NEW YORK – An original translation by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Spencer T. Kezios:
PRIEST: Blessed is our God, now and always and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PSALM 142
O Lord, hear my prayer; in your truthfulness give heed to my plea, and in your righteousness answer me; and enter not into judgment with your servant, since of all the living, none is just in your sight. The enemy has hunted me down; he has crushed my life into the ground; he has forced me to live in darkness like those long dead. My spirit faints with grief, and within me, my heart is in despair.
I recalled the days of old, I meditated on all your deeds, I pondered the works of your hands. I stretched out my hand to you; like a parched land, my soul thirsts for you.
Make haste to answer me, O Lord: my spirit has failed me. Turn not your face away from me, lest I be like those in the pit; grant that I may hear your steadfast love at dawn, for I have put my hope in you.
O Lord, teach me the way I should go, for I have lifted up my soul to you. O Lord, deliver me from my enemies: it is to you I have fled. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your good Spirit lead me on a straight path. For the sake of your compassion, O Lord, you will keep me alive; in your righteousness you will deliver me from affliction. And in your loving kindness you will destroy my enemies, and bring to naught all those who oppress me, for I am your servant.
Fourth tone
God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His Holy name.
God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: All the Gentiles surrounded me, but I fought them back in the Lord’s name.
God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: This came about through the Lord and it is wonderful in our eyes.
God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.
Fourth tone
Physician of those grievously ill and help to those who hope, O Lord who desire the salvation of all mortals, look down upon us from Your throne of glory. Hear our cry from the bottom of our depths. Deliver us from the threat of this plague as compassionate God.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen
Never, Theotokos, will we cease to proclaim your mighty deeds; for had you not been our champion, interceding for us, who could have delivered us from so many hazards; Who could have preserved us free this day? We will not forsake you, our Lady, for you safeguard your servants from all manner of danger.
PSALM 50
Have mercy on me, O God, in the greatness of your love; in the abundance of your tender mercies, wipe out my offense. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin, for I am well aware of my iniquity, and my sin is before me always. It is you alone I have offended; I have done what is evil in your sight; wherefore you are justified in your charges and triumphant in your judgment. Behold, I was born in iniquities, and in sins my mother conceived me. But you are the lover of truth: you have shown me the hidden depths of your wisdom. Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be pure; cleanse me, and I shall be whiter than snow; let me hear sounds of joy and feasting: the bones that were afflicted shall rejoice. Turn your face away from my offenses, and wipe off all my sins.
A spotless heart create in me, O God! Renew a steadfast spirit in my breast. Cast me not away from your face; take not your blessed Spirit out of me; restore to me the joy of your salvation, and let your guiding Spirit dwell in me. I will teach your ways to the sinner, and the wicked shall return to you. Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God, my saving God, and my tongue will joyfully sing your justice. O Lord, you will open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise. Had you desired sacrifice, I would have offered it, but you will not be satisfied with whole-burnt offerings. Sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit, a crushed and humble heart God will not spurn. In your kindness, O Lord, be bountiful to Sion; may the walls of Jerusalem be restored. Then will you delight in proper oblation, in sacrifice and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer calves upon your altar.
First Ode. Eighth tone.
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
O Holy Trinity, the One God, show Your compassion upon us lowly ones, and halt this death-bearing plague, this most painful scourge descending upon us.
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
O Compassionate One, restrain the advance of this present plague from all our hearts. Hasten and save Your people who only hope in You, O Lord.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Through the prayers of the Apostles and Prophets, the Martyrs, the Venerable and the God-bearing hierarchs have mercy upon Your people and deliver them from the plague and danger.
Now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Lady, Virgin Mother of God, sweet refuge of the desperate, in the plight of this present plague, grant our plea.
Third Ode.
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
Hear the heart’s sighing from within those who beseech You and quickly obliterate the danger of the illness of plague from Your children.
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
O Most Holy Trinity, O Pure Lord, we who kneel in faith fervently beseech You: come, have mercy upon Your creatures, O Compassionate One, and deliver us from plague, defilement and sorrow.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Look upon the lowliness of those who entreat You, O Master. We beseech You: forgive our many sins and deliver humanity from this present need, O most compassionate Master.
