The Rule (Ustav) Concerning the Psalter
From the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
From December 20 Until January 14
From January 15 Until the Saturday Before the Sunday of the Prodigal Son
During the Two Weeks of Meatfare and Cheesefare
On the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, and on Meatfare and Cheesefare Sundays
From the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross Until Cheesefare Sunday
Rules Concerning the Psalter During Great Lent
Instructions Concerning the Kathismas of the Fifth Week of Great Lent
A Note on the Spirit of the Rule – Concluding Exhortation
How One Ought to Begin the Psalter When Reading Alone
A Prayer of the Reader Before the Psalter
How the Psalter Ought to Be Read
On Reading with Reverence
A Word of Consolation
A Prayer After Completing the Psalter
Final Exhortation
How the Psalter Ought to Be Chanted Throughout the Year
This rule sets forth how the Psalter is to be chanted throughout the year, from the Sunday of Antipascha (Thomas Sunday) until the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.
The recitation of the Psalter is begun as follows.
On Saturday of Bright Week, in the evening, the First Kathisma, Blessed is the Man, is recited.
On Sunday, at Matins, the Second and Third Kathismas are recited.
However, on this Sunday the Seventeenth Kathisma is not recited, since nothing from the Resurrection service is sung. On all other Sundays throughout the year, the Seventeenth Kathisma is recited at Matins.
On Sunday evening, the Psalter is never recited throughout the year.
If a feast day falls on a Sunday, then Blessed is the Man, the First Antiphon, is sung.
On Monday, at Matins, the Fourth and Fifth Kathismas are recited.
At Vespers, the Sixth Kathisma.
On Tuesday, at Matins, the Seventh and Eighth Kathismas.
At Vespers, the Ninth Kathisma.
On Wednesday, at Matins, the Tenth and Eleventh Kathismas.
At Vespers, the Twelfth Kathisma.
On Thursday, at Matins, the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Kathismas.
At Vespers, the Fifteenth Kathisma.
On Friday, at Matins, the Nineteenth and Twentieth Kathismas.
At Vespers, the Eighteenth Kathisma.
On Saturday, at Matins, the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Kathismas.
The Midnight Office
At the Midnight Office, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, throughout the year, the Seventeenth Kathisma, Blessed are the undefiled, is always recited.
On Saturday, at the Midnight Office, the Ninth Kathisma, A hymn, O God, becometh Thee, is always recited.
From the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
(September 21) Until December 23
After the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, from the twenty-first day of September until the twenty-third day of December, the Psalter is recited as follows.
On Saturday, at Vespers, the First Kathisma, Blessed is the Man.
On Sunday, at Matins, the Second, Third, and Seventeenth Kathismas are recited.
The Polyeleos is also added, that is, the hymn of great mercy:
Psalm 134, Praise ye the Name of the Lord, and Psalm 135, Praise the Lord for He is good.
After these: Glory, both now, and Alleluia three times, with the same refrains.
If there is a feast of the Lord, or a feast of the Mother of God, or a saint’s feast celebrated on Sunday, then after Praise ye the Name of the Lord and Praise the Lord for He is good, Glory, Now and ever, Alleluia is not sung. Instead, the magnification of the feast and a chosen psalm are sung; and after the psalm, Glory, Now and ever, Alleluia is sung three times with the magnification of the feast.
On Monday after the Exaltation, at Matins, the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Kathismas.
At Vespers throughout the week, the Eighteenth Kathisma is recited.
On Tuesday, at Matins, the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Kathismas.
On Wednesday, the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Kathismas.
On Thursday, the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Kathismas.
On Friday, the Nineteenth and Twentieth Kathismas.
On Saturday, the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Kathismas.
When a feast day falls on a day during which three kathismata are appointed at Matins, then two kathismata are recited at Matins, and the third, the regular kathisma, is recited at Vespers.
As prescribed in the general Typikon, from the twenty-second day of September three kathismata are appointed at Matins. Here, however, this begins from the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross, which is more fitting, so that the Psalter begins on a Sunday. Whether that Sunday falls before or after the twentieth day, three kathismata are always begun on Sunday.
