Every Orthodox should know these prayers by heart. Daily prayer is essential for an Orthodox spiritual way of life that prepares you to receive God’s grace to gain union with God.
When you begin your prayer, say:
In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
When you finish your prayer, say:
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us, and save us. Amen.
The Sign of the Cross
The Sign of the Cross is a prayer itself.
-We place our thumb and first two fingers together in a point, and our last we fingers flat against our palm. The three fingers together represent the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the two fingers in the palm represent the two natures of Christ.
-We touch our forehead, then our belly, tracing the vertical part of the cross.
-From our belly, we bring our hand up to our right shoulder, touching it.
-We finish placing the cross on ourself by touching our left shoulder.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who are present everywhere filling things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life, come and dwell in us. Cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, gracious Lord.
The Trisagion Prayers
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for your names sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your 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.
The Symbol of Faith
I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father through whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and he suffered and was buried. On the third day he rose according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and dead. His kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the ages to come. Amen.
The Psalm 50 (51)
Psalm 50 (51)
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your great mercy; and according to the multitude of your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done evil in your sight, that you may be found just when you speak, and victorious when you are judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and in sin my mother bore me. For behold, you have loved truth; you have made known to me the secret and hidden things of your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; you shall wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the afflicted bones may rejoice. Turn your face away from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and establish me with your governing Spirit. I shall teach transgressors your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, my tongue shall joyfully declare your righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise. For if you had desired sacrifice, I would give it; you do not delight in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God will not despise a broken and a humbled heart. Do good in your good pleasure to Sion; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then you shall be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole burnt offerings. Then they shall offer bulls on your altar.
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos
Theotokos virgin, hail most blessed Mary, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have given birth to the Savior of our souls.
Before Meals
Christ our God, bless the food and drink of your servants, for you are holy always, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Thanksgiving after Meals
We thank you, Christ our God, for you have satisfied us with earthly gifts. Do not deprive us of your heavenly kingdom, but as you, O Savior, came among your disciples and gave them peace, come among us also and save us.
On the Great and Holy Sunday of Pascha and during the Bright Week
Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross do we worship, O Christ, and Your holy Resurrection do we hymn and glorify. For You are our God, we know no other but You, we call upon Your name. Come all the faithful, let us worship the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold through the Cross, joy has come in all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we extol His Resurrection. For enduring the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death.