The Sixth Hour

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit , one God. Amen.

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 the evil one, through Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Let us give thanks unto the Beneficent and Merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. For He has shielded us, rescued us, kept us, accepted us unto Him, had compassion on us, supported us, and brought us unto this hour. Let us ask Him also, to keep us this holy day and all the days of our life in all peace, the Almighty Lord our God. O Master, Lord, God Almighty, Father of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ; we thank Thee upon every condition, for any condition, and in whatever condition. For Thou hast shielded us, rescued us, kept us, accepted us unto Thee, had compassion on us, supported us and brought us unto this hour. Therefore we ask and entreat Thy goodness, O Lover-of-man, grant us to complete this holy day, and all the days of our life in all peace with Thy fear. All envy, all temptation, all the influence of Satan, the intrigue of wicked people, the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest, take away from us, and from all Thy people, and from this, Thy holy place. But as for those things which are good and useful provide us with them. For Thou art the One who gave us the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and every power of the enemy. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, through the grace, compassion and love of man, of Thine only begotten Son, our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Through whom glory, honor, dominion, and worship befit Thee with Him and the Holy Spirit, the lifegiver who is of one essence with Thee, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

PSALM 50

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassion blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightiest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar. Alleluia.

The prayer of the Sixth Hour of the blessed day, I offer to Christ my king and my God, beseeching Him to forgive my sins.

Psalm 53

O God, in Thy name save me, and in Thy strength do Thou judge me. O God, hear my prayer, give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers are risen up against me, and mighty men have sought after my soul and have not set God before themselves. For behold, God helps me, and the Lord is the protector of my soul. He will bring evils upon my enemies. Utterly destroy them by Thy truth. Willingly shall I sacrifice unto Thee; I will confess Thy name, O Lord, for it is good. For out of every affliction hast Thou delivered me, and my eye has looked down upon my enemies. Alleluia.

Psalm 56

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for my soul trusted in Thee. And in the shadow of Thy wings will I hope, until iniquity shall pass away. I will cry unto God the Most High, unto God my benefactor. He hath sent out of heaven and saved me, He hath given over to reproach them that were trampling me down. God hath sent forth His mercy and His truth, and hath delivered my soul from the midst of lions' cubs; I lay down to sleep as one troubled. As for the sons of men, their teeth are weapons and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. Be Thou exalted above the heavens, O God, and Thy glory above all the earth. They have prepared a snare for my feet, and bowed down my soul. They have dug a pit before my face and have fallen into it themselves. Ready is my heart, O God, ready is my heart; I will sing and chant in my glory. Awake, O my glory; awake, O psaltery and harp; I myself will awake at dawn. I will confess Thee among the peoples, O Lord, I will chant unto Thee among the nations. For magnified even unto the heavens is Thy mercy, and Thy truth even unto the clouds. Be Thou exalted above the heavens, O God, and Thy glory above all the earth. Alleluia

Psalm 60

O God, hearken unto my supplication; attend unto my prayer. From the ends of the earth I have cried to Thee when my heart was despondent; on a rock Thou hast lifted me on high. Thou hast guided me, for Thou hast become my hope, a tower of strength against the face of the enemy. I will dwell in Thy tabernacle unto the ages, I shall be sheltered in the shelter of Thy wings. For Thou, O God, hast heard my prayers; Thou hast given an inheritance to them that fear Thy name. Days shall Thou add to the days of the king, his years unto days for generation and generation. He shall abide before the face of God in the age to come. As for His mercy and truth, who shall seek them out? So will I chant unto Thy name unto the ages, that I may pay my vows from day to day. Alleluia.

