Prayers
Hymns of the Church
Hymns sung at the Church’s services for centuries, which many Christians also pray at home.
Picture: Raphael, The Ecstasy of Saint Cecilia, about 1514–17
27 prayers here are spoken to the saints and are hidden.
1 more prayer, spoken to a saint, also matches.
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For any time
4-
O Heavenly King Asks the Holy Spirit to come and dwell in us. To the Holy Spirit About 20 seconds -
The Trisagion Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: a cry for mercy. To the Holy Trinity A few seconds -
Great Doxology The morning hymn of praise that opens with the angels’ song. To the Holy Trinity About two minutes read; longer sung -
The Magnificat Mary’s song of praise when she visited her cousin Elizabeth. About a minute The Virgin Mary
Worry, fear and sadness
1
Health and healing
39-
Before surgery Troparion of St Luke the Surgeon The hymns to St Luke of Crimea, a surgeon who became an archbishop. To a saint About a minute -
Before surgery Kontakion of Sts Cyrus and John The hymn to two martyr doctors who heal by “unseen surgery”. To a saint About 20 seconds -
For addiction Ten thousand times I promised You For anyone who has promised to change many times and fallen again. To Christ About half a minute St Theoleptos of Philadelphia -
For someone with cancer Troparion of St Nektarios The hymn to St Nektarios, often asked to pray for people with cancer. To a saint About 30 seconds -
For mental health I will pour out my prayer A Paraklesis hymn to God for a soul full of troubles. A few seconds Theosterictus the Monk -
For the eyes Troparion of St Paraskevi Hymns to St Paraskevi, whose prayers people ask for their eyes. To a saint About half a minute -
For healing Troparion for the sick A short hymn asking Christ to come quickly to the sick. To Christ About 20 seconds -
For healing Troparion of St Panteleimon The hymn to St Panteleimon, the doctor who healed without charge. To a saint About 15 seconds -
For healing Troparion of Sts Cosmas and Damian The hymn to the brothers who were doctors and took no payment. To a saint About 10 seconds
Through the day
710-
Before a journey Troparion for travelers A short hymn asking Christ to send His angel with a traveller. To Christ About 20 seconds -
Before study and exams Troparion of St Sergius Asks St Sergius to remember the flock he gathered. To a saint About 30 seconds -
Before work Troparion before any good work A short hymn asking God to guide the work you begin for His glory. About 15 seconds -
For focus Gather my scattered mind Asks God to gather a scattered mind and clear a heart gone to waste. About 20 seconds -
For safe driving Troparion of St Christopher The hymn of St Christopher, a martyr of about the year 250. To a saint About 20 seconds -
For when you can’t sleep St Ambrose’s evening hymn The hymn of sleep St Augustine remembered after his mother died. About a minute -
In thanksgiving Troparion of thanksgiving A short hymn thanking God for every good thing He has given. About 20 seconds -
In the morning Having risen from sleep Three short hymns that open the day by praising the Holy Trinity. To the Holy Trinity About a minute -
To find something lost Troparion of St Phanourios Hymns of St Phanourios, whom people ask to help find lost things. To a saint About a minute -
Through the day O gladsome Light An ancient hymn to Christ, the Light, sung as the sun goes down. To Christ About 30 seconds
When someone dies
4-
Anniversary of a death Troparion for the departed The memorial service’s hymn for one who hoped in God. A few seconds -
For the departed With the saints give rest Asks Christ to give the departed rest, where there is no pain. To Christ About a minute -
For widows and widowers St Ephrem’s hymn on the death of a woman Asks God to comfort those who mourn a woman, and to raise her up. About a minute -
When a child dies St Ephrem’s hymn on the death of children Asks God to comfort a mother and father whose child has died. About a minute
When it is hard
14-
For finding a job Troparion of St Xenia The hymns of St Xenia, who gave everything away to wander for Christ. To a saint About a minute -
For protection Troparion of the Archangels Asks the archangels to shelter us under their wings. To a saint About 20 seconds -
For money and work Troparion of St Spyridon The hymn to St Spyridon, the shepherd bishop who lent freely. To a saint About 30 seconds -
In hard times Troparion in time of trouble A short hymn: help the weary, comfort the sad, keep us from trouble. A few seconds
Struggles and temptations
12
Life’s big moments
711-
For a birthday Many Years The Church’s sung wish of many years, for a birthday or a name day. A few seconds -
For a new baby Song of Zechariah A father’s song of thanks on the day his newborn son was named. About a minute -
