Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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!
_When a priest is serving, the Reader concludes:_
Bless, father, in the name of the Lord!
_The priest exclaims:_
O God, be gracious to us and bless us! Shine Thy countenance upon us, and
have mercy on us!
_In the absence of a priest, a layman says:_
"Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God,
have mercy on us. Amen".
_In either case, the Reader, after saying_ "Amen", _continues with the
following:_
_NOTE: During Great Lent the Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim is said at this
point of most services during the week (not on Saturday or Sunday). It is
also appropriate for Morning Prayers and the Prayers Before Sleep on the
same days._