Psalm 62

O God, my God, unto Thee I rise early at dawn. My soul has thirsted for Thee; how often has my flesh longed after Thee in a land barren and untrodden and unwatered. So in the sanctuary have I appeared before Thee to see Thy power and Thy glory. For Thy mercy is better than lives; my lips shall praise Thee. So shall I bless Thee in my life, and in Thy name will I lift up my hands. As with marrow and fatness let my soul be filled, and with lips of rejoicing shall my mouth praise Thee. For as much as I have remembered Thee on my bed, at the dawn I meditated on Thee. For Thou art become my helper; in the shelter of Thy wings will I rejoice. My soul has cleaved after Thee, Thy right hand hast been quick to help me. But as for these, in vain have they sought after my soul; they shall go into the nethermost parts of the earth, they shall be surrendered unto the edge of the sword; portions for foxes shall they be. But the king shall be glad in God, everyone shall be praised that swears by Him; for the mouth of them is stopped that speak unjust things. Alleluia.

Psalm 66

God be gracious unto us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us and have mercy on us, that we may know upon the earth Thy way, among all the nations Thy salvation. Let the peoples give Thee praise, O God, let all the peoples praise Thee. Let the nations be glad and rejoice, for Thou shalt judge peoples with uprightness; and nations shalt Thou guide upon the earth. Let the peoples give Thee praise, O God, let all the peoples praise Thee; the earth has yielded her fruit. Let God, our God, bless us; let God bless us, and letall the ends of the earth fear Him. Alleluia.

Psalm 69

O God, be attentive unto helping me; O Lord, make haste to help me. Let them be shamed and confounded that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and brought to shame that desire evils against me. Let them be turned back straightway in shame that say unto me: Well done! Well done! Let them be glad and rejoice in Thee all that seek after Thee, O God, and let them that love Thy salvation say continually: The Lord be magnified. But as for me, I am poor and needy; O God, come unto my aid. My helper and my deliverer art Thou, O Lord; make no long tarrying. Alleluia.

Psalm 83

How beloved are Thy dwellings, O Lord of hosts; my soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God. For the sparrow has found herself a house, and the turtledove a nest for herself where she may lay her young, even Thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house; unto ages of ages shall they praise Thee. Blessed is the man whose help is from Thee; he has made ascents in his heart, in the vale of weeping, in the place which he has appointed. Yea, for the lawgiver will give blessings; they shall go from strength to strength, the God of gods shall be seen in Sion. O Lord of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob. O God, our defender, behold, and look upon the face of Thine anointed one. For better is one day in Thy courts than thousands elsewhere. I have chosen rather to be an outcast in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of sinners. For the Lord loves mercy and truth, God will give grace and glory; the Lord will not withhold good things from them that walk in innocence. O Lord God of hosts, blessed is the man that hopes in Thee. Alleluia.

Psalm 84

Thou hast taken pleasure, O Lord, in Thy land; Thou hast turned back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquities of Thy people, Thou hast covered all their sins. Thou hast made all Thy wrath to cease, Thou hast turned back from the wrath of Thine anger. Turn us back, O God of our salvation, and turn away Thine anger from us. Will Thou be angry with us forever? Or wilt Thou continue Thy wrath from generation to generation? O God, Thou wilt turn and quicken us, and Thy people shall be glad in Thee. Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy, and Thy salvation do Thou give unto us. I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me; for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints and to them that turn their heart unto Him. Surely nigh unto them that fear Him is His salvation, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth has sprung up out of the earth, and righteousness has looked down from heaven. For the Lord will give goodness, and our land shall yield her fruit. Righteousness shall go before Him and shall set his footsteps in the way. Alleluia.

Psalm 85

Bow down Thine ear, O Lord, and hear me, for poor and needy am I. Preserve my soul, for I am holy; save Thy servant, O my God, that hopes in Thee. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for unto Thee will I cry all the day long; make glad the soul of Thy servant, for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul. For Thou, O Lord, art good and gentle, and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon Thee. Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer, and attend unto the voice of my supplication. In the day of my affliction have I cried unto Thee, for Thou hast heard me. There is none like Thee among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like Thy works. All the nations whom Thou hast made shall come and shall worship before Thee, O Lord, and shall glorify Thy name. For Thou art great and workest wonders; Thou alone art God. Guide me, O Lord, in Thy way, and I will walk in Thy truth; let my heart rejoice that I may fear Thy name. I will confess Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Thy name forever. For great is Thy mercy upon me, and Thou hast delivered my soul from the nethermost Hades. O God, transgressors have risen up against me, and the assembly of the mighty has sought after my soul, and they have not set Thee before them. But Thou, O Lord my God, art compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy, and true. Look upon me and have mercy upon me; give Thy strength unto Thy servant, and save the son of Thy handmaiden. Work in me a sign unto good, and let them that hate me behold and be put to shame; for Thou, O Lord, hast helped me and comforted me. Alleluia.

