin. * Disperse the horde of my many temptations * and put to silence demonic audacity. * Unceasingly I pray to thee: * From corruption of passions deliver me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
A bulwark of safe retreat art thou to us, * and of souls art thou the perfect salvation, * and a relief in distresses, O Maiden; * and in thy light do we ever exult with joy. * O Lady, do thou also now * from all passions and perils deliver us.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Bedridden, I lie supine with sickness now, * and no healing for my flesh is existent * except for thee, who didst bear the world’s Savior, * our God, the Healer of every infirmity. * I pray to thee, for thou art good: * From corruption of illnesses raise me up.

TROPARIA IN TONE EIGHT
Preserve and save, O Theotokos, thy servants from every danger. After God, do all of us for refuge flee unto thee; a firm rampart art thou and our protection.

O spotless one, who inexpressibly in the last days didst by a word bring forth the Word; do thou make request of Him, as one who hath motherly boldness.

LITANY
Censing the Icon of the Theotokos, the Priest says:
Priest: 	Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy Great Mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.
The people respond “Lord, have mercy” (thrice) to this and the remaining petitions until noted.
Priest: 	Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.
Priest: 	Again we pray for our Father and Metropolitan N., (and for our Bishop N.) and for all our brotherhood in Christ.
Priest: 	Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation and pardon and remission of sins for the servants of God, all Orthodox Christians of true worship, who live and dwell in this community, the parishioners and benefactors of this holy temple, and all that serve, sing, labor and gather herein; and for the servants of God [names], and for the forgiveness of their every transgression, both voluntary and involuntary.
Priest: 	For Thou art a merciful God Who lovest mankind, 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.
People: 	Amen.

The priest enters the sanctuary through the south door and dons his phelonion.

KONTAKION IN TONE TWO
O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

ANABATHMOI IN TONE FOUR
From my youth up, many passions have warred against me. But do Thou help and save me, O my Savior. (twice)

Ye who hate Zion shall be put to confusion of the Lord; like grass in the fire shall ye be withered up. (twice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Through the Holy Spirit is every soul quickened and exalted in purity, and made resplendent by the Triune Unity in mystic holiness.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Through the Holy Spirit the channels and streams of grace overflow, showering all creation with invigorating Life.

The priest opens the curtain and the Beautiful Gate.

ProkeimenoN IN TONE FOUR
I shall proclaim Thy Name from generation to generation. (twice)

Stichos: Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear; and forget thine own people, and thy father's house and the King shall greatly desire thy beauty.

I shall proclaim Thy Name from generation to generation.

GOSPEL READING
Priest:	And that we may be accounted worthy to hear the Holy Gospel, let us beseech the Lord our God.
People:	Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Priest:	Wisdom! Stand upright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be to all.
People:	And to thy spirit.
Priest:	The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke (1:39-49, 56).
People:	Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Priest:	 	Let us attend!

In those days, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zachariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of thy greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for He Who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name.” And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.

People:	Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

TROPARIA IN TONE TWO
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Father, Word and Spirit, Trinity in unity: blot out the multitude of our transgressions.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Thou Who art merciful, blot out the multitude of our transgressions.

TROPARION IN TONE SIX (**Having laid up all their hope**)
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
O entrust me not, I pray, * to any human protection, * O our Lady, holy one, * but do thou accept the prayer * of thy supplicant. * Sorrow hath fettered me, * and I am unable * to endure and bear the demons’ darts; * a shelter have I not, * neither place to run, I, the wretched one; * embattled from all sides am I, * and no consolation have I but thee. * Mistress of creation, * protection and hope of faithful ones: * turn not away when I pray to thee; * do that which will profit me.

THEOTOKIA IN TONE TWO
From thee is no one turned away ashamed and empty who doth run to thee for refuge, O pure Virgin Theotokos; but he asketh the favor and receiveth the gift from thee, unto the profit of his own request.

The transformation of the afflicted and the relief of those in sickness art thou in truth, O Virgin Theotokos; save thy people and thy flock, thou who art the peace of the embattled, and who art the calm of the storm-driven, the only protectress of those who believe.

The priest, still with phelonion, comes out the north door and resumes his place in front of the icon.

