Books - Sources

Triodion - Holy Week

Holy Monday

Bridegroom Service on Sunday Evening

__________

Matins Ordinary

PRIEST

Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

READER

Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, O God, glory to You.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, treasury of good things and giver of life: come; take Your abode in us; cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one.

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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 the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

READER

Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (12)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Psalm 19 (20).

May the Lord hear you in the day of afflictions; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you. May He send you help from His holy place, and may He support you from Zion. May He remember every sacrifice of yours, and may your whole burnt offering be honored. May He give you according to your heart, may He fulfill all your counsel. We will greatly rejoice in Your salvation, and in the name of our God we will be magnified. Now I know the Lord has saved His anointed; He will hear him from His holy heaven; the salvation of His right hand is mighty. Some glory in chariots, some in horses, but in the name of the Lord our God we shall be magnified. Their feet were tied together; so they fell; but we rose up and were restored. O Lord, save Your King, and hear us in the day we call upon You.

Psalm 20 (21).

O Lord, the king shall be glad in Your power, and in Your salvation he will greatly rejoice. You gave him his soul’s desire, and You did not deprive him of his lips’ request. For You anticipated him with blessings of goodness; You placed a crown of precious stones on his head. He asked You for life, and You gave it to him, length of days unto ages of ages. Great is his glory in Your salvation; glory and majesty You shall place upon him. For You shall give him blessing unto ages of ages; You shall fill him with the joy of Your presence. For the king hopes in the Lord, and in the mercy of the Most High he will not be shaken. May Your hand be found on all Your enemies; may Your right hand find all who hate You. You shall make them like a fiery furnace in the time of Your presence; the Lord shall throw them into confusion in His wrath, and the fire shall devour them. You shall destroy their offspring from the earth and their seed from among the sons of men. For they vented all their evils against You; they reasoned through a counsel they could not establish. For You shall make them turn their back; among Your remnants, You shall make ready their countenance. Be exalted, O Lord, in Your power; we will sing and praise Your mighty deeds.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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 the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

READER

Amen.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

You who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, * O Christ our God, bestow Your tender compassions * upon Your new community to which You gave Your name. * Cause our faithful emperors to be glad in Your power, * granting them the victories against their adversaries. * And for an ally, Lord, may they have You, * peace as their armor, the trophy invincible.

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

O awesome and unshamable Protection, O good and praiseworthy Theotokos, do not despise our petitions; make firm the community of the Orthodox; save those whom you have called to rule; grant them victory from heaven, for you gave birth to God and are truly blessed.

PRIEST

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST

For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen. In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

Glory to the holy and consubstantial and life-creating and undivided Trinity always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

Stand for the reading of the Six Psalms.

READER

The Six Psalms

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (3)

O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. (2)

Psalm 3.

O Lord, why do those who afflict me multiply? Many are those who rise up against me. Many are those who say to my soul, “There is no salvation for him in his God.” But You, O Lord, are my protector, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord, and save me, O my God, for You struck all those who were foolishly at enmity with me; You broke the teeth of sinners. Salvation is of the Lord, and Your blessing is upon Your people.

I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me. [SAAS]

Psalm 37 (38).

O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your anger. For Your arrows are fixed in me, and Your hand rests on me; there is no healing in my flesh because of Your wrath; there is no peace in my bones because of my sins. For my transgressions rise up over my head; like a heavy burden they are heavy on me. My wounds grow foul and fester because of my folly. I suffer misery, and I am utterly bowed down; I go all the day long with a sad face. For my loins are filled with mockeries, and there is no healing in my flesh. I am afflicted and greatly humbled; I roar because of the groaning of my heart. O Lord, all my desire is before You, and my groaning is not hidden from You. My heart is troubled; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes, even this is not with me. My friends and neighbors draw near and stand against me, and my near of kin stand far off; and those who seek my soul use violence, and those who seek evil for me speak folly; and they meditate on deceit all the day long. But I like a deaf man do not hear, and I am like a mute who does not open his mouth. I am like a man who does not hear, and who has no reproofs in his mouth. For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God. For I said, “Let not my enemies rejoice over me, for when my foot was shaken, they boasted against me.” For I am ready for wounds, and my pain is continually with me. For I will declare my transgression, and I will be anxious about my sin. But my enemies live, and are become stronger than I; and those who hate me unjustly are multiplied; those who repaid me evil for good slandered me, because I pursue righteousness; and they threw away my love as though it were a stinking corpse. Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not depart from me; give heed to help me, O Lord of my salvation.

Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not depart from me. Give heed to help me, O Lord of my salvation. [SAAS]

Psalm 62 (63).

O God, my God, I rise early to be with You; my soul thirsts for You. How often my flesh thirsts for You in a desolate, impassable, and waterless land. So in the holy place I appear before You, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your mercy is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You in my life; I will lift up my hands in Your name. May my soul be filled, as if with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall sing praise to You with lips filled with rejoicing. If I remembered You on my bed, I meditated on You at daybreak; for You are my helper, and in the shelter of Your wings I will greatly rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand takes hold of me. But they seek for my soul in vain; they shall go into the lowest parts of the earth. They shall be given over to the edge of the sword; they shall be a portion for foxes. But the king shall be glad in God; all who swear by Him shall be praised, for the mouth that speaks unrighteous things is stopped.

I meditated on You at daybreak. For You are my helper, and in the shelter of Your wings I will greatly rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand takes hold of me. [SAAS]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 87 (88).

O Lord God of my salvation, I cry day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my supplication, O Lord. For my soul is filled with sorrows, and my soul draws near to Hades; I am counted among those who go down into the pit; I am like a helpless man, free among the dead, like slain men thrown down and sleeping in a grave, whom You remember no more, but they are removed from Your hand. They laid me in the lowest pit, in dark places and in the shadow of death. Your wrath rested upon me, and You brought all Your billows over me. You removed my acquaintances far from me; they made me an abomination among themselves; I was betrayed, and did not go forth. My eyes weakened from poverty; O Lord, I cry to You the whole day long; I spread out my hands to You. Will You work wonders for the dead? Or will physicians raise them up, and acknowledge You? Shall anyone in the grave describe Your mercy and Your truth in destruction? Shall Your wonders be known in darkness, and Your righteousness in a forgotten land? But I cry to You, O Lord, and in the morning my prayer shall come near to You. Why, O Lord, do You reject my soul, and turn away Your face from me? I am poor and in troubles from my youth; but having been exalted, I was humbled and brought into despair. Your fierce anger passed over me, and Your terrors greatly troubled me; they compassed me like water all the day long; they surrounded me at once. You removed far from me neighbor and friend, and my acquaintances because of my misery.

O Lord God of my salvation, I cry day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my supplication, O Lord. [SAAS]

Psalm 102 (103).

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and everything within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His rewards: who is merciful to all your transgressions, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from corruption, who crowns you with mercy and compassion, who satisfies your desire with good things; and your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord shows mercies and judgment to all who are wronged. He made known His ways to Moses, the things He willed to the sons of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not become angry to the end, nor will He be wrathful forever; He did not deal with us according to our sins, nor reward us according to our transgressions; for according to the height of heaven from earth, so the Lord reigns in mercy over those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so He removes our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him, for He knows how He formed us; He remembers we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, as a flower of the field, so he flourishes; for the wind passes through it, and it shall not remain; and it shall no longer know its place. But the mercy of the Lord is from age to age upon those who fear Him, and His righteousness upon children’s children, to such as keep His covenant and remember His commandments, to do them. The Lord prepared His throne in heaven, and His Kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, all you His angels, mighty in strength, who do His word, so as to hear the voice of His words. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, His ministers who do His will; bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion; bless the Lord, O my soul.

In all places of His dominion; Bless the Lord, O my soul. [SAAS]

Psalm 142 (143).

O Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplication in Your truth; answer me in Your righteousness; do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no one living shall become righteous in Your sight. For the enemy persecuted my soul; he humbled my life to the ground; he caused me to dwell in dark places as one long dead, and my spirit was in anguish within me; my heart was troubled within me. I remembered the days of old, and I meditated on all Your works; I meditated on the works of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a waterless land. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faints within me; turn not Your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your mercy in the morning, for I hope in You; make me know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, for to You I flee for refuge. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your good Spirit shall guide me in the land of uprightness. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, give me life; in Your righteousness You shall bring my soul out of affliction. In Your mercy You shall destroy my enemies; You shall utterly destroy all who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant.

Answer me in Your righteousness, O Lord. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant.

Answer me in Your righteousness, O Lord. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant.

Your good Spirit shall guide me in the land of uprightness. [SAAS]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God.

(intoned)

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Mode pl. 4.

Verse 1: My spirit rises early in the morning to You, O God, for Your commands are a light upon the earth. [SAAS]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 2: Learn righteousness, you who dwell on the earth.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 3: Jealousy will seize an untaught people; and now fire will devour the adversaries.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 4: Bring more evils on them, O Lord, bring more evils on them, on the glorious of the earth.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Troparion. Mode pl. 4.

Behold, the Bridegroom is coming in the middle of the night; and blessed is the servant He shall find awake and watching; unworthy is the other He shall find being lazy. So beware, O soul of mine, be not overcome by sleep, so that you not be handed over to death and be shut out from the Kingdom. Come to your senses and cry aloud: Holy, holy, holy are You our God. By the protection of the Bodiless Hosts have mercy on us. [SD]

Glory.

Behold, the Bridegroom is coming in the middle of the night; and blessed is the servant He shall find awake and watching; unworthy is the other He shall find being lazy. So beware, O soul of mine, be not overcome by sleep, so that you not be handed over to death and be shut out from the Kingdom. Come to your senses and cry aloud: Holy, holy, holy are You our God. By the intercessions of the Saints save us. [SD]

Both now.

Behold, the Bridegroom is coming in the middle of the night; and blessed is the servant He shall find awake and watching; unworthy is the other He shall find being lazy. So beware, O soul of mine, be not overcome by sleep, so that you not be handed over to death and be shut out from the Kingdom. Come to your senses and cry aloud: Holy, holy, holy are You our God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us. [SD]

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

From Triodion - - -

Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

The present day presents the august holy Passion * of Christ as lights that dawn on the world for salvation. * For Christ, in His goodness, goes now to suffer and die for us. * He who holds all things within His hand condescends now * to be fixed with nails on to a cross and suspended, * to save all humanity. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

The present day presents the august holy Passion * of Christ as lights that dawn on the world for salvation. * For Christ, in His goodness, goes now to suffer and die for us. * He who holds all things within His hand condescends now * to be fixed with nails on to a cross and suspended, * to save all humanity. [SD]

From Triodion - - -

Kathisma II.

Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

O Lord, the unseen Judge, You were seen with a body! * And willingly You came to be killed by the lawless, * and thus to condemn our own condemnation by suffering! * Therefore sending up magnification and glory * to Your authority, O Word of God, now we offer * our praises in unison. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

O Lord, the unseen Judge, You were seen with a body! * And willingly You came to be killed by the lawless, * and thus to condemn our own condemnation by suffering! * Therefore sending up magnification and glory * to Your authority, O Word of God, now we offer * our praises in unison. [SD]

Kathisma III.

From Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the wisdom.

As the Lord’s saving Passion begins today, * so this day is illustrious all the more. * O lovers of holy days, let us greet it with sacred songs. * For the Creator is coming to accept to be crucified, * to be judged by Pilate, the trials, the buffeting. * Moreover He is struck on the head by a servant. * In order to save mankind, He submissively bears it all. * Let us therefore cry out to Him, * “Benevolent Christ our God, * grant forgiveness of offenses to us all * who honor Your immaculate Passion with faith and love.” [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

As the Lord’s saving Passion begins today, * so this day is illustrious all the more. * O lovers of holy days, let us greet it with sacred songs. * For the Creator is coming to accept to be crucified, * to be judged by Pilate, the trials, the buffeting. * Moreover He is struck on the head by a servant. * In order to save mankind, He submissively bears it all. * Let us therefore cry out to Him, * “Benevolent Christ our God, * grant forgiveness of offenses to us all * who honor Your immaculate Passion with faith and love.” [SD]

Stand for the Gospel reading.

