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On this page you can read evening prayers in modern Russian, as well as listen to them and pray together.
But first, here are answers to a few questions regarding the prayer rule that parishioners often ask.
- Is it necessary to read the evening prayers in their entirety?
The fact is that both evening and morning prayer rules were created in the Middle Ages by monks and ascetics. And it included prayers from completely different collections. For example, "Midnight Song". After all, the monks got up at midnight to pray. Of course, the existing collection of evening prayers should be treated as an approximate rule. Many holy fathers recommend and themselves practice periodic changes in the prayer rule. After all, prayer is not just mumbling, it is a conversation with God. You shouldn't treat it as an obligation.
If you read the same prayer rule day after day, evening after evening, then such prayer will not be a joy and will turn into an obligation. It’s better to read a smaller number of prayers: 3, 5, 7... But at the same time from the heart, thinking and feeling every word. You can speak in your own words, or read something else some day: akathist, canon...
- Is it possible to listen to recorded prayers over the Internet?
Do we have only one form of prayer? Here I am standing at home, for example, and praying to myself, in my thoughts - once. I pray, quietly saying a word or two. The two of us stand: you pray, reading the words, I stand and pray out loud - already three forms. In the temple a prayer is read and sung - two more forms.
According to St. Philaret of Moscow, what is prayer? This is the elevation of the mind and heart to God. That is, when thoughts and feelings are directed towards God, and the external form can be any. If I turn on video, audio, and prayer is being performed there, it’s very good. I listen and pray along with the recording to myself, not out loud. When I’m on the road, I put on headphones, listen to prayer and don’t disturb anyone.
- Is it possible to read prayers from a phone?
This question interests believers quite often. Of course, a smartphone is a source and carrier of information. It is convenient to read prayers from the screen of a smartphone; it is always and everywhere with us. If you find yourself not at home and it’s time for evening prayer, it’s convenient: take out your phone and read from its screen. We live in a changing world, and each time, each era has its own information carrier. It's just that the telephone is more modern than paper. And paper is more modern than birch bark letters or clay tablets. Well, imagine that someone will say that you cannot read from paper, but you must read from birch bark or what is written on animal skins, as it was two thousand years ago. Therefore, the answer is: yes, it is possible. After all, the church keeps up with the times, despite all its traditionalism. Temples have websites, broadcast services online, priests read sermons through social networks.
- Is it possible to replace evening prayers with the rule of Seraphim of Sarov?
This question is similar to the question of whether it is necessary to read the evening prayer rule in its entirety. Therefore, the answer will be similar. Yes, replace the full evening prayer book with the rule of Seraphim of Sarov. The main thing is that it brings joy and relief. You can consult about this with your confessor.
Listen or read prayers. How to make a choice?
After a busy day, full of all sorts of worries and the hustle and bustle inseparable from modern life, it can be difficult to even concentrate on one thing, it seems that there is not enough strength. But, as Christians, we have a desire to talk to God. Rather, this is even our need. In evening prayers we thank Him for the day we have lived, for everyone and for everything that was in it.
But, unfortunately, it is not always possible to read the proper prayer rule on your own. In order not to deprive yourself of this spiritual oxygen, because a Christian without prayer is like without air, can you listen to the rule in an audio recording?
An audio recording of evening prayers performed by the monks of Optina Hermitage is always popular. They delight the ear and delight with the quality of the recording. And the voices of respected and widely known performers are impeccable.
The evening prayer rule in Optina Hermitage in audio format is now widely distributed on the Internet. On the website of our pilgrimage service, his recording is presented free of charge, in the public domain. Many people wonder if listening to a rule is the same as reading it yourself?
Evening prayers in Russian
Complete evening prayer rule: for those coming to bed.
The evening prayer rule begins with a prayer to the Holy Trinity:
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then we read the opening prayer.
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother, our reverend and God-bearing fathers and all the saints, have mercy on us.
Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, abiding everywhere and filling everything with Himself, Source of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, O Good One, our souls.
Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now, and always, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
Prayer to the Holy Trinity
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
Lord, cleanse our sins.
Master, forgive our iniquities.
Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever.
Amen.
Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in Heaven!
Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done both in heaven and on earth.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Tropari
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us!
Finding no justification for ourselves, we, sinners, offer this prayer to You as to the Lord: “Have mercy on us!”
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. God!
Have mercy on us, we trust in You.
Do not be very angry with us and do not remember our iniquities: but turn Your gaze on us even now, since You are merciful.
And deliver us from our enemies: after all, You are our God and we are Your people, we are all the creations of Your hands and we call on Your name.
