ወደ ፊልጵስዩስ ሰዎች ፬፤፮ Philippians 4:6
“በነገር ሁሉ በጸሎትና በምልጃ ከምስጋና ጋር በእግዚአብሔር ዘንድ ልመናችሁን አስታውቁ እንጂ በአንዳች አትጨነቁ”
“In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”
Prayer should have an important place in the lives of every Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. It is the telephone through which we are able to reach God with. As St. Tikhon of Zadonsk wrote;
“As a bird without wings, as a soldier without arms, so is a Christian without prayer”
God is spirit; and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24). Prayer is the lifting of our hearts and minds towards God, in thanksgiving, in supplication, in praise, glorification, etc. Without it we can’t connect with God and and we become just like the aforementioned (bird without wings…). Therefore, the first step to coming closer to God and speaking to him, listening to him is through prayer.
Below are often used prayers in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s prayer (Our Father…) is said along with all prayers we pray. We were instructed to say this prayer by Christ himself as recorded in the gospel of Luke 11:2.
“He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come…”
Along with “Our Father”, the prayer of “Hail Mary” is said almost all the time. This is a prayer which magnifies and praises the Mother of God as well as asks for her intercession on our behalf so that we may gain forgiveness from her son.
6. After this manner, therefore, pray ye,
says He: Our Father, which art in heaven.
See how He straightway stirred up the hearer, and reminded him of all God’s bounty in the beginning. For he who calls God Father, by him both remission of sins, and taking away of punishment, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, and adoption, and inheritance, and brotherhood with the Only-Begotten, and the supply of the Spirit, are acknowledged in this single title. For one cannot call God Father, without having attained to all those blessings. Doubly, therefore, does He awaken their spirit, both by the dignity of Him who is called on, and by the greatness of the benefits which they have enjoyed. But when He says, in Heaven,
He speaks not this as shutting up God there, but as withdrawing him who is praying from earth, and fixing him in the high places, and in the dwellings above.
He teaches, moreover, to make our prayer common, in behalf of our brethren also. For He says not, my Father, which art in Heaven,
but, our Father,
offering up his supplications for the body in common, and nowhere looking to his own, but everywhere to his neighbor’s good. And by this He at once takes away hatred, and quells pride, and casts out envy, and brings in the mother of all good things, even charity, andexterminates the inequality of human things, and shows how far the equality reaches between the king and the poor man, if at least in those things which are greatest and most indispensable, we are all of us fellows. For what harm comes of our kindred below, when in that which is on high we are all of us knit together, and no one has anything more than another; neither the rich more than the poor, nor the master than the servant, neither the ruler than the subject, nor the king than the common soldier, nor the philosopher than the barbarian, nor the skillful than the unlearned? For to all has He given one nobility, having vouchsafed to be called the Father of all alike.
7. When therefore He has reminded us of this nobility, and of the gift from above, and of our equality with our brethren, and of charity; and when He has removed us from earth, and fixed us in Heaven; let us see what He commands us to ask after this. Not but, in the first place, even that saying alone is sufficient to implant instruction in all virtue. For he who has called God Father, and a common Father, would be justly bound to show forth such a conversation, as not to appear unworthy of this nobility, and to exhibit a diligence proportionate to the gift. Yet is He not satisfied with this, but adds, also another clause, thus saying,
Hallowed be Your name.
Worthy of him who calls God Father, is the prayer to ask nothing before the glory of His Father, but to account all things secondary to the work of praising Him. For hallowed
is glorified. For His own glory He has complete, and ever continuing the same, but He commands him who prays to seek that He may be glorifiedalso by our life. Which very thing He had said before likewise, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 Yea, and the seraphim too, giving glory, said on this wise, Holy, holy, holy.
So that hallowed
means this, viz. glorified.
That is,vouchsafe,
says he, that we may live so purely, that through us all may glorify You.
Which thing again appertains unto perfect self-control, to present to all a life so irreprehensible, that every one of the beholders may offer to the Lord the praise due to Him for this.
Your kingdom come.
Matthew 6:10
And this again is the language of a right-minded child, not to be rivetted to things that are seen, neither to account things present some great matter; but to hasten unto our Father, and to long for the things to come. And this springs out of a good conscience, and a soul set free from things that are on earth. This, for instance, Paul himself was longing after every day: wherefore he also said, that even we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan, waiting for an adoption, the redemption of our body.
