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Triodion

On Monday of the First Week at Vespers

Menaion - March 19

Memory of the Holy Martyrs Chysanthos and Dareia

__________

VESPERS

If preceded by the Ninth Hour, Vespers begins without “Blessed is our God…”

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

While the Introductory Psalm is being read, the Priest stands in front of the holy Table and reads the so-called Lamp-lighting Prayers.

READER

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.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

Psalm 103 (104).

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are magnified exceedingly; You clothe Yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain; You are He who covers His upper chambers with water, who makes the clouds His means of approach, who walks on the wings of the winds, who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. He established the earth on its stable foundation; it shall not be moved unto ages of ages. The deep like a garment is His covering; the waters shall stand upon the mountains; at Your rebuke they shall flee; at the sound of Your thunder, they shall be afraid. The mountains rise up, and the plains sink down to the place You founded for them. You set a boundary they shall not pass over; neither shall they return to cover the earth. You are He who sends springs into the valley; the waters shall pass between the mountains; they shall give drink to all the wild animals of the field; the wild asses shall quench their thirst; the birds of heaven shall dwell beside them; they shall sing from the midst of the rocks. You are He who waters the mountains from His higher places; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Your works. You are He who causes grass to grow for the cattle, and the green plant for the service of man, to bring forth bread from the earth; and wine gladdens the heart of man, to brighten his face with oil; and bread strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of fruit, the cedars of Lebanon, which You planted; there the sparrows shall make their nests; the house of the heron takes the lead among them. The high mountains are for the deer; the cliff is a refuge for the rabbits. He made the moon for seasons; the sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night, wherein all the wild animals of the forest will prowl about; the young lions roar and snatch their prey, and seek their food from God. The sun arises, and they are gathered together; and they shall be put to bed in their dens. Man shall go out to his work and to his labor until evening. O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom; the earth was filled with Your creation. There is this great and spacious sea: the creeping things are there without number; the living things are there, both small and great; there the ships pass through; there is this dragon You formed to play therein. All things wait upon You, that You may give them food in due season. When You give it to them, they shall gather it; when You open Your hand, all things shall be filled with Your goodness. But when You turn Your face away, they shall be troubled; when You take away their breath, they shall die and return again to their dust. You shall send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be forever; the Lord shall be glad in His works; He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I exist; may my words be pleasing to Him, and I shall be glad in the Lord. May sinners cease from the earth, and the lawless, so as to be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night.

O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom. [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)

Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

THE PEACE LITANY

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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.

After the Peace Litany and the exclamation comes the reading of the appointed Kathisma of the Psalter. In parishes today it is customary to omit the recitation of the Psalter except on festal Vespers and at Presanctified Liturgy. Many will also keep the order of reciting the First Kathisma at vespers on Saturday evening.

The appointed Psalms are offered here on separate pages for those who wish to include them.

READER

KATHISMA 18.

First Stanza.

Psalm 119 (120).

To the Lord in my affliction I cried out, and He heard me. [SAAS]

O Lord, deliver my soul from unjust lips and from a deceitful tongue.

What should be given You, and what added to You, against a deceitful tongue?

The arrows of the Mighty One are sharpened with hot coals from the desert.

Woe is me! My sojourning was prolonged; I dwelt with the tents of Kedar. My soul sojourned a long time as a resident alien.

With those who hate peace, I was peaceful; when I spoke to them, they made war against me without cause.

Psalm 120 (121).

I lifted my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? [SAAS]

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Let not your foot be moved; neither let Him who keeps you slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord shall keep you; the Lord is your shelter at your right hand.

The sun shall not burn you by day nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall keep you from all evil; the Lord shall keep your soul.

The Lord shall keep your coming in and your going out from this present time and unto the ages.

Psalm 121 (122).

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” [SAAS]

Our feet stand in your courts, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built as a city whose compactness is complete.

There the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, a testimony to Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord.

For thrones sat there for judgment, thrones over the house of David.

