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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.

See also