For he who has this fondness, can neither be puffed up by the good things of this life, nor abashed by its sorrows; but as though dwelling in the very heavens, is freed from each sort of irregularity.
Your will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.
Behold a most excellent train of thought! In that He bade us indeed long for the things to come, and hasten towards that sojourn; and, till that may be, even while we abide here, so long to be earnest in showing forth the same conversation as those above. For you must long, says He, for heaven, and the things in heaven; however, even before heaven, He has bidden us make the earth a heaven and do and say all things, even while we are continuing in it, as having our conversation there; insomuch that these too should be objects of our prayer to the Lord. For there is nothing to hinder our reaching the perfection of the powers above, because we inhabit the earth; but it is possible even while abiding here, to do all, as though already placed on high. What He says therefore is this: As there all things are done without hindrance, and the angels are not partlyobedient and partly disobedient, but in all things yield and obey (for He says, ‘Mighty in strength, performing His word’); so vouchsafe that we men may not do Your will by halves, but perform all things as You will.
Do you see how He has taught us also to be modest, by making it clear that virtue is not of our endeavors only, but also of the grace from above? And again, He has enjoined each one of us, who pray, to take upon himself the care of the whole world. For He did not at all say, Your will be done
in me, or in us, but everywhere on the earth; so that error may be destroyed, and truth implanted, and all wickedness cast out, and virtue return, and no difference in this respect be henceforth between heaven and earth. For if this come to pass,
says He, there will be no difference between things below and above, separated as they are innature; the earth exhibiting to us another set of angels.
8. Give us this day our daily bread.
Matthew 6:11
What is daily bread
? That for one day.
For because He had said thus, Your will be done in earth as it is in heaven,
but was discoursing to menencompassed with flesh, and subject to the necessities of nature, and incapable of the same impassibility with the angels:— while He enjoins the commands to be practised by us also, even as they perform them; He condescends likewise, in what follows, to the infirmity of our nature. Thus, perfection of conduct,
says He, I require as great, not however freedom from passions; no, for the tyranny of nature permits it not: for it requires necessary food.
But mark, I pray you, how even in things that are bodily, that which is spiritualabounds. For it is neither for riches, nor for delicate living, nor for costly raiment, nor for any other such thing, but for bread only, that He has commanded us to make our prayer. And for daily bread,
so as not to take thought for the morrow.
Matthew 6:34 Because of this He added, daily bread,
that is, bread for one day.
And not even with this expression is He satisfied, but adds another too afterwards, saying, Give us this day;
so that we may not, beyond this, wear ourselves out with the care of the following day. For that day, theinterval before which you know not whether you shall see, wherefore do you submit to its cares?
This, as He proceeded, he enjoined also more fully, saying, Take no thought for the morrow.
He would have us be on every hand unencumbered and winged for flight, yielding just so much to nature as the compulsion ofnecessity requires of us.
9. Then forasmuch as it comes to pass that we sin even after the washing of regeneration, He, showing Hislove to man to be great even in this case, commands us for the remission of our sins to come unto God wholoves man, and thus to say,
Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
Do you see surpassing mercy? After taking away so great evils, and after the unspeakable greatness of Hisgift, if men sin again, He counts them such as may be forgiven. For that this prayer belongs to believers, is taught us both by the laws of the church, and by the beginning of the prayer. For the uninitiated could not callGod Father. If then the prayer belongs to believers, and they pray, entreating that sins may be forgiven them, it is clear that not even after the laver is the profit of repentance taken away. Since, had He not meant tosignify this, He would not have made a law that we should so pray. Now He who both brings sins toremembrance, and bids us ask forgiveness, and teaches how we may obtain remission and so makes the way easy; it is perfectly clear that He introduced this rule of supplication, as knowing, and signifying, that it is possible even after the font to wash ourselves from our offenses; by reminding us of our sins, persuading us to be modest; by the command to forgive others, setting us free from all revengeful passion; while by promising in return for this to pardon us also, He holds out good hopes, and instructs us to have high viewsconcerning the unspeakable mercy of God toward man.
