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O Lord Almighty, God of the powers and all flesh, Who livest in the highest, yet lookest down upon the humble, Who searchest hearts and reins, and clearly foreknowest the secrets of men; unoriginate and ever-existing Light with Whom is no variation neither shadow of turning: Do Thou the same Lord, O King Immortal, accept our prayers which we, having boldness at the multitude of Thy compassions, offer Thee at the present time with unclean lips, and forgive us our sins, whether in deed, word or thought, whether in knowledge or in ignorance, that we have committed because of our iniquities. Yea, cleanse us from every defilement of flesh and spirit. And grant us to pass through all the night of this present life with a watchful heart and a sober mind, awaiting the coming of the bright and manifest day of Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord, and God, and Savior Jesus Christ, whereon the Judge of all shall come with glory to reward each according to his deeds. May we not be found fallen and slothful, but watching, and roused to action, ready to enter into the joy and the divine chamber of His glory, where unceasing is the voice of them that keep festival, and indescribable is the delight, of them that behold the ineffable beauty of Thy countenance: For Thou art the true Light that enlighteneth and sanctifieth all things, and all creation hymns Thee unto the ages of ages. Amen.
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Humility exalted the Publican, overcome with shame and sorrow for his evil deeds, when he cried to the Creator be merciful unto me. But exaltation brought down from righteousness the Pharisee who spoke in pride. Therefore let us earnestly desire the good, but avoid the bad. In days of old humility exalted the Publican, who cried lamenting, "Be merciful," and he was justified. Let us follow his example for we have fallen down into the depths of evil. Let us cry to the Savior from the depths of our hearts: We have sinned, be merciful, O Thou who lovest mankind.
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3. |
Vespers -- Psalm 103
05:39
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Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou art become exceeding glorious; in honor and majesty hast Thou clothed Thyself, wrapping Thyself with light as it were with a garment, and spreading out the heavens like a curtain, Who covereth the beams of His chambers by the waters, Who appointeth the clouds for His going forth, Who walketh upon the wings of the wind, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flaming fire, Whoso layeth the earth on its foundation, that is shall not be moved. The deep like a garment is its clothing; the waters stand above the hills. At Thy rebuke they shall flee; at the voice of Thy thunder they shall be afraid. The hills shall go up and the plains sink down, even unto the place which Thou hast appointed for them. Thou hast set a boundary which they shall not pass, neither return again to cover the earth, Who sendeth the springs into the valleys; the waters will run between the hills. All beasts of the field shall drink thereof, and wild asses quench their thirst. Beside them shall the fowls of the air have their habitation; they shall sing among the rocks. He watereth the hills from His heights; the earth shall be well-fed by the fruit of Thy works, Who bringeth forth grass for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men, to bring forth bread from the earth, and wine maketh glad the heart of man; to anoint the face with oil, and bread strengtheneth man's heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of sap, the cedars of Lebanon which He hath planted; in them the birds shall make their nests; the home of the stork is chief among them. The hills are for the deer; the rock is a refuge for the conies. He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knoweth his going down. Thou didst ordain darkness and there was the night, wherein all the beasts of the forest do move, young lions roaring after their prey and seek their meat from God. The sun arose, and they gathered together, and shall lie down in their dens. Man shall go forth to his work, and to his labor, until the evening. How great are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all; the earth is filled with Thy handiwork. So is the great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships, and that Leviathon, whom Thou hast made to take his pastime therein. These wait all upon Thee, that Thou mayest give them food in due season. When Thou givest it them, they shall gather it; when Thou openest Thy hand, all things shall be filled with good, but when Thou hidest Thy face, they shall be troubled; Thou shalt take away their spirit, and they shall pass away, and return again to their dust. Thou shalt send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be made, and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. O let the glory of the Lord endure forever; The Lord shall rejoice in His works, Who looketh upon the earth, and it trembleth; Who toucheth the hills, and they smoke. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will praise my God while I have my being. Let my conversation be pleasing unto Him, for I shall be glad in the Lord. O that sinners should cease from the earth, and the ungodly, that they should be no more! Bless the Lord, O my soul.
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Matins -- Prodigal Son
01:58
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Make haste to open unto me, Thy Fatherly embrace, for I am a Prodigal, and I've wasted all my life. In Thy unfailing mercy, reject me not in poverty. For with tears I cry to Thee, Father I have sinned towards heaven, and against Thee.