For a new baby Kontakion of St Stylianos The Church’s hymn to St Stylianos, protector of newborns and infants. To a saint About 20 seconds -
For baptism and godparents As many as have been baptized The baptism hymn from St Paul: the baptized have put on Christ. To Christ A few seconds St Paul -
For finding a spouse Troparion for a future spouse A short hymn asking God for a husband or wife after your own heart. A few seconds -
For new beginnings Troparion of the Church New Year The Church’s new year hymn: bless the crown of the year, O Lord. About 20 seconds -
For old age Rerum Deus tenax vigor An old hymn asking God for light at the evening of life. About 30 seconds -
For pregnancy and birth Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos The Orthodox form of the Hail Mary: the angel’s greeting to Mary. To the Mother of God A few seconds -
For the 40-day blessing Troparion of the Meeting of the Lord The feast hymn for Jesus brought to the Temple at 40 days old. To the Mother of God About 20 seconds -
When hoping for a child Troparion of the Conception of the Theotokos The hymn that begins “Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed.” To the Mother of God About 30 seconds -
Life’s big moments Prayer of Hannah A mother’s thanks to God for the son she prayed for, from 1 Samuel. About two minutes
To grow closer to God
23-
For strength and courage Troparion of the Forty Martyrs Asks the prayers of 40 soldiers who stood firm in a frozen lake. To a saint About 20 seconds -
To love others Troparion for love A short hymn: bind us to Christ, and to one another, in love. To Christ A few seconds -
When God feels far Swift and steady comfort Asks Jesus to come near and stay, as He stayed with His apostles. To Christ About 30 seconds St Romanos the Melodist
Communion, feasts and fasts
4345- After Communion We have seen the true Light A hymn of Pentecost, sung after Communion at the Liturgy. To the Holy Trinity About 10 seconds
- After Communion Let our mouths be filled Sung after Communion: praise, and a plea to stay holy all day. About 15 seconds
- After Communion Song of Simeon Old Simeon’s words with the infant Jesus in his arms. About 20 seconds
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At Christmas Troparion of the Nativity The main hymn of Orthodox Christmas: the star that led the wise men. To Christ About 20 seconds - At Christmas Kontakion of the Nativity St Romanos’s Christmas hymn: today the Virgin gives birth. To Christ About 20 seconds St Romanos the Melodist
- At Christmas Christ is born, glorify Him The Christmas canon’s first song, and the Orthodox Christmas greeting. About 20 seconds St Cosmas the Hymnographer
- At Christmas Christmas canon katavasia The eight model verses of the Christmas canon, sung from 21 November. To Christ About three minutes St Cosmas the Hymnographer
- At Christmas Today the Virgin comes to the cave The Christmas Eve hymn of the Virgin on her way to the cave. To Christ About half a minute
- At Christmas Mary was enrolled with the elder Joseph The troparion of Christmas Eve, sung at each of the Royal Hours. To Christ About 30 seconds
- At Christmas Make ready, O Bethlehem A hymn of the Royal Hours of Christmas Eve, credited to St Sophronius. To Christ About 30 seconds St Sophronius of Jerusalem
- At Christmas What shall we offer You, O Christ Every creature brings Christ a gift, and we bring a Virgin Mother. About 30 seconds
- At Christmas God is with us Isaiah’s words with their refrain, sung at Great Compline. About two minutes
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At Pascha Christ is risen The Easter hymn: Christ is risen, trampling down death by death. A few seconds - At Pascha The Day of Resurrection The first song of the Easter canon: from death to life. To Christ About a minute St John of Damascus
- At Pascha Paschal canon The chain of hymns at the heart of Easter night, ode by ode. To Christ About 10 minutes to read St John of Damascus
- At Pascha Kontakion of Pascha The Easter hymn of Christ going down to the dead and rising as victor. To Christ About half a minute
- At Pascha Having beheld the Resurrection The Sunday hymn of the resurrection, sung all through Pascha. To Christ About 30 seconds
- At Pascha Paschal stichera The Easter hymns sung between the verses of “Let God arise”. To Christ About three minutes
- At Pascha Let us embrace one another The Easter hymn that calls even those who hate us “brothers”. To Christ About 20 seconds
- At Pascha Paschal Hours The short Easter service said at home all through Bright Week. To Christ About five minutes
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At Pascha The angel cried Sung in place of “It is truly right” from Pascha to the Ascension. To the Mother of God Half a minute St John of Damascus -