Psalm 86

His foundations are in the holy mountains; the Lord loves the gates of Sion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me. And lo, the foreigners and Tyre and the people of the Ethiopians, these were born there. A man will say : Mother Sion: and; That man was born in her; and: The Most High Himself has founded her. The Lord shall tell it in the writing of the peoples and the princes, even these that were born in her. All they that have their habitation in Thee are joyous. Alleluia.

Psalm 90

He that dwells in the help of the Most High shall abide in the shelter of the God of heaven. He shall say unto the Lord: Thou art my helper and my refuge. He is my God, and I will hope in Him. For He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunters and from every troubling word. With His shoulders will He overshadow you, and under His wings shall you trust. With a shield will His truth encompass you; you shall not be afraid of terror by night, nor for the arrow flying by day. Nor for the thing that walks in darkness, nor for the mishap and demon of noonday. A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but unto you shall it not come nigh. Only with your eyes shall you observe and you shall see the reward of sinners. For Thou, O Lord, art my hope. Thou hast made the Most High thy refuge; no evils shall come near you, and no scourge shall draw near to your dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. On their hands shall they bear you up, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone. Upon the asp and basilisk shall you tread, and you shall trample upon the lion and dragon. For he has hoped in Me, and I will deliver him; I will shelter him because he has known My name. He shall cry unto Me, and I will hear him. I am with him in affliction, and I will rescue him and glorify him. With length of days will I satisfy him, and I will show him my salvation. Alleluia.

Psalm 92

The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength and He has girded Himself with it. For He established the world which shall not be shaken. Thy throne is prepared of old; Thou art from everlasting. The rivers have lifted up, O Lord, the rivers have lifted up their voices. The rivers will lift up their waves, at the voices of many waters. Wonderful are the surging of the sea, wonderful on high is the Lord. Thy testimonies are made very sure. Holiness becomes Thy house, O Lord, unto length of days. Alleluia.

Glory be to God, Holy, Holy, Holy. A passage from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew, may his blessings be upon us all. Amen.

Mat.5:1-16

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn , for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Glory be to God forever. Amen.

May Thy saying be concluded in peace. We worship Thee O Christ together with Thy Good Father and the Holy Spirit, for Thou hast come and saved us.

O Thou who in the sixth day, and at the sixth hour, was nailed to the Cross because of the presumptuousness of Adam's sin in Paradise: tear asunder the handwriting of our sins, O Christ our God, and save us. Unto God have I cried, and the Lord has heard me. O God, hear my prayer and turn not away from my supplication. Attend unto me and hear me. Evening, morning and noonday will I say my words; and he will hear my voice, and in peace will deliver my soul.

"Zoksapatri ke lyou-ke agi-you epnevmaty" (Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.)

O Jesus Christ our God, Who was nailed to the Cross at the sixth hour and has slain sin by the tree, and has by Thy death given life to the dead, even to man, whom Thou hast created with Thine own hands, and who was dead in sin. Slay our sufferings by Thy saving and life-giving passion. And by the nails wherewith Thou wast nailed, deliver our minds from the recklessness of insubstantial works and worldly lusts, to the remembrance of Thine heavenly judgments, according to Thy tender mercies.

"Kenin ke aa-ee ke-ic-touce e-on-ace ton e-onon Amen."(Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages, Amen.)

