Compline is what we call our daily evening prayer after dinner, which, due to its short length, is called Small Compline and is distinguished from Great Compline, which is read during the period of Great Lent. The time required to read Compline is approximately 10-15 minutes and progressively, as we become familiar with the language, it takes even less time.

It essentially covers every request we have to God and includes: a) supplication or plea or request to God, b) praise to His Name, and c) thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father. If we truly understand what we say in Compline, then we will realize that our personal prayer is unnecessary, as whatever we wish to say to our God is somehow included in it.

Do you want to ask for forgiveness for your sins? You can say: "Have mercy on me, O God." Do you want to be protected from every danger? You can say: "O God, attend to my help...". Do you wish to praise His Holy Name? You can say: "Glory to God in the highest...". Do you wish to speak to our Holy Mother? You can say: "Spotless, undefiled, incorrupt, immaculate...". Do you feel the need to ask for help from your Guardian Angel? Then you can say: "Holy Angel...".

Compline is a daily need for the Christian, not an obligation. It is food for the soul and it is inconceivable for a Christian not to be spiritually nourished, because then they "die"...