Before Communion Of Your mystical supper Not Judas’s kiss but the thief’s cry, said just before Communion. To Christ About 15 seconds - Before Communion You have captivated me with longing A short hymn of love and joy, said just before Communion. To Christ About 15 seconds St John of Damascus
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Before confession Open to me the doors of repentance Asks God to open the doors of repentance and wash you clean. About 20 seconds -
In Holy Week By raising Lazarus from the dead Greets Christ with palms, Who raised Lazarus before His Passion. To Christ About 20 seconds - In Holy Week I see Your bridal chamber Asks Christ for a wedding garment fit for His feast. To Christ About 20 seconds
- In Holy Week Hymn of Kassiani A sinful woman weeps at Christ’s feet and begs Him for mercy. To Christ About a minute
- In Holy Week Today He Who hung the earth Sets Christ the Creator beside what He suffered on the cross. To Christ About two minutes
- In Holy Week The wise thief Asks for the light Christ gave the thief on the cross. To Christ A few seconds
- In Holy Week The noble Joseph Joseph of Arimathea takes Christ’s body down and lays it in the tomb. To Christ About 15 seconds
- In Holy Week Lamentations of Holy Friday The verses sung around Christ’s tomb on the evening of Holy Friday. To Christ About 45 minutes read aloud
- In Holy Week Let all mortal flesh keep silence Bids all flesh fall silent as the King of kings comes to be slain. To Christ About half a minute
- In Holy Week Arise, O God, judge the earth Psalm 82, sung on Holy Saturday as dark robes give way to bright ones. About two minutes Asaph
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For Lent and fasting Kontakion of Forgiveness Sunday Asks the Guide to wisdom for understanding and for words. To Christ About 20 seconds - For Lent and fasting Turn not away Your face The psalm verses sung as Lent begins, on Forgiveness Sunday evening. About a minute David
- For Lent and fasting Let us keep an acceptable fast The Lenten hymn on true fasting, from the first week of Lent. A few seconds
- For Lent and fasting O Lord of hosts, be with us A short cry from Lent’s evening service: we have no other helper. A few seconds
- For Lent and fasting Great Canon of St Andrew The whole of St Andrew’s Lenten hymn of repentance, all nine odes. To Christ About an hour and a half read aloud; longer sung
- For Lent and fasting Where shall I begin to weep? The opening of St Andrew’s Great Canon, read as Lent begins. To Christ Under a minute St Andrew of Crete
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For Lent and fasting My soul, my soul, arise A Lenten wake-up call to your own soul, from the Great Canon. To Christ About 20 seconds St Romanos the Melodist - For Lent and fasting Let my prayer arise Psalm 141, sung kneeling at the Presanctified Liturgy in Lent. About a minute to say David
- For Lent and fasting Akathist hymn Lent’s hymn of 24 stanzas to the Mother of God, sung standing. To the Mother of God About 20 minutes
- Communion, feasts and fasts Kontakion of the Ascension As He ascends, Christ promises to stay with those who love Him. To Christ About 20 seconds St Romanos the Melodist
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Communion, feasts and fasts O Lord, save Your people The short hymn of the Cross: save and guard Your people. To Christ About 15 seconds St Cosmas of Maiuma -
Communion, feasts and fasts Troparion of Theophany The hymn of Jesus’s baptism, sung as water and homes are blessed. To Christ About 20 seconds
For the wider world
18-
For rain and harvest Kontakion of St Elijah Asks Elijah to pray for us, remembering how he held back the rain. To a saint A few seconds -
For soldiers Prayer for fallen soldiers From the Church’s memorial service for soldiers killed in battle. To Christ About a minute -
For soldiers Troparion of St George The hymn of St George, freer of captives and defender of the poor. To a saint About 15 seconds -
For soldiers Troparion of St John the Warrior The hymn of St John the Warrior, a Roman soldier who saved Christians. To a saint About 40 seconds -
For the persecuted Kontakion of the Three Holy Youths A hymn to three young men who chose the furnace over an idol. To a saint About 20 seconds -
For the poor and hungry Troparion of St Nicholas The hymn to St Nicholas, who gained riches by poverty. To a saint About 20 seconds -
For the poor and hungry Troparion of St John the Merciful To St John the Merciful, who loved the poor and provided for them. To a saint About 20 seconds - In epidemic and disaster Troparion of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus Asks nine martyrs of the 200s to pray for healing from fever. To a saint Under a minute St Dimitri of Rostov
27 prayers here are spoken to the saints and are hidden.