The Order of The Moleben of St Winefride

According to the Usage of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Chanters: Amen.

Reader or Chanters in the 6th Tone: O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, / Who art everywhere present and fillest all things ,/ the Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, / come and abide in us, cleanse us of all impurity, / and of Thy goodness save our souls.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, be gracious unto our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in the heavens, 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One.

Priest: For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen.

Lord, have mercy. Twelve times.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O come let us worship God our King.

O come let us worship and. fall down before Christ our King and God.

O come let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.

Reader: PSALM 142

O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the earth. He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become despondent; within me my heart is troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Thy works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands. I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after Thee like a waterless land. Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I put my hope. Cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul. Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto Thee have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for Thy name's sake, O Lord, shalt Thou quicken me. In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy mine enemies. And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God.

Priest: In the 1st Tone: God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever.

Chanters: God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Priest: Surrounding me they compassed me, and by the name of the Lord I warded them off.

Chanters: God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Priest: I shall not die, but live, and I shall tell of the works of the Lord.

Chanters: God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Priest: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the comer. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Chanters: God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Then the Troparion of St Werburgh (Obikhod Tone 4) is sung twice

Priest and Chanters: Thine illustrious life filled the angels with awe/ and put the demons to flight in terror,/ while it adorneth the congregations of the faithful with the splendour of grace, /                  O venerable mother Werburgh. /As in thy charity thou didst extend thy love to all thy fellow creatures, /intercede with God in our behalf, /that our souls be saved from perdition.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Reader: PSALM 5O

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

The Canon of the saint, with 4 troparia, in Tone IV

Ode I:

Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a wonder, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh, and saved Israel who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Of the holy King Ethelbert and four royal lineages wast thou sprung, O venerable mother Werburgh; yet more wast thou revered throughout the English realms for thy great chastity of mind and wondrous purity.

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!
Crowns and jewels held no allure for thee, O holy Werburgh, for thy holy mother, Queen Ermenilda, led thee in the ways of righteousness, rendering the palace wherein thou wast reared a house of prayer.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

Having been nurtured in piety by the holy Chad, thy brethren, Wulfhad and Ruffin, did not oppose their murderers, but, imitating their Saviour, laid down their lives without resisting; wherefore Stone rejoiceth in them.

Most Holy Mother of God save us!

Theotokion: As the precious receptacle and holy table which held the Bread of life, as the unploughed field and unquarried mountain do we magnify and glorify thee, O all-pure and most immaculate Mother of God.

Ode III

Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Saint Etheldreda the Abbess, thy royal kinswoman, received thee, O holy Werburgh, into the great Convent of Ely, to serve God with zeal in monastic obedience and prayer. The splendour of the grace which abode within thee now shineth forth from Ely upon all who celebrate thy holy memory with faith, O pious Werburgh, chaste bride of Christ.

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Ethelred, thy devout kinsman, seeing thee tending well the flock of Ely, O wondrous Werburgh, placed all the convents in his Kingdom of Mercia under thine authority.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

Theotokion: By thee, O Maiden full of the grace of God, hath the human race been saved from death and sin, for thou didst bear in thy pure womb Him Who, abasing Himself, became incarnate.

Most Holy Mother of God save us!

Kontakion of the venerable one, in Tone II -

Fixing the watchful eyes of thy soul upon God alone, thou gavest no sleep to thine eyes nor slumber to thine eyelids, overcoming the carnal passions by vigilant prayer and fasting, and repelling the assaults of the demonic hordes by mighty ascetic feats; wherefore, as thou shinest with the splendour of grace divine, O Werburgh our venerable mother, burn away the devil's toils which entangle us.

Ikos: Great is the renown of Werburgh in Ely; famous is her name in Threckingham; venerated exceedingly is she in Weedon; and Hanbury was first to boast of her holy shrine. But more than these hath Chester been glorified, for long did her precious relics rest in its midst, as in a safe refuge and haven, escaping the predations of the heathen, like as a pure dove fleeing a host of ravening crows or an unblemished lamb the jaws of savage wolves. Wherefore, trusting in her mediation before the Lord, with fervour we call upon the gracious intercession of our heavenly protectress: With thine abbatial staff, as with a shepherd's crook, pull the erring lambs forth from the chasm wherein they have fallen, and lead them back from the wilds of heresy into the fold of Christ's one true Church, that together we may cry aloud with one heart, one mouth and one mind: O Werburgh our venerable mother, burn away the devil's toils which entangle us!

Sessional hymn of the venerable one, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: "Having been lifted up ... -

As a pure and undefiled bride of Christ, thou didst fill the lamp of thy soul with the oil of good works, trimming the wick thereof with the pangs of ascetic endeavour and setting it aflame with godly zeal; wherefore, with the wise virgins thou hast entered in triumph the bridal-chamber of His majesty. O holy Werburgh, with boldness lay before Him our importunate entreaties, that we who honour thy memory with love may be delivered from all tribulations.