But what we should most observe is this, that whereas in each of the clauses He had made mention of the whole of virtue, and in this way had included also the forgetfulness of injuries (for so, that His name behallowed,
is the exactness of a perfect conversation; and that His will be done,
declares the same thing again: and to be able to call God Father,
is the profession of a blameless life; in all which things had been comprehended also the duty of remitting our anger against them that have transgressed): still He was notsatisfied with these, but meaning to signify how earnest He is in the matter, He sets it down also in particular, and after the prayer, He makes mention of no other commandment than this, saying thus:
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you.
Matthew 6:14
So that the beginning is of us, and we ourselves have control over the judgment that is to be passed upon us. For in order that no one, even of the senseless, might have any complaint to make, either great or small, when brought to judgment; on you, who art to give account, He causes the sentence to depend; and in what way soever you have judged for yourself, in the same,
says He, do I also judge you.
And if you forgive your fellow servant, you shall obtain the same favor from me; though indeed the one be not equal to the other. For you forgive in your need, but God, having need of none: thou, your fellow slave; God, His slave: thou liable to unnumbered charges; God, being without sin. But yet even thus does He show forth His lovingkindnesstowards man.
Since He might indeed, even without this, forgive you all your offenses; but He wills you hereby also to receive a benefit; affording you on all sides innumerable occasions of gentleness and love to man, casting out what is brutish in you, and quenching wrath, and in all ways cementing you to him who is your own member.
For what can you have to say? That you have wrongfully endured some ill of your neighbor? (For these only are trespasses, since if it be done with justice, the act is not a trespass.) But you too are drawing near to receive forgiveness for such things, and for much greater. And even before the forgiveness, you have received no small gift, in being taught to have a human soul, and in being trained to all gentleness. And herewith a great reward shall also be laid up for you elsewhere, even to be called to account for none of your offenses.
What sort of punishment then do we not deserve, when after having received the privilege, we betray oursalvation? And how shall we claim to be heard in the rest of our matters, if we will not, in those which depend on us, spare our own selves?
10. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from the evil one: for Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Here He teaches us plainly our own vileness, and quells our pride, instructing us to deprecate all conflicts, instead of rushing upon them. For so both our victory will be more glorious, and the devil’s overthrow more to be derided. I mean, that as when we are dragged forth, we must stand nobly; so when we are not summoned, we should be quiet, and wait for the time of conflict; that we may show both freedom from vainglory, and nobleness of spirit.
And He here calls the devil the wicked one,
commanding us to wage against him a war that knows no truce, and implying that he is not such by nature. For wickedness is not of those things that are from nature, but of them that are added by our own choice. And he is so called pre-eminently, by reason of the excess of hiswickedness, and because he, in no respect injured by us, wages against us implacable war. Wherefore neither said He, deliver us from the wicked ones,
but, from the wicked one;
instructing us in no case to entertain displeasure against our neighbors, for what wrongs soever we may suffer at their hands, but to transfer our enmity from these to him, as being himself the cause of all our wrongs.
Having then made us anxious as before conflict, by putting us in mind of the enemy, and having cut away from us all our remissness; He again encourages and raises our spirits, by bringing to our remembrance the King under whom we are arrayed, and signifying Him to be more powerful than all. For Yours,
says He, is thekingdom, and the power, and the glory.
Does it not then follow, that if His be the kingdom, we should fear no one, since there can be none to withstand, and divide the empire with him. For when He says, Yours is the kingdom,
He sets before us even him, who is warring against us, brought into subjection, though he seem to oppose, God for a while permitting it. For in truth he too is among God’s servants, though of the degraded class, and those guilty of offense; and he would not dare set upon any of his fellow servants, had he not first received license from above. And why say I, his fellow servants?
Not even against swine did he venture any outrage, until He Himself allowed him;Luke 8:32 nor against flocks, nor herds, until he had received permission from above. Job 1:12
And the power,
says He. Therefore, manifold as your weakness may be, you may of right be confident, having such a one to reign over you, who is able fully to accomplish all, and that with ease, even by you.
And the glory, for ever. Amen.
Thus He not only frees you from the dangers that are approaching you, but can make you also glorious and illustrious. For as His power is great, so also is His glory unspeakable, and they are all boundless, and no end of them. Do you see how He has by every means anointed His Champion, and has framed Him to be full of confidence?
https://stteklehaimanotottawa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/our-father-for-mahiber.pdf
The work entitled the “Praise of Mary”, written by St. Ephrem the Syrian, is a composition which is divided up into sections corresponding to each day of the week. The work delves deep into the story of love and the salvation of mankind, as well as the incarnation of the Godhead and the wonders of the virgin mother of Jesus Christ.
