Vespers

God, be merciful unto me, a sinner. (Bow) O Lord, who created me, have mercy on me. (Bow) I have sinned without number, O Lord, have mercy on me, and forgive me, a sinner. (Bow) It is worthy, for in truth to bless thee, O God-bearer, ever blessed and most unblemished, and the mother of our God. More…

The All-Night Vigil consists of three parts: Vespers, Matins, and the First Hour. Vespers is the first service of the daily church cycle. The cycle begins with Vespers because in ancient times the day was considered to begin in the evening: “And the evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:5). Vespers may…