And now and always and forever and ever.
Amen.
Open to us, blessed Mother of God, the door to God’s mercy, so that we, who trust in You, do not perish, but through You we get rid of troubles: after all, You are the salvation of the Christian race.
Lord have mercy. (12 times)
Prayer 1, St. Macarius the Great, to God the Father
Eternal God and King of all creation, who has made me worthy to live until this hour, forgive me the sins that I committed on this day in deed, word and thought;
and cleanse, Lord, my humble soul from all carnal and spiritual impurity.
And grant me, Lord, to spend this night in peace, so that, rising from sleep, all the days of my life I will do what is pleasing to Your most holy name and defeat the enemies who attack me - carnal and incorporeal.
And deliver me, Lord, from the vain thoughts and vicious desires that defile me.
For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and always, and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
Prayer 2, St. Antiochus, to our Lord Jesus Christ
Almighty, Word of the Father, Jesus Christ!
Being yourself perfect, according to Your great mercy, never leave me, Your servant, but always remain in me.
Jesus, good Shepherd of Your sheep, do not give me over to the work of the serpent and do not leave me to the will of Satan, for there is in me the seed of destruction.
You, Lord God, whom everyone worships, the Holy King, Jesus Christ, protect me during sleep with unfading Light, Your Holy Spirit, with which You sanctified Your disciples.
Grant, O Lord, to me, Thy unworthy servant, Thy salvation on my bed: enlighten my mind with the light of the understanding of St. Your Gospel, my soul - with love for Your Cross, my heart - with the purity of Your word, my body - with Your suffering, alien to passion, preserve my thought with Your humility.
And raise me up at the proper time to glorify You.
For Thou art supremely glorified together with Thy Eternal Father and the Most Holy Spirit forever.
Amen.
Prayer 3, St. Ephraim the Syrian to the Holy Spirit
Lord, Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, have mercy and have mercy on me, Your sinful servant, and forgive me, unworthy, and forgive all the sins that I have sinned before You today as a man and, moreover, not as a man, but even worse livestock
Forgive my sins, voluntary and involuntary, known and unknown:
made out of immaturity and evil skill, out of temper and carelessness.
If I have sworn by Your name, or blasphemed Him in my thoughts;
or whom he reproached;
or slandered someone in my anger, or saddened someone, or about what I was angry;
either he lied, or slept untimely, or a beggar came to me, and I rejected him;
or saddened my brother, or stirred up quarrels, or condemned someone;
or became arrogant, or became proud, or became angry;
or when standing in prayer, his mind strove for evil worldly thoughts, or had insidious thoughts;
either he overate himself, or got drunk, or laughed madly;
or thought evil;
or, seeing imaginary beauty, bowed your heart to what is outside of You;
or said something obscene;
or laughed at my brother’s sin, while my sins are countless;
or did not care about prayer, or did something else evil that I did not remember: I did all this and even more than that.
Have mercy on me, my Creator and Lord, Thy careless and unworthy servant, and leave me, and forgive my sins, and forgive me, for You are Good and Humane-loving.
So that I may lie down in peace, sleep and calm down, prodigal, sinful and unhappy, and so that I may bow and sing and glorify Your venerable name, with the Father and His Only Begotten Son, now, and always, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
Prayer 4, St. Macarius the Great
What will I bring to You or what will I reward You, O rich in gifts immortal King, merciful and humane-loving Lord, for bringing me, who was lazy to serve You and had not done anything good, to the end of this past day, guiding my soul to conversion and salvation?
Be merciful to me, a sinner and deprived of every good deed, raise up my fallen soul, defiled in immeasurable sins, and remove from me all the evil thoughts of this visible life.
Forgive me, the Only Sinless One, my sins that I have sinned before You on this day, consciously and out of ignorance, in word, and deed, and thought, and with all my feelings.
You Yourself save me from every enemy misfortune, covering me with Your divine power and ineffable love for mankind and strength.
Cleanse, O God, cleanse the multitude of my sins.
Deign, Lord, to deliver me from the snare of the evil one, and save my passionate soul, and illuminate me with the light of Your face when You come in glory, and now let me sleep without condemnation, and keep the thoughts of Your servant without dreams and confusion.
And drive away all satanic deeds from me, and enlighten the rational eyes of my heart, so that I may not fall asleep in the sleep of death.
And send me an Angel of peace, guardian and mentor of my soul and body, that he may deliver me from my enemies;
Yes, rising from my bed, I will offer you prayers of thanksgiving.