Ode IV


Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Reverently hearkening to Jesus, as thou didst desire to be first in His love, by humility thou madest thyself as last among all.

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Imitating thy Lord and Master, by thy many miracles thou didst draw many unbelievers to the one true Faith of Christ.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

Directing those in thy charge by thine excellent example, O blessed Werburgh, thou didst guide them most surely to God.

Most Holy Mother of God save us!

Theotokion: Ever do we fall prey to vainglory, O Theotokos; but as thou gayest birth to the Word of God, yet deign thou to save us.

Ode V

Irmos: Enlighten us with Thy commandments, O Lord, and with Thine upraised arm grant us Thy peace, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Obedient to thy sacred duties, O God-bearer, thou didst found anew the Convent at Threckingham, naming it for the chief apostles.

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Fair Weedon, thy former home, welcomed thy return with joy, O saint, for therein thou didst likewise establish a house of prayer.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

Coursing past thy church in Hanbury, O fount of grace, the currents of the River Trent lift their voices to thee in sweet harmony.

Most Holy Mother of God save us!

Theotokion: How can they who deny thy perpetual virginity and divine motherhood find favour with thy Son, the God of all, O holy Queen?

Ode VI

Irmos: I pour forth my prayer unto the Lord, and to Him do I declare my grief; for my soul is full of evil and m y life hath drawn nigh unto hell, and like Jonah I pray: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Repelling the assaults of temptations and putting down the uprisings of the passions, thou wast resplendent with the virtues, O sanctified Werburgh, with the light whereof thou dost illumine us.

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Intercede with the Saviour in our behalf, O venerable mother, that, taught by thee to be humble and not to judge others, we may understand that signs and wonders are as nought without virtue.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

Showing surpassing love and compassion, O thou who art rich in grace divine, thou dost teach us to cherish the work of God's hands, and to treat with mercy and kindness all of His creatures.

Most Holy Mother of God save us!

Theotokion: The Son Who took flesh of thine immaculate womb, O Virgin, in His divine comeliness surpasseth all the earthly beauty of the children of men; wherefore, with joyous hymns of praise we do thee honour.

Kontakion of the venerable one, in Tone II -

Fixing the watchful eyes of thy soul upon God alone, thou gavest no sleep to thine eyes nor slumber to thine eyelids, overcoming the carnal passions by vigilant prayer and fasting, and repelling the assaults of the demonic hordes by mighty ascetic feats; wherefore, as thou shinest with the splendour of grace divine, O Werburgh our venerable mother, burn away the devil's toils which entangle us.

Ikos: Great is the renown of Werburgh in Ely; famous is her name in Threckingham; venerated exceedingly is she in Weedon; and Hanbury was first to boast of her holy shrine. But more than these hath Chester been glorified, for long did her precious relics rest in its midst, as in a safe refuge and haven, escaping the predations of the heathen, like as a pure dove fleeing a host of ravening crows or an unblemished lamb the jaws of savage wolves. Wherefore, trusting in her mediation before the Lord, with fervour we call upon the gracious intercession of our heavenly protectress: With thine abbatial staff, as with a shepherd's crook, pull the erring lambs forth from the chasm wherein they have fallen, and lead them back from the wilds of heresy into the fold of Christ's one true Church, that together we may cry aloud with one heart, one mouth and one mind: O Werburgh our venerable mother, burn away the devil's toils which entangle us!

Ode VII

Irmos: In the furnace the Hebrew children boldly trod the flame underfoot and transformed the fire into dew, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

The clamorous gaggle of wild geese, which were voraciously devouring thy crops, O saint of God, thou didst swiftly render submissive to thy holy authority.

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

As thou didst miraculously confine the wild geese to a pen, O venerable mother, so lead all of us, in whom the wild passions rage, into the peaceful fold of the Saviour.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

Kindly admonishing the wicked servant who retained a wild goose for himself, thou didst unite it to its flock, crying: "Praise ye the Lord above all, O ye wingčd birds!"

Most Holy Mother of God save us!

Theotokion: Ever afflicted by the multitude of mine evil deeds, I beseech thee to heal and cure me, O Lady Theotokos, that I may cry: "Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!"

 

Ode VIII

Irmos: Trampling down the fire and flame in the furnace, the divinely eloquent youths did chant: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Pride moved a wicked man to smite the holy Alnot, thy shepherd, O saint; but with pity thou didst implore him to desist.

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

In distress of soul thou didst cast thyself down before the malefactor, crying out: "For the love of God, spare this innocent man!"

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

Thine entreaties strangely turned the evil-doer's blows against his own body, O holy one; wherefore, he cried out to thee for mercy.

