Memorial For Orthodox Warriors
Prescribed for the feasts of
The Beheading of St. John the Forerunner (Aug. 29th) and
St. Demetrius Saturday (before Oct. 26th)
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Reader: Amen. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth Who art everywhere and fillest all Things. Treasury of blessings, and Giver of life. Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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 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 ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto 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 our God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Psalm 90 (91)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust." For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your habitation, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot. Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Glory to Thee, O God! (3)
Great Litany for the Departed
Priest: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For the forgiveness of sins for them that have departed this life in blessed memory, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For the repose, tranquility and blessed memory of the ever-memorable servants of God, the Orthodox warriors who have courageously struggled, and for all that have laid down their lives in battle for the Faith, our freedom, and our land, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That they may be pardoned their sins, both voluntary and involuntary, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That they may present themselves uncondemned before the dreaded throne of the Lord of glory, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For those that sorrow and grieve, and wait for the consolation of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That He will release them from all sickness, sorrow, and sighing, and establish them where the light of God’s face will shine upon them, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That He will settle their souls in a place of brightness, a place of green pasture, a place of rest, where all the righteous dwell, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That they may be numbered with them that are in the bosom of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That we may be delivered from all affliction, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Having entreated the mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of their sins, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
People: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: For Thou art the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of our Orthodox warriors, those who have laid down their lives in battle for the Faith, our freedom, and our land, and likewise the veterans of war who have gone to their rest, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to Thy Father Who is from everlasting and to Thine All-holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit. Now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Alleluia
Priest: In the Eighth Tone: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
People: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Priest: Blessed are those whom Thou hast chosen and taken to Thyself, O Lord!
People: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Priest: Their memory is from generation to generation!
People: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Priest: Their souls shall dwell with the blessed!
People: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Troparion
(Tone 8) Thou only Creator Who, with wisdom profound, mercifully orderest all things, and givest unto them that which is useful. Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants who are fallen asleep. For they have placed their trust in Thee, our Creator, and Fashioner, and our God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
We have you as a wall and a haven, and an intercessor well-pleasing to God, Whom you bore, O Virgin Theotokos, the salvation of the faithful.
Requiem Hymn
(Tone 5) Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.
The choirs of the saints have found the Fountain of Life,
and the Door of Paradise.
May I also find the way through repentance.
I am a lost sheep: Call me back, O Savior, and save me!
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.
Ye holy martyrs who preached the Lamb of God,
and like unto lambs were slain,
and are translated to life unfading and everlasting,
fervently beseech ye Him to grant us remission of our debts!
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.
Ye who have trod the narrow way of grief,
all ye who in life taken up the Cross as a yoke,
and followed Me by faith;
draw near, enjoy ye the honors and celestial crowns
I have prepared for you.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.
I am the image of Thine ineffable glory,
though I bear the brands of transgressions.
Pity Thy creature, O Master,
and purify me by Thy loving-kindness;
grant unto me my desired fatherland,
making me again a citizen of Paradise.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.
O Thou Who of old didst fashion me from nothingness,
and didst honor me with Thine image divine,
but by the transgression of Thy commandment
hast returned me again to the earth from which I was taken.
Raise me up according to Thy likeness,
that I may be restored to my former beauty.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.
Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants
and establish them in Paradise,
where the choirs of the saints and of the just, O Lord,
shine like the stars of heaven.
Give rest, O Lord, to Thy servants who are fallen asleep, overlooking all their transgressions!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Devoutly let us praise the Three-fold splendor
of the One Godhead crying-out:
Holy art Thou, O Father, Who art from everlasting,
O Son, Coeternal and Spirit Divine!
Illumine us who serve Thee with faith,
and deliver us from fire eternal!
Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Rejoice, O Pure One,
who for the salvation of all didst bring forth God in the flesh;
through whom the human race hath found salvation;
through you may we find paradise,
O Pure, most blessed Theotokos.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory to Thee, O God! (3)
Little Litany for the Departed
Priest: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Again we pray for the repose of the souls of our Orthodox warriors, whether fallen in battle or who have gone to their rest, that they may be pardoned their sins, both voluntary and involuntary.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That God will establish their souls where the just repose.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of their sins, let us entreat of Christ, the King Immortal and our God.