Oh, Lord, hear me, Thy sinful and poor servant, with will and conscience!
Let me, having risen from sleep, learn from Your word and, through Your Angels, drive away demonic despondency far from me!
May I bless Your holy name and glorify and glorify the Most Pure Mother of God Mary, Whom You gave to us sinners for protection, and hear Her praying for us;
for I know that She imitates Your love for mankind and does not cease to pray.
Through her intercession, and the sign of the Holy Cross, and for the sake of all Your saints, save my poor soul, Jesus Christ our God, for You are holy and glorified forever.
Amen.
Prayer 5
Lord our God, everything in which I have sinned today in word, deed and thought, as a good and Lover of mankind, forgive me. Grant me peaceful and serene sleep.
Send Your guardian angel, covering and preserving me from all evil.
For You are the guardian of our souls and bodies, and we send up glory to You, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now, and always, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
Prayer 6
Lord our God, in whom we believe and whose name we call upon above every name!
Give us, going to sleep, relief to soul and body, and save us from all daydreaming and dark voluptuousness. Stop the impulses of passions, extinguish the fire of bodily excitement.
Grant us to live chastely in deeds and words, so that, while leading a virtuous life, we do not lose the benefits You promised, for You are blessed forever.
Amen.
Prayer 7th St. John Chrysostom (24 prayers)
1. Lord, do not deprive me of Your heavenly blessings.
2. Lord, deliver me from eternal torment.
3. Lord, whether I have sinned in mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me.
4. Lord, deliver me from all ignorance, oblivion, cowardice, and petrified insensibility.
5. Lord, deliver me from every temptation.
6. Lord, enlighten my heart, which is darkened by evil desires.
7. Lord, as a man I have sinned, but You, as a generous God, have mercy on me, seeing the weakness of my soul.
8. Lord, send Your grace to help me, that I may glorify Your holy name.
9. Lord Jesus Christ, write me, Your servant, in the Book of Life and grant me a good end.
10. Lord, my God, although I have not done anything good before You, grant me, by Your grace, to begin good deeds.
11. Lord, sprinkle the dew of Your grace on my heart.
12. Lord of Heaven and earth, remember me, Thy sinful servant, foul and unclean, in Thy Kingdom.
Amen.
1. Lord, accept me in repentance.
2. Lord, don't leave me.
3. Lord, protect me from every misfortune.
4. Lord, give me a good thought.
5. Lord, give me tears, and the memory of death, and heartfelt contrition for sins.
6. Lord, give me the thought to confess my sins.
7. Lord, give me humility, chastity and obedience.
8. Lord, give me patience, generosity and meekness.
9. Lord, plant in me the root of goodness - the fear of You in my heart.
10. Lord, deign me to love You with all my soul and thoughts and to fulfill Your will in everything.
11. Lord, protect me from evil people, and demons, and passions, and from every inappropriate deed.
12. Lord, You know what you are doing and what You desire - Your will be done even on me, a sinner, for You are blessed forever.
Amen.
Prayer 8, to our Lord Jesus Christ
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Your venerable Mother and Your disembodied Angels,
and also the Prophet and Forerunner and Your Baptist, and the theological Apostles, the bright and victorious martyrs, the venerable and God-bearing fathers and all the saints - deliver me from the present demonic oppression.
So, my Lord and Creator, who does not desire the death of a sinner, but that he may be converted and live, give me conversion, too, wretched and unworthy.
Take me out of the mouth of the destroying serpent, eager to devour me and bring me alive to hell.
Yes, my Lord, my consolation, for the sake of the unfortunate one who has clothed himself in corruptible flesh, deliver me from misery and give consolation to my poor soul.
Inspire my heart to do Your commandments, and to leave evil deeds and receive Your blessings.
For I trust in You, Lord, save me.
Prayer 9, to the Most Holy Theotokos, Peter of Studium
To You, the Most Pure Mother of God, I, unhappy, fall and pray:
You know, Queen, that I constantly sin and anger Your Son and my God, and although I repent many times, I turn out to be a liar before God.
I repent, trembling, whether the Lord will strike me, and soon I do the same again!
I pray that You, my Lady, Lady Theotokos, knowing this, have mercy, strengthen and teach me to do good.
For You know, my Lady Theotokos, that I greatly hate my evil deeds and with all my thoughts I love the law of my God;
but I don’t know, Most Pure Lady, why I hate what I love, but don’t do what is good.