Most Holy Mother of God save us!

Theotokion: Ye Christians, let us magnify the Virgin with faith, for without corruption she gave birth unto Him Who saveth from corruption.

Ode IX

Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God hath appeared in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Offering praises to our glorious mother Werburgh, let us celebrate her holy feast with great devotion, rendering honour to Christ the Lord, Who at His dread throne accepteth her ardent pleas in behalf of us who lovingly cherish her memory.

O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Now chant we thy praises before God, O Werburgh our protectress; for, lacking in any virtue, we beseech thee to intercede with the Most High in our behalf, that, hearkening to thy supplications, He grant us forgiveness of all our sins.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

Unto thee, O Werburgh, hath Christ bestowed a crown of splendour, adorned with thy virtues as with most brilliant gems; wherefore, as thou now dwellest with Him in the mansions on high, beseech Him to vouchsafe that we may abide with thee.

Most Holy Mother of God save us!

Theotokion: Save me, O Thou Who wast born of the Virgin, and hast preserved her incorrupt since Thy birth; and when Thou wilt sit to judge all mankind, O Thou Who alone art without sin, take pity and spare us, overlooking our many sins and transgressions.

Priest: O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Chanters: O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Priest: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

Chanters: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Chanters: O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Priest: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Chanters: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: O Venerable Werburgh, pray to God for us!

Chanters: O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Priest: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Chanters: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: Pray to God for us, O holy Werburgh for we fervently flee unto thee, the speedy helper and intercessor for our souls.

Priest: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Chanters: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

Chanters: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.

Chanters: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: For Thou art the King of Peace and the Saviour of our souls, and unto Thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Chanters: Amen.

Priest: Let us attend. Wisdom! The prokeimen in the 4th Tone:

Reader: Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel.

Chanters: Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel.

Reader: In congregations bless ye God, the Lord from the wellsprings of Israel.

Chanters: Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel.

Reader: Wondrous is God in His saints:

Chanters: The God of Israel.

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.

Chanters: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For holy art Thou, O our God, and Thou restest in the saints, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Chanters: Amen.

Priest: Let every breath praise the Lord.

Chanters: Let every breath praise the Lord.

Priest: Praise ye God in His saints, praise Him in the firmament of His power.

Chanters: Let every breath praise the Lord.

Priest: Let every breath:

Chanters: Praise the Lord.

Priest: And that He will vouchsafe unto us the hearing of the Holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord God.

Chanters: Lord, have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy

Priest: Wisdom, Upright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Chanters: And to thy spirit.

Priest: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St Mark.

Chanters: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Priest: Let us attend.

The Priest reads the Holy Gospel… according to Mark, §21 [Mk. 5: 24-34]

At that time, many people followed Jesus, and thronged Him. And a certain woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched His garment. For she said, If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned Him about in the press, and said: 'Who touched My clothes?' And His disciples said unto Him: 'Thou seest the multitude thronging Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me?' And He looked round about to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before Him, and told Him all the truth. And He said unto her: 'Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.'

Chanters: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Priest: O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Chanters: O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Priest: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

Chanters: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Chanters: O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Priest: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Chanters: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: O Venerable Werburgh, pray to God for us!

Chanters: O Venerable Werburgh pray to God for us!

Priest: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Chanters: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: Pray to God for us, O holy Werburgh for we fervently flee unto thee, the speedy helper and intercessor for our souls.

Priest: It is truly meet to bless thee, the Theotokos, ever-blessed and most blameless, and Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.

Reader: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Thrice.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, be gracious unto our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in the heavens, 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One.

Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power-, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Chanters: Amen.

Troparion of St Werburgh in Tone 4

Priest and Chanters: Thine illustrious life filled the angels with awe/ and put the demons to flight in terror,/ while it adorneth the congregations of the faithful with the splendour of grace, /  O venerable mother Werburgh. /As in thy charity thou didst extend thy love to all thy fellow creatures, /intercede with God in our behalf, /that our souls be saved from perdition.

Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Again we pray his all-holiness Patriarch Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia; for the Most Reverend Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; and for all our brotherhood in Christ.

Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Again we pray for the suffering Russian Land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the Diaspora, and for their salvation.

Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Again we pray for this land, its authorities and armed forces, and for every Christian land.

Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Again we pray for mercy, Life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon, and prosperity for the servant(s) of God (N.).

Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Again we pray Thee, O Lord our God, that Thou wouldst hearken unto the voice of our supplication and prayer, and have mercy on Thy servant(s) N*(N.), through Thy grace and compassions, and forgive all his (her) (their) petitions, and pardon him (her) (them) all transgressions voluntary and involuntary; let his (her) (their) prayers and alms be acceptable before the throne of Thy dominion, and protect him (her) (them) from enemies visible and invisible, from every temptation, harm and sorrow, and deliver him (her) (them) from ailments, and grant him (her) (them) health and length of days: let us all say, O Lord, hearken and have mercy.

Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Look down, O Master, Lover of mankind, with Thy merciful eye, upon Thy servant(s) (N..) and hearken unto our supplication which is offered With faith, for Thou Thyself hast said: "All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believe that ye shall receive, and it shall be done unto you; and again: "Ask, and it shall be given you." Therefore we, though we be unworthy, yet hoping in Thy mercy, ask: Bestow Thy kindness upon Thy servant(s) N.(N.), and fulfil his (her(their) good desires, preserve him (her)(them) all his (her)(their) days peacefully and calmly in health and length of days: let us all say, quickly hearken and graciously have mercy.

Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Again we pray for the people here present that await of Thee great and abundant mercy, for all the brethren, and for all Christians.

Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Again we pray to the Lord our God, that He may hearken unto the voice of the supplication of us sinners, and have mercy on His servant(s), N.(N.) and protect him (her) (them) from all tribulation, harm, wrath and necessity, and from every sickness of soul and body, granting him (her) (them) health with length of days: let us all say, quickly hearken and have mercy.

Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Again we pray that this town (or city) and this holy monastery (or house), and every city and land, may be preserved from famine, pestilence, earthquake, flood, fire, the sword, the invasion of aliens, and civil war; that our good and man-befriending God may be merciful and favourable, that He may turn away all the wrath stirred up against us, and deliver us from His righteous judgement which hangeth over us, and have mercy on us.

Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Again we pray also that the Lord God may hearken unto the voice of the supplication of us sinners, and have mercy on us.

Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.

Priest's exclamation: Hearken unto us, O God our Saviour, Thou hope of all the ends of the earth and of them that be far off at sea; and be merciful, be merciful, O Master, regarding our sins, and have mercy on us; for a merciful God art Thou, and the Lover of mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Chanters: Amen.

All Kneel.

Priest: Prayer of St Werburgh:

O Ye Christians, let us lift up our voices in praise to God for the mighty miracles He hath wrought for us through the stones of her shrine here in Chester and the entreaties of His saint! O blessed Werburgh, pure and so especially chosen, so divinely graced and so wonderfully blessed with holiness! Hope of all that fly unto thee with full confidence and humility! Though thou wast the fruit of many regal lines, O Werburgh, royal virgin, yet didst thou not boast in thy lineage, nor did earthly allurements distract thy soul from the contemplation of the Lord of lords, Whom from childhood thou didst love with all thy heart. Then, mindful of the words of David the King, that the daughters of kings forget their own people and their fathers' house, with the virgins in the train of the Queen of heaven, thou didst bring thyself into His holy temple in gladness and rejoicing, arrayed in all the virtues, as in gold-fringed garments of varied colours. Wherefore, praising thy humility, all Christians commemorate thy name forever, O glorious one. We, though, unworthy, yet thy devoted pilgrims, make our petitions unto thee. O Sanctuary of piety, look now upon us with patient eyes; receive our prayers, accept our offerings, and present our supplications at the throne of mercy, that through thy powerful intercessions, our God may be pleased to bless our pilgrimage, and to grant our requests and our desires that are unto salvation; for unto Him is due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen +

Chanters: Amen.

Priest: O Master Almighty, O Holy King, Who chastenest and destroyest not, Who strengthenest the falling, and settest aright the fallen, Who correctest the bodily and spiritual afflictions of mankind: We pray Thee, O our God, visit Thine servants and handmaidens  N. with Thy mercy, pardon them every transgression, both voluntary and involuntary. Yea, O Lord, send down Thy healing power from heaven, touch their bodies and souls, quench the fever, subdue the passions and every subtle infirmity. Be the healer of Thy servants N. raise them from their bed of sickness, and place of distress, healed and whole; grant them to be well-pleasing unto Thy Church and doing Thy will. For Thine it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Chanters: Amen.

All stand.

Priest: Wisdom! Most Holy Mother of God, save us!

Chanters: More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.

Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ God, our hope, glory to Thee.

Chanters: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. Thrice. Father (master), bless.

Priest's dismissal: May Christ our true God, through. the intercessions of His most pure Mother, of our holy and God-bearing mother Winefride and of all the saints, have mercy upon us and save us, for He is good God and the Friend of man.

Chanters: Amen.

The faithful pilgrims are then blessed with Holy Water from the well as they come forth to venerate the precious cross.

Priest: A PRAYER FOR THE LIVING:

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on all Orthodox Christians and those who lead an Orthodox life in every place of Thy dominion. Grant unto them, O Lord, peace of soul and bodily health, and pardon them every sin, voluntary and involuntary, through the intercessions of all Thy saints, and have mercy on me the wretched one.

Chanters: Amen.