Supplication at Threat of Plague

PRIEST: Blessed is our God, now and always and unto ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

PSALM 142

O Lord, hear my prayer; in your truthfulness give heed to my plea, and in your righteousness answer me; and enter not into judgment with your servant, since of all the living, none is just in your sight. The enemy has hunted me down; he has crushed my life into the ground; he has forced me to live in darkness like those long dead. My spirit faints with grief, and within me, my heart is in despair.

I recalled the days of old, I meditated on all your deeds, I pondered the works of your hands. I stretched out my hand to you; like a parched land, my soul thirsts for you.

Make haste to answer me, O Lord: my spirit has failed me. Turn not your face away from me, lest I be like those in the pit; grant that I may hear your steadfast love at dawn, for I have put my hope in you.

O Lord, teach me the way I should go, for I have lifted up my soul to you. O Lord, deliver me from my enemies: it is to you I have fled. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your good Spirit lead me on a straight path. For the sake of your compassion, O Lord, you will keep me alive; in your righteousness you will deliver me from affliction. And in your loving kindness you will destroy my enemies, and bring to naught all those who oppress me, for I am your servant.

Mode Four

CHOIR: God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.

Verse: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His Holy name.

God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.

Verse: All the Gentiles surrounded me, but I fought them back in the Lord’s name.

God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.

Verse: This came about through the Lord and it is wonderful in our eyes.

God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.

Mode Four

Physician of those grievously ill and help to those who hope, O Lord who desire the salvation of all mortals, look down upon us from Your throne of glory. Hear our cry from the bottom of our depths. Deliver us from the threat of this plague as compassionate God.

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

Theotokion.

O Theotokos, we shall never be silent. Of your mighty acts, all we the unworthy; had you not stood to intercede for us, who would have delivered us, from the numerous perils? Who would have preserved us all, until now with our freedom? But now in your foreknowledge safeguard us, from the pandemic of pestilence before us.

PSALM 50

READER: Have mercy on me, O God, in the greatness of your love; in the abundance of your tender mercies, wipe out my offense. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin, for I am well aware of my iniquity, and my sin is before me always. It is you alone I have offended; I have done what is evil in your sight; wherefore you are justified in your charges and triumphant in your judgment. Behold, I was born in iniquities, and in sins my mother conceived me. But you are the lover of truth: you have shown me the hidden depths of your wisdom. Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be pure; cleanse me, and I shall be whiter than snow; let me hear sounds of joy and feasting: the bones that were afflicted shall rejoice. Turn your face away from my offenses, and wipe off all my sins.

A spotless heart create in me, O God! Renew a steadfast spirit in my breast. Cast me not away from your face; take not your blessed Spirit out of me; restore to me the joy of your salvation, and let your guiding Spirit dwell in me. I will teach your ways to the sinner, and the wicked shall return to you. Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God, my saving God, and my tongue will joyfully sing your justice. O Lord, you will open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise. Had you desired sacrifice, I would have offered it, but you will not be satisfied with whole-burnt offerings. Sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit, a crushed and humble heart God will not spurn. In your kindness, O Lord, be bountiful to Sion; may the walls of Jerusalem be restored. Then will you delight in proper oblation, in sacrifice and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer calves upon your altar.

THE CANON

which has as an Acrostic, using the
Theotokion of each Ode: “Seraphim.”

CHOIR:

First Ode. Mode Plagal Four. Of old when the Israelite.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

O all-holy Trinity, our one God, * show Your great compassion towards us who have been debased. * Drive away the awful scourge that found us, * and end the deadly pandemic afflicting us.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

Compassionate Master, the current plague * suddenly assailed us; it afflicts us in heart and soul. * Come quickly, deliver us and save us. * We are Your people, whose hope rests in You alone.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Hear the prayers of God-bearing Hierarchs * Apostles and Prophets, holy Martyrs and the Devout, * and save us Your people from the dangers * of the pandemic, O merciful Lord of all.

Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion.

Sweet refuge are you for us in despair, * Lady Theotokos. Blessed Virgin, we pray to you: * Comfort us as we are now enduring * the current plague and pandemic afflicting us.

Third Ode. O divine Master Builder.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

We Your servants are weeping within our hearts. Hear our sighs, * in Your tender love and great mercy, Lord, most compassionate. * Obliterate the threat of the pandemic and virus * quickly from the cities of Your children everywhere.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

Holy Trinity, one God, O most benevolent Lord, * faithfully we fall to our knees and implore You earnestly. * Come to us, whom you made, in Your compassion have mercy. * Free us from the injury and hardship of the plague.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

You behold now Your servants’ humiliation, O Lord. * Hear us as we pray, and forgive us our many trespasses. * O Master, in Your great and most abundant compassion, * rescue all humanity from this calamity.

Theotokion.

Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Ever keep us the faithful, who pray to you earnestly, * safe from all disease and the virus that plagues us even now. * You are the most extolled Virgin who bore God our Savior, * who has borne the weaknesses and ills of all mankind.

O Holy Trinity, Lord of mercy, safeguard from plague and sorrow those who in Your benevolence You desire to save.

Have regard, in your kindness, praiseworthy Theotokos, for the grievous affliction of my ailing body, and heal the pain of my suffering spirit.

 

PETITIONS

PRIEST: Have mercy on us, O God, in Your great goodness; we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: Again, we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: Again, we pray for our Archbishop (N.), and all our brotherhood in Christ.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: Again, we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, safekeeping, protection, pardon and remission of sins of the servants of God, (names) all suffering from the illness of plague, for their health and healing and for the forgiveness of their sins and offenses both voluntary and involuntary.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You we give glory: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Kathisma. Mode Two.

O Holy Trinity, One God and Lord, deliver Your people from this invasive man-ravaging affliction. Grant them all health; for the earth is full of Your mercy and You do we worship, O Almighty.

Fourth Ode. Mode Plagal Four. I have heard the report.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

O compassionate Lord and God, * as an inexhaustible sea of tender love, * please do not allow humanity * to languish and perish from contagious disease.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

Now we tearfully pray to You: * Savior, have compassion on our society, * and eventually change the grief * of this deadly outbreak of disease to joy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

In Your love for humanity, * take pity on us, Lord, and hear us when we pray. * Being merciful, deliver us * from the great distress that has befallen us.

Theotokion

Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Reinvigorate everyone * during this pandemic, and make us strong again, * O pure Maiden, as we turn to you * for protection, ever-virgin Mother of God.

Fifth Ode. Sovereign Lord our God.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

Earnestly we pray, * O our Savior very merciful: * Straight away avert the spread of the disease, * for we know no other God and Lord except for You.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

Shelter us, we pray, * in the shelter of Your wings, O Lord, * and preserve our life in happiness and health, * in the wealth of Your compassion, O almighty God.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Righteous are You, Lord, * and Your judgment is upright as well. * Yet, we pray You quickly rescue all mankind, * which You love, from the pandemic that is killing us.

Theotokion

Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-immaculate, * virgin Maiden, kindly look on us, * and preserve our life, and grant that we escape * the impending threat of deadly virus and disease.

Sixth Ode. I pour out my supplication.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

Ineffable is Your love for humankind, * whereby You took our infirmities, O Savior. * We now entreat You, O good One, to free us * from the pandemic and thoughts of complete despair * that we inevitably have; * and we pray You forgive our offenses all.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

The marvelous signs and wonders that You do * are innumerable, merciful Master. * We pray You stop the onset of pandemic * as You rebuked winds and seas and You calmed the storm; * and navigate us back to health, * like a ship to a calm port and anchorage.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Confronted with the likelihood of widespread death * from the current pandemic, O Savior, * we turn to You, and with tears we implore You * with hands uplifted, and cry out, O loving Lord, * as Your disciples did of old, * “Master, help us, for now we are perishing!”