Do not allow, Most Pure One, my will to be fulfilled, for it is evil, but may the will of Your Son and my God be done, may He save me, and enlighten me and give me the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that from now on I will stop doing bad things,
and the rest of the time I would live according to the commandments of Your Son, to Whom belongs all glory, honor and power with His beginningless Father, and His most holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and always, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
Prayer 10, to the Most Holy Theotokos
Good King, good Mother, most pure and blessed Mother of God Mary!
Pour the mercy of Your Son and our God on my suffering soul, and through Your prayers guide me to good deeds, so that I can live the rest of my life without blemish and through You find paradise, Virgin Mary, the only pure and blessed one.
Prayer 11, to the Holy Guardian Angel
Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and patron of my soul and body!
Forgive me everything that I have sinned today, and deliver me from every insidious plan of the enemy coming against me, so that I do not anger my God with any sin.
But pray for me, a sinful and unworthy servant, to present me worthy of the goodness and mercy of the Most Holy Trinity and the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ and all the saints.
Amen.
Kontakion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Having been delivered from troubles, we, Your unworthy servants, Mother of God, sing a victorious and grateful song to You, the Supreme Military Leader.
You, as having invincible power, free us from all troubles, so that we cry to You: Rejoice, Bride, not involved in marriage!
Glorious Eternal Virgin, Mother of Christ God, bring our prayer to Thy Son and our God, may He save our souls through Thy prayers.
I place all my hope in You, Mother of God, keep me under Your protection.
Enlighten my eyes, O Christ God, so that I do not fall asleep in the sleep of death, so that my enemy does not say: I have defeated him.
Be the Protector of my soul, O God, for I walk among many snares. Deliver me from them and save me, O God, for You are a Lover of Mankind.
Prayer to St. Ioannicia
My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my protection is the Holy Spirit.
Holy Trinity, glory to Thee!
Prayer to St. John of Damascus
Lord Lover of Humanity, will this bed really be my grave, or will you still illuminate my unfortunate soul with the light of day?
Behold, the grave is before me, behold, I face death.
I fear Your judgment, Lord, and endless torment, but I do not stop doing evil.
I always anger You, my Lord and God, and Your Most Pure Mother, and all the Heavenly Powers, and St. My guardian angel.
I know, Lord, that I am unworthy of Your love for mankind, but I am worthy of all condemnation and torment.
But, Lord, whether I want it or not, save me.
After all, if you save the righteous, there is nothing great in it, and if you have mercy on the pure, there is nothing wondrous in that, for they are worthy of Your mercy.
But on me, a sinner, show Your wondrous mercy, in that show Your love for mankind, so that my malice does not overcome Your ineffable goodness and mercy, and do as You want with me.
To the Honest Cross
May God rise again, and may His enemies be scattered, and may all who hate Him flee from His Face.
As the smoke disappears, so let them disappear.
Just as wax melts from the fire, so let the demons perish at the sight of those who love God, and sign themselves with the sign of the cross and joyfully say: “Rejoice, much-honored and life-giving Cross of the Lord, driving away demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified on you, who descended into hell and who destroyed the power of the devil and gave us you, His venerable Cross, to drive away every enemy.”
O venerable and life-giving Cross of the Lord!
Help me with the Holy Lady, the Virgin Mary, and with all the saints forever.
Amen.
Prayer to the Honest Cross (short)
Protect me, Lord, by the power of Your venerable and life-giving Cross, and save me from all evil.
Loosen up, let go, forgive...
Relax, let go, forgive, O God, our sins, voluntary and involuntary, committed in word and deed, consciously and unconsciously, day and night, in mind and in thought - forgive us all, as the Merciful and Humane One.
Forgive those who hate and offend us...
Forgive those who hate and offend us, O Lord, Lover of Mankind!
To those who do good, do good.
To our brothers and relatives, graciously fulfill their requests in what leads to salvation, and grant eternal life.
Visit the weak and give them healing.
Help those at sea.
Companion to travelers.
Help Orthodox Christians in their struggle.
Grant remission of sins to those who serve us and those who take pity on us.
Have mercy on those who have entrusted us, the unworthy, to pray for them, according to Your great mercy.
Remember, Lord, our fathers and brothers who have fallen before and rest them where the light of Your Face shines.
Remember, Lord, our brothers who are in captivity, and deliver them from all misfortune.
Remember, Lord, those who bear the fruits of their labors and adorn Your holy churches.
Give them, at their request, that which leads to salvation and eternal life.
Remember, Lord, us, Your humble, sinful and unworthy servants, and enlighten our minds so that we know You, and guide us on the path of following Your commandments, through the prayers of our most pure Lady, the Eternal Virgin Mary, and all Your saints, for You are blessed forever and ever.
