My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
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THE DIVINE SERVICE OF THE GREAT COMPLINE
The Journey to the Cross and Resurrection of Christ
The Greek word for "Compline" is "Apodeipnon" which literally means "after dinner." There are many prescribed intervals of prayer during the day, and one of them is prayer before sleeping. There is a 'service' of the "Small Compline" which can be read by anyone. It does not require a priest and it does not need to be read in a church. There are many pious Orthodox Christians who pray the "Small Compline" throughout the year.
The "Great Compline" (Gk. "Mega Apodeipnon") is a service reserved for the period of Great and Holy Lent. It is traditionally prayed in the evening. In most parishes, if it is done, it is celebrated on Monday, Tuesday, and/or Thursday evenings. On Wednesday and Friday evenings the parishes conduct the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy. Also, on Friday of Great and Holy Lent, we celebrate the service of the Akathist or Salutations to the Ever-Virgin Mary the Theotokos.
The Great Compline divine service lasts approximately an hour. The curtain of the Royal Doors (the "Royal Doors") located in the center of the iconostasis leading into the Holy Altar.), is generally closed during this service, until the very end, obscuring the altar from view. There is very little movement in this service by the priest, and there are no Gospel readings (except for the first week of Lent). The divine service of Great Compline consists of about dozen Old Testament Psalm readings, several prayers, and several hymns. The most well-known hymn of the divine service is called "Kyrie ton Thenameon" or "Lord of the Powers" and includes the following words:
"Lord of the Powers, be with us, For in time of distress, we have no other help but thee." "Lord of the Powers, have mercy on us."
The Great Compline divine service is one of the most comforting, and reassuring services of our Holy Orthodox Church because we come to realize God's protection and love for all of humanity. It is quite simple but yet contains much spiritual substance and inspiration. The believing Orthodox Christian feels touched by our Lord's grace and as a sinner is lead to contrition and repentance. All of our holy services, including for course, the Great Compline service, bestow healing of soul and body.
No true Orthodox Christian can ever marginalize the divine services of our Holy Church and reduce them to just "rituals." The Orthodox Christian not only attends a divine service but participates personally in it. The purpose is to always remain in His presence and commune with Him through worship, prayer and the Mysteries (Sacraments). He or she understands that the local consecrated church is a "hospital." It is indeed the "spiritual ICU." We are restored there by God and our injuries and spiritual and physical illnesses are cured.
In the prayer of Manasses, King of Judah we pray, "...Thou are God, the God of those who repent, and in me, Thou shall show all Thy goodness; for even though I am unworthy, Thou shall save me according to the multitude of Thy mercy, and I shall praise Thee without ceasing all the days of my life. For every heavenly power sings Thy praises, and Thine is the glory unto the ages of ages. Amen."
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George