Prayers on the Birth of a Child

Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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 to the ages of ages. Amen.

All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy

One, visit and heal our infirmities; for Your Name's sake, and have mercy on us.

Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy.

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

Our Father, Who are in Heaven,

Hallowed be Your Name; Your Kingdom come.

Your 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.

For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

O Sovereign Master and Lord Almighty, Who heals every sickness and every weakness: do You Yourself heal this Your servant (Name) who this day has borne a child, and raise her up from the bed on which she lies. For according to the words of Your Prophet David, in sin were we conceived and all are defiled before You; protect her, and this child which she has borne; shelter her under the covering of Your wings from this day to her last; through the intercessions of the all‑pure Theotokos and of all the Saints, for blessed are You to ages of ages. Amen.

Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

Sovereign Master and Lord our God, Who was born of our all‑pure Lady Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary, Who as a Babe was laid in a manger, and as a Child was held up to be seen, do You Yourself have mercy on this Your servant (Name) who this day has borne this child, and be gracious unto her voluntary and involuntary offenses, protecting her from every diabolical cruelty; preserve the child she has borne from every bane, from every harm, from every hostile rage, from evil spirits of the day and night; keep this woman safe under Your mighty hand. Grant to her a speedy recovery. Cleanse her of every sin; bring healing from suffering, and vouchsafe unto her health, and strength of both soul and body; and with bright, shining Angels enfold and cherish her, guarding her round about against every attack of invisible spirits‑yea, Lord, from sickness and infirmity, from jealousy and envy, and from the evil eye. Have mercy on her and the newborn child according to the greatness of Your mercy. Forgive her all voluntary and involuntary sin; remove from her any travail befalling her, and through Your speedy mercy lead her to recovery in her bodily affliction; and of the infant which has been born of her do You account worthy to worship in the earthly Temple which You have prepared for the glorification of Your Holy Name. For to You are due all glory, honor, and adoration, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

O Lord our God, Who was well pleased to come down from the Heavens, and to be born of the holy Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary for the salvation of us sinners, Who knows the frailty of human nature: according to the multitude of Your compassions forgive the sins of Your servant (Name), who this day has borne a child, for You have said, O Lord, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and have dominion over it." Therefore, we, Your servants, beseech You, and trusting in Your ever patient and manbefriending love, with fear invoke the holy Name of Your Kingdom; look down from Heaven and behold the feebleness of us who are condemned, and be gracious to Your Servant (Name) and to all the house in which the child has been born, and to them that have touched her and to all here present, granting forgiveness as our Good and Loving God; for You alone have the power to forgive sins, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos, and of all Your Saints. Amen.

The Apolysis

Glory to You, O Christ our God and our Hope, glory to You.

Christ our true God, Who was born in a cave and laid in a manger for our salvation, through the intercessions of His pure and spotless Mother, through the power of the precious and life‑giving Cross, through the protection of the venerable and bodiless heavenly powers, through the prayers of the venerable and glorious prophet Forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, all-praiseworthy Apostles, of the holy, glorious and‑ victorious Martyrs, of our venerable Godbearing Fathers, of the holy, righteous ancestors of the Lord, Joachim and Anna, and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us as our Good and Loving God.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy and save us. Amen.

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