Amen.
Daily Confession of Sins
I confess to You, my Lord God and Creator, in the One Holy Trinity, glorified and worshiped, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, all my sins that I have committed all the days of my life,
and at every hour, and at the present time, by deed, word, thought, sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch and all my feelings, mental and physical, with which I have angered You, my God and Creator, and offended my neighbor.
Sinned: (hereinafter a list of individual sins).
Regretting them, I stand before You guilty and want to repent.
Only, Lord my God, help me, I humbly pray to You with tears.
By Your mercy, forgive the sins I have committed and free me from them, for You are Good and Lover of Mankind.
Before going to bed
Into Your hands, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, I commend my spirit.
Bless me, have mercy on me and grant me eternal life.
Amen.
Prayer of the Optina elders for the coming day (every day)
The Optina elders taught believers that the rule of prayer should be done consciously. It is important to consult with your own spiritual mentors before reading prayers for the coming day. While reading prayers, you need to completely renounce the events of the outside world, you need to learn to open your soul to God. Prayer for the coming day encourages spiritual achievement and instills confidence.
Morning prayer of the Optina elders at the beginning of the day
Every respectable Christian should read prayers every morning, the sequence of which was recommended by the Optina elders. Morning prayer spiritually cleanses and allows you to protect yourself from unforeseen life circumstances and do the right thing in difficult situations.
The morning prayer of the Optina elders is as follows:
Evening prayer of the Optina elders
It is imperative to include the evening prayer of the Optina elders in the evening rule.
The prayer goes like this:
Prayer Optina Pustyn for the coming day
The full sacred text of the prayer of the Optina elders for the coming day helps to heal the soul, bestows wisdom and promotes the harmonization of the inner world. You can read it at any time, but it is better to do it in the morning. This will set you up for good, fruitful work. This prayer promotes a positive attitude, which will allow you to successfully carry out all planned activities.
The full text of the prayer is:
Orthodox icons and prayers
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother, our reverend and God-bearing fathers and all saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul of truth, Who is everywhere and fulfills everything, Treasure of good things and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, O Good One, our souls.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse our sins; Master, forgive our iniquities; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord have mercy. (Thrice) Glory, and now:
Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Tropari
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us; Perplexed by any answer, we offer this prayer to You as the Master of sin: have mercy on us.
Glory: Lord, have mercy on us, for we trust in You; Do not be angry with us, do not remember our iniquities, but look upon us now as if you are gracious, and deliver us from our enemies; For Thou art our God, and we are Thy people; all works are done by Thy hand, and we call upon Thy name.
And now: Open the doors of mercy to us, blessed Mother of God, who trust in You, so that we may not perish, but may be delivered from troubles by You: for You are the salvation of the Christian race.
Lord have mercy. (12 times)
Prayer 1, St. Macarius the Great, to God the Father
Eternal God and King of every creature, who has vouchsafed me even at this hour to come, forgive me the sins I have committed this day in deed, word and thought, and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. And grant me, Lord, to pass through this dream in peace at night, so that, rising from my humble bed, I will please Your most holy name all the days of my life, and will trample the fleshly and incorporeal enemies that fight me. And deliver me, Lord, from vain thoughts that defile me, and from evil lusts. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer 2, Saint Antiochus, to our Lord Jesus Christ
To the Almighty, the Word of the Father, who is perfect himself, Jesus Christ, for the sake of Thy mercy, never leave me, Thy servant, but always rest in me. Jesus, good Shepherd of Your sheep, do not betray me to the sedition of the serpent, and do not leave me to the desires of Satan, for the seed of aphids is in me. Thou, O Lord God worshiped, the Holy King, Jesus Christ, preserve me as I sleep with an unflickering light, by Thy Holy Spirit, with whom Thou hast sanctified Thy disciples. Grant, O Lord, to me, Thy unworthy servant, Thy salvation on my bed: enlighten my mind with the light of reason of Thy Holy Gospel, my soul with the love of Thy Cross, my heart with the purity of Thy word, my body with Thy passionless passion, preserve my thought with Thy humility, and uplift I am in time like Your praise. For Thou art glorified with Thy Beginningless Father and with the Most Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
Prayer 3, to the Holy Spirit