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

PRIEST

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST (from the gate)

Mt. 21:18–43

At that time, Jesus was returning to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside he went to it, and found nothing on it but leaves only. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you a question; and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the multitude; for all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not;’ but afterward he repented and went. And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him. Hear another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it.” [RSV]

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

READER

Psalm 50 (51).

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]

CHOIR

The Canon

By Cosmas the Monk.

Ode i. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Let us sing to the Lord, who dried up the impassable * surging waters of the Sea by His divine command, * and who also led the way * for the chosen people of Israel to cross on foot. * Come let us sing to Him, for He is greatly glorified. (2)

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

The inscrutable descent of God the Logos * is Christ, who is God and man in one hypostasis. * He took on a servant’s form, * showing His disciples that He does not regard the fact that He is God * something to be grasped. For He is greatly glorified. (2)

Glory. Both now.

I, the Creator, who voluntarily * put on impoverished Adam’s form, came to minister to him * yes, I who am rich in Divinity, * and I lay down My life for him as ransom, * I who am impassible in Divinity. (2)

Katavasia.

Let us sing to the Lord, who dried up the impassable * surging waters of the Sea by His divine command, * and who also led the way * for the chosen people of Israel to cross on foot. * Come let us sing to Him, for He is greatly glorified. [SD]

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST

For You are the King of peace and the savior of our souls, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

From Triodion - - -

READER

Kontakion.

Mode pl. 4.

Jacob lamented the loss of Joseph; yet the courageous one sat on a chariot, honored as a king. For by refusing to be enslaved by the pleasures of the Egyptian woman, he was later glorified in return by Him who sees men’s hearts and deals out the imperishable crown. [SD]

Oikos.

To lamentation let us now add lamentation, and with Jacob shed tears, and mourn with him over Joseph, the famous and chaste, who was enslaved in body but preserved his soul unenslaved, and became the lord over all of Egypt. For God grants His servants the imperishable crown. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On April 29, we commemorate the holy Apostles of the Seventy, Jason and Sosipater.

On this day we also commemorate the holy seven Martyrs who had been robbers, and who believed in Christ through the Apostle Jason; they were ultimately thrown into a cauldron of boiling pitch and thus died.

On this day we also commemorate Saint Kerkyra, daughter of King Kerkylinos; she died when she was shot with arrows.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Zeno and Vitali who died by fire.

On this day the holy Martyr Efsevios died by fire.

On this day the holy Martyr Neo died by fire.

From the Triodion.

On great and holy Monday we commemorate blessed Joseph the handsome; and also the fig tree that was cursed by the Lord and then withered.

Verses

Self-controlled Joseph proved to be a righteous

Ruler and distributor. What a stack of virtues!

For the withered Fig Tree

Likening the synagogue of the Jews to the fig tree

Barren of spiritual fruit, with a curse

Christ makes it wither. Let us flee such a fate.

At the intercession of the handsome Joseph, O Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos.

Fed with unending fuel, the fire * that wearied not shuddered at the spotless bodies, * adorned as were the souls, * of the pious Servants and yielded to them. * When the ever-living flame had shrunken away, * they sang the hymn that henceforth was immortalized: * O bless the Lord, all you His works, and sing a hymn to Him, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages. (2)

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

“By this shall all know that you are * My disciples, if you keep all My commandments.” * So did Christ declare to His friends, as He was heading towards His Passion. * “Be at peace within yourselves and likewise with all, * and you shall be exalted thinking humble thoughts. * And knowing Me to be the Lord, bless Me and sing a hymn to Me, * and exalt Me beyond measure unto all the ages.” (2)

We bless the Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we sing a hymn to Him and exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages.

