The Shepherd, August 2004
The Paremia.
On the greater feasts, after the prokeimenon we read the paremia; these are short lections usually from the Old Testament but sometimes, especially on feasts of the Apostles, from the New. In these readings prophecies concerning the feast are recorded, or they indicate the praise due to the Saint being honoured. Then there follows the Threefold Litany, which in turn is followed by this prayer:
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers,
and praised and glorified is Thy Name unto the ages. Amen.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
according as we have hoped in Thee.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.
Blessed art Thou, O Master, grant me understanding of Thy statutes.
Blessed art Thou, O Holy One, enlighten me by Thy statutes.
O Lord, Thy mercy endureth for ever;
disdain not the work of Thy hands.
Unto Thee is due praise,
unto Thee is due song,
unto Thee glory is due,
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
In this prayer we ask the Lord that we might pass the evening without sin, and then they intone the Supplicatory (“Grant this”) Litany. At the end of this the faithful humbly bow their heads, while the priest silently reads a prayer, asking that the Lord Jesus Christ send down heavenly aid upon the worshippers and keep those who believe in Him from every enemy and from every activity of the devil in the night which is approaching.
… to be continued.
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