Byzantine Catholic Prayers
BYZANTINE CATHOLIC PRAYERS
INTRODUCTORY PRAYERS
In the name of the Father + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Three times.)
-Glory be to You, our God; glory be to You!
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth! You are everywhere present and fill all things. Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.
-Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us (Three times.)
-Glory be to the Father +and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; O Lord, cleanse us of our sins; O Master forgive our transgressions; O Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for your Names's sake.
-Lord, have mercy! (Three times.)
-Glory be to the Father + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
GENERAL PRAYERS
OUR FATHER 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.
-For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father + Son, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen. -Lord, have mercy! (Twelve times) -Glory be to the Father +and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen. -Come, let us adore the King, our God. -Come, let us adore Christ, the King, our God. -Come, let us adore and bow down to the only Lord, Jesus Christ, the King and our God.
ANGELIC SALUTATION Hail, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you gave birth to Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of our souls.
HAIL MARY Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
THE NICENE CREED I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, the only-begotten, born of the Father before all ages. Light of light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father, through Whom all things were made. Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and Mary the virgin, and became man. He was also crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And He rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. And He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory, to judge the living and the dead, and of His kingdom there will be no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one holy catholic, and apostolic Church. I profess one Baptism for the remission of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead; and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE JESUS PRAYER O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!+ (Bow)
PRAYER COMMENDING OURSELVES TO GOD O Lord, into your most merciful hands I commend my body and soul, thoughts and acts, desires and intentions. I commend the needs of my body and soul, future and past, my faith and hope, the end of my life, the day and hour of my death, the burial and resurrection of my body. O most merciful God, whose clemency the sins of the world can never transcend, take me, a sinner, under the wings of our protection and deliver me from every evil. cleanse my iniquities, grant me a reformation of my life, and protect me against future transgressions, that I may in no manner ever anger You. Shelter my weakness from passions and evil persons, guard me against my visible and invisible enemies, lead me on the road of salvation and to Yourself, the safe harbor and haven of my desires. Grant me a happy, peaceful, Christian death, and protect me from evil spirits. Be merciful to me, your servant, at the great judgment, and number me among the blessed flock who stand on your right, that, together with them, I may forever glorify You, my Creator. Amen.
PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT BY ST. ANTIOCHUS O Holy Spirit, most merciful Comforter: You proceed from the Father in a manner beyond our understanding. Come, I beseech You, and take up you abode in my heart. Purify and cleanse me from all sin, and sanctify my soul. Cleanse it from every impurity, water its dryness, melt its coldness, and save it from sinful ways. Make me truly humble and resigned, that I may be pleasing to You, and that You abide with me forever. Most blessed Light, most amiable Light, enlighten me. O rapturous Joy of Paradise, Fount of purest delight, my God, give yourself to me, and kindle in my innermost soul the fire of your love. My Lord, instruct, direct, and defend me in all things. Give me strength against all immoderate fears and against despondency. Bestow upon me a true faith, a firm hope, and a sincere and perfect love. Grant that I always do your most gracious will. Amen.
PRAYER BEFORE WORK O Lord Jesus Christ, Only-begotten Son of your eternal Father: You have said with your holy lips: "Without Me, you can do nothing." My Lord, I embrace your words with my heart and soul, and bow before your goodness and say: Help me, your unworthy servant, to complete this, my present undertaking, in the name of the Father + and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER WORK O Most sweet Jesus, You are the fulfillment of all blessings. Fill my soul with joy and gladness and save me. Grant that your Name be glorified: for not to us, but to your Name are forever due honor, glory, and adoration. Amen
PRAYER OF REPENTANCE Remit, pardon and forgive, O God, our sins committed voluntarily and involuntarily, by word and deed, knowingly and in ignorance, by thought and purpose, by day and night; forgive all these for You are gracious and love mankind.
PRAYER OF THE PUBLICAN God, have mercy on me, a sinner.+ (Bow) God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.+ (Bow) I have sinned without number, forgive me, O Lord.+ (Bow)
PRAYERS TO THE ANGELS AND SAINTS All you heavenly powers, holy Angels and Archangels, beseech God for us sinners. O, holy and glorious Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs and all Saints, beseech God for us sinners.
PRAYER TO ST. NICHOLAS OF MYRA O Saint Nicholas, bountiful Father and special Patron of our Byzantine Catholic Church. You are a shepherd and teacher to all who invoke your protection, and who, by devout prayer, call upon you for aid. Hasten and save the flock of Christ from ravenous wolves; and by your holy prayers protect all Christians and save them from worldly disturbances, earthquakes, attacks from abroad, from internal strife, from famine, flood, fire, sword, and sudden death. As you had mercy on those three men in prison and saved them from the king's wrath, now also have mercy on me who by word, deed, and thought have sunk into the darkness of sin, Save me from the just anger of God, and from eternal punishment. Through your intercession and aid as well as through his own mercy and grace, may Christ our God allow me to lead a tranquil and sinless life, and save me from standing at "his left," but deem me worthy to stand at "his right" with all the saints. Amen.
PRAYER TO STS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS O Holy Saints Cyril and Methodius: you led our forefathers, and us with them, from the darkness of pagan error to the light of the true Faith of Christ, and now you rejoice with Christ in Heaven. Sincerely, we rejoice in your glory, with which God has rewarded your untiring zeal, and we humbly thank Him for the great gift of Christianity which our heavenly Father has bestowed upon us through your efforts. Intercede with God for us who are unworthy descendants of Adam, that he may strengthen us in the True Faith, which you preached to our forefathers. Amen.
PRAYER TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL BY ST. PETER THE STUDITE O Guardian Angel, protector of my soul and body, to your care I have been entrusted by Christ. Obtain for me the forgiveness of the sins I have committed today. Protect me from the snares of my enemy, that I may never again offend God by sin. Pray for me, your sinful and unworthy servant that, through your help, I may become worthy of the grace and mercy of the most Holy Trinity and of the immaculate Mother of our Lord God, Jesus Christ. Amen.
HYMN OF THE EVENING O joyful Light! Light and Holy Glory of the Father immortal, the heavenly, holy, the Blessed One; O Jesus Christ. Now that we have reached the setting of the sun, and see the evening light, we sing to God, Father + Son, and Holy Spirit. It is fitting at all times to raise a song of praise in measured melody to You, O Son of God, the giver of life. Behold the universe sings your glory.
PRAYER BEFORE MEALS O Christ God, bless + the food and drink of Your servants for You are holy always, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER MEALS We thank You, Christ our God, for You have satisfied us with the good things of Your earth. Do not deprive us of Your heavenly kingdom but as You appeared to Your disciples, O Saviour, granting them peace-come also to us and save us. Lord have mercy (Three times) Give the blessing. Blessed is our God who, through His grace and loving kindness, is merciful to us and nourishes us from the abundance of His gifts, always, now and ever, and forever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------------
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