Independence Day - May God Bless America

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine Liturgy. - Prayer of Thanksgiving:  We, Thy thankful and unworthy servants, praise and glorify Thee, O Lord, for Thy great benefits which we have received; we bless Thee, we thank Thee, we sing to Thee and we magnify Thy great goodness, and in lowliness and love we hymn Thee:  O Benefactor and Saviour, glory to Thee.  

Sunday Divine Liturgy - Prayer:   Thou art the fulness of all blessings, O my Christ; fill my soul with joy and gladness, and save me for Thou alone art the most merciful.

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine Liturgy - Prayer at the start of every day:    O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace. Help me in all things to rely upon Thy Holy will. In every hour of the day reveal Thy will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that come to me throughout the day with peace of soul, and with firm conviction that Thy will governs all. In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events let me not forget that all are sent by Thee. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray. Amen.

Sunday Divine Liturgy observing Great Prince Vladimir (Holy Day July 15)  - Holy Prince Vladimir,  you were like a merchant in search of fine pearls. By sending servants to Constantinople for the Orthodox Faith, you found Christ, the priceless pearl. He appointed you to be another Paul, washing away in baptism your physical and spiritual blindness.  We celebrate your memory, asking you to pray for all Orthodox Christians and for us, your spiritual children.  (Troparion Tone  4)

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine Liturgy - Today is the Holy Day commemorating Holy Prophet Elijah - "An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets, the second forerunner of the coming of Christ,  Glorious Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha,  to dispel diseases and to cleanse lepers.  Therefore, he pours forth healings on those who honor him."  (Troparion Tone 4)

Sunday Divine Liturgy observing Prophert Elijah  -  Today is Prophet Ezekiel Commemoration - "The memory of Your prophet Ezekiel, We celebrate today, O Lord.  By his prayers, we beseech You,  O Christ God, save our souls!"   (Troparion Tone 2)

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine Liturgy - Prayer:  We, unworthy recipients of Thy benefits and gifts, as unprofitable servants dare to turn to Thee, O Master, bringing Thee thanks and glorifying and hymning Thee, the Benefactor and Creator: glory to Thee, O most bountiful God.

Sunday Divine Liturgy - "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.  Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.  Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."    (Rom. 12:14-20)