St Ignatius Brianchaninov: For those who have a superabundance of strength...
For those who have a superabundance of strength, or live in communities in which the rule is not combined with bows, or where there is no common evening rule, we offer the following humble advice:
The evening rule should be adapted to the rule given by the angel to St Pachomius the Great. It should be adapted because at the present time, both on account of our feebleness and on account of the generally accepted rules in our monasteries, it is impossible for us to accomplish fully and exactly the rule given by the angel to suit the monks of antiquity.
What we have said should cause no offense.
Our own monastic discipline is also blessed from on high; it corresponds with our weakness and our time. In conformity with what is prescribed by the rule taught by the angel, the cell rule can assume the following order of prayers:
1. Glory to Thee, Our God, Glory to Thee;
2. Heavenly King;
3. Trisagion;
4. Our Father;
5. Lord Have Mercy (twelve);
6. Come Let Us Worship;
7. Psalm 50;
8. the Creed;
9. and then the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.”
St Ignatius (Brianchaninov)