Below you can find the links to the prayer for each individual day
Monday (Praise of Mary)
God, wished to free Adam, whose heart was sad and sorrowful, and bring him back to his former state. Ask for us Holy.
From a virgin, without the seed of man, he was born in the flesh and saved us. God passed judgement upon Eve, the one who the serpent deceived, by saying “I will multiply greatly your pain and suffering”. He loved mankind and therefore set her free. Ask for us Holy.
The Word who became man and dwelt among us is Jesus Christ. We saw his glory, just like he was the only-begotten of the father. He pleased to forgive us. Ask for us Holy.
The prophet Isaiah, through the Holy Spirit, saw the mystery of Emmanuel. Because of this he cried out saying, “A child is born unto us, a Son is given unto us”. Ask for us Holy
O mankind, rejoice and be glad. God has loved the world and given over his only Son so that all who believe in him may have everlasting life. The Most High has sent to us his arm. Ask for us Holy.
The word Jesus Christ, who was, who is, who came and who will come again, without change became incarnate. The one Son was without separation in all his works. Indeed, the word of God, Divinity, is one being. Ask for us Holy.
The city of the prophets, O Bethlehem, rejoice. For in thee, the second Adam, Christ, was born in order to return the former Adam from earth into paradise; in order to destroy his judgement of death saying “O Adam, you were earth so you will return to earth”. Whereupon, much sin is present, the grace of God is plentiful. Ask for us Holy.
The souls of all men rejoice, are glad and glorify Christ the king, with the angles, crying out and saying; “Glory to God in the heavens, and peace on earth; his goodwill towards mankind”. He has abolished the curse of old and toppled the plot of the Enemy. For Adam and for Eve, he has torn their bills of indictment. He who was born in the city of David, our saviour, Jesus Christ, has set free Adam and Eve. Ask for us Holy.
You, the true light who shines for all mankind living in the world, because of your love for mankind, you came into this world, and all creation rejoiced at your coming. You saved Adam from his error, and set free Eve from the suffering of death. And you gave us the spirit from which we shall be born. We blessed you with your angles. Ask for us Holy.
Tuesday (Praise of Mary)
The crown of our glory and the origin of our salvation and the foundation of our sanctification happened by the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to the Word of God for us. He became man for our salvation. After becoming man, with certainty he was God; for this reason she gave birth to him, being a Virgin. Marvellous, is the power of her giving birth, which cannot be described. Ask for us Holy.
By his own will and the goodwill of his Father and the Holy Spirit, He came and saved us. Great, is the praise of your virginity; O Mary thou absolute virgin, you received favour, God was with you. You are the ladder Jacob saw, which stretched from the earth to the heavens, and the angels of God ascended and descended upon it. Ask for us Holy.
You are the bush seen by Moses which flamed with fire but was not consumed. It was the son of God who came and dwelt within your womb; and the fire of his divinity didn’t consume your flesh. Ask for us Holy.
You are the field wherein no seed was sowed, and yet from you came the fruit of life. You are the treasure-chest which Joseph bought and received from within a precious gem which was our saviour Jesus Christ. You carried him and brought him forth into the world. Ask for us Holy.
Rejoice, O mother of the Lord, the joy of the angels. Rejoice, O pure one, you were the news of the prophets . Rejoice, you have received favour, God is with you. Rejoice, you have received the word of the angel, the joy of all the world. Rejoice, O mother of the creator, of the whole world.
Rejoice, you have justly been called the mother of God. Rejoice, O saviour of Eve. Rejoice, you nurtured the one who nurtures all creation. Rejoice, O holy, mother of all living beings, we lift our eyes to you that you may ask on our behalf. Ask for us Holy.
O Virgin, O Holy, O mother of the Lord, you gave birth to the King for us. A marvellous mystery dwelt upon you, for our salvation. We will stay quiet because we aren’t able to search into the matter completely, as the greatness of it requires, and will be able to describe the Performer of good things, through the wonder of the manifestation. Ask for us Holy.
