Choir. Amen.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord henceforth and for ever. (Thrice.)

And Psalm xxxiv.: I will alway give thanks. (See page 121.)

...

The Priest, secretly:

O Lord our God, who hast brought us to these all-holy days, and hast made us partakers of thy terrible Mysteries: Unite us to thy rational flock, and make us heirs of thy kingdom, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Secretly.

Then the Priest cometh forth, and standing in his accustomed place, he saith: The blessing of the Lord, through his grace and love towards mankind, be upon you always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen.

Then he hestoweth the BENEDICTION.

May Christ our true God, through the prayers of his all-holy Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; and of Saint N. (the Saint of the day); and of our father in the Saints, Gregory Homiliastes, and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us, for he is good and loveth mankind.

After this Final Benediction, the rest of the ceremony followeth as at the ordinary Liturgy; except that instead of the Hymns there used, the Hymn here following is read:

Hymn in Tone IV.

That which constituteth the verity of things revealeth thee as a Rule of the faith, a Pattern of meekness and a Preceptor of continence to thy flock wherefore thou, through humility, didst win exaltation, and by poverty didst win wealth. 0 Father Gregory, sainted Leader, pray thou unto Christ our God, that he will save our souls.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and and unto ages of ages. Amen.

ever,

HYMN TO THE HOLY BIRTH-GIVER or Goo.

O Protection of Christians that maketh not ashamed, O Mediatrix never-failing with the Creator: Despise not the sinners' voice of supplication; but in that thou art good, come speedily to the aid of us who faithfully call upon thee; make haste to our petition and further our prayer, 0 Birth-giver of God, who ever protectest them that do thee

honour.

END.

(GENERAL NOTE. — [f a Bishop he the celebrant, he commmzicateth himself and the Clergy as indicated in the Liturgy of St. Yohn Chrysostom and St. Basil; and the Choir chanteth at the usual places: Eis polla éti, Déspota.)

THE OFFICE OF GRAND COMPLINE'

The Priest saith: Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Reader. Amen. Glory to thee, our God; glory to thee.

O heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and take up thine abode in us, and cleanse us from every stain; and save our souls, 0 Good One.

0 Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice, and three reverences.)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O all-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. 0 Lord, wash away our sins. 0 Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. 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:

Priest. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Reader. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

0 come, let us worship God our King. 0 come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. 0 come, let us worship and fall down before the Very Christ, our King and our God. (Three reverences.)

And if it be during the first week of the Great Fast (Lent), we begin :

PSALM LXX.

Haste thee, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul; let them be turned backward and put to confusion that wish me evil. Let them for their reward be soon brought to shame, that

Lent.

Grand Compline is said not only alone, but also in conjunction with Matins (Vespers being said separately) to form the All-Night Vigil Service on the Eves of Christmas and the Epiphany; and sometimes on the Eve of the Annunciation.

cry over me, There! there! But let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee: and let all such as delight in thy salvation say alway, The Lord be praised. As for me, I am poor and in misery haste thee unto me, O God. Thou art my helper and my redeemer: O Lord, make no long tarrying.

And when this is finished, the Great Canon of St. Andrew qf Crete ix chanled.

But otherwise, the beginning is as followeth:

PSALM IV.

Lent.

Hear me, when I call, 0 God of my righteousness: thou hast set me at liberty, when I was in trouble; have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer. 0 ye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme mine honour, and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after falsehood? Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is godly; when I call upon the Lord he will hear me. Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still. Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, since the time that their corn, and wine, and oil increased. I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest; for it is thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.

PSALM VI.

0 Lord, rebuke me not in thine indignation, neither chasten me in thy displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak; 0 Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed. My soul also is sore troubled: but, Lord, how long wilt thou punish me? Turn thee, O Lord, and deliver my soul; 0 save me, for thy mercy's sake. For in death no man remembereth thee; and who will give thee thanks in the pit? I am weary of my groaning: every night wash I my bed, and water my couch with my tears. My beauty is gone for very trouble, and worn away because of all mine enemies. Away from me, all ye that work vanity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord hath heard my petition; the Lord will receive my prayer. All mine enemies shall be confounded, and sore vexed; they shall be turned back, and put to shame suddenly.

PSALM XIII.