In ruling over fellow men, * let the order of the Gentiles be inverted; * for tyranny has no part with Me nor does arbitrariness. * So whoever would be great among you and first, * let him be least and servant of the others all. * And knowing Me to be the Lord, bless Me and sing a hymn to Me, * and exalt Me beyond measure unto all the ages. [SD]

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

In ruling over fellow men, * let the order of the Gentiles be inverted; * for tyranny has no part with Me nor does arbitrariness. * So whoever would be great among you and first, * let him be least and servant of the others all. * And knowing Me to be the Lord, bless Me and sing a hymn to Me, * and exalt Me beyond measure unto all the ages. [SD]

Katavasia.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Fed with unending fuel, the fire * that wearied not shuddered at the spotless bodies, * adorned as were the souls, * of the pious Servants and yielded to them. * When the ever-living flame had shrunken away, * they sang the hymn that henceforth was immortalized: * O bless the Lord, all you His works, and sing a hymn to Him, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages. [SD]

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.

CHOIR

Ode ix. Heirmos.

You have magnified, O Christ, * the Theotokos who bore You. * From her You donned a body * susceptible to passion like ours, O Maker; * it delivers us from the ignorance of our offenses. * All our generations call her blessed, and we magnify You. (2)

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

“Having cast off every stain * of the passions, take upon yourselves a prudent disposition * worthy of the Kingdom and rule of God.” * Thus You spoke to Your Apostles beforehand, O Wisdom of all. * “In which Kingdom, you shall be * glorified and shining brighter than the sun.” (2)

Glory. Both now.

“An example take from Me,” * You, O Lord, said to Your disciples. * “Do not have a haughty mind, * but rather associate with whatever is humble. * And you shall indeed drink the cup that I myself am drinking. * And in the Kingdom of My Father * you shall be with Me together glorified.” (2)

Katavasia.

You have magnified, O Christ, * the Theotokos who bore You. * From her You donned a body * susceptible to passion like ours, O Maker; * it delivers us from the ignorance of our offenses. * All our generations call her blessed, and we magnify You. [SD]

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST

For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Exaposteilaria.

From Triodion - - -

Mode 3. Automelon.

Τὸν νυμφῶνά σου βλέπω.

O my Savior, now I see * Your wedding hall decorated, * and I have not the garment * needed for me to enter it. * Make this raiment of my soul brightly shine, * O Giver-of-Light, and save me. (3) [SD]

Lauds. Mode 1.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

From Triodion - - -

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]

As the Lord was coming to His voluntary Passion, He said to the Apostles on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be betrayed, as it is written of Him.” Come, then, and with our minds now purified, let us also go with Him and be crucified with Him and die for Him to the pleasures of this life, so that we may also live with Him and hear Him when He says, “No longer am I going up to the earthly Jerusalem to suffer there, but rather I am ascending to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God as well. And I will raise you up with me to the Jerusalem on high in the Kingdom of heaven.” [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 1.

Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

We have arrived, O faithful, at the saving Passion of Christ our God. Let us glorify His ineffable forbearance, so that in His tender mercy He might raise us with himself, deadened by sin as we are, for He is good and benevolent. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

From Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

Lord, as You were coming to Your Passion, You took Your disciples aside and spoke to them privately to strengthen them. “How have you forgotten the words that I said to you before, that according to the Scriptures no prophet should be killed except in Jerusalem? The time of which I spoke to You is now at hand. Behold, I am betrayed into the hands of sinners, to be mocked by them. They will nail me to a cross and hand me over to be buried, and they will consider me an abomination, because I will be dead. But you, take courage, for I will rise on the third day, bringing the faithful exultant joy and eternal life.” [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Doxology.