Lord, Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul of Truth, have mercy and have mercy on me, Thy sinful servant, and forgive me the unworthy, and forgive me all that I have sinned today like a man, and moreover, not like a man, but also worse than cattle, my free sins and involuntary, driven and unknown: those who are evil from youth and science, and those who are evil from impudence and despondency. If I swear by Your name, or blaspheme in my thoughts; or whom I will reproach; or slandered someone with my anger, or saddened someone, or became angry about something; either he lied, or he slept in vain, or he came to me as a beggar and despised him; or made my brother sad, or married, or whom I condemned; or became proud, or became proud, or became angry; or standing in prayer, my mind is moved by the wickedness of this world, or I think about corruption; either overeated, or drunk, or laughing madly; either I thought evil, or saw someone else’s kindness, and my heart was wounded by it; or dissimilar verbs, or laughed at my brother’s sin, but mine are countless sins; Either I didn’t pray for the sake of it, or I didn’t remember what other evil things I did, because I did more and more of these things. Have mercy on me, my Creator Master, Thy sad and unworthy servant, and leave me, and let me go, and forgive me, for I am Good and Lover of Mankind, so that I may lie down in peace, sleep and rest, the prodigal, sinful and damned one, and I will bow and sing , and I will glorify Your most honorable name, with the Father and His Only Begotten Son, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Prayer 4, Saint Macarius the Great
What will I bring to You, or what will I reward to You, O most gifted Immortal King, generous and philanthropic Lord, since you were lazy in pleasing me, and did nothing good, you brought the conversion and salvation of my soul to the end of this day? Be merciful to me, a sinner and naked of every good deed, raise up my fallen soul, defiled in immeasurable sins, and take away from me all the evil thoughts of this visible life. Forgive my sins, O One Sinless One, even those who have sinned this day, in knowledge and ignorance, in word, and deed, and thought, and with all my feelings. You Yourself, covering me, save me from every opposing situation with Your Divine power, and ineffable love for mankind, and strength. Cleanse, O God, cleanse the multitude of my sins. Deign, O Lord, to deliver me from the snare of the evil one, and save my passionate soul, and overshadow me with the light of Your face, when You come in glory, and make me sleep without condemnation now, and keep the thoughts of Your servant without dreaming, and untroubled, and all the work of Satan take me away from me, and enlighten the intelligent eyes of my heart, so that I may not sleep into death. And send me an Angel of peace, guardian and mentor of my soul and body, that he may deliver me from my enemies; Yes, rising from my bed, I will bring you prayers of gratitude. Yes, Lord, hear me, your sinful and wretched servant, with your will and conscience; Grant that I have risen to learn from Thy words, and the despondency of demons is driven away from me, to be made by Thy Angels; may I bless Your holy name, and glorify, and glorify the Most Pure Mother of God Mary, Who hast given us sinners intercession, and accept this one praying for us; We see that He imitates Your love for mankind, and does not stop praying. By that intercession, and the sign of the Honest Cross, and for the sake of all Thy saints, keep my poor soul, Jesus Christ our God, for Thou art holy and glorified forever. Amen.
Prayer 5
Lord our God, who have sinned in these days in word, deed and thought, as He is Good and Lover of Mankind, forgive me. Grant me a peaceful and serene sleep. Send Your guardian angel, covering and keeping me from all evil, for You are the guardian of our souls and bodies, and we send glory to You, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer 6
Lord our God, in the worthlessness of faith, and we call upon His name above every name, grant us, who are going to sleep, a weakening of soul and body, and keep us from all dreams and dark pleasures except; restrain the desire of passions, extinguish the kindling of bodily rebellion. Grant us to live chastely in deeds and words; Yes, a virtuous life is receptive, Your promised good things will not fall away, for Blessed are You forever. Amen.
Prayer 7, St. John Chrysostom
(24 prayers, according to the number of hours of the day and night)
Lord, do not deprive me of Your heavenly blessings. Lord, save me from eternal torment. Lord, whether I have sinned in mind or in thought, in word or in deed, forgive me. Lord, deliver me from all ignorance and oblivion, and cowardice, and petrified insensibility. Lord, deliver me from every temptation. Lord, enlighten my heart, darken my evil lust. Lord, as a man who has sinned, You, as a generous God, have mercy on me, seeing the weakness of my soul. Lord, send Your grace to help me, that I may glorify Your holy name. Lord Jesus Christ, write me Your servant in the book of animals and grant me a good end. Lord, my God, even if I have done nothing good before You, grant me, by Your grace, to make a good beginning. Lord, sprinkle the dew of Your grace in my heart. Lord of heaven and earth, remember me, Thy sinful servant, cold and unclean, in Thy Kingdom. Amen.