The word of the living father descended upon mount Sinai, and gave the law to Moses, and covered the mountain in mist and smoke, in darkness and storm, and with the sound of trumpets. He admonished those standing in fear. Ask for us Holy.
He descended to you. O mount rational, in humility the lover of mankind became man within you. Without change, he took a perfect flesh, endowed with reason like ourselves. Through the spirit of wisdom, God dwelt upon you, became perfect man to save and forgive the sin of Adam, allowing him to sit in heaven and return him to his former state through his great compassion and mercy. Ask for us Holy.
It is impossible to describe the greatness of the Virgin. For God has chosen, come, and dwelt upon her. He who dwells in light, whom none can approach, was carried in your womb for 9 months; the invisible, the incomprehensible, did Mary, the Virgin, bring forth. Ask for us Holy.
This is the stone which the prophet Daniel saw; fashioned from a high mountain without hands. This is the word, who went forth from the father, became incarnate from the Virgin without the seed of man, and saved us. Ask for us Holy.
You became a pure twig and a vessel of faith. The true faith of the saints our fathers. O pure mother of God, the sealed virgin, for us you brought forth the word of the Father Jesus Christ who came for our salvation. Ask for us Holy.
You are the mother of the glorious light, mother of God; you carried the invisible Word. After you gave birth to him, you were a virgin; with praise and blessing they will magnify you. Ask for us Holy.
What tongue is able to speak that which is to be declared of you. O pure virgin, mother of the Word of the Father, you became the throne of the King whom the Cherubim carry. O blessed, we praise you and remember your name from generation unto generation. O beautiful dove, mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ask for us Holy.
Rejoice, O Mary, mother and maid. He who is in thy bosom is praised by angels. The Cherubim bow to him in fear and the Seraphim, without ceasing, spread our their wings, and cry saying “This is the King of Glory”. He came and forgave the sins of the world, with his great compassion. Ask for us Holy.
Wednesday (Praise of Mary)
All the hosts of heaven say you are blessed; the second heaven on earth. The east gate, Mary the virgin, the pure bride-chamber of the Holy bridegroom. The father searched from the heavens and found none like you. He sent his only One, and he became incarnate within you. Ask for us Holy.
All generations praise you, our only Lady, the mother of God. Great and marvellous things were prophesied about you; O city of God, you became the dwelling place of those who rejoice. All the kings of the earth walk in your light and all the nations in your rays. O Mary, all generations called you blessed and worship the one born of you and also magnify him. Ask for us Holy.
You are the true cloud, which showed us the rain water. The Father made you the sign of the only begotten; the Holy Spirit dwelt upon you, and the power of the most High overshadowed you. O Mary, you truly gave birth to the Word, the son of the Father, who was for all ages, came and saved us from our sins. Great is the honour given to you; O Gabriel, the angel, with a joyful face you brought the good news, and preached to us the birth of the Lord, who came to us. And you announced to Mary, the virgin, without blemish, and you said to her “Rejoice, O full of grace, God is with you. Ask for us Holy.
You received grace, the Holy Spirit dwelt upon you, and the power of the most High overshadowed you. O Mary, truly you have given birth to the Holy one; the saviour of the whole world, who came and saved us. Ask for us Holy.
The works of the virgin, our tongues glorify today. We praise Mary, the mother of God, through who, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ was born in the city of David. Come all nations, let’s give praise to Mary, she has become a mother and virgin at once. Rejoice, O pure virgin, within who there is no blemish; the Word of the Father came and was incarnate from you. Rejoice, O vessel, without blemish, perfect and spotless woman. Rejoice, O garden of reason, you became the dwelling place of Christ; He became the second Adam because of the first Adam, the man. Rejoice, O woman, who gave birth to the Only-begotten, who went forth from the bosom of his Father, without change. Rejoice, O pure bride-chamber, you are decked in all wisdom of glory; he came and was incarnate from you. Rejoice, O bush (Patos), who the fire of the Godhead did not consume. Rejoice, O maid and mother, virgin and the second heaven; who carried, in flesh, the Heavenly, who is carried upon Cherubim. Due to this, we rejoice, and we sing, along with the Holy angels. In joy and gladness we say, “glory to God in the heavens, and peace upon earth and his goodwill towards mankind”, because He to whom belongs glory and praise is pleased with you. Ask for us Holy.
