About Compline

The Service of the Pavechernitsa (Compline) #

One of the daily services that every Christian should strive to observe is Pavechernitsa, or Compline. The name Pavechernitsa (also known as Povecherie in Slavonic usage) derives from the phrase “after supper” — that is, the time following the evening meal. According to the typikon (liturgical rule), this service is performed after Vespers.

The order of Pavechernitsa began to take shape in the 4th century and arose, according to the testimony of St. Cassian, from the monastic custom of offering prayers before sleep in one’s cell. Prayer before sleep is mentioned among the monastic services by St. Basil the Great. The rule of prayer immediately before going to sleep consisted of several psalms — in particular, Psalm 90 (91 in the Hebrew numbering), readings, the hymn of the Prophet Isaiah “God is with us,” the prayer of St. Basil the Great “O Lord, O Lord, deliver us from every arrow that flieth by day,” and it invariably concluded with the Dismissal and mutual forgiveness among the brethren. This custom is rooted in the words of the Apostle Paul: “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26). The mutual forgiveness exchanged among the brethren at Pavechernitsa is a distinctive part of this service and of the entire daily liturgical cycle. This tradition of reconciliation at the end of Pavechernitsa has been preserved to this day, although unfortunately many do not accord it the significance it deserves.

The name Pavechernitsa itself did not arise immediately. From the end of the 5th century, this order of service became known more commonly as Povecherie (Compline). Some later sources also refer to this service as “the prayer at the first hour of the night” (which by modern reckoning corresponds to 7:00 PM). From the Typikon of St. Benedict, it is clear that the practice of chanting Povecherie separately from Vespers became widespread only by the 6th century. Over time, the order of Pavechernitsa underwent various additions — the number of psalms increased, penitential troparia were added, and the doxology “Glory to God in the highest” was included. In addition, the reading of the Canon to the Most Holy God-bearer from the Octoechos was made obligatory — each day having its proper canon according to the tone of the week.

According to the Church typikon, three forms of Pavechernitsa are known: Great, Middle, and Small. The Great Compline is appointed for Great Lent, as well as for the feasts of the Nativity of Christ and Theophany. The Middle Compline is appointed for weekdays when no feast is observed. The Small Compline is used on Sundays and feast days. All three forms were included in the printed Horologion (Book of Hours) of 1652, which continues to be used in our Church today. In current liturgical practice, the Middle Compline is generally served only in monasteries.

In modern Christian life, it is difficult to observe the full cycle of the daily services. Only within the temple (church) liturgical setting is this cycle preserved in its entirety. Therefore, in domestic practice, it is essential to at least keep two important parts of this cycle — Midnight Office and Pavechernitsa. Every Christian is obligated to pray Pavechernitsa daily — either the Small Compline or, according to the Typikon, the Great. In home prayer, the principle of offering Pavechernitsa — as its name suggests — after supper should be preserved.

As a side note, the monastic Nomocanon gives the following directive:

If a monk chants Pavechernitsa, let him not eat. But if he eats, then let him chant Pavechernitsa again.

Pavechernitsa is not merely a meaningful set of prayers in which we summarize the past day and ask the Lord for forgiveness. It should become a daily prayerful encounter for those who dwell together — family and close kin. This service should be performed by the entire household together. It is inappropriate for members of the same family, living under one roof, to pray Pavechernitsa separately for various excuses. The fast pace of modern life and our disconnection from one another often prevent us from even seeing each other during the day. Pavechernitsa should therefore become a vital moment in which we come together before God, asking forgiveness from Him and from one another as a family.

The time of Compline — that is, “after evening,” following supper — is the time of preparing for sleep. The timing of the service reflects its content.

Structure of the Service #

The service may be divided into three parts.

First part: Some of the hymns express thanksgiving to the Lord for the day that has passed and a plea for protection from sin during the coming night (“The day hath passed”); others remind us of death — to which sleep is likened — and profess our faith in God’s merciful providence for mankind (Psalm 90): “He that dwelleth in the help of the Most High…”).

Second part: This is the penitential portion. The faithful, remembering that man’s life is short and that they may not see the light of the coming day, offer repentance for their sins with the words of the Prophet David and King Manasseh, and they beseech God for mercy.

Third part: The descent of the Lord into Hades is commemorated, His victory over death, and the liberation of the souls of the righteous. Thanksgiving is offered for the fact that the Lord has not abandoned mankind to death.

Order of the Small Compline (Malaya Pavechernitsa) #

After the conclusion of Vespers, the priest intones:

Priest: “Blessed is our God…”

Reader: “Amen.” Then:

  • “O Heavenly King”

  • The Trisagion Prayers

  • After “Our Father”, “Lord, have mercy” (12 times)

  • “O come, let us worship” (three times)

  • Psalm 50: “Have mercy on me, O God…”

  • Psalm 69: “O God, be attentive unto helping me…”

  • Psalm 142: “Hear my prayer, O Lord…”

  • The Great Doxology

  • The Nicene Creed

  • The Canon to the Most Holy God-bearer (from the Octoechos, appointed for the day of the week)

After the Canon:

  • “It is truly meet”

  • The Trisagion Prayers

  • “Our Father”

  • Troparia (according to the Typikon)

  • “Lord, have mercy” (40 times)

  • The prayer: “O Thou who at all times…”

  • “Lord, have mercy” (three times)

  • “Glory… Both now…”

  • “More honourable than the Cherubim…”

  • “In the name of the Lord, bless, Father.”

Priest: The concluding exclamation (customary blessing)

Reader: “Amen.” Then the following prayers:

  • “O Spotless, undefiled…”

  • “Grant us, O Master, as we go to sleep…”

  • “O most glorious and ever-Virgin…”

  • “Our hope is in God…”

Priest: “Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.”

Choir (or Reader): “Glory… Both now…”
“Lord, have mercy” (twice), “Lord, bless.”

Priest: The final Dismissal (as appointed); followed by the Rite of Forgiveness and the reading of the Memorial Diptychs (commemoration of names).