Lenten Prayers of St. Nersess
Armenian Orthodox Church

This is a prayer of St. Nersess Shnorhali (The Gracious) (1100 - 1173) which is said during Lent. In our church, during Husgoom service (the Lenten Vigil) on Wednesday nights, we say this prayer towards the latter part of the service. Following this we kneel down in darkness and continue praying for the mercy of our Lord. The experience is beyond words.

1. I confess with faith and adore You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, uncreated and immortal essence, creator of angels, of humans, and of all that exists. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

2. I confess with faith and adore You, O Light indivisible, simultaneous Holy Trinity and one Godhead, creator of light and dispeller of darkness. Dispel from my soul the darkness of sin and ignorance, and at this hour enlighten my mind, that I may pray to You according to Your will, and receive from You the fulfillment of my supplications. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

3. Heavenly Father, true God, who sent Your beloved Son to seek the wandering sheep, I have sinned against heaven and before You; receive me like the Prodigal Son, and clothe me with the garment of innocence, of which I was deprived by sin. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

4. Son of God, true God, who descended from the bosom of the Father, and took flesh of the Holy Virgin Mary for our salvation, who was crucified and buried, and rose from the dead, and ascended to the Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before You; remember me like the robber, when You come in Your kingdom. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

5. Spirit of God, true God, who descended into the Jordan and into the upper chamber, and who enlightened me by baptism in the holy font, I have sinned against Heaven and before You; cleanse me Your divine fire as You purified the holy Apostles with fiery tongues. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

6. Uncreated Essence, I have sinned against You in mind, soul and body; do not remember my former sins for the sake of Your Holy name. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

7. Beholder of all, I have sinned against You, in thought, word and deed; erase the record of my offences, and write my name in the Book of Life. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

8. Searcher of secrets, I have sinned against You willing and unwillingly, knowingly and unknowingly, grant me —a great sinner— forgiveness, for since I was born of the holy font until this day I have sinned before You, by my senses, and by all the members of my body. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

9. All provident Lord, place Your holy fear as a guard before my eyes so they may not look lustfully; before my ears so that they may not delight in hearing evil words; before my mouth so that it may not speak any falsehoods; before my heart so that it may not think evil; before my hands so that they may not do injustice; before my feet, that they may not walk in the paths of injustice; but so direct them, that they may always be according to all Your commandments. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

10. Christ, who are the Living Fire, inflame my soul with the fire of Your love, which You did send forth upon the earth, that it may burn the stains of my soul, sanctify my conscience, purge the sins of my body, and kindle in my heart the light of Your knowledge. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

11. Jesus, wisdom of the Father, grant me wisdom, that I may always think, speak, and do that which is good in Your sight; save me from evil thoughts, words and deeds. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

12. Lord, who wills that which is good, and are the director of the will, let me not follow the inclinations of my heart, but lead me to live always according to Your good will. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

13. Heavenly King, grant me Your kingdom, which You have promised to Your beloved; strengthen my heart to hate sin, and to love You alone, and to do Your will. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

14. Protector of Your creatures, by the sign of Your cross keep my soul and body from the allurements of sin, from the temptations of the devil and unjust people, and from all perils of soul and body. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

15. Christ, the guardian of all, let Your Right Hand guard and shelter me by day and by night, while at home and while away, while sleeping and while awake, that I may never fall. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

16. my God, who opens Your hand and fills all things living with Your bounty, to You I commit my soul; do care for me and provide for the needs of my body and soul forever. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

17. You who bring back the wanderers, turn me from my evil ways to good ones and imprint upon my soul the recollection of the dreadful day of death, the fear of hell and the love of Your Kingdom that I may repent of my sins and do righteousness. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

18. Fountain of immortality, make the tears of repentance flow from my heart, like those of the adulteress, that I may wash away the sins of my soul before I depart from this world. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

19. Bestower of mercy, grant that I may come to You with true faith, with good works and by the communion of Your Holy Body and Blood. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

20. Beneficent Lord, commit me to a good angel, that I may deliver up my spirit in peace; convey it undisturbed by the malice of evil spirits that are under the heavens. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

21. Christ, True Light, make my soul worthy to behold with joy the light of Your glory, in that day when You call me and to rest in the hope of good things in the mansions of the just until the day of Your glorious coming. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

22. Righteous Judge, when You come in the glory of the Father to judge the living and the dead, enter not into judgement with Your servant, but deliver me from the eternal fire, and make me worthy to hear the blissful call of the just to Your heavenly kingdom. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

23. All-merciful Lord, have mercy upon all Your faithful, on those who are mine and on those who are strangers; on those whom I know and on those whom I know not; on the living and on the dead; and forgive all my enemies, and those who hate me, the trespasses that they have committed against me; turn them from the malice which they bear towards me, that they may be worthy of Your mercy. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner.

24. Glorified Lord, accept the supplications of Your servant, and graciously fulfill my petitions, through the intercession of the Holy Mother of God, John the Baptist, the first martyr St. Stephen, St. Gregory our Illuminator, the Holy Apostles, Prophets, Divines, Martyrs, Patriarchs, Hermits, Virgins and all Your saints in Heaven and on Earth. And unto You, O indivisible Holy Trinity, be glory and worship forever and ever. Amen.