THE INTERCESSION
Priest: O God, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Visit Thy world with mercy and compassions. Exalt the horn of Orthodox Christians and send down upon us Thy rich mercies. Through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary; by the might of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless Powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious prophet, forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious, all-laudable apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the holy apostles; of our fathers among the saints, great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom; Athanasius, Cyril and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria; Nicholas of Myra, Spyridon of Trimythous and Nektarios of Pentapolis, the Wonderworkers; of our fathers among the saints Tikhon, patriarch of Moscow and Raphael, bishop of Brooklyn; of the holy, glorious, great-martyrs, George the Trophy-bearer, Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer, Theodore the Soldier, Theodore the General, and Menas the Wonderworker; of the hieromartyrs Ignatius the God-bearer of Antioch, Charalampos and Eleutherios; of the holy, glorious great women martyrs, Thekla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriaki, Photeini, Marina, Paraskeva and Irene; of the holy, glorious, right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing fathers who shone in the ascetic life, especially Paisios of Athos; of Saint N., the patron and protector of this holy community; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints: we beseech Thee, O most merciful Lord, hearken unto the petitions of us sinners who make our supplications unto Thee, and have mercy upon us.

People:	Lord, have mercy. (twelve times)
Priest:	Through the mercies and compassions and love for mankind of Thine Only-begotten Son, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine All-Holy, and good, and Life-giving Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

People:	Amen.

THE LITTLE SUPPLICATORY CANON (CONTINUED) IN TONE EIGHT
Ode Seven
(Heirmos) Once from out of Judea * did the children go down to the land of Babylon. * The fire of the furnace * they trampled down, while chanting * by their faith in the Trinity: * O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Having willed thus, O Savior, * to dispense our salvation in Thine economy, * Thou dweltest in the Maid’s womb, * and unto all creation * as protectress didst show her forth. * O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Make request, O pure Mother, * to thy Son Who hath willed to grant mercy unto us, * to rescue from transgressions * and from the soul’s defilement * those who cry out most faithfully: * O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
A fount of incorruption * and a tower of safety is she who gave Thee birth. * A treasure of salvation * and portal of repentance * hast Thou proved her to them that shout: * O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Deign to grant restoration * from diseases of body and soul to those who run * to thy divine protection * with faith, O Theotokos, * and thus grant them recovery; * for Mother of Christ our Savior art thou.

Ode Eight
(Heirmos) The King of Heaven, * Whom all the hosts of angels hymn * with their chants and praises of glory, * praise ye and exalt Him to the ages forever.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Do not disdain those * who seek the aid that thou dost grant, * for, O Virgin Maiden, they do hymn thee, * and they all exalt thee unto ages forever.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!
On all who hymn thee * with faith, O Virgin, and exalt * thy truly ineffable Offspring, * thou poured forth a great abundance of thy cures and healings.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
All the diseases * that plague my soul dost thou make well, * and the suff’rings of the flesh thou healest also; * wherefore, O thou Maiden full of grace, I glorify thee.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All the assaultings * of the temptations dost thou quell, * and the onslaughts of the passions dost thou banish; * wherefore do we hymn thee to all ages, O Virgin.

Ode Nine
(Heirmos) Most rightly we confess thee * as our God’s birthgiver, * we who through thee have been saved, O thou Virgin most pure. * With choirs of bodiless angels, * thee do we magnify.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The torrent of my weeping * spurn not with refusal, * for thou didst give birth to Him Who doth take away all tears * from every face, O thou Virgin, * for He is Christ indeed.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Do thou, O Virgin Maiden, * fill my heart with gladness, * for thou art she who received all the fullness of joy * and made to vanish away all * sorrow of sinfulness.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!
A haven and protection, * and a wall unshaken, * and a rejoicing and shelter and place of retreat * do thou become, O thou Virgin, * for those who flee to thee.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Illumine with the radiance * of thy light, O Virgin, * all those who piously call thee the Mother of God; * and do thou banish away all * darkness of ignorance.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Brought low am I, O Virgin, * in a place of sickness * and in a dwelling of anguish. Grant healing to me, * transforming all of my illness * into full healthfulness.

The priest censes the icon of the Theotokos at the center of the church as the people chant:

THEOTOKION in tone eight
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, who art ever blessed and all-blameless, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption didst bear God the Word, and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee.

The priest does the great censing of the church as the people chant:

The MEGALYNARIA IN TONE EIGHT
Higher than the heavens above art thou, * and thou art much purer * than the radiance of the sun; * for thou hast redeemed us * out of the curse that held us. * O Mistress of creation, * with hymns we honor thee.
From the great abundance of all my sins, * ill am I in body, * ailing also am I in soul. * Thee have I as refuge. * Do thou therefore help me, * O hope of all the hopeless, * for thou art full of grace.