From December 20 Until January 14
Until the End of the Feast of Holy Theophany
From the twentieth day of December until the fourteenth day of January, the Psalter is again recited as on Thomas Sunday, with two kathismata at Matins, and the third, the regular kathisma, at Vespers.
From January 15 Until the Saturday Before the Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Again, three kathismata are recited at Matins, and at Vespers the Eighteenth Kathisma, In my trouble I cried to the Lord.
During the Two Weeks of Meatfare and Cheesefare
Two kathismata are recited at Matins, and the third, the regular kathisma, at Vespers, for the sake of the brethren’s rest.
On the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, and on Meatfare and Cheesefare Sundays
At Matins, after Praise ye the Name of the Lord and Praise the Lord for He is good, Psalm 136, Upon the rivers of Babylon, is also sung, with a beautiful Alleluia.
From the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross Until Cheesefare Sunday
Except during the forefeast and afterfeast of the Nativity of Christ and of Theophany, and except in the great cathedral church and other cathedral churches, on Sundays at Matins the Polyeleos – that is, “much mercy” – is sung, as also in the great and venerable monasteries.
Rules Concerning the Psalter During Great Lent
On the first, second, third, fourth, and sixth Sundays, the kathismata are arranged so that all are read in their proper order, and none are omitted.
On Saturday, at Vespers, the First Kathisma, Blessed is the Man.
On Sunday, at Matins, the Second, Third, and Seventeenth Kathismas.
On Monday, at Matins, the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Kathismas.
At the First Hour, no kathisma.
At the Hours, the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Kathismas.
At Vespers each day of these five days, the Eighteenth Kathisma, In my trouble I cried to the Lord.
On Tuesday, at Matins, the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Kathismas.
At the First Hour, the Thirteenth Kathisma.
At the Hours, the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Kathismas.
On Wednesday, at Matins, the Nineteenth, Twentieth, and First Kathismas.
At the First Hour, the Second Kathisma.
At the Hours, the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Kathismas.
On Thursday, at Matins, the Ninth Kathisma.
At the Hours, the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Kathismas.
On Friday, at Matins, the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Kathismas.
At the First Hour, no kathisma.
At the Hours, the Nineteenth and Twentieth Kathismas.
At the Ninth Hour, no kathisma.
On Saturday, at Matins, the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Kathismas.
Thus the order of the Psalter is fulfilled.
Instructions Concerning the Kathismas of the Fifth Week of Great Lent
On Saturday, at Vespers, the First Kathisma.
On Sunday, at Matins, the Second, Third, and Seventeenth Kathismas.
And at Vespers, there are no Kathismas.
On Monday, at Matins, the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Kathismas.
At the First Hour, there are no Kathismas.
At the Hours, the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Kathismas.
At Vespers, the Tenth Kathisma.
On Tuesday, at Matins, the Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Kathisma.
At the first hour, the Fourteenth Kathisma.
At the hours, the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Eighteenth Kathismas.
At Vespers, the Nineteenth Kathisma.
On Wednesday, at Matins, the Twentieth, First, and Second Kathismas.
At the first hour, the Third Kathisma.
At the hours, the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Kathismas.
At Vespers, the Seventh Kathisma.
On Thursday, at Matins, the Eighth Kathisma.
At the first hour, no Kathisma.
At the hours, the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Kathismas.
At Vespers, the Twelfth Kathisma.
On Friday, at Matins, the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Kathismas.
At the first hour, no Kathisma.
At the hours, the Nineteenth and Twentieth Kathismas.
At the ninth hour, no Kathisma.
At Vespers, the Eighteenth Kathisma.
And thus the Psalter service is completed.
Holy Week
It is necessary to know how the Psalter is recited during Holy Week. During this week the Psalter is recited only once in the church.
On Lazarus Saturday, at Vespers, the First Kathisma.
On Palm Sunday, at Matins, the Second and Third Kathismas.
On Monday, at Matins, the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Kathismas.
At the First Hour, no kathisma.
At the Hours, the Seventh and Eighth Kathismas.
At the Ninth Hour, no kathisma.
At Vespers, the Eighteenth Kathisma.
On Tuesday, at Matins, the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Kathismas.
At the First Hour, no kathisma.
At the Hours, the Twelfth and Thirteenth Kathismas.