Theotokion
Now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O praiseworthy Maiden, birth-giver of God, who care for the sickness and ills of mortals, keep the faithful who entreat you invulnerable from the plague by your providence.
O Holy Trinity, Lord of mercy, safeguard from plague and sorrow those who in Your benevolence You desire to save.
Have regard, in your kindness, praiseworthy Theotokos, for the grievous affliction of my ailing body, and heal the pain of my suffering spirit.
Petition
PRIEST: Have mercy on us, O God, in Your great goodness; we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
PRIEST: Again, we pray for our Archbishop (N.), and all our brotherhood in Christ.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
PRIEST: Again, we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, safekeeping, protection, pardon and remission of sins of the servants of God, (names) all suffering from the illness of plague, for their health and healing and for the forgiveness of their sins and offenses both voluntary and involuntary.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
PRIEST: For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You we give glory: Father Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Kathisma. Second tone.
O Holy Trinity, One God and Lord, deliver Your people from this invasive man-ravaging affliction. Grant them all health; for the earth is full of Your mercy and You do we worship, O Almighty.
Fourth Ode
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
O Lord, You are an infinite sea of mercy and compassion. Do not allow humanity to be destroyed by the plague.
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
Tearfully we call upon You, O Savior, have pity upon Your people and transform the gloom of illness to complete joy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Be lovingly compassionate; hear our voice, O Master, and being merciful deliver us from the distress that has befallen us.
Theotokion
Now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Grant all who turn to your shelter in this hour of need, O Ever-virgin Maiden Theotokos, healing and strength.
Fifth Ode
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
We have no other God and Lord. We beseech You, as most merciful, quickly let vanish this illness cast upon us.
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
Almighty, protect us under the shelter of Your wings and by the multitude of Your mercies maintain us in health.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
You are just and Your judgment is just. But come Loving One, and keep us from this murderous illness.
Theotokion
Now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Look kindly upon us, O Pure Virgin, and keep our lives beyond the advancing threat of this plague.
Sixth Ode
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
O loving One, who by Your ineffable love bore our continuous unsupportable illness, rid us of this difficult despair as Good, overlooking our offenses.
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
O Compassionate One who created innumerable marvels and wonders, quickly calm the oncoming tempest of dire illness and anchor our health in a peaceful harbor.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
O loving One, confronted with the threat of death from this disastrous plague we turn to You with upraised hands in supplication and tearfully, cry out, “Now in ruin, help us, O Compassionate Overseer.”
Theotokion
Now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
To your people piously glorifying Him, inexplicably born of you, by your motherly affection and love, O birth-giver of God, bring propitiation that those for whom He became incarnate may be delivered from the plague.
Deliver from need and sorrow, from the plague, O holy Trinity, Lord of mercy, the people You lovingly care to save.
Undefiled, who by word bore the Word ineffably in those latter days, will you implore Him as the one with the boldness of a mother.
PRIEST: Have mercy on us, O God, in Your great goodness; we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
PRIEST: Again, we pray for our Archbishop (N.) and all our brotherhood in Christ.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
PRIEST: Again, we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, safekeeping, protection, pardon and remission of sins of the servants of God, (names) all suffering from the illness of plague, for their health and healing and for the forgiveness of their sins and offenses both voluntary and involuntary.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
PRIEST: For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You we give glory: Father Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Kathisma. Second tone.
Greatly cast Your love upon the abyss, Almighty Lord. Have mercy, salvation, compassion; and free Your people from this plague who implore You in hymn.
Prokeimenon. Fourth tone.
O God, save me through Your name, and vindicate me by Your might.
Verse: O God, listen to my prayer, hear the words of my mouth.
The Gospel Reading
PRIEST: That we may be found worthy to hear the Holy Gospel, let us entreat the Lord our God.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
PRIEST: Wisdom! Arise. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
PRIEST: Peace be to all.
CHOIR: And to your spirit.
PRIEST: The Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew. (8:1-4)
PRIEST: Let us be attentive.
CHOIR: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
PRIEST: At that time, when he had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And behold, a leper came and worshipped him saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out his hand and touched him saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
CHOIR: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
In the Second Tone
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Father Word and Spirit, Trinity in oneness, wash away the multitude of my offenses.
Now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Through the prayers, O Merciful, of the Theotokos, wash away the multitude of my offenses.
Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, in the greatness of Your love; in the abundance of Your tender mercies, wipe out my offense.
Prosomion. Sixth tone.
Loving Master, who desire all to be saved, who do not desire death and grants the fullness of life; we the suffering may pester but You and You alone do we worship. In You do we hope; without You we have no protection wherefore to You do we turn and in repentance cry out: have mercy on us in our sins, O loving One, and deliver us from this storm.
PRIEST: God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance; regard Your world with mercy and compassion; raise up the strength of Orthodox Christians, and send down upon us Your bountiful mercies: through the intercessions of our most pure Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary; the power of the precious and lifegiving Cross; the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; the prayers of the venerable and glorious Prophet and Forerunner John the Baptist; of the holy, glorious and praiseworthy Apostles; the holy, glorious and victorious Martyrs; our holy God-bearing Fathers; of our Fathers among the Saints the great Hierarchs and Ecumenical Teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom; of our Fathers among the Saints Athanasius and Cyril and John the Almsgiver, Patriarchs of Alexandria; of St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Lycia, and St. Spyridon of Trimythus, the wonderworkers; of the holy, glorious Great Martyrs George the Victorious, Demetrios the Exhaler of Myrrh, Theodore of Tyre and Theodore the General; of the holy, glorious Priest-Martyrs Haralambos and Eleftherios and of all the righteous Martyrs; of Saint (N. to whom the Church is dedicated); of the holy and righteous ancestors of the Lord Joachim and Anna; of Saint (N.) whose memory we keep this day, and of all Your Saints, we beseech You the only all-merciful Lord, hear us sinners as we pray to You, and have mercy on us.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (twelvefold)
PRIEST: Through the mercy, compassion and love of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good and lifegiving Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Seventh Ode
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
It is in You we hope, the Lord, giver of life. In Your mercy save us from this plague as we cry out, “Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.”
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
He has wrought greatness and wonders for mankind. O Loving One, rid us of the scourge of this present plague as we chant, “Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.”
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
In great travail we, threatened by severe plague, cry out: have mercy and save Your people as we exclaim, “Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.”
Theotokion
Now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Pure Virgin who ineffably bore the Redeemer of mankind, hold back the plague violently advancing upon the world, and by the grace of your motherhood grant us serenity.
Eighth Ode
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
We the hopeful beseech You, the only Compassionate One, and we entreat You, deliver us, O Savior, from the harm of the plague.
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
Arise, save humanity from this present need, for You are the only hope of those severely suffering in sickness, O Savior.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Forgive our sins, O Giver of Life; take pity on our wretchedness and grant Your people assurance of health.
Theotokion
Now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Mother of God, grant by the grace of your divine intercessions a calm anchorage in the tempest of this illness which greatly fallen upon us.
Ninth Ode
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
Hearken unto the entreaty of those who in sorrow cry out to You, O Savior, and take us from the danger of plague.
Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.
In Your love reveal the depths and magnify Your mercy, O Savior, ridding us from the sickness of the plague.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
By the intercessions of Haralambos the Priest-martyr, free us from the sickness of plague that we may glorify Your holy might.
Now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Mary, full of grace, the ready help of mankind, grant the ailing complete recovery.
It is truly fitting to call you blessed, O Theotokos, for you are ever-blessed, utterly pure, and the Mother of our God. Held in higher honor than Cherubim, far surpassing in glory even the Seraphim; remaining inviolate you gave birth to the Logos. Truly, O Theotokos, we magnify you.
Magnificat
Compassionate Master, physician of our souls and bodies. We fervently beseech You: remit, and forgive our sins, O Savior, and spare Your servants from the wrath of the plague.
Fear of this present illness has gripped the hearts of all mortals. O Compassionate Lord, come, we implore You, and save us by Your great mercy.
Even in the multitude of our sins we are all sheep in Your flock, O savior. Do not disregard our plea but quell the upheaval of this illness.
Truly, O Good One, your mercy has been with us from ages to ages. In that plentitude deliver the multitude from the plague suddenly upon us, O Loving One.
Do not forsake us, wretched as we are now facing the threat of painful illness, bewildered and in difficult distress, but swiftly free us from our sorrow.
All of you Angels in serried ranks, the Lord’s Forerunner and Apostles, you chosen twelve, all you Saints most honored, join the Theotokos, in making intercession, that we may be saved.