People: Grant it, O Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O God of spirits and of all flesh, Who hast trampled-down death by death, and given life unto Thy world, do Thou the same Lord, give rest to the souls of Thy departed servants in a place of brightness, a place of green pasture, a place of repose whence all sickness, sorrow, and sighing have fled-away. As Thou art the good God Who lovest mankind, do Thou pardon their every transgression, whether of word, or deed, or thought, for Thou only art without sin, and Thy righteousness is unto all eternity, and Thy Word is truth.
For Thou art the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of our Orthodox warriors, those who have laid down their lives in battle for the Faith, our freedom, and our land, and likewise the veterans of wars who have gone to their rest, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to Thy Father Who is from everlasting and to Thine All-holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit. Now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Sedalen
(Tone 5)
Give rest with the just, O our Savior,
unto Thy servants,
and establish them in Thy courts as it is written:
disregarding, as Thou art good, their trespasses
both voluntary and involuntary,
and all things done with knowledge or in ignorance,
O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Christ our God, Who from a Virgin didst shine forth unto the world,
through her making us son of light, have mercy on us.
Psalm 50(51)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy steadfast love; according to Thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in Thy sight, so that Thou art justified in Thy sentence and blameless in Thy judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Fill me with joy and gladness; let the bones which Thou hast broken rejoice. Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners will return to Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of Thy deliverance. O Lord, open Thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise. For Thou hast no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, Thou wouldst not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. Do good to Zion in Thy good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, then wilt Thou delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Thy Altar.
Canon
Ode I
People: Give rest, O Lord, unto to the souls of Thy servants who are fallen asleep!
(Tone 8) When Israel passed on foot over the sea
as if it were dry land,
and beheld their pursuer Pharoah drowning in the sea,
they cried aloud unto God:
Let us sing a song of victory!
Priest: Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants who are fallen asleep!
People: Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants who are fallen asleep!
Priest: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
People: Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Ode III
People: There is none so holy as Thou,
O Lord my God,
Who hast exalted the power of Thy faithful, O Blessed One,
and hast established us upon the rock
of Thy confession!
Priest: Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants who are fallen asleep!
People: Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants who are fallen asleep!
Priest: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
People: Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Ode VI
People: Beholding the sea of life
Surging with the storm of temptations,
and taking refuge in Thy calm haven I cry unto Thee:
Raise up my life from corruption; shine like the stars of heaven.
For Thou art the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of our Orthodox warriors, those who have laid down their lives in battle for the Faith, our freedom, and our land, and likewise the veterans of wars who have gone to their rest, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to Thy Father Who is from everlasting and to Thine All-holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit.
O greatly Merciful One!
Kontakion
With the Saints give rest,
O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants,
where sickness and sorrow are no more;
neither sighing, but life everlasting!
Ikos
Thou only art Immortal,
Who hast created and fashioned man.
For out of the dust were we mortals made,
and unto the same dust shall we return again,
as Thou didst command when Thou madest me,
saying unto me:
For dust Thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Wither we mortals all shall go,
making our funeral dirge the song:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Priest: Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants who are fallen asleep!
People: Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants who are fallen asleep!
Priest: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
People: Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Ode IX
It is not possible for men to see God,
upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze.
But through you, O All-pure One
was the Word Incarnate revealed unto men:
whom magnifying, together with the heavenly host,
we call you blessed!
Trisagion
Reader: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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 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 ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Troparion
With the souls of the righteous departed,
Give rest to the souls of Thy servants, O Savior;
Preserving them in the blessed life which is with Thee,
Who lovest mankind.
In the place of Thy rest, O Lord,
Where all Thy saints repose,
Give rest also to the souls of Thy servants
for Thou only lovest mankind.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou art God Who descended into Hell,
and loosed the bonds of the captives,
Thyself give rest to the souls of Thy servants.
Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin, alone pure and blameless
who didst bear God without seed,
intercede that the souls of your servants may be saved.
Augmented Litany for the Departed
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we beseech Thee, hearken and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Priest: Again we pray for the repose of the souls of our Orthodox warriors, whether fallen in battle or who have gone to their rest, that they may be pardoned their sins, both voluntary and involuntary.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Priest: That God will establish their souls where the just repose.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Priest: The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of their sins, let us entreat of Christ, the King Immortal and our God.