Lord, accept me in repentance. Lord, don't leave me. Lord, do not lead me into misfortune. Lord, give me a good thought. Lord, give me tears and mortal memory, and tenderness. Lord, give me the thought of confessing my sins. Lord, give me humility, chastity and obedience. Lord, give me patience, generosity and meekness. Lord, plant in me the root of good things, Thy fear in my heart. Lord, grant me to love You with all my soul and thoughts and to do Your will in everything. Lord, protect me from certain people, and demons, and passions, and from all other inappropriate things. Lord, weigh that you have done as You willed, that Your will be done in me, a sinner, for Thou art blessed forever. Amen.
Prayer 8, to our Lord Jesus Christ
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of Your most honorable Mother, and Your disembodied Angels, Your Prophet and Forerunner and Baptist, the God-speaking Apostles, the bright and victorious martyrs, the reverend and God-bearing fathers, and all the saints through the prayers, deliver me from my present demonic situation. To her, my Lord and Creator, do not want the death of a sinner, but as if he were converted and live, grant me conversion, the accursed and unworthy; take me away from the mouth of the destructive serpent, who yawns to devour me and bring me to hell alive. To her, my Lord, is my consolation, Who for the sake of the accursed one has clothed himself in corruptible flesh, pluck me from accursedness, and grant consolation to my more accursed soul. Plant in my heart to do Thy commandments, and forsake evil deeds, and receive Thy blessedness: for in Thee, O Lord, have I trusted, save me.
Prayer 9, to the Most Holy Theotokos, Peter of Studium
To Thee, Most Pure Mother of God, I fall down and pray: Consider, O Queen, how I continually sin and anger Thy Son and my God, and many times when I repent, I find myself lying before God, and I repent in trembling: will the Lord strike me down, and hour by hour I do the same again? ; I pray to this leader, my Lady, Lady Theotokos, to have mercy, strengthen me, and grant me good works. Believe me, my Lady Theotokos, for the Imam is by no means in hatred of my evil deeds, and with all my thoughts I love the law of my God; But we do not know, Most Pure Lady, from where I hate, I love, but I transgress what is good. Do not allow, O Most Pure One, my will to be fulfilled, for it is not pleasing, but may the will of Thy Son and my God be done: may He save me, and enlighten me, and give me the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that I may cease from here from filthiness, and so on may I live as commanded Your Son, to Him belongs all glory, honor and power, with His Originless Father, and His Most Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer 10, to the Most Holy Theotokos
Good Mother of the King, Most Pure and Blessed Mother of God Mary, pour out the mercy of Thy Son and our God on my passionate soul and with Thy prayers instruct me in good deeds, so that I may pass through the rest of my life without blemish and through You I will find paradise, O Virgin Mother of God, the only Pure and Blessed.
Prayer 11, to the Holy Guardian Angel
Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me all who have sinned this day, and deliver me from every wickedness of the enemy who opposes me, so that in no sin I will anger my God; but pray for me, a sinful and unworthy servant, that you may show me worthy of the goodness and mercy of the All-Holy Trinity and the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ and all the saints. Amen.
Kontakion to the Mother of God
To the chosen Voivode, victorious, as having been delivered from the evil ones, let us write thanks to Thy servants, the Mother of God, but as having an invincible power, free us from all troubles, let us call Ti; Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Glorious Ever-Virgin, Mother of Christ God, bring our prayer to Your Son and our God, may You save our souls.
I place all my trust in You, Mother of God, keep me under Your roof.
Virgin Mary, do not despise me, a sinner, who requires Your help and Your intercession, for my soul trusts in You, and have mercy on me.
Prayer of Saint Ioannikios
My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my protection is the Holy Spirit: Holy Trinity, glory to Thee.
It is worthy to eat as you truly bless Thee, the Mother of God, the Ever-Blessed and Most Immaculate and the Mother of our God. We magnify You, the most honorable Cherub and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim, who gave birth to God the Word without corruption.
Glory, and now: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother, our reverend and God-bearing fathers and all saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Prayer of Saint John of Damascus
Master, Lover of Mankind, will this coffin really be my bed, or will you still enlighten my damned soul during the day? For seven the grave lies ahead, for seven the death awaits. I fear Your judgment, O Lord, and endless torment, but I do not stop doing evil: I always anger You, the Lord my God, and Your Most Pure Mother, and all the Heavenly powers, and my holy Guardian Angel. We know, Lord, that I am unworthy of Your love for mankind, but I am worthy of all condemnation and torment. But, Lord, whether I want it or not, save me. Even if you save a righteous man, nothing great; and even if you have mercy on a pure person, nothing is marvelous: you are worthy of the essence of Your mercy. But surprise me, a sinner, with Thy mercy: for this show Thy love for mankind, so that my malice may not overcome Thy unspeakable goodness and mercy: and as you wish, arrange a thing for me.