From all the saints, the glory of Mary is greatest; she has been found worthy to receive the Word of the Father, who the watchful angels fear and give thanks to in heaven. In her womb, the virgin Mary carried him. She is greater than the Cherubim and superior to the Seraphim; for she became the ark for One from the Holy Trinity. She is Jerusalem, the city of the prophets, the dwelling-place of the joy of the saints. A great light has shined upon all the people who were in darkness, and the shadow of death. God who rests in his holiness, became incarnate from a virgin, for our salvation. Come and see this marvel and sing a song regarding this mystery revealed for us; He who isn’t man, became man. The word has unified [with our nature] and he who has no beginning, became before. He who has no days, days occurred for him. He who can’t be known, became revealed. He who is invisible, became visible. The son of the living God became man without question, Jesus Christ, yesterday, today and forever; one nature, him do we worship and praise. Ask for us Holy.
Ezekiel, the prophet, testified about her saying, “I see a sealed door in the east, sealed with a great and wonderful seal, and no one, except the Lord of the mighty, has gone in through it: gone into and come out of it.” Ask for us Holy.
This door is the virgin, who gave birth for us our saviour. After giving birth, she was still in her virginity as before. Blessed is the fruit of your womb. O mother of the Lord who came and saved us from the hand of the merciless enemy. You are complete and blessed. You received favour with the King of Glory, truly God. For you is due majesty and glory from all who dwell upon earth; the Word of the Father has come and become incarnate from you. He walked with men. He is merciful and a lover of men; our saviour of our souls through his Holy coming. Ask for us Holy.
Thursday (Praise of Mary)
The bush that Moses saw flaming with fire in the desert, the wood of which was not consumed, is a similitude of Mary, the spotless virgin. Incarnate within her, was the Word of the Father and the fire of the Godhead did not consume the virgin. After giving birth, her virginity was maintained and his Godhead was unchanged. He became truly a born man. The true God came and saved us. Ask for us Holy.
We magnify you, O our mother, mother of God. May your compassion be upon us all. Our object of boast, Virgin Mary mother of God, through you was destroyed the previous curse, which was upon our race due to the wickedness committed by the women when she ate from the tree. Through Eve the gates of heaven were shut; and through the virgin Mary they were once again opened. He gave to us to eat from the tree of life; that is the flesh of Christ, and his precious blood. Through his love for us, he came and saved us. What understanding, and what language, and whose ears are able to comprehend this marvellous mystery, which is proclaimed about him. God is the lover of men. One is He alone, the Word of the Father, who lived before ages in his incorruptible divinity from one, the Father, He came and was incarnate, the Only-begotten, from his Holy mother. After giving birth, her virginity did not change. And because of this it became manifest that she was the bearer of God. O deep is the richness of the wisdom of God. The womb which he decreed should bring forth children in pain, and suffering, and sorrow of heart, has become the fountain of life. It has given birth, without the seed of man, to the one who removed the curse from our race. And because of this we praise him saying “Glory be to you the lover of men; Good and the saviour of our souls. Ask for us Holy.
O how wonderful and amazing in power was the womb of the Virgin, which gave birth to God without seed. About this the angel appeared to Joseph and said “He who is born from her, is of the Holy Spirit”. The Word of God became incarnate without change; Mary gave birth to him a second time. He who rejoiced said You shall bring forth a Son and shall call His name Emmanuel, which is being interpreted, “God is with us”. Moreover, he shall be called Jesus, who shall save his people from their sins. May he save us by his power and forgive our sins; we have known that he is God who became man. To him praise is due forever. O how marvellous is the birth of God from Mary, from the Holy virgin, who contained the Word, whose birth was not preceded by seed. Her virginity was not destroyed by His birth. From the Father, came forth the Word, without weariness and from the the Virgin He was born without pain. Wise men worshipped Him, brought incense because he is God, and gold because he is King and myrrh for his death; life-giving, for our sake and by his own will, he accepted. One is alone Good and the lover of men. Ask for us Holy.
O how marvellous! He took a rib from the side of Adam, and made a woman from it. And all of creation of the children of men was given to God, the Word of the Father, who became incarnate from the Holy Virgin and is called Emmanuel. And because of this we beseech her at all times to strive on our behalf to her beloved Son. She is good to all the saints and the high priests because she has brought forth for them that which they waited for. And for the prophets she brought forth the one who they prophesied about and for the apostles, she gave birth to for them the one in whose name they preached in all directions of the world. For the martyrs and believers, for them came Whom they were to fight for, Jesus Christ. The richness of his grace and wisdom cannot be fathomed. We will search after the greatness of his compassion, for he came and saved us. Ask for us Holy.