Ask now for things regarding the peace of Jerusalem, and there is prosperity for those who love you.

Let there now be peace in your power and prosperity in your citadels.

For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors, I indeed spoke peace concerning you.

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I sought good things for you.

Psalm 122 (123).

I lift my eyes to You, who dwell in heaven. [SAAS]

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the maidservant look to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God until He shall have compassion on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we are greatly filled with contempt. Our soul is greatly filled with it. We are a disgrace to those who prosper, and a contempt to the arrogant.

Psalm 123 (124).

“If the Lord had not been with us,” let Israel now say. [SAAS]

If the Lord had not been with us, when men rose up against us.

Then they would have swallowed us alive, when their anger raged against us.

Then the water would have drowned us; our soul would have passed through a torrent.

Then our soul would have passed through a water that is overwhelming.

Blessed is the Lord, who did not give us as prey to their teeth.

Our soul was delivered like a sparrow from the snare of the hunters; the snare was broken, and we were delivered.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Glory. Both now. Alleluia.

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. 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.

Second Stanza.

Psalm 124 (125).

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion; he who dwells in Jerusalem shall be unshaken forever. [SAAS]

The mountains surround her, and the Lord surrounds His people from this present time and unto the ages.

The Lord will not permit the rod of sinners to be upon the inheritance of the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands in lawlessness.

Do good, O Lord, to the good, and to the upright in heart.

But those who turn aside to crooked ways, the Lord shall lead away with the workers of lawlessness. Peace be upon Israel.

Psalm 125 (126).

When the Lord returned the captives of Zion, we became like those who are comforted. [SAAS]

Then our mouth was filled with joy, and our tongue with exceeding joy.

Then they shall say among the Gentiles, “The Lord did great things with them.”

The Lord has done great things with us; we were glad.

Return, O Lord, our captivity like streams in the south.

Those who sow with tears shall reap with exceeding joy.

They went forth and wept, carrying their seeds with them.

But they shall return with exceeding joy, carrying their sheaves.

Psalm 126 (127).

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain; unless the Lord guards the city, those who guard it stay awake in vain. [SAAS]

It is in vain for you to rise early, to awaken from your rest, you who eat the bread of grief, when He gives His beloved ones sleep.

Behold, children are the Lord’s inheritance; the fruit of the womb His reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a mighty one, so are the children of those who were outcasts.

Blessed is the man who shall fulfill his desire with them; they shall not be ashamed, when they speak to their enemies at the gate.

Psalm 127 (128).

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. [SAAS]

You shall eat the fruits of your labor; you are blessed, and it shall be well with you.

Your wife shall be like a vine, prospering on the sides of your house; your children like newly planted olive trees around your table.

Behold, so shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.

May the Lord bless you from Zion, and may you see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

May you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel.

Psalm 128 (129).

“Many times they warred against me from my youth,” let Israel now say. [SAAS]

Many times they warred against me from my youth, yet they did not overcome me.

The sinners schemed behind my back; they prolonged their lawlessness.

The righteous Lord cut in pieces the necks of sinners.

Let all who hate Zion be shamed and turned back.

Let them become like grass on the housetops, which withers before it is plucked up.

Like grass with which the reaper does not fill his hand, nor the gatherer of sheaves, his bosom.

Neither do those who pass by say to them, “The Lord’s blessing be upon you; in the Lord’s name, we bless you.”

Glory. Both now. Alleluia.

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. 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.

Third Stanza.

Psalm 129 (130).

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord. O Lord, hear my voice. [SAAS]

Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You.

Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord.

From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions.

Psalm 130 (131).

O Lord, my heart is not exalted, neither are my eyes raised up. [SAAS]

Neither am I carried along in great things, nor in things too marvelous for me.

If I were not humble-minded, but exalted my soul, like a child weaned from his mother, so You would reward my soul.

Let Israel hope in the Lord from this present time and unto the ages.