How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord; for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I seek counsel in my soul, and be so vexed in my heart? how long shall mine enemies triumph over me? Consider, and hear me, O Lord my God; lighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death; lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him for if I be cast down, they that trouble me will rejoice at it. But my trust is in thy mercy, and my heart is joyful in thy salvation. I will

I will

sing of the Lord, because he hath dealt so lovingly with me; yea, praise the Name of the Lord most Highest. Consider, and hear me, O Lord my God lighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death; lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to thee, O God. (Thrice, and three reverences.)

Unto thee, O Lord, will I lift up my soul; my God, I have put my trust in thee: 0 let me not be confounded, neither let mine enemies triumph over me. For all they that hope in thee shall not be ashamed; but such as transgress without a cause shall be put to confusion. Show me thy ways, 0 Lord, and teach me thy paths. Lead me forth in thy truth, and learn me: for thou art the God of my salvation; in thee hath been my hope all the day long. Call to remembrance, O Lord, thy tender mercies, and thy loving-kindnesses, which have been ever of old. 0 remember not the sins and offences of my youth; but according to thy mercy think thou upon me, O Lord, for thy goodness. Gracious and righteous is the Lord; therefore will he teach sinners in the way. Them that are meek shall he guide in judgment and such as are gentle, them shall he learn his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, upto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. For thy Name's sake, O Lord, be merciful unto my sin; for it is great. What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease, and his seed shall inherit the land. The secret of the Lord is among them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant. Mine eyes are ever looking unto the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate, and in misery. The sorrows of my heart are enlarged: 0 bring thou me out of my troubles. Look upon my adversity and misery, and forgive me all my sin. Consider mine enemies, how many they are; and they bear a tyrannous hate against me. 0 keep my soul, and deliver me; let me not be confounded, for I have put my trust in thee. Let perfectness and righteous dealing wait upon me; for my hope hath been in thee. Deliver Israel, 0 God, out of all his troubles.

PSALM xxxx.

In thee, O Lord, have I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion; deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; make haste to deliver me. And be thou my strong rock, and house of defence, that thou mayest save me. For thou art my strong rock, and

my castle be thou also my guide, and lead me for thy Name's sake. Draw me out of the net that they have laid privily for me; for thou art my strength. Into thy hands I commend my spirit; for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth. I have hated them that hold of superstitious vanities, and my trust hath been in the Lord. I will be glad, and rejoice in thy mercy; for thou hast considered my trouble, and hast known my soul in adversities. Thou hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; but hast set my feet in a large room. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble, and mine eye is consumed for very heaviness; yea, my soul and my body. For my life is waxen old with heaviness, and my years with mourning. My strength faileth me, because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed. I became a reproof among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours; and they of mine acquaintance were afraid of me; and they that did see me without, conveyed themselves from me. I am clean forgotten as a dead man out of mind; I am become like a broken vessel. For I have heard the blasphemy of the multitude, and fear is on every side; while they conspire together against me, and take their counsel to take away my life. But my hope hath been in thee, O Lord; I have said, Thou art my God. My time is in thy hand; deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Show thy servant the light of thy countenance, and save me for thy mercy's sake. Let me not be confounded, O Lord, for I have called upon thee; let the ungodly be put to confusion, and be put to silence in the grave. Let the lying lips be put to silence, which cruelly, disdainfully, and despitefully speak against the righteous. 0 how plentiful is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee, and that thou hast prepared for them that put their trust in thee, even before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them privily by thine own presence from the provoking of all men: thou shalt keep them secretly in thy tabernacle from the strife of tongues. Thanks be to the Lord; for he hath showed me marvellous great kindness in a strong city. And when I made haste, I said, I am cast out of the sight of thine eyes. Nevertheless, thou heardest the voice of my prayer, when I cried unto thee. 0 love the Lord, all ye his saints; for the Lord preserveth them that are faithful, and plenteously rewardeth the proud doer. Be strong, and he shall establish your heart, all ye that put your trust in the Lord.

PSALM xcI.

Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say unto the Lord, Thou art my hope, and my stronghold; my God, in him will I trust. For he shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunter, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall defend thee under his wings, and thou shalt be safe under his feathers; his faithfulness and truth shall be thy shield and