Theotokion

Now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Protect us, who accurately glorify * Christ as God, whom you ineffably mothered. * Being maternal in love and affection, * O Theotokos, convince Him to pity us * and to deliver from the plague * all your people, for whom He became a man.

Deliver from need and sorrow, from the plague, O holy Trinity, Lord of mercy, the people You lovingly care to save.

Undefiled, who by a word bore the Word ineffably in those latter days, will you implore Him as the one with the boldness of a mother.

PETITIONS

PRIEST: Have mercy on us, O God, in Your great goodness; we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: Again, we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: Again, we pray for our Archbishop (N.), and all our brotherhood in Christ.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: Again, we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, safekeeping, protection, pardon and remission of sins of the servants of God, (names) all suffering from the illness of plague, for their health and healing and for the forgiveness of their sins and offenses both voluntary and involuntary.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You we give glory: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Kathisma. Mode Two.

Greatly cast Your love upon the abyss, Almighty Lord. Have mercy, salvation, compassion; and free Your people from this plague who implore You in hymn.

Prokeimenon. Mode Four.

O God, save me through Your name, and vindicate me by Your might. (2)

Verse: O God, listen to my prayer, hear the words of my mouth.

O God, save me through Your name, and vindicate me by Your might.

THE GOSPEL READING

PRIEST: That we may be found worthy to hear the Holy Gospel, let us entreat the Lord our God.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: Wisdom! Arise. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.

PRIEST: Peace be to all.

CHOIR: And to your spirit.

PRIEST: The Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew. (8:1-4)

PRIEST: Let us be attentive.

CHOIR: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST: At that time, when he had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And behold, a leper came and worshipped him saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out his hand and touched him saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

CHOIR: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

Mode Two.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Father Word and Spirit, Trinity in oneness, wash away the multitude of my offenses.

Now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Through the prayers, O Merciful, of the Theotokos, wash away the multitude of my offenses.

Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, in the greatness of Your love; in the abundance of Your tender mercies, wipe out my offense.

Mode Plagal Two. When the saints deposited.

Loving Lord, whose will it is that all be saved, O humane God, * You came that we may have life, * and have it abundantly. * You do not want death. * We, who are wretched now, * often have provoked You; * but we worship You exclusively. * We hope in You alone; * we have no protector except for You. * And so we run to You for help. * Praying in repentance, we cry to You: * Loving Lord, be gracious to us who have committed many sins, * and save Your people, and rescue us, * from the storm of deadly plague.

PRIEST: God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance; regard Your world with mercy and compassion; raise up the strength of Orthodox Christians, and send down upon us Your bountiful mercies: through the intercessions of our most pure Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary; the power of the precious and lifegiving Cross; the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; the prayers of the venerable and glorious Prophet and Forerunner John the Baptist; of the holy, glorious and praiseworthy Apostles; the holy, glorious and victorious Martyrs; our holy God-bearing Fathers; of our Fathers among the Saints the great Hierarchs and Ecumenical Teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom; of our Fathers among the Saints Athanasius and Cyril and John the Almsgiver, Patriarchs of Alexandria; of St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Lycia, and St. Spyridon of Trimythous, the wonderworkers; of the holy, glorious Great Martyrs George the Victorious, Demetrios the Exhaler of Myrrh, Theodore of Tyre and Theodore the General; of the holy, glorious Priest-Martyrs Haralambos and Eleftherios and of all the righteous Martyrs; of Saint (N. to whom the Church is dedicated); of the holy and righteous ancestors of the Lord Joachim and Anna; of Saint (N.) whose memory we keep this day, and of all Your Saints, we beseech You the only all-merciful Lord, hear us sinners as we pray to You, and have mercy on us.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (twelvefold)

PRIEST: Through the mercy, compassion and love of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good and lifegiving Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Seventh Ode. Mode Plagal Four. The Servants from Judea.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

We entrust to You only * every hope of salvation, O Lord who gives us life. * We pray that You will save us * from this deadly pandemic, * in Your mercy, as we cry out * and say: “O blessed are You * the God of our fathers.”