Psalm 131 (132).

Remember David, O Lord, and all his meekness. [SAAS]

How he swore to the Lord, how he vowed to the God of Jacob.

I shall not enter my dwelling, I shall not recline on my bed.

I shall not close my eyes in sleep nor my eyelids for dozing, nor give any rest to my temples.

Until I find a place for the Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.

Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the plains of the wood.

Let us enter into His tabernacles; let us worship at the place where His feet stood.

Arise, O Lord, into Your rest, You and the ark of Your holiness.

Your priests shall clothe themselves in righteousness; Your saints shall greatly rejoice.

For Your servant David’s sake, do not turn away from the face of Your anointed.

The Lord swore to David this truth, and He shall not reject it.

I shall set upon your throne one from the fruit of your loins.

If your sons keep My covenant and these testimonies I shall teach them.

Then their sons shall sit upon your throne forever.

For the Lord has chosen Zion; He chose her for His dwelling.

This is My place of rest unto ages of ages. Here I shall dwell, for I have chosen her.

Blessing, I shall bless her provision; I shall satisfy her poor with bread.

And I shall clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall rejoice exceedingly with great joy.

There I shall cause to spring up a horn for David; there I prepared a lamp for my anointed.

His enemies I shall clothe with shame; upon him shall My sanctification flourish.

Psalm 133 (134).

Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. [SAAS]

In the nights, lift up your hands to the holy of holies and bless the Lord.

May the Lord bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth.

Glory. Both now. Alleluia.

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)

Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

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. )

( 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.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Mode 2.

Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to You. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Show Stichologia

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.

The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.

They shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As a clod of ground is dashed to pieces on the earth, so their bones were scattered beside the grave.

For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.

Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.

Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.

I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.

I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.

When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.

For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.

I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.

Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.

I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”

Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.

Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

Hide Stichologia

From Triodion - - -

Mode 2.

If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]

Having engaged in every sin, ⁄ having surpassed all men in immorality, ⁄ although I wish to repent I do not have a flow of tears. ⁄ Since now I live in laziness ⁄ I am condemned to tortures ⁄ but grant me repentance, O Good One ⁄⁄ and have mercy on me. [OCA]

Mode 2.

Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS]

On the beautiful day of the fast ⁄ grant me clouds of tears, O Christ, ⁄ that I may weep and wash away the filth of my desire for sweet things ⁄ and appear before you as one who is clean ⁄ when you, Lord, will descend from the heavens to judge all men ⁄⁄ as the only righteous Judge! [OCA]

Mode pl. 1. N/M (God-bearing Father.)

From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]

Come, O faithful! ⁄ With great fervor; having the mighty weapon of the fast as a shield, ⁄ let us turn away all charms of the enemy. ⁄ Let us not be scorched by the sweetness of our passions, ⁄ nor fear the fires of temptations, ⁄ for Christ the Lover of mankind will crown us with honor for patience. ⁄ Let us fall down, praying with boldness, and crying out: ⁄⁄ asking peace for our souls and great mercy. [OCA]

Stichera from the Menaion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. You have given.

Ἔδωκας σημείωσιν.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS]

The eyes of your heart, O wise one, were illumined when you received * in your soul the enlightenment * of knowledge divine, O Saint, * and wisely departed * from the gloom of error, * and you confessed your faith in Christ * the Lord of all who has taken flesh for us. * From this you were empowered by the Spirit’s power, O Chrysanthos, * being shone forth superior * to the torments, all-lauded one. [SD]

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]

You disdained the foe’s enticements and propellants to pleasure as * nothing more than a spider’s web. * When you were imprisoned in * darkness, the divine light * shone about you brightly, * and a noetic fragrant scent * suffused you, though you were standing in the midst * of mire. As an excellent groomsman, you brought forward Dareia, * who was quick to resemble you, * unto Christ as a spotless bride. [SD]

For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]

Smitten with the sweetest eros of the Maker were you, O Saint, * so you utterly