What happens at the all-night vigil?translated

Continued. Starts at No. 12 (668) and No. 14 (670) 2026.

The darkness that fell in the church reminds us of the night when Christ came to earth. The reading of the special six psalms—six psalms—is preceded by the singing of a small doxology: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

This is the song of the angels, which, according to the Gospel of Luke (chapter 2, verse 14), sounded at the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.

“Lord, open my mouth, and my mouth will declare your praise” - words from the 50th psalm of the king and prophet David. The meaning of these words should be understood as follows: “My lips are now sealed with sin. Having received remission of sins, I will not remain silent, but will testify to You, sing and glorify Your mercies, O Lord.”

The Six Psalms is one of the most important parts of the service, consisting of six selected psalms of a special penitential nature:

Psalm 3 “Lord, who has multiplied…” Psalm 37 “Lord, let not wrath...” Psalm 62 “O God, my God, to You in the morning” Psalm 87 “O Lord God of my salvation” Psalm 102 “Bless the Lord, O my soul” Psalm 142 “Lord, hear my prayer.”

According to abbot Silouan (Tumanov), “reading is so...