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

You have worked many wonders * for the sake of mankind, Lord who loves humanity. * We pray You now deliver * Your people from this current * pandemic, as we cry out * and sing: "O blessed are You * the God of our fathers."

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Under threat of a deadly * pandemic, we find ourselves in profound distress. * We pray to You: Have mercy, * O Life-Giver, and save us! * We Your people cry out to You * and say: “O blessed are You * the God of our fathers.”

Theotokion

Now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Having borne the Redeemer * of humanity, Virgin most pure, ineffably, * entreat Him to inhibit * the spread of the pandemic * that has plagued the entire world; * and with your motherly grace, * give us your calming comfort.

Eighth Ode. O praise and bless Him.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

Merciful Savior, * we hope and trust in You only, * and we pray to You and earnestly implore You: * Save us from the harm of the deadly pandemic.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

Arise, O Master, * and save mankind from this crisis * that befell us. You, O Savior, are the only * hope of those who suffer from illness and misfortune.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Grant us forgiveness * of sins, O Lord and Life-giver, * and take pity on us now humiliated. * Grant to us, your people, Your grace as health insurance.

Theotokion

Now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

In this pandemic, * which like a storm has disturbed us, * may the grace of your divine intercession * be for us haven of calm, O Theotokos.

Ninth Ode. You are the Theotokos.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

O Savior, hear our voices * when we call upon You; * for we Your servants are troubled and cry to You. * Deliver us from the danger of a contagious disease.

Holy Trinity, God, have mercy on Your servants.

O Lord, display the ocean * of Your love for mankind, * and let Your mercies, O Savior, be magnified; * and from the plague of contagious diseases rescue us.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Haralambos the Martyr * is known for combating * the plague. O Lord, by his prayers rescue us from it, * and we shall sing, glorifying your mighty power, O God.

Now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

My Lady, Virgin Mary, * full of grace and most pure, * you are the ready assistance for all mankind. * We pray you grant perfect health to those who are suffering.

It is truly fitting to call you blessed, O Theotokos, for you are ever-blessed, utterly pure, and the Mother of our God. Held in higher honor than Cherubim, far surpassing in glory even the Seraphim; remaining inviolate you gave birth to the Logos. Truly, O Theotokos, we magnify you.

MAGNIFICAT

Physician of bodies and souls alike, * compassionate Master, we implore You and we entreat, * forgive and remit every sin of ours, O Savior, * and rescue us Your servants from the pandemic's wrath.

Fear of the pandemic has gripped the hearts * of all of Your servants, O compassionate Lord and God. * Quickly come and save us, we earnestly entreat You, * invoking Your great mercy, Savior most merciful.

Savior, we will all never cease to be * the sheep of Your pasture, even though we have many sins. * Please do not despise or ignore our supplication; * end, rather, the upheaval caused by the current plague.

Truly from the ages, O gracious God, * and unto the ages is Your mercy and love for man. * Therefore, now, according to its abundance, rescue * a multitude of people from the impending plague.

Lord, do not ignore us in our distress, * anxious as we are now, and beside ourselves with the fear * of catching a painful disease that may be fatal. * We pray You quickly save us from this calamity.

Join the Theotokos, all you arrays * of angelic powers, honored Forerunner of the Lord, * holy Twelve Apostles * and all the Saints together, * and pray for our salvation, and intercede for us.

THE TRISAGION

READER: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

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

All-holy Trinity have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious to us in our sins. Master, forgive our transgressions. Holy One, consider our weaknesses and heal them, for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the 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 evil.

PRIEST: For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Troparia. Mode Plagal Two.