O Lady and Mother of Christ our God, * receive supplication * from us wretches, who beg of thee * that thou make entreaty * unto the One born from thee. * O Mistress of creation, * do thou intercede for us.

Now we chant with eagerness unto thee * with this ode most joyful, * O all-hymned Mother of our God. * Together with the Baptist * and all the saintly choirs, * beseech, O Theotokos, * that we find clemency.

Speechless be the lips of the impious * who refuse to rev’rence * thy revered Icon which is known * by the name Directress * and which hath been depicted * for us by the Apostle * Luke, the Evangelist.

Here, chant the megalynarion of the church temple as provided in the Paraklesis supplement. If you do not find it there, contact the Department of Liturgics.

O all ye arrays of angelic hosts, * with the Holy Baptist, * the Apostles’ twelve-numbered band, * all the Saints together, * as well as God’s birthgiver, * pray make ye intercession * for our deliverance.

THE TRISAGION PRAYERS
People:	Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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.
Priest:	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.
People:	Amen.

On the night of August 1, sing the following:

APOLYTIKION OF ST. STEPHEN THE ARCHDEACON IN TONE FOUR
(**Be quick to anticipate**)
The crown of the Kingdom hath adorned the brow of thy head * because of the contests that thou hast endured for Christ God, thou first of the martyred Saints; * for when thou hadst censured the Jews' madness, thou sawest * Christ thy Savior standing at the right hand of the Father. * O Stephen, ever pray Him for us, that He would save our souls.

THEOTOKION IN TONE FOUR
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Mystery which was hidden from everlasting and was unknown of the angels, O Theotokos, was revealed through thee, to those who dwell upon earth. In that God, having become incarnate—in unconfused union—of His own good will accepted the Cross for our sake. Whereby He raised again the first created, and hath saved our souls from death.

On the nights of August 2-3, if they are not Fridays, and on weeknights outside the Dormition Fast, sing the following:

TROPARIA OF CONTRITION IN TONE SIX (Soft Chromatic)
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for laying aside all defense we sinners offer unto Thee, as Master, this supplication: have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Lord, have mercy on us, for in Thee have we put our trust; be not exceedingly wroth with us, nor remember our iniquities, but look down upon us even now, as Thou art compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies; for Thou art our God, and we are Thy people; we are all the work of Thy hands, and we call upon Thy Name.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Open unto us the door of thy compassion, O blessed Theotokos. As we set our hope in thee, may we not be confounded; through thee may we be delivered from all adversities, for thou art the salvation of the race of Christians.

But if the nights of August 2 or 3 are Fridays, and on Fridays outside the Dormition Fast, sing the following:
APOLYTIKIA & THEOTOKION FOR THE MARTYRS & DEPARTED IN TONE TWO
O apostles, martyrs, prophets, hierarchs, righteous, and just ones, who have finished your course well and have kept the Faith: seeing ye have boldness with the Savior, beseech Him for us, since He is good, that our souls be saved, we pray.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Keep Thy servants in remembrance, O Lord, since Thou art good, and do Thou forgive their every sin in this life; for no man is without sin, except for Thee Who art able to grant rest even unto those that have departed hence.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O holy Mother of the Ineffable Light, with reverence we magnify thee, honoring thee with angelic hymns.

On the night of August 4, sing the following:

APOLYTIKION OF FOREFEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION IN TONE FOUR
(**Be quick to anticipate**)
Come, let us all welcome the Transfiguration of Christ, * and joyously celebrate the bright prefestival, O ye faithful, and let us cry: * Nigh at hand now is the day of God-given gladness, * as the Sov’reign Master goeth up on Mount Tabor * to flash forth with the beautiful light of His Divinity.

On the nights of August 6-12, sing the following:

APOLYTIKION OF THE TRANSFIGURATION IN TONE SEVEN
When, O Christ our God, Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, Thou didst reveal Thy glory to Thy Disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let Thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners, through the intercessions of the Theotokos. O Thou Bestower of light, glory to Thee.

