Old Believers Prayer Book

Compiler of the text: Dennis Fefelov.
He devoted 25 years of his life to this work. I am only the editor and custodian of these works

Having risen from the bed and washed your face, stand before the holy icons, and looking upon them, turn your thoughts to the invisible God.
God be merciful to me a sinner. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Thou hast created me; Lord, have mercy on me. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
I have sinned immeasurably; Lord, have mercy and forgive me a sinner. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, the ever blessed and most immaculate, and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the cherubim and truly more glorious than the seraphim; thee who without defilement gavest birth to God the Word, the true Mother of God, thee do we magnify. cross & bow to floor
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord bless. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, through the prayers of my holy Guardian Angel, and of all the saints, have mercy on me and save me a sinner, for Thou art good and lovest mankind. don't cross, just bow to floor

God be merciful to me a sinner. cross & bow to waist
Thou hast created me; Lord, have mercy on me. cross & bow to waist
I have sinned immeasurably; Lord, have mercy and forgive me a sinner. cross & bow to waist

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen. cross & bow to waist (to waist)

don't bow, just cross once and read 3 times
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee for all things.

O God, cleanse me a sinner, for I have never done anything good before Thee. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
But deliver me from the evil one, and let Thy will be done in me. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
That I may open mine unworthy mouth without condemnation, and praise Thy holy name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

just cross at beginning, don't bow
Heavenly King, Comforter, True Spirit, Who art everywhere and fillest all, Treasury of good things and Giver of life; come and dwell within us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One. (cross & bow to floor)

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. 3 times & cross & bow to waist 3 times (to floor)

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

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us, O Lord, cleanse us from our sins, O Master, forgive 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. Now and ever, and unto the 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen. cross & bow to waist (to waist)

Lord have mercy. 12 times.

Having arisen from sleep, I thank Thee, All-holy Trinity, for in Thy great goodness and patience Thou wast not angry with me, Thy sinful and slothful servant, nor hast Thou destroyed me with mine iniquities, but hast shown Thy love toward man; and when I was lying in despair, Thou hast raised me up to keep the morning watch and to glorify Thine unconquerable dominion. And now, most holy God and Master, enlighten the eyes of my heart, and open my lips to learn Thy words and to understand Thy commandments; to do Thy will and to sing to Thee in heartfelt confession; to hymn and to glorify Thy most honourable and majestic name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Come let us worship God our King. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Come let us worship Christ, our King and our God. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Come let us worship and fall down before the very Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

Now turn to page 11 and read Psalm 50. "Have mercy on me, O God..." and continue the rest of the prayers until the end of the departure prayers.

Start here in the evening and/or afternoon Stand before the holy icons, and looking upon them, turn your thoughts to the invisible God.

God be merciful to me a sinner. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Thou hast created me; Lord, have mercy on me. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
I have sinned immeasurably; Lord, have mercy and forgive me a sinner. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, the ever blessed and most immaculate, and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the cherubim and truly more glorious than the seraphim; thee who without defilement gavest birth to God the Word, the true Mother of God, thee do we magnify. cross & bow to floor

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord bless. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, through the prayers of my holy Guardian Angel, and of all the saints, have mercy on me and save me a sinner, for Thou art good and lovest mankind. don't cross, just bow to floor

God be merciful to me a sinner. cross & bow to waist
Thou hast created me; Lord, have mercy on me. cross & bow to waist
I have sinned immeasurably; Lord, have mercy and forgive me a sinner. cross & bow to waist

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen. cross & bow to waist (to waist)

just cross at beginning, don't bow
Heavenly King, Comforter, True Spirit, Who art everywhere and fillest all, Treasury of good things and Giver of life; come and dwell within us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One. (cross & bow to floor)

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. 3 times & cross & bow to waist 3 times (to floor)

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

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us, O Lord, cleanse us from our sins, O Master, forgive 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. Now and ever, and unto the 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen. cross & bow to waist (to waist)

Lord have mercy. 12 times.

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

Come let us worship God our King. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Come let us worship Christ, our King and our God. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Come let us worship and fall down before the very Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God. cross & bow to waist (to floor)



Psalm 50.
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 shall 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 a bullock upon Thine altar.


just cross, don't bow at beginning
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages;
Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; by Whom all things were made;
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, and became man;
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried, and arose on the third day, according to the Scriptures;
And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;
And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; of Whose Kingdom there is no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, true and life-giving, Who proceedeth from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the prophets.
And in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the remission of sins.
I wait for the resurrection of the dead,
And the life of the ages to come, Amen.