People: Grant it, O Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O God of spirits and of all flesh, Who hast trampled-down death by death, and given life unto Thy world, do Thou the same Lord, give rest to the souls of Thy departed servants in a place of brightness, a place of green pasture, a place of repose whence all sickness, sorrow, and sighing have fled-away. As Thou art the good God Who lovest mankind, do Thou pardon their every transgression, whether of word, or deed, or thought, for Thou only art without sin, and Thy righteousness is unto all eternity, and Thy Word is truth.
For Thou art the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of our Orthodox warriors, those who have laid down their lives in battle for the Faith, our freedom, and our land, and likewise the veterans of wars who have gone to their rest, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to Thy Father Who is from everlasting and to Thine All-holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit. Now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Dismissal
Priest: Wisdom! Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
People: More honorable than the cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim; without defilement you gave birth to God the word: True Theotokos we magnify you!
Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to Thee!
People: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.
Father bless!
Priest: May He who rose from the dead, Christ our true God, through the prayers of His most pure Mother; of our holy and God-bearing Fathers; of our patrons and intercessors among the Saints the Great-martyr Demetrius, John the Forerunner, George the Victorious, Nicholas the Wonder-worker, and Michael the Archangel; Andrew the First-called, Nectarios of Aegina; Theodore the Recruit and Theodore Stratelates; Theodore the Tribune; the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste; the 20 Soldier-martyrs at Antinoe; the 200 Soldier-martyrs at Sinope; the 7 Soldier-martyrs in Phoenicia; the 70 Soldier-martyrs at Apamea; Menas of Alexandria; Titus the Soldier of the Kiev Caves; Amphilochius the Captain; Anatolius and Protoleon; Soldier-martyrs; Sabbas the General and 70 Soldier-martyrs; Barbarus the Soldier; Acacius the Centurion; Prince Dmitri Donskoy; Constantine, Equal-to-the-Apostles; Marcellus the Tribune; Meletius the General; the 1,218 Soldier-martyrs in Galatia; Faustus, Festus, Marcellus, Theodore, Meletius, Sergius, Marcellinus, Felix, Photinus, Theodoriscus, Mercurius, and Didymus, Tribunes; Didymus the Soldier at Alexandria; Zosimas the Soldier-martyr at Antioch; Procopius the Great-martyr; Alexander the Soldier-martyr in Egypt; Theodore the Righteous Admiral; Marinus the Soldier-martyr at Caesarea in Palestine; Andrew Stratelates and the 2,593 Soldier-martyrs in Cilicia; the 37 Soldier-martyrs in Thrace; Juventius and Maximus, Soldier-martyrs at Antioch; the Hieromartyr Juvenaly; Menas of Egypt; Gurias, the Soldier; Michael the Soldier of Bulgaria; the 133 Soldier-martyrs in Georgia; the 150 Soldier-martyrs at Isauria; Porphyrius the General; the 200 Soldiers martyred with St. Catherine; John the Warrior; Nestor of Thessalonika; the Great-martyr Barbara; the Martyr Sebastian; of Longinus and Cornelius, Centurions; Eustratius, Mercurius, Prince Alexander Nevsky; the Passion-bearers Boris and Gleb; Moses the Hungarian; Martin of Tours; Innocent of Irkutsk; John of Kronstadt; Gorazhd, Hieromartyr of Prague; the New Martyr Bazyli the Chaplain; and the New Marytr Evgenii the Soldier; establish the souls of our Orthodox warriors and veterans of wars who have been taken from us, in the mansions of the righteous; grant them rest in Abraham’s bosom, and number them among the just; and have mercy on us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth mankind.
People: Amen.
Memory Eternal
Priest: Grant eternal rest in blessed repose, O Lord, to our Orthodox warriors, those who have laid down their lives in battle for the Faith, our freedom, and our land, and likewise the veterans of wars who are fallen asleep, and make his/her memory to be eternal!
People: Memory eternal! (3)
Priest: May God beatify and grant them rest and be merciful to us forasmuch as He is good and lovest mankind.
People: Amen.
This content has been generously provided by Fr. Jerome Cwiklinski, CAPT, CHC, USN