The Trisagion
CHOIR: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious to us in our sins. Master, forgive our transgressions. Holy One, consider our weaknesses and heal them, for Your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always 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 evil.
PRIEST: For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory: Father Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Troparia in the Sixth Tone
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us; at a loss how to defend ourselves, we sinners offer You, as Master, this entreaty: Have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy on us, for it is in You we have put our trust; do not be sorely provoked with us, nor remember all our iniquities. But even Now regard us out of compassion, and ransom us from our enemies. For You are our God, and we Your people, all of us shaped by Your hands, and it is Your name we invoke.
Now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Open to us, blessed Theotokos, the gateway to your tender heart. Setting our hope on you, may we not be disappointed; through you may we be spared all adversities; for you are the salvation of a Christian people.
PRIEST: Have mercy on us, O God, in Your great goodness; we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
PRIEST: Again we pray for our Archbishop (N.) and all our brotherhood in Christ.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
PRIEST: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, safekeeping, protection, pardon and remission of sins of the servants of God, all the devout and Orthodox Christians who dwell or sojourn in this city, the parishioners, parish council, contributors and benefactors of this holy church.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
PRIEST: Again we pray for the servants of God (here the priest commemorates those for whom the Paraclesis is sung).
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
PRIEST: Further we pray that this holy church and this city, and every city and land, will be kept safe against violence and pestilence, famine and earthquake, flood and fire, against the sword and enemy invasion, civil strife and sudden death; that our good and loving God will be merciful and gracious and open to our entreaties, to turn back all violence and evil aroused against us, deliver us from His impending righteous chastisement and be merciful to us.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
PRIEST: Again we pray that the Lord God will hear the sound of the prayer of us sinners and will have mercy on us.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
PRIEST: Hear us, O God, our Redeemer, the hope of all, at the ends of the earth or far away at sea, and show mercy, show mercy, O Master, toward our sins and have mercy on us.
For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You we give glory: Father Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST: Glory to You, O God, our hope, glory to You.
May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His most pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious and praiseworthy Apostles; of the praiseworthy and victorious Martyrs; of the Priest-martyr Haralambos the Wonderworker; of Saint (of the parish); of the holy and righteous ancestors of the Lord Joachim and Anna; of Saint (N.) whose memory we keep this day, and of all Your Saints, and have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.
CHOIR: Amen.
As merciful, remove fear of the threatening plague from us the afflicted, according to Your great mercy; come and cause to be acceptable the prayerful voice of Your servants, O Loving One. Accept by the richness of Your compassion to aid Your people who trust in You in faith.
All of my hopes in you I repose; Mother of God, beneath your shelter safeguard me.
Lady, hear with favor the prayers of your servants, and liberate us all from wont and affliction.
PRAYER FOR THIS PRESENT ILLNESS
Forbearing and merciful, loving and compassionate, Almighty Lord, who brought our nature into being and having fallen once again raised us. Who sent Your only-begotten Son, Savior and Redeemer, and Benefactor healing the passions of body and soul. Do You, forbearing Master, look down upon us and hearken to our entreaty in our day of sorrow. Safeguard us from the coming upon all the earth of the plague-bearing threat. Lord, take away affliction and fear. The darkness of death surrounds us. Remember Your innumerable acts of compassion; reveal to us the depths of Your mercy; do not let us be destroyed because of the multitude of our sins. Hearken unto the voice of our prayer from deep within us as it cries out to You. Do not turn Your face away from us nor turn away from your creatures in wrath. Be our aid and deliverer. O our God and Savior, do not reject or abandon us but come and redeem us. Draw near in Your customary kindness. Crush the power of the illness-bearing plague; disgrace its violence, pain and dejection, transforming it to joy. Preside over calm for humanity. By Your power greatly aid those serving in the field of health.
Raise us from our bed of pain and from our bedding of affliction. Grant health to those who have contracted the illness. Give rest in the tentings of the Saints to those who have surrendered their lives to the virus. Grant consolation to their families. For You are the physician of our souls and bodies and to You we offer glory, Father Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Source: goarch.org
The post Office of Supplication upon the Threat of Plague Composed by Metropolitan Cyril of Rhodes appeared first on The National Herald.