On the night of August 13, sing the following:

APOLYTIKION OF FOREFEAST OF THE DORMITION IN TONE FOUR
(**Be quick to anticipate**)
In faith, O ye people, leap for joy while clapping your hands; * and gather in gladness on this day with longing and shout in radiant jubilance. * For the Theotokos cometh nigh to departing * from the earth unto the heights; and we glorify her * with glory as the Mother of God in our unceasing hymns.

FINAL LITANY
Censing the Icon of the Theotokos, the Priest says:
Priest: 	Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy Great Mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.
The people respond “Lord, have mercy” (thrice) to this and the remaining petitions until noted.
Priest: 	Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.
Priest: 	Again we pray for our Father and Metropolitan N., (and for our Bishop N.) and for all our brotherhood in Christ.
Priest: 	Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation and pardon and remission of sins for the servants of God [names], the parishioners, members of the parish council and organizations, donors and benefactors of this holy temple.
Priest: 	Again we pray that He may keep this holy church and this city and every city and countryside from wrath, famine, plague, earthquake, flood, fire, the sword, foreign invasion, civil war and sudden death; that our good God, Who lovest mankind, will be gracious, favorable and conciliatory and turn away and dispel all the wrath stirred up against us and all sickness, and may deliver us from His righteous chastisement which impendeth on us, and have mercy upon us.
People: 	Lord, have mercy. (forty times)
Priest: 	Again we pray that the Lord our God may hearken unto the voice of the supplication of us sinners, and have mercy upon us.
People: 	Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Priest: 	Hear us, O God our Savior, the Hope of all the ends of the earth and of those who are far off upon the sea; and be gracious, be gracious, O Master, upon our sins, and have mercy upon us. For Thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: 	Amen.

THE DISMISSAL
Priest: 	Wisdom!

People: 	Father, bless!

Priest: 	Christ our God, the Existing One, is blessed, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

People: 	Amen. Preserve, O God, the Holy Orthodox Faith and all Orthodox Christians, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Priest:		Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

People: 	More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption didst bear God the Word and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee.

Priest: 	Glory to Thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to Thee.

Choir: 	Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy (thrice). Father, bless.

Priest: 	May Christ our true God (insert appropriate characteristic phrase), through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless Holy Mother;

•	for Monday, say: by the protection of the honorable Bodiless Powers of Heaven; 
•	for Tuesday, say: at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John;
•	for Wednesday and Friday, say: by the might of the precious and life-giving Cross; 
•	for Thursday, say: at the supplication of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; of our father among the saints, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia;
•	for Saturday, say: at the supplication of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing fathers;

 	of Saint N., the patron and protector of this holy community; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of (name(s) of the saint(s) of the day), whose memory we celebrate today; and of all the Saints: have mercy on us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth mankind.

People: 		Amen.

The clergy and faithful come forward and venerate the Icon of the Theotokos. During the Dormition Fast, the people chant the following exaposteilaria in Tone Three to the melody “O ye Apostles from afar.”

O ye Apostles from afar, * being now gathered together * here in the vale of Gethsemane, * give burial to my body, * and Thou, my Son and my God, * receive Thou my spirit.

Thou art the sweetness of Angels, * the gladness of afflicted ones; * and the protectress of Christians, * O Virgin Mother of our Lord; * be thou my helper, and save me * from out of eternal torments.

I have thee as Mediatress * with the man-befriending God; * may He not censure my actions * before the hosts of the Angels. * I supplicate thee, O Virgin, * come unto mine aid most quickly.

Thou art a gold-entwined tower * and twelve-wall encircled city, * a throne besprinkled with sunbeams, * a royal chair of the King. * O inexplicable wonder * that thou dost milk-feed the Master.

But outside the Dormition Fast, the people chant the following theotokia:

THEOTOKION IN TONE TWO (**When he took Thee**)
All those who with faith flee unto thee, * with thy mighty hand dost thou shelter, O pure one, as thou art good; * no one else have we who sin as a perpetual * intercessor for us with God * in dangers and sorrows, * we who have been burdened down with our abundant sins, * Mother of God in the highest. * Wherefore, we all fall down before thee; * rescue us, thy servants, from adversities.

THEOTOKION IN TONE TWO (**When he took Thee**)
Joy of all that sorrow art thou, * and of the oppressed a protectress, and nurture of all the poor, * comfort unto the estranged, a staff art thou of the blind, * visitation of all the sick, * a shelter and succor * unto those brought down by pain, helper of orphaned ones: * Mother of God in the highest * art thou, O immaculate Maiden; * hasten, we beseech thee, to redeem thy servants.

