These outlines list in sequence the fixed portions of vespers.
See also the tables giving information about the variable portions of the service.
| Numbering of Psalms
in this chart follows the
Septuagint numbering | GREAT VESPERS AT A VIGIL | GREAT VESPERS NOT AT A VIGIL | DAILY VESPERS | Rubrical and other comments |
| (Censing) | significance of the censing | |||
| Blessing by priest | Glory to the holy, consubstantial ... | Blessed is our God ... | Blessed is our God ... | learn more |
| Opening prayers | Glory to You ... O heavenly King… Holy God … (etc.) Our Father ... | Glory to You ... O heavenly King.. Holy God … (etc.) Our Father ... |
Omitted
if service was immediately preceded by 9th hour or little vespers
learn more | |
| Call to worship (cf. Psa. 94) | Come let us worship God our King ... | Come let us worship God our King ... | Come let us worship God our King ... | |
| Introductory Psalm (Psa. 103) | Bless the Lord, O my soul ... | Bless the Lord, O my soul ... | Bless the Lord, O my soul ... | Theological theme: CREATION Celebrant reads prayers of light |
| Great Litany (Ectenia) | In peace let us pray to the Lord ... | In peace let us pray to the Lord ... | In peace let us pray to the Lord ... | Other names: Litany of Peace and “Prayer of the Church” |
| Psalter reading | Blessed is the man ... (first kathisma) | Blessed is the man ... (first kathisma) | Appointed kathisma for the day, if any | learn more |
| Small Litany (Ectenia) | Again and again in peace ... | Again and again in peace ... | Again and again in peace ... | Omitted when there is no preceding Psalter reading |
| Pss 140,141,129,116 with hymns learn more | Lord, I call ... | Lord, I call ... | Lord, I call ... | Theological theme: FALL |
| (Entrance with censer) | (Entrance with censer) | learn more | ||
| Evening hymn learn more | O Gladsome Light ... | O Gladsome Light ... | O Gladsome Light ... | Theological theme: REDEMPTION |
| Prokeimenon of the day | Prokeimenon of the day | Prokeimenon of the day | learn more | |
| Three Scripture lessons | Three Scripture lessons | Lessons are prescribed for some days, and not for others | ||
| Augmented Litany | Let us all say ... | Let us all say ... | learn more | |
| Evening Prayer | Vouchsafe, O Lord… | Vouchsafe, O Lord ... | Vouchsafe, O Lord ... | new liturgical day |
| Evening Litany | Let us complete our evening prayer ... | Let us complete our evening prayer ... | Let us complete our evening prayer ... | |
| learn more | Litya | Litya | Served at the narthex or before the church. | |
| Aposticha | Aposticha | Aposticha | Hymns of the Aposticha | |
| Song of Symeon Luke 2:29-32 | Lord, now you let your servant ... | Lord, now you let your servant ... | Lord, now you let your servant .. | Theological theme: ESCHATON |
| Trisagion prayers | Holy God ... Our Father … Amen. | Holy God ... Our Father … Amen. | Holy God ... Our Father … Amen. | |
| Dismissal Troparia | Dismissal Troparia | Dismissal Troparia | Order of the Troparia | |
| Blessing of bread, wheat, wine, oil | Blessing of bread, wheat, wine, oil | Learn more | ||
| Litany of Fervent Supplication | Have mercy on us, O God ... | Learn more | ||
| Psalm 112:2 | Blessed be the name ... (thrice) | Blessed be the name … (thrice)Wisdom! Father, bless! | Wisdom! Father, bless! | |
| Psalm 33:1-10 | I will bless the Lord at all times ... | Learn more | ||
| Blessing by priest | The blessing of the Lord ... | Christ our God, the existing ... | Christ our God, the existing ... | |
| [Reading of the six psalms of matins (orthros) ] | Prayer for Orthodox Christians | Prayer for Orthodox Christians | ||
| Concluding dialogue | Concluding dialogue | |||
| Dismissal by priest | Dismissal by priest | |||
Ranking of feasts and their liturgical observance, with special attention to vespers