God swore to David in righteousness, and He will not repent; “From the fruit of your belly. I will seat upon your throne.” And when this righteous man received it from Him, that Christ was to be born of him in the flesh, he wished to seek out and prepare a dwelling-place for God, the Word of the Father. And he completed it with great effort after which he cried out in the Spirit saying “Behold, we have heard it in Ephrata”; which is the dwelling-place of the God of Jacob, Bethlehem, in which Emmanuel has chosen to be born in flesh for our salvation. Again, one from amongst the prophets, said “and you Bethlehem, land of Ephrata, are not lesser than the Kings of Judea because from within you, came forth the King, who protects his people, Israel”. O how deep is this thing, which they prophesied for Him in one Spirit, for Christ, to whom glory is due with his Good Father and Holy Spirit now and forever. Ask for us Holy.
David reigned over Israel. When his enemies revolted upon him, he wished to drink water from the pool of Bethlehem. There quickly, the captains of the hosts arose and waged war in the camp of the rebels and brought him the water which he wished to drink. And when this righteous man saw that they had willingly given themselves over to slaughter for this sake, he poured out the water and did not drink of it, and righteousness was accounted unto him for ever. Truly, as such the martyrs have rejected the desire of this world, and poured out their blood for God, and have endured bitter death for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Have compassion upon us according to the greatness of Your compassion. Ask for us Holy.
One of the Holy Trinity saw our low estate; bowed the heavens, came and dwelt in the womb of the Virgin and became man, like us with the exception of sin alone. And he was born in Bethlehem, according to what the prophets preached. He saved us and redeemed us and made us his own people. Ask for us Holy.
Friday (Praise of Mary)
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of you womb. O Mary, virgin, God-bearer, without blemish. From you, the Sun of righteousness has risen for us and drawn us near; under his wings, for He has created us. Ask for us Holy.
O, our mother, God-bearer, mother of light, you we exalt with glory and praise. You are blessed, greater than the heavens and glorified from the earth and above all conscience. Who is able to declare your greatness? And none can be compared with you. O Mary, angels exalt you and the Seraphim glorify you because He who sits upon Cherubim and Seraphim, came and dwelt within your womb. The love of mankind drew us to Himself. The death which was with us, He removed; the life which was with him, He gave to us. To Him belong glory and praise. Ask for us Holy.
Blessed are you Mary and blessed is the fruit of your womb. O Virgin, God-bearer, the glory of virgins. He who existed before the world, became incarnate within you. The Ancient of times, came out from your womb and took our flesh. And He gave us His Holy Spirit and made us chosen like Him through his abundant goodness. You are greater than many women who have received grace and honour. O Mary, God-bearer, the spiritual city, upon you, dwelt the most-high God. He who sits upon Cherubim and Seraphim, with your hand your grasped. And He who feeds all flesh through His abundant goodness has taken your breast and sucked milk. He is our God and Saviour. He will shepherd us all for ever. Let us worship and praise Him because he created us. Ask for us Holy.
Mary the virgin is the vessel of priceless ointment, the spring of the water of life. The fruit of her womb saved the whole world and abolished from us the cruse. He made peace between us through His cross and His holy resurrection. He has returned mankind back into paradise. Ask for us Holy.
Mary, pure virgin, believed-upon God-bearer, asks for compassion for the children of mankind. Ask for us, to Christ, your son so that He may forgive our sins. Ask for us Holy.