THEOTOKION IN TONE EIGHT
Lady, do thou receive the supplications of thy servants and deliver us from every affliction and necessity.

THEOTOKION IN TONE TWO
Unto thee do I commit mine every hope, O Mother of God; guard me under thy shelter.

Priest: 	Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

People: 		Amen.

THE INTERCESSION (WITH ANTIOCHIAN AND AMERICAN SAINTS)
*The Intercession in Arabic*
Priest: O God, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Visit Thy world with mercies and compassions. Exalt the horn of Orthodox Christians and send down upon us Thy rich mercies. Through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary;

+ by the might of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protection of Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and all the honorable Bodiless Powers of Heaven; at the supplications of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, and his righteous parents Zachariah and Elizabeth; of the holy, glorious prophets: Moses and Aaron, Elias and Elisseus, David and Jesse, the Three Holy Children Sedrach, Meshach and Abednego, Daniel the “man of desires,” Simeon the God-receiver and the Prophetess Anna, and of all the holy prophets;

+ of the holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostles Peter and Paul, the patrons and protectors of the Church of Antioch, the Twelve, the Seventy, and of all the holy apostles and equals-to-the-apostles, especially Constantine and Helen;

+ of our fathers among the Saints, great Hierarchs and Ecumenical Teachers: Basil the Great of Cappadocia in Caesarea, Gregory the Theologian of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom of Antioch and Constantinople; Athanasius, Cyril and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria; Nicholas the wonderworker, archbishop of Myra in Lycia; Spyridon, the wonderworker, bishop of Trimythous; Gregory, bishop of Nyssa; Peter of Sebastia in Armenia; Sophronios, patriarch of Jerusalem; Meletios, archbishop of Antioch; Nektarios the wonderworker, bishop of Pentapolis; Theodore, bishop of Edessa; Gregory Palamas, archbishop of Thessalonica; Photios the Great, patriarch of Constantinople; Mark Eugenikos, archbishop of Ephesus; Cyril and Methodius of Thessalonica, the Equals to the Apostles and Enlighteners of the Slavs; John the wonderworker, archpriest of Kronstadt; and the Enlighteners of North America: Nicholai of Zhicha, Mardarije of Libertyville, Innocent, metropolitan of Moscow and Jacob Netsvetov, evangelizers of Alaska; Tikhon, patriarch of Moscow, Alexis Toth of Wilkes-Barre, John the Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco, and Raphael, bishop of Brooklyn;

+ of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Great-Martyrs: George the Trophy-Bearer, Demetrios the Myrrh-streaming, Theodore the soldier, Theodore the General, Stephen the Archdeacon and First-Martyr, James the Persian, and Menas the wonderworker of Egypt;

+ of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Hieromartyrs: Ignatius the God-bearer of Antioch, Charalampos of Magnesia, Eleutherios of Illyricum, Polycarp of Smyrna, Peter of Damascus, Cyprian of Antioch, the former magician, and Milos of Babylon; Habib, Gurias and Samonas of Edessa; Juvenaly of Iliamna, John Kochurov and Alexander Hotovitzky, who labored in America; Cosmas of Aetolia, the Equal to the Apostles; Ananias of “the Seventy” of Damascus, Jacob of Hamatoura, and Joseph of Damascus;

+ of the holy, glorious, and right-victorious Martyrs: the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebastia, Sergius and Amphian of Beirut, Trophimos, Savatios and Dorymedon of Antioch, Artemios of Antioch, Thomas of Antioch, Peter of Bosra, the children Asterios, Claudios, Neon, and Neonilla of Cilicia, Galaktion and Epistimia of Homs, Romanos of Antioch, Silvanos, Luke and Makios of Homs, Joseph the New Martyr of Aleppo, Cyril the Deacon of Baalbek, Julitta and her son Kyriakos of Iconium, Andrew the general of Syria, Antony of Damascus, Thomas of Damascus, Victor of Damascus; Sergios and Bacchos of Syria, Ephraim of Nea Makri, and Peter the Aleut;