In as much as we have no boldness, excuse, or plea because of the multitude of our sins, we entreat, through thee, O Virgin, Birthgiver of God, Him to whom thou gave birth. For abundant is thy intercession, and acceptable to our Saviour. O spotless Mother, reject us not, sinners, in thy intercession with Him to whom thou gave birth. For He is merciful and mighty is He to save us, because He suffered for us, to deliver us. Let Thy tender mercies come quickly upon us for we have become exceedingly poor; help us, O God our Saviour, for the glory of Thy Name. O Lord save us and forgive our sins of the sake of Thy Holy Name.

"Kenin ke aa-ee ke-ic-touce e-on-ace ton e-onon Amen."(Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages, Amen.)

Thou hast wrought salvation in the midst of all the earth, O Christ our God, when Thou didst stretch Thine pure hands upon the tree of the Cross. Wherefore all nations cry out, saying: Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

"Zoksapatri ke lyou-ke agi-you epnevmaty" (Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.)

We worship Thine incorrupted form, O Good-one, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God. For of Thine own goodwill, Thou wast pleased to ascend to the cross, to deliver those whom Thou hast created from the bondage of the enemy. We cry out, and give thanks of Thee for Thou hast filled all with joy, O Saviour, when Thou came to rescue the world, Lord glory be to Thee.

"Kenin ke aa-ee ke-ic-touce e-on-ace ton e-onon Amen."(Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages, Amen.)

Thou art full of grace, O Virgin Birthgiver of God. We magnify thee for through the Cross of thy Son Hades was humbled and death despoiled. And we that were dead are raised up and made worthy of eternal life and obtained the bliss of the first Paradise. Wherefore, with thanksgiving we glorify Him, the Immortal Christ Our God.

O Lord, hear us, have mercy on us, and forgive our sins.

Lord have mercy (Kyrie eleison) 41 times

Holy, Holy, Holy, O Lord of Sabaoth, Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory and Thy majesty. Have mercy on us O God the Father Almighty. O Holy Trinity have mercy on us. O Lord of hosts be Thou with us. For we have no other helper in our tribulations and necessities but Thee.Loose, remit, and pardon, O God, our transgressions that we have committed voluntarily and involuntarily, consciously and unconsciously, hidden and manifest. O Lord, remit for the sake of Thy Holy Name, by which we are called, according to Thy mercy, O Lord, and not according to our sins.

Make us, O Lord, worthy to say with all thanksgiving:

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 the evil one, through Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Then the worshipper prays this absolution:

We give thanks unto Thee, O our king the Almighty, Father of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, and we glorify Thee, for Thou hast made the hours of suffering of Thine Only-begotten Son to be times of comfort and prayer. Accept unto Thee our supplications and blot out the handwriting of our sins that is written against us. Even as Thou didst tear it asunder at the time of this holy hour on the cross of Thine Only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, and the Saviour of our souls, by whom Thou hast despoiled all the power of the enemy. Give us O God, a radiant time, and a blameless and peaceful life, that we may please Thy Holy Name, to whom is due worship, and may stand at the dreadful and just judgment seat of Thine Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, without falling into condemnation, and may glorify Thee, the unoriginal Father, and the Son, who is consubstantial with Thee, and the Holy Spirit, the Giver-of-life, together with all unto the ages of all ages. Amen.

The prayer of every hour

Have mercy on us O God, and have mercy on us. Thou who, at all times, and at every hour, in Heaven and on earth art worshipped and glorified. O Christ, our God, who art long-suffering, plenteous in mercy and most compassionate, who loves the righteous and has mercy on sinners, of whom I am first. Who does not wish the death of sinner, but to repent and to live. Who calls all to salvation through the promise of good things to come. Receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour and at every hour; prosper our way, and guide our life toward Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, make chaste our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our intention, heal our sickness, remit our sins, and deliver us from every affliction evil and pain. Compass us about with Thy holy angels; that guided and guarded by their array we may attain to the unity of faith and the knowledge of Thine unapproachable and infinite glory for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Make us, O Lord, worthy to say with all thanksgiving:

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 the evil one, through Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.