Virgin Mother of God, rejoice, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne Christ the Saviour, the Deliverer of our souls. 3 times & cross & bow to waist each time (to floor)

O all-hymned Mother who didst bear the Word holiest of all holies, accept our present offering, and deliver us from every assault, and rescue from the torment to come all those that cry to thee: Alleluia. 3 times & cross & bow to floor each time.
;Invincible and divine power of the precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, forsake not me a sinner who hope in thee. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

My most holy Lady Mother of God, have mercy on me and save me; and help me now in this life, and at the departure of my soul, in the age to come. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

All ye Heavenly Powers, holy Angels and Archangels, Cherubim and Seraphim, have mercy on me and pray for me to the Lord God; and help me now in this life, and at the departure of my soul, in the age to come. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

Angel of Christ, my holy Guardian, have mercy on me and pray for me, a sinner, to the Lord God; and help me now in this life, and at the departure of my soul, in the age to come. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

Holy great John, Prophet and Forerunner of the Lord, have mercy on me and pray for me to the Lord God; and help me now in this life, and at the departure of my soul, in the age to come. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

Holy glorious Apostles, Prophets, and Martyrs, Hierarchs, Monastics and Righteous Ones, and all ye Saints, have mercy on me and pray for me, a sinner, to the Lord God; and help me now in this life, and at the departure of my soul, in the age to come. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

O Lord, I have sinned throughout my whole life, whether in word, or in deed, or in thought; have mercy on me and forgive me, for the sake of Thy mercy. cross & bow to floor

All my hope, I place in thee, O Mother of God; do preserve me under thy shelter. cross & bow to floor

My hope is God, My refuge is Christ, and my protection is the Holy Spirit. cross & bow to floor

If you have penance from your spiritual father, pray it here now, and after praying the penance continue the prayers below.

If not praying penance just continue the prayers below.

It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, the ever blessed and most immaculate, and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the cherubim and truly more glorious than the seraphim; thee who without defilement gavest birth to God the Word, the true Mother of God, thee do we magnify. cross & bow to floor

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord bless. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, and of our holy monastic and God-bearing fathers, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for Thou art good and lovest mankind. Amen. don't cross, just bow to floor & lay while reading the following

Absolve, remit, forgive, O God, my trangressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown, in mind and in thought, by day and by night; forgive me all, for Thou art good and lovest mankind. Amen.

stand up and read the following with bows to waist only
O Lord Who lovest mankind, forgive them that hate and offend us. Do good to them that do good. Grant all our brethren and our relatives who are far away all petitions which are unto salvation, and eternal life. cross & bow to waist
Visit them that are sick, and heal them. Free them that are in prison. Be a guide to them that sail the waters. Direct and hasten them that travel. cross & bow to waist
Remember, O Lord, our brethren and fellow-believers of the Orthodox faith who are held captive, and deliver them from every evil circumstance. cross & bow to waist
Have mercy, O Lord, on them that have given us alms, and have charged us, unworthy though we be, to pray for them; forgive them and have mercy. cross & bow to waist
Have mercy, O Lord, on them that labour and them that serve us, and on them that show mercy and that feed us, and grant them all petitions which are unto salvation, and eternal life. cross & bow to waist
Remember, O Lord, our fathers and brethren who have gone before us, and make them to dwell where the light of Thy countenance shineth. cross & bow to waist
Remember also, O Lord, our lowliness and poverty; enlighten our minds with the light of understanding of Thy Holy Gospel, and direct us in the way of Thy Commandments; through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, and of all Thy saints. Amen. cross & bow to waist


Then pray for the health of your parents, relatives and friends, saying with bows to the waist.

Merciful Lord, save and have mercy on Thy servants: my parents, all my relatives, and to them all that show mercy and that feed us, and that have given us alms. cross & bow to waist
Deliver them from every tribulation, wrath and need. cross & bow to waist
From every sickness of soul and body. cross & bow to waist
Forgive them every transgression, voluntary and involuntary. cross & bow to waist
And do whatever is profitable for our souls. cross & bow to waist

And the ending.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.

Departure Bows

God be merciful to me a sinner. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Thou hast created me; Lord, have mercy on me. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
I have sinned immeasurably; Lord, have mercy and forgive me a sinner. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, the ever blessed and most immaculate, and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the cherubim and truly more glorious than the seraphim; thee who without defilement gavest birth to God the Word, the true Mother of God, thee do we magnify. cross & bow to floor

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. cross & bow to waist (to floor)
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord bless. cross & bow to waist (to floor)

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, through the prayers of my holy Guardian Angel, and of all the saints, have mercy on me and save me a sinner, for Thou art good and lovest mankind. don't cross, just bow to floor

God be merciful to me a sinner. cross & bow to waist
Thou hast created me; Lord, have mercy on me. cross & bow to waist
I have sinned immeasurably; Lord, have mercy and forgive me a sinner. cross & bow to waist


These Departure Bows are also made whenever one leaves the church after praying; or when one enters the church to stand in prayer, also called the Entrance Bows.


Both in the morning and in the evening, make the Sign of the Cross and then kiss your cross and protect yourself with it with prayer.
Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, bless, sanctify and preserve me by the power of your life-giving Cross.
When ready to lay down to sleep; cross without bowing and read
Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered, and let them that hate Him flee from before His face. As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish; as wax melteth before the fire, so let the demons perish at the presence of them that love God, and who sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross, and who say in gladness; Rejoice, O Cross of the Lord, for thou drivest away the demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who was crucified on thee, Who descended into Hades and trampled on the power of the devil, and gave us His precious Cross for the driving away of all enemies. O most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, help me together with the most holy Lady Mother of God, and with all of the holy heavenly powers, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
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