+ of the holy, glorious, and right-victorious women Martyrs: the Forty Holy Martyrs at Heraclea, Great-Martyrs Thekla the First-Martyr, Barbara of Baalbek, Anastasia of Rome, Katherine of Alexandria, Kyriaki of Nicomedia, Photeini the Samaritan Woman and her sisters Anatole, Photo, Photis, Paraskeva, and Kyriaki; Marina of Antioch in Pisidia, Paraskeva of Rome, Anastasia of Rome the “deliverer from potions,” Irene of Thessalonica, Irene of the Balkans, Sophia and Irene of Egypt; Paraskeva of Iconium, Tatiana of Rome, Fevronia of Mesopotamia, Evdokia the Penitent of Baalbek, Pelagia of Antioch, Pelagia of Tarsus, Vevaia of Edessa, Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome, disciples of Peter and Paul; Sophia and her daughters Faith, Hope and Love of Rome; Leonilla and her grandchildren and companions in Cappadocia; Domnina and her children Berina and Prosdoki of Edessa, Bassa of Edessa, Theodora of Tyre, Theodosia of Tyre, Christina of Tyre; Domnina of Anazarbus; Virgin-martyrs Lucy of Syracuse and Lucy of Campania; Lucy of Rome; Lucy, Cyprilla, and Aroa of Libya; Thomaïs of Alexandria, and Akylina of Byblos;

+ of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers who shone in the ascetic life: Anthony the Great, Euthymios the Great, Arsenios the Great, Savvas the Sanctified, Ephraim and Isaac the Syrians, Makarios, Pachomios and Paisios the Greats of Egypt; John Climacus, Simeon the Stylite, Simeon of the Wondrous Mountain, Daniel the Stylite, Alexios the Man of God; Basil the Elder and Naucratius of Pontus, the father and brother of Basil the Great; Theodosius the head of monasteries, John of Damascus, Cosmas the Hymnographer of Maïuma, Andrew of Crete, Romanos the Melodist, Maximos the Confessor, Mark the Anchorite, John Cassian the Roman, Simeon the New Theologian, Onouphrios of Egypt; Peter, Athanasius, Paul, Silouan and Paisios the New of Mount Athos; Arsenios of Cappadocia, Porphyrios of Kavsokalivia, Iakovos of Evia, Maron of Cyrrhus in Syria, John of Edessa, Simeon of Homs (Emesa), the Fool-for-Christ, Thomas of Syria, the Fool-for-Christ; Seraphim of Sarov, and Herman of Alaska; 

+ of our venerable and God-bearing Mothers: Mary Magdalene; Mary, the wife of Cleopas; Joanna the wife of Chuza; Salome the mother of the sons of Zebedee; Susanna; and Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, and all of the holy Myrrh-bearing women; Right-believing Tamara, queen of Georgia; Olga, princess of Kiev and equal-to-the-apostles; of the Holy and Righteous Mothers of the Three Hierarchs: Emmelia (Basil the Great), Nona (Gregory the Theologian) and Anthousa (John Chrysostom); Macrina the Elder and Macrina the Younger, the grandmother and sister of Basil the Great;

+ of our venerable and God-bearing Mothers who shone in the ascetic life: Mary of Egypt, Pelagia the Penitent, Thaïs of Egypt, Kyra of Syria, Domnina of Syria, Marana of Veria, Publia the Confessor of Antioch, Anastasia the Patrician of Alexandria, Martha the mother of Simeon the Stylite; Xenia of Rome and Xenia of St. Petersburg the Fool-for-Christ; Paraskeva the New of the Balkans; Thomaïs of Lesbos the wonderworker; and Pansemne of Antioch;

+ of the holy Unmercenaries and Healers: Panteleimon the Great-Martyr, Hermolaos the Hieromartyr, Cosmos and Damian of Asia, Cosmos and Damian of Rome, Cyrus and John of Arabia, Julian of Homs, and Anthimos of Arabia;

+ of (saints Ns., other holy ones of local devotion),

+ of (saint N.), the patron and protector of this holy community; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Joseph the Betrothed and his sons James the Brother of God and Jude (Thaddaeus); of (name(s) of the saint(s) of the day), whose memory we celebrate today, and of all Thy Saints: we beseech Thee, O most merciful Lord, hearken unto the petitions of us sinners who make our supplications unto Thee, and have mercy upon us.

Portions of the Archdiocesan Service Texts include texts from The Menaion, The Great Horologion, The Pentecostarion, The Octoechos, The Triodion-Holy Week, and The Psalter of the Seventy, which are Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, Massachusetts, and are used with permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, beyond printing out a single copy for personal non-commercial use, without the prior written authorization of Holy Transfiguration Monastery.