Some Orthodox Prayers and a Meditation

A Christian Meditation

"Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." With these words our Lord began His earthly ministry, in order to show how important this act of repentance is for the person who is looking for a higher meaning in his life. Repentance means cleansing of one's self from all evil thoughts, desires and habits. Repentance means reconciliation with one's brother and sister. It means sitting down and honestly examining one's self critically; it means a complete change of mind and life (metanoia).

But one could still ask: "Why do I have to do all this?" Because there is only one higher meaning in life. One that goes beyond the beauty of art, the ecstasy of music, the joy of intellectual achievement. It goes beyond earthly power or human honor. It transcends the desire for a happy family life and a respectful social status. It reaches high into the heavens and touches God. There is no meaning to life if this life is not infiltrated by the presence of the power, the joy, the strength and above all the love generated from the source of all life, God Himself.

You may ask: "How can I have that?" Cleanse yourself! Repent! Change your life! Recommit yourself - your whole being - to God daily. Ask Him to unite Himself to you. Call out to Him, cry out with all your heart asking for His Holy Spirit to come and dwell in you. Then, you will grasp the fullness of life, not just the meaning of it.

Fr. Panayiotis

 Apolytikion of the Feast of the Birth of the Theotokos

Fourth Tone

Your Nativity, O Theotokos, heralded joy to the whole universe, for from you rose the Sun of Righteousness Christ our God, taking away the curse, He imparted the blessings, and by abolishing death, he gave us everlasting life.

Apolytikion of our Lady the Theotokos also called Ayia Napa

First Tone

As you ineffably gave birth to the Lord of Creation,

Him who made the mountains and the Napas, O Bride of God,

You became a mount rich and dense

giving shelter to the faithful through your prayers,

whence you received the calling, O revered Napa,

and accepted Divine Praise.

Glory to the One who dwelled in you,

Glory to Him Who has magnified you,

Glory be to God who has given you to us

to be a refuge in our tribulations

Prayers at mealtime

Before Breakfast

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us! Lord, cleanse us from our sins! Master, pardon our transgressions! Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.

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

Lord, have mercy! (3 times)

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

After Breakfast

More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you.

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

Lord, have mercy! (3 times)

God is with us, through His Grace and love for mankind, always now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Before Lunch

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

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

Lord, have mercy! (3 times)

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

After Lunch

We thank Thee, Christ our God, for Thou hast satisfied us with Thine earthly gifts. Deprive us not of Thy Heavenly Kingdom, but as Thou camest among Thy disciples, O Savior, giving them peace, so come to us and save us!

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

Lord, have mercy! (3 times)

Blessed is God, Who has had mercy on us and fed us from His rich gifts, through His Grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Before Supper

The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise Him; their hearts shall live forever!

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

Lord, have mercy! (3 times)

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

After Supper

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

Your womb became a Heavenly Table, bearing the Heavenly Bread - Christ our God. Whoever eats of Him shall not die, O Birth-giver of God, according to the word of the Nourisher of all.

More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you.

Thou, O Lord, hast made us glad by Thy works; in the works of Thy hands shall we rejoice. Lift up the Light of Thy countenance upon us, O Lord! Thou hast put joy in my heart. With teh fruit of wheat, wine and oil have we been satisfied. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for Thou alone, O Lord, makest me to dwell in hope.

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

Lord, have mercy! (3 times)

God is with us, through His Grace and love for mankind, always now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

 Morning Prayers

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

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

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

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

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

 Evening Prayers

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

O eternal God! Ruler of all creation! Who hast vouchsafed that I should live even down to the present hour, forgive the sins I have committed this day by deed, word or thought. Cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul of all corporal and spiritual stain. And grant, O Lord, that I may during this night have a peaceful sleep, so that on rising from my humble bed, I should continue to praise Thy holy Name thoughout all the days of my life, and that I be victorious over all the physical and spiritual enemies battling against me. Deliver me, O Lord, from all vain thoughts that defile me, and from evil desires. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Lord our God, however I have sinned this day in word, deed or thought, forgive me, for Thou art gracious and lovest mankind. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep. Send me Thy guardian angel to shield me and protect me from every evil; for Thou art the Guardian of our souls and bodies, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Into Thy hands, O Lord, Jesus Christ, my God, I commend my spirit. Bless me, save me and grant unto me everlasting life.

Amen.