Litany of Fervent Supplication
This article forms part of the series on the Divine Liturgy | |
Liturgy of the Preparation | |
Proskomedia Liturgical objects Vestments | |
Liturgy of the Word | |
Great Litany Antiphons Little Entrance Troparion Thrice-Holy Hymn Epistle Gospel Homily Litany of Fervent Supplication Litany for the Departed Litany of the Catechumens | |
Liturgy of the Eucharist | |
Cherubic Hymn Great Entrance Litany of the Completion Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed Anaphora Epiclesis Megalynarion Lord's Prayer Communion Dismissal Antidoron | |
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Unlike the Great Litany, in which petitions are for the whole world, all groups of people in all places, in the Litany of Fervent Supplication the petitions are specifically for people who, either directly or indirectly, are involved in the local church community: the ruling bishop(s), clergy, the civil authorities & armed forces, brother and sister parishioners, the departed of the community, and all who labor for the well-being of the Church. The unique three-fold Lord have mercy responses give this litany its Fervent title, and therefore it is sometimes known as the "Triple Litany."
The Litany of Fervent Supplication begins by asking God for mercy:
- "Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy."
Next, the petitions mention specific members of the community:
- the ruling bishop(s)
- the civil authorities and armed forces
- the members of the local community
- the departed members of the local community
- those who labor for the health of the local community
The exclamation (doxology) glorifies the "merciful God" which "loves mankind."
Divine Liturgy
After the Gospel reading (and sermon), the Litany of Fervent Supplication is augmented with two petitions, thus becoming the Augmented Litany.
Vespers
At Daily Vespers the Litany of Fervent Supplication is found at the end of the service, but at Great Vespers or All-Night Vigil it follows the Prokeimenon (or Old Testament readings, if appointed), and is also augmented with two petitions as at the Divine Liturgy.
Matins
At Daily Matins the Litany of Fervent Supplication is found at the end of the service, but at Resurrectional (Sunday) or Festal Matins it precedes the "morning" Litany of Supplication near the end of the service.