Mary the virgin cried out in the temple and said “God knows that I know on one and nothing other than the sound of the voice of the angel, who brought me glad-tidings with honour and said to me “Peace be to you, O Holy virgin. You will carry that which can’t be carried, contain that which can’t be contained”. Your praise is abundant. O full of grace in all respects, you became the dwelling-place of the Word of the Father. You are the extensive curtain which gathers the believers, the Christians, and instructs them to worship the life-giving Trinity. You are the one who brought-forth the pillar of fire which Moses saw, which is the Son of God who came and dwelt within your womb. You became the ark of the Creator of heaven and earth; you carried Him for 9 months in your womb. You were believed upon by He who heaven and earth cannot contain. You became the ladder for the ascent into heaven. Your light is greater than the light of the sun. You are east from where the brilliant star came out of. Saints look upon you with joy and gladness. He decreed upon Eve “Bring forth in pain and suffering”. But you Mary heard the saying “Rejoice, O full of grace. You have brought forth for us, the King, Lord of all creation”, who came and saved us. He is compassionate and the Lover of men. Because of this, we praise you, as Gabriel the angel saying “blessed are you Mary and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Rejoice, O full of grace, God is with you.” Ask for us Holy.
Saturday (Praise of Mary)
Pure, blessed and holy in all, you carried the Lord in your hand. And all creation rejoiced with you, crying out saying … Ask for us Holy.
Rejoice, O full of grace. Rejoice, you have received favor. Rejoice, God is with you. We are amazed at your greatness, O awesome virgin. We give you joy with the angel Gabirel because the fruit of your womb has become the salvation of our race and has brought us closer to God his Father. Ask for us Holy.
Like a wedding, without blemish, the Holy Spirit dwelt upon you and the power of the Most High overshadowed you. O Mary, truly, you brought forth, the Word of the Father, who exists forever. He came and saved us from sin. Ask for us Holy.
You are the person from the root of David. You gave birth, for us, in flesh, to our savior Jesus Christ. The only Word, from the Father, who was before the world, hid himself and took upon himself the form of a servant. Ask for us Holy.
You became the second heaven on earth. O mother of God without blemish, out of you, for us, came forth the Sun of righteousness. And you brought him forth according to the prophecy of the prophets, without seed and without defilement. Ask for us Holy.
You are the tabernacle called Holy of Holies. And within you was the ark covered in gold everywhere and within it the tablets of the covenant. The pot of gold of the hidden manna who is the Son of God who came and dwelt with the Virgin Mary. Without defilement he was incarnate from her and the Word of the Father was born into the world. The glorious King came and saved us. Paradise rejoiced as the rational Lamb, Son of the Father, who dwells forever, came and saved us from sin. Ask for us Holy.
You were called the Mother of Christ the King. After giving birth to Him, you continued in your virginity. In a marvelous mystery you gave birth to Emmanuel. And because of this you preserved yourself without change. Ask for us Holy.
You are the ladder that Jacob saw, upon which was God. You carried in your sealed womb the Unknown in all ways. You became for us an intercessor to our Lord Jesus Christ, who was incarnate within you for our salvation. Ask for us Holy.
Behold, the Lord came from you. O blessed and pure chamber, to save the whole world,which He created, with his abundant mercy. We praise and glorify as He is Good and the Lover of men. Ask for us Holy.
Rejoice, O full of grace, virgin without defilement. Pure vessel, glory of the world, light which will never be extinguished, temple which will never be overthrown, rod of faith which will never change, support of the saints, ask for us to your Good Son, Our Savior so that He may have mercy and compassion upon us and forgive our sins. Ask for us Holy.
Sunday (Praise of Mary)
You were called Beloved, O blessed of women. You are the second chamber called Holy of Holies and within you is the tablet of the covenant. The ten commandments were written by the fingers of God. Before, He, made known to us by “Yawta (ie. Iota), which is the first name [letter of name] of our savior Jesus Christ who was incarnate within you without change. And He became the mediator of the new testament. By the shedding of his Holy blood He cleansed the believers and the pure. Ask for us Holy.
And because of this we all magnify you, O our Lady, mother of God, pure always, we beseech you and lift our eyes upon you so that we may receive mercy from the Lover of men. You are the ark, covered in gold on all sides, made of wood that never perishes which foreshadowed for us the word of God who became man without separation or change of the Deity. Pure, without change, He exists with the Father and announced to the pure. Without seed, he became like us, with his mighty wisdom, Holy became incarnate within you. Without corruption He added His Divinity. Ask for us Holy.
Daily Prayer (ዘወትር ፀሎት)
Daily prayer consists of praise, thanksgiving, a confession of our beliefs in the creed, it includes the Lord’s prayer along with Hail Mary, as well as the all too famous “my soul magnifies the Lord”. As its title suggests it is prayed daily by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and the prayers within it are used often in many other church services making it a foundational prayer for all Christians.