The Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria
The Church of the Virgin Mary and St.Athanasius
Mississauga, On, Canada

THE AGPEYA Prayer Book of the Seven Canonical Hours

INTRODUCTION TO EVERY HOUR

The worshipper recites:

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen.
Kyrie eleison, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord bless us. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and unto the age of all ages. Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Make us worthy to pray thankfully:

  Our Father Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy 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 evil, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Let us give thanks to the Beneficent and Merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. For He has covered us, supported us, preserved us, accepted us unto Him, had compassion on us, sustained us, and brought us unto this hour. Let us then ask Him, the Almighty Lord our God, to keep us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our life.

O Master, Lord, God Almighty, Father of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ; we thank You upon every condition, for any condition, and in whatever condition.  For You have covered us, supported us, preserved us, accepted us unto You, had compassion on us, sustained us and brought us to this hour.

Therefore, we pray and entreat Your goodness, O Lover-of-mankind. Grant us to complete this holy day, and all the days of our life in all peace with Your fear. All envy, all temptation, all the workings of satan, the intrigue of wicked people, the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest, take away from us, and from all Your people, and from this, Your holy place. But as for those things, which are good and useful, do grant unto us.  For You are the One who gave us the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and every power of the enemy. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Through the grace, compassion and love of mankind, of Your only Begotten Son, our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Through whom glory, honour, dominion, and worship are due unto You, with Him, and the Holy Spirit, the Life-giver, who is of one essence with You, both now and forever, and unto the age of all ages. Amen.

PSALM 50

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving-kindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight-- That You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.

Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart-- These, O God, You will not despise.

Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar. Alleluia