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5. |
Vespers -- Psalm 6
02:12
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O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, nor chasten me in Thy wrath. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled, and my soul is troubled greatly; but Thou, O Lord, how long? Turn to me again, O Lord, deliver my soul; save me for Thy mercy's sake. For in death there is none that is mindful of Thee, and in hades who will confess Thee? I toiled in my groaning; every night I will wash my bed, with tears will I water my couch. Through wrath is mine eye become troubled, I have grown old among all mine enemies. Depart from me all ye that work vanity, for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord hath heard my supplication, the Lord hath received my prayer. Let all mine enemies be greatly put to shame and be troubled, let them be turned back, and speedily be greatly put to shame.
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6. |
Baptism -- Robe of Light
00:32
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Grant unto me a robe of light, oh most merciful Christ our God. Who dost clothe Thyself with light, as with a garment.
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O Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me all wherein I have sinned this day, and deliver me from all opposing evil of mine enemy, lest I anger my God by any sin. Pray for me, a sinful and unworthy servant, that thou mayest show me forth worthy of the kindness and mercy of the All-holy Trinity, and of the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ, and of all the saints. Amen.
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I will bless the Lord at all times, and His praise shall always be on my lips.
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All the rebellious impulses of the flesh thou has subdued by thine ascetic labors, showing manly courage of thy soul. Desiring to behold the Cross of the Lord, in sanctity thou hast crucified thyself unto the world, and thou hast sought with eagerness to emulate the angels in their way of life. Therefore with faith we honor thy memory, O blessed Mary of Egypt, and we pray that full remission of our sins, be given unto us, through thy prayers.
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O gladsome Light of the Holy glory of the Immortal Father, Holy, blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and behold the light of evening we praise God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is good at all times to worship Thee with voices of praise, O Son of God and Giver of life: All the world doth glorify Thee.
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As we have no boldness because of the multitude of our sings, O Virgin Theotokos, intercede with Him Who was born of thee, for much more is the prayer of a mother able to incline the Master unto kindheartedness. Despise not the supplications of sinners, o all-pure One, for merciful and strong to save is He Who condescended to suffer for us.
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O wise Gregory, thou hast burnt up error of the heretics, and hast revealed the true beauty of the Orthodox, bringing light to all the world. Thou art triumphantly victorious, pillar of the church and a true bishop. Never cease to intercede with Christ God, that we may all be saved.
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More honorable than the cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim. Who without corruption barest God, and art truly Theotokos (mother of our God), we magnify thee.
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14. |
Adam's Lament
03:42
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My soul wearies for the Lord, and I seek Him in tears. How should I not seek Him?
When I was with Him my soul was glad and at rest,
And the enemy could not come near me.
Oh why did I grieve my beloved God?
But now the spirit of evil has gained power over me,
Harassing and oppressing my soul,
So that I weary for the Lord even unto death,
Oh why did I grieve my beloved God?
And my spirit strains to God,
And there is nought on earth can make me glad,
'Nor can my soul take com-fort in an-y thing,
But longs once more to see the Lord, that her hunger may be appeased.
Oh why did I grieve my beloved God?
I can-not for-get Him for a single moment,
And my soul languishes after Him and from the multitude of my afflictions.
Why did I grieve my Lord?
I lift up my voice and cry: "Have mercy up-on me, O God. Have mercy on Thy fallen creature.”
Oh why did I grieve my beloved God?
The desert can-not plea-sure me; nor the high mountains,
Nor meadow nor forest, nor the singing of birds.
I have no pleasure in any thing.
Oh why did I grieve my beloved God?
My soul sorrows with a great sorrow: I have grieved God.
I have grieved God.
Why did I grieve my Lord?
And were the Lord to set me down in paradise a-gain,
There, too, would I sorrow and weep.
Oh why did I grieve my beloved God?
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15. |
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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.
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Lord now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of Thy people. A light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.
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17. |
Paraclesis Canon
14:00
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Calvin Peters Michigan
Calvin Peters learned violin at age six and piano at age eight. He earned a music degree from Michigan State University and retired from the military after a 20-year career. He played viola in five symphonies over the past 30 years, has directed choirs and chanted in the Orthodox Church for over 30 years, is the son of an Orthodox Archpriest of blessed memory and is now an Orthodox monk. ... more
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