Doxology (read)

HIERARCH or READER

To you belongs glory, O Lord our God, and to you we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

READER

Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, and we thank you, for your great glory. Lord, King, Heavenly God, Father Almighty; only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, you who take away the sins of the world. Accept our supplication, you who sit at the right of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you are the only Holy One, you are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day I shall bless you, and I shall praise your name forever, and unto the ages of ages. Lord, you have become for us a refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, to you I have fled; teach me to do your will, for you are my God. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we shall see light. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that in this day we may be kept without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name unto the ages. Amen. Let your mercy, Lord, come upon us, just as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master, make me understand your commandments. Blessed are you, O Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy remains forever, do not turn away from the works of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs a hymn, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

DEACON

Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Holy Lord, who dwell in the highest and look upon the humble and observe all creation with Your all-seeing eye, to You we bow the neck of soul and body, and we pray You, Holy of holies: Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy heavens and bless us all. And as good and benevolent God, forgive us any misdeeds we committed voluntarily or involuntarily, and grant us Your blessings in this world and in the next.

PRIEST (aloud)

For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Aposticha.

From Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 1. Idiomelon.

Lord, the mother of the sons of Zebedee did not grasp the ineffable mystery of Your dispensation; she asked You to give her sons the honors of a temporal kingdom. But instead of this, You promised Your friends that they would drink the cup of death; and You said that before they would drink this cup, You yourself would drink it, for the expiation of sins. Therefore we cry out to You, the salvation of our souls: Glory to You. [SD]

Mode pl. 1. Idiomelon.

Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons. [SAAS]

Lord, as You were training Your disciples to have their mind set on perfection, You told them not to imitate the Gentiles in lording it over the least of Your servants. “It shall not be so with You, my disciples; for I am poor because I want to be. So let the first among you be the minister and servant of all. Let the ruler be as the one being ruled, the preeminent as the one who is last; for I myself have come to minister to Adam in his poverty, and to give my life as a ransom for the many who cry to me: Glory to You.” [SD]

Mode pl. 4. Idiomelon.

Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]

Being frightened by the punishment of the fig tree, which withered because it did not bear fruit, O brethren, let us bring worthy fruits of repentance to Christ, who grants us His great mercy. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

From Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

The serpent, finding the Egyptian woman to be a second Eve through the words she spoke, hastened through flattery to cause Joseph to fall. But Joseph abandoned his garment, and thus he fled from sin. And though he was naked, he was unashamed, like Adam, the first man, was before he disobeyed. At his entreaties, O Christ, have mercy on us. [SD]

PRIEST

It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night. [SAAS]

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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 the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

READER

Kontakion.

Jacob lamented the loss of Joseph; yet the courageous one sat on a chariot, honored as a king. For by refusing to be enslaved by the pleasures of the Egyptian woman, he was later glorified in return by Him who sees men’s hearts and deals out the imperishable crown.

Lord, have mercy. (40)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

O heavenly King, uphold our rulers, strengthen the Faith, calm the nations, give peace to the world. Protect this holy Church (or, Monastery); grant our departed fathers and brethren that they may dwell with the righteous, and accept us in repentance and confession; for You are good and benevolent.

( Amen. )

We now make three prostrations: i.e. we recite the Prayer of St. Ephrem (quietly or mentally), and with each verse we make a bow or prostration.

While it has become customary for this prayer to be recited by someone aloud, nevertheless the indicated practice is that it be recited inaudibly and mentally by everyone, clergy and congregants alike, with the accompanying bows etc.

Prayer of St. Ephrem

O Lord and Master of my life, do not permit the spirit of laziness and meddling, the lust for power and idle talk to come into me.

Instead, grant me, Your servant, the spirit of prudence, humility, patience and love.

Yes, Lord and King, give me the power to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Then we make the sign of the cross 12 times, each time saying, “God, be gracious to me a sinner and have mercy on me.” Then we repeat the third verse of the Prayer (quietly or mentally) and make a final bow or prostration.

Yes, Lord and King, give me the power to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

DISMISSAL

Dismissal

PRIEST

Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.

May He who is coming to His voluntary Passion for our salvation, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Conclusion, i.e. “Through the prayers…”

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Amen.