hands to Thee;

my soul thirsts for Thee like a parched land.

Make haste to answer me, O Lord!

My spirit fails!

Hide not Thy face from me,

lest I be like those who go down to the Pit.

Let me hear in the morning of Thy steadfast love,

for in Thee I put my trust.

Teach me the way I should go,

for to Thee I lift up my soul.

Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies!

I have fled to Thee for refuge!

Teach me to do Thy will,

for Thou art my God!

Let Thy Good Spirit lead me

on a level path!

For Thy name’s sake, O Lord, give me life!

in Thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!

And in Thy steadfast love cut off my enemies

and destroy all those who afflict my soul,

for I am Thy servant.

The Doxology

The Symbol of Faith

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose Kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. In one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

NOTE: In churches, the appointed Compline Canon to the Theotokos is sung from the Octoechos at this point.

When Compline is read privately, one or more Canons and/or an Akathist Hymn is sung instead.

It is the tradition of the Russian Church that those preparing to receive the Holy Mysteries (Communion) read at least three Canons and one Akathist Hymn the evening before (See page 89). Some read the Canon of Preparation at this point (See page 119).

Whenever a Canon is sung, the following is sung to the same melody as the Irmos of the Canon. If there is no Canon, it is either read or sung to the 8th Tone.

It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God. 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.

The Reader continues:

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.

If there is a priest, he gives the usual exclamation.

After saying AMEN!, the Reader reads the appropriate TROPARIA:

Sunday Evening

We, the unworthy, ever pray to you, Supreme Commanders of the Heavenly Hosts: shelter us, through your prayers, with the protective wings of your glory. Keep us who fall down with fervor and cry: deliver us from misfortunes, for you command the powers on high.

O God of our fathers, Who dealest ever with us according to Thy meekness: take not Thy mercy from us, but direct our lives in peace through their prayers.

Thy Church has been adorned with a robe of fine purple linen—the blood of Thy Martyrs throughout the world,