At the Ninth Hour, no kathisma.
At Vespers, the Eighteenth Kathisma.
On Great Wednesday, at Matins, the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Kathismas.
At the First Hour, no kathisma.
At the Hours, the Nineteenth and Twentieth Kathismas.
At Vespers, the Eighteenth Kathisma, without prostrations.
Thus the Psalter is read until Thomas Sunday.
Only on Great Saturday, at Matins, the Seventeenth Kathisma is sung with refrains in three sections, as written in the selected psalms.
A Note on the Spirit of the Rule
It is fitting for the reader to understand that this rule is not given for oppression, but for instruction, so that the Psalter may be read with attention, compunction, and reverence.
One must not hasten, nor read without understanding, nor read with distraction, but with fear of God and humility.
Concluding Exhortation
Know therefore, brethren, how the Psalter is to be chanted, both in the Great Fast and throughout the whole year.
If you read alone, read with humility.
If you read in church, read with fear.
If you are weak, do not despair.
If you are strong, do not be proud.
For the Psalter is the voice of the Church, and by it the soul is taught repentance, thanksgiving, and hope of salvation.
The Conclusion of the Rule of the Psalter
How One Ought to Begin the Psalter When Reading Alone
If someone desires to begin reading the Psalter alone, let him first say:
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.
(Or, if one is a priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.)
Heavenly King, Comforter, True Spirit, Who art everywhere and fillest all, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and dwell within us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Trisvatoje
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. 3, with bows.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, forgive our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
(If there is no priest, say: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.)
Lord, have mercy. 12.
Come let us worship God our King. Bow.
Come let us worship Christ, our King and our God. Bow.
Come let us worship and fall down before the very Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God. Bow.
And then begin the Psalter.
A Prayer of the Reader Before the Psalter
Before beginning, let the reader say this prayer with compunction:
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
who hast given us these divinely inspired Psalms
through Thy servant David,
receive also the prayer of Thy unworthy servant.
Enlighten my mind, O Lord,
strengthen my heart,
and open my lips,
that I may worthily proclaim Thy praise.
Grant me understanding of the words I read,
that my soul may be healed,
my thoughts corrected,
and my heart cleansed from every evil passion.
For Thou art the Giver of wisdom
and the Enlightener of souls,
and to Thee we send up glory,
together with Thy Father who is without beginning,
and Thy most holy, good, and life-creating Spirit,
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
How the Psalter Ought to Be Read
The Psalter should not be read hastily, nor carelessly, nor with distraction.
But each psalm should be read:
- With attention
- With compunction
- With fear of God
- Without unnecessary haste
For it is not the multitude of words that profits, but the understanding of what is read.
If the reader does not understand a verse, let him not be troubled, but continue with humility, for understanding comes in time.
On Reading With Reverence
Let the reader not sit casually, nor lie down, but stand with reverence, or sit with attention if weakness requires it.
Let him not read while speaking with others, nor while distracted by idle thoughts.
For the Psalter is not an ordinary book, but the voice of the Holy Spirit, and by it demons are put to flight and the soul is made sober.
A Word of Consolation
If someone is weak, or weary, or overcome by sleep, let him not despair.
Let him read what he is able, and give thanks to God.
For God does not demand what is beyond strength, but looks upon the heart.
A Prayer After Completing the Psalter
After finishing the Psalter, say:
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Then:
“It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos…”
Then:
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (thrice).
Glory. Now and ever.
Then:
Our Father…
And then this prayer:
O Lord, who hast accounted me worthy to complete these Psalms,
forgive me every sin committed by word, deed, or thought,
whether knowingly or unknowingly.
Accept this my little labor,
not according to my worthiness,
but according to Thy mercy.
Grant me, O Lord,
to walk in repentance all the days of my life,
to depart this life in hope,
and to find mercy at Thy dread judgment.
For Thou art merciful and the Lover of mankind,
and to Thee we send up glory,
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Final Exhortation
Let the one who reads the Psalter remember always:
That David was a king, yet humbled himself.
That he sinned, yet repented.
That he wept, yet hoped.
And let us also weep, repent, and hope.
End of the Rule of the Psalter
24 December 2025