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us; at a loss how to defend ourselves, we sinners offer You, as Master, this entreaty: Have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Lord, have mercy on us, for it is in You we have put our trust; do not be sorely provoked with us, nor remember all our iniquities. But even now regard us out of compassion, and ransom us from our enemies. For You are our God, and we Your people, all of us shaped by Your hands, and it is Your name we invoke.

Now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Open to us, blessed Theotokos, the gateway to your tender heart. Setting our hope on you, may we not be disappointed; through you may we be spared all adversities; for you are the salvation of a Christian people.

PETITIONS AND APOLYSIS

PRIEST: Have mercy on us, O God, in Your great goodness; we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: Again, we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: Again, we pray for our Archbishop (N.), and all our brotherhood in Christ.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: Again, we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, safekeeping, protection, pardon and remission of sins of the servants of God, (names) all suffering from the illness of plague, for their health and healing and for the forgiveness of their sins and offenses both voluntary and involuntary.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: Again, we pray that the Holy Great Church of Christ, our sacred Archdiocese, this city, and every city and land, will be kept safe against violence and pestilence, famine and earthquake, flood and fire, against the sword and enemy invasion, civil strife and sudden death; that our good and loving God will be merciful and gracious and open to our entreaties, to turn back all violence and evil aroused against us, deliver us from His impending righteous chastisement and be merciful to us.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: Again, we pray that the Lord God will hear the voice of the prayer of us sinners and will have mercy on us.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST: Hear us, O God, our Redeemer, the hope of all, at the ends of the earth or far away at sea, and show mercy, show mercy, O Master, toward our sins and have mercy on us.

For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You we give glory: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Glory to You, O God, our hope, glory to You.

May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His most pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious and praiseworthy Apostles; of the praiseworthy and victorious Martyrs; of the Priest-martyr Haralambos the Wonderworker; of Saint (of the parish); of the holy and righteous ancestors of the Lord Joachim and Anna; of Saint (N.) whose memory we keep this day, and of all Your Saints, and have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.

CHOIR: Amen.

Mode 2.

As merciful, remove fear of the threatening plague from us the afflicted, according to Your great mercy; come and cause to be acceptable the prayerful voice of Your servants, O Loving One. Accept by the richness of Your compassion to aid Your people who trust in You in faith.

All of my hopes in you I repose; Mother of God, beneath your shelter safeguard me.

Lady, hear with favor the prayers of your servants, and liberate us all from wont and affliction.

PRIEST: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

CHOIR: Amen.

 

PRAYER FOR THIS CURRENT PANDEMIC OF PESTILENCE

PRIEST: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: Forbearing and merciful, loving and compassionate, Almighty Lord, who brought our nature into being and having fallen once again raised us. Who sent Your only-begotten Son, Savior and Redeemer, and Benefactor healing the passions of body and soul. Do You, forbearing Master, look down upon us and hearken to our entreaty in our day of sorrow. Safeguard us from the coming upon all the earth of the plague-bearing threat. Lord, take away affliction and fear. The darkness of death surrounds us. Remember Your innumerable acts of compassion; reveal to us the depths of Your mercy; do not let us be destroyed because of the multitude of our sins. Hearken unto the voice of our prayer from deep within us as it cries out to You. Do not turn Your face away from us nor turn away from your creatures in wrath. Be our aid and deliverer. O our God and Savior, do not reject or abandon us but come and redeem us. Draw near in Your customary kindness. Crush the power of the illness-bearing plague; disgrace its violence, pain and dejection, transforming it to joy. Preside over calm for humanity. By Your power greatly aid those serving in the field of health.

Raise us from our bed of pain and from our bedding of affliction. Grant health to those who have contracted the illness. Give rest in the tentings of the Saints to those who have surrendered their lives to the virus. Grant consolation to their families. For You are the physician of our souls and bodies and to You we offer glory: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

 

Composed by Metropolitan Cyril of Rhodes

Translations by
Very Reverend Archimandrite Spencer T. Kezios
and Reverend Father Seraphim Dedes