A Book of Prayers

1 1 A Book of Prayers 2 3 A Book of Prayers 4 Memory Eternal! Mr. Louis Lou Kopcha (March 21, 1917 April 26, 2013) Protodeacon Simeon Sam Kopcha (May 3, 1927 April 30, 2010) 5 Dedication This Book of Prayers , published by Saints Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Church, Terryville, Connecticut, is produced and distributed in loving memory of two brothers, Protodeacon Simeon Sam Kopcha and Louis Lou Kopcha, who are tremendously influential in the history of the parish. Both of these good men were persons of great personal piety men who prayed regularly, even constantly.

2 Louis, the elder brother by a decade, is known for having completely worn out several prayer books in his lifetime, through tireless use. Protodeacon Simeon, the younger brother, was particularly devoted to the Church s liturgical prayer , serving for decades as a choir director and also as an ordained deacon of the Church. The two brothers spoke almost every day, encouraging one another in every good endeavor, including, one must suppose, prayer . May the example of these two pious men inspire us to heed the directive of the holy Apostle Paul, first given to the Christians of Thessalonica almost two thousand years ago: Pray without ceasing.

3 (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Memory Eternal! Вечная память! ! May their souls dwell with the blessed! 6 Table of Contents A Rule of prayer Opening Glorification of Invocation of the holy Trisagion (Thrice holy ) The Lord s Lord Have Call to A Psalm of Repentance (Psalm 50/51) ..12 The Creed: The Symbol of The Jesus Hymn to the Dismissal (Closing prayer ) ..15 Prayers for Different Times of Day A Morning The Morning prayer of the Optina A prayer for any Hour of the An Evening 17 A Night prayer .

4 Preparing for Prayers Just Before Going to 18 Prayers of Intercession Brief Prayers of A Longer prayer of Prayers for Others A prayer for the Another prayer for the A prayer for the Terminally A prayer for the 7 Another prayer for the A prayer of Parents for Their A prayer of Children for Their A prayer for Prayers for Various Occasions The prayer of Saint A prayer of Saint Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow, Asking God to Meet Our A prayer for the Acceptance of God s A prayer asking God to Help Us be Obedient to His holy A prayer of A prayer for Love of prayer Before prayer After A prayer Before any A prayer After any A prayer Before Reading the holy A prayer Before Lessons or A prayer of Married A prayer of a Widow or A prayer of a Person seeking to Live Purely and A prayer Against Demonic A prayer Against the Misuse of Visual A prayer When Facing the A prayer in Time of Need

5 Or A prayer Before The prayer of Saint Macarius the 8 Prayers and Hymns for Various Seasons of the Year The Lenten prayer of Saint The Paschal The Christmas Prayers to the Mother of God, Various Saints and to the holy Angels To the Mother of God, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin A prayer to Saint John the A prayer to Saint A prayer to Saint Herman of A prayer to Saint Innocent, Enlightener of A prayer to the Guardian Another prayer to the Guardian Prayers of Preparation Before holy Communion A prayer of Saint Basil the Another prayer of Saint Basil the A prayer of Saint John A prayer of Saint John of Another prayer of Saint John of A prayer of Saint John Prayers of Thanksgiving after holy Communion A prayer of Thanksgiving after holy A prayer of Saint Basil the A prayer of Saint Simeon Another A prayer to the 9 Abba Macarius was asked, How should one pray?

6 The old man said, There is no need at all to make long discourses; it is enough to stretch out one s hands and say, Lord, as you will, and as you know, have mercy. And if the conflict grows fiercer say, Lord, help! He knows very well what we need, and he shows us his mercy. From The Sayings of the Desert Fathers in the section about Saint Macarius the Great. 10 A Rule of prayer (A Rule of prayer is a collection of Prayers intended to be said together as a group, at least every morning and evening. The following rule is based upon a traditional rule called The Rule of Saint Pachomius, which is often suggested for memorization.)

7 When we memorize our rule we always have our Prayers with us.) Opening Blessing In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy spirit . Amen. Glorification of God Glory to You, our God, glory to You! Invocation of the holy spirit O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere and fillest all things; Treasury of Blessings, and Giver of Life, come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One. Trisagion (Thrice holy ) Prayers holy God!

8 holy Mighty! holy Immortal! Have mercy on us. holy God! holy Mighty! holy Immortal! Have mercy on us. holy God! holy Mighty! holy Immortal! Have mercy on us. 11 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the holy spirit , now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. O most holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your Name s sake. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord have mercy.

9 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the holy spirit , now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. The Lord s prayer 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. Amen. Lord Have Mercy Lord, have mercy. (12 times) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the holy spirit , now and ever and unto ages of ages.

10 Amen. 12 Call to Worship come , let us worship God, our King! come , let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God! come , let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God! A Psalm of Repentance (Psalm 50/51) Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin, for I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.