The Candlelight Prayer

“It is of great benefit to wake up during the night to pray. We also hear the Prophet Isaiah say, “With my soul I have desired You in the night, by my spirit within me I will seek You” (Isaiah 26:9). And also David, “I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop” (Psalm 102:8)… “My voice you shall hear in the morning” (troparion at the First Hour).. “My voice shall Thou hear in the morning, in the morning will I stand before Thee, and Thou shall look upon me” (Psalm 5,4).. “O God, you are my God, early I will seek Thee (Psalm 62,1).

On the Holy Mountain there are many that pray day and night. It so happens that someone prays from evening until morning, without realizing that time has passed by. In the love of God, the hours run with a different speed. Oh, what things are on the Holy Mountain at night! Fragrance, incense, angels, prayers… The angels carry the prayers of the saints and bring them up to God. What a mystery!

As soon as you wake up, hurry to rise to your feet (…) as soon as you wake up, rise out of your bed. Choose the hours of the night, you enter into prayer easier this way. Even if you wake up during the night only by chance, do not go back to sleep right away; it is rather a privilege that God is giving you to pray quietly, as much as you are able to.

He who keeps vigil with by praying during the night can work better the next day, because God endows him with grace and his soul is renewed. On the contrary, he who is not is not inclined to sacrifice for the love of Christ, he closes himself off to grace.

(Wounded by Love by Elder Porphyrios)

A prayer for unity, by arch. Sophrony

O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou, Lamb of God, Who didst take upon Thyself the sin of the world, Who by Thine ascent to Golgotha didst redeem us from the curse of the Law and didst restore Thy fallen image; Who didst stretch Thy most pure hands on the Cross, gathering together in one the scattered children of God, and by the descent of the most Holy Spirit didst call all men to unity; Thou which art the brightness of the Father, before going forth to this great and sacred work for the salvation of the world, didst pray to Thy Father that all may be one, even as Thou art one with the Father and the Holy Ghost: do Thou grant even unto us the grace and wisdom each day to fulfill this commandment, and strengthen us to strive for that love, which Thou didst command of us, saying: “Love one another, as I have loved you”.

By Thy Holy Spirit give us power to humble ourselves, one before the other, mindful that he who loveth the more doth humble himself the more. Teach us to pray one for another, in patience to bear one another’s burdens, and unite us with the unbreakable bond of love in Thy Holy Name. Grant us to behold in our every brother and sister the image of Thine ineffable glory, and never to forget that our brother is our life.

Yea, O Lord, Who hast gathered us together of Thy good providence, make us truly into one family, living with one heart, one will, a single love, as one man, according to Thy pre-eternal counsel for Adam the first-created. Establish this holy place which Thy Right Hand hath planted, and let the prayers of Thy Most Holy Mother, of Saints XXXX overshadow it always blessing and defending each one of them that dwell therein (Names), thereby preserving us from pernicious thoughts; from unseemly words or impulses of the heart that can destroy peace and concord; that this house may be built on the rock of Thy commandments as a place of healing, of sanctification and salvation, for us and all them that are drawn hither, our labouring and burdened brothers, that we may all find rest in Thee, our meek and lowly King, now and for ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

ARCH. SOPHRONY

For the Living

Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Thy mercies and bounties which are from everlasting, for the sake of which Thou didst become man and deign to endure crucifixion and death for the salvation of all who rightly believe in Thee: Thou rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and sittest on the right hand of God the Father, and regardest the humble prayers of all who call upon Thee with their whole heart: incline Thine ear and hearken to the humble entreaty of me, Thine unprofitable servant, who offer it as a sweet-smelling spiritual fragrance for all Thy people. And first of all remember Thy Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, which Thou hast purchased with Thy precious blood; confirm it and strengthen it, enlarge it and multiply it, keep it in peace and preserve it unconquerable by the gates of hell for ever: calm the divisions of the churches, quench the ragings of the heathen, and speedily destroy and root out the risings of heresies, and bring them to naught by the power of Thy Holy Spirit. Bow.

O Lord, save and have mercy on our land, its rulers and all those in seats of authority, and the Orthodox Christians that dwell herein.Bow. O Lord, save and have mercy on the most holy Orthodox Patriarchs, the most Reverend Metropolitans, Orthodox Archbishops and Bishops, and all the priestly and monastic order and all the clergy of the Church, which Thou hast established to feed the flock of Thy Word, and by their prayers have mercy on me and save me, a sinner. Bow.

O Lord, save and have mercy on my spiritual father, N, and by his holy prayers forgive me my transgressions. Bow.

O Lord, save and have mercy on my parents, N. and N, my brothers and sisters, my kinsmen after the flesh, and all those near to me and my friends, and grant them Thy good things, both here and hereafter. Bow.

O Lord, save and have mercy on the old and the young, the poor, the orphans and the widows, and all that are in sickness and sorrow, in distress and affliction, in oppression and captivity, in prison and confinement, more especially have mercy on Thy servants that are persecuted for Thy sake and for the sake of the Orthodox Faith, by heathen nations, by apostates and heretics: remember them, visit, strengthen, and comfort them, and make haste to grant them by Thy power relief, freedom and deliverance.Bow.

O Lord, save and have mercy on all who are sent on duty, all who travel, our fathers and brothers and sisters, and on all Orthodox Christians. Bow.

O Lord, save and have mercy on those that hate and affront me and do me mischief, and let them not perish through me, a sinner.Bow.

Those that have departed from the Orthodox Faith, dazzled by destroying heresies, do Thou enlighten by the light of Thy understanding and unite them to Thy Holy, Apostolic, Catholic Church.

Commemoration of the Departed

O Lord, remember those that have departed this life, Orthodox kings and queens, faithful princes and princesses, most holy Patriarchs, most reverend Metropolitans, Orthodox Archbishops and Bishops, and all who served Thee in the priesthood and clergy of the Church, and in the monastic order, and grant them rest with Thy saints in Thine eternal habitations. Bow.

O Lord, remember the souls of Thy servants who have fallen asleep, my parents, N. and N., and all my kinsmen after the flesh: and forgive them all their transgressions voluntary and involuntary, granting them the Kingdom and the partaking of Thy eternal good things and the delight of Thine unending and blessed life. Bow.

O Lord, remember all who have fallen asleep in hope of the resurrection and eternal life, our fathers and brethren, and sisters, Orthodox Christians, who rest here and in all the world; and set them with Thy saints, where shineth the light of Thy countenance, and have mercy on us, for Thou art good and Thou lovest mankind. Amen. Bow.

O Lord, grant to all that have gone before us in faith and hope of the resurrection, our fathers and brethren and sisters, pardon of sins, and grant them eternal memory. (Three times)

Conclusion of the Prayers

It is truly meet to bless Thee, Who didst bring forth God, ever blessed and most pure and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim, Who without defilement didst bear the God the Word, Thee, very Mother of God, we magnify.