Enlighten my eyes, O Christ God, so that not when I fall asleep into death, and not when my enemy says: “Let us be strong against him.”
Glory: Be the protector of my soul, O God, as I walk in the midst of many snares; deliver me from them and save me, O Blessed One, as a Lover of Mankind.
And now: Let us incessantly sing with our hearts and lips the Glorious Mother of God and the Most Holy Angel of Saints, confessing this Mother of God as truly having given birth to us God incarnate, and praying unceasingly for our souls.
Mark yourself with a cross and say a prayer to the Honest Cross:
May God rise again, and may His enemies be scattered, and may those who hate Him flee from His presence. As smoke disappears, let them disappear; as wax melts in the presence of fire, so let demons perish from the face of those who love God and signify themselves with the sign of the cross, and who say in joy: Rejoice, Most Honorable and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, drive away the demons by force on you of our Lord Jesus Christ, who descended into hell and trampled upon the power the devil, and who gave us His Honest Cross to drive away every adversary.
O Most Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord! Help me with the Holy Virgin Mary and with all the saints forever. Amen.
Or briefly:
Protect me, Lord, by the power of Your Honest and Life-giving Cross, and save me from all evil.
Prayer
Weaken, forgive, forgive, O God, our sins, voluntary and involuntary, even in word and in deed, even in knowledge and in ignorance, even in days and nights, even in mind and in thought: forgive us everything, for it is good and Lover of Humanity.
Prayer
Forgive those who hate and offend us, Lord Lover of Mankind. Do good to those who do good. Grant to our brothers and relatives the same petitions for salvation and eternal life. Visit those who are infirm and grant healing. Manage the sea as well. For travelers, travel. Grant forgiveness of sins to those who serve and forgive us. Have mercy on those who have commanded us unworthy to pray for them according to Your great mercy. Remember, Lord, our fathers and brothers who have fallen before us, and give them rest, where the light of Your face shines. Remember, Lord, our captive brothers and deliver me from every situation. Remember, Lord, those who bear fruit and do good in Your holy churches, and give them petitions for salvation and eternal life. Remember, Lord, us, humble and sinful and unworthy Thy servants, and enlighten our minds with the light of Thy mind, and guide us on the path of Thy commandments, through the prayers of our Most Pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary and all Thy saints: for blessed art thou unto the ages of ages. . Amen.
Everyday confession of sins
I confess to You, Lord my God and Creator, in the One Holy Trinity, glorified and worshiped, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, all my sins, which I have committed all the days of my life, and for every hour, both now and in days gone by. and nights, by deed, by word, by thought, by gluttony, drunkenness, gluttony, idle talk, despondency, laziness, bickering, disobedience, slander, condemnation, neglect, pride, avarice, theft, unspeaking, filthiness, money-gathering, jealousy, envy, anger, memory malice , hatred, covetousness and all my feelings: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch and my other sins, both mental and physical, in the image of my God and Creator I have angered You, and my neighbor for being untruthful: regretting these, I blame myself for You, my God I imagine, and I have the will to repent: then, Lord my God, help me, with tears I humbly pray to Thee: forgive me my sins by Thy mercy, and forgive me from all these things that are spoken before Thee, for Thou art Good and Lover of mankind.
When you go to bed, say:
In Your hands, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, I commend my spirit: You bless me, You have mercy on me and grant me eternal life.
Amen.
Who are the elders from Optina Pustyn
The heyday of the monastery began in 1826, when Archimandrite Moses became its rector. The elders of Optina Hermitage were famous for the fact that each of them possessed some special gift. They had sincere faith in their souls and a desire to help all those suffering.
The main church figures of those times in Optina Pustyn were considered:
How to read the prayers of the ancient elders
You need to read the prayers of the ancient elders every day; this will ensure overall success in life and support sincere faith in a person’s soul. Morning prayer should be read in solitude, fully concentrating on the spoken words. This will give you a boost of energy that will last throughout the day. Prayer allows you to accumulate internal energy, which will allow you to easily solve any problems that arise during the day.
The basic rules for reading prayers can be combined and the following main points can be highlighted:
The prayers of the Optina elders cannot be read from sight; they must first be learned by heart. This will allow you to focus as much as possible on the text and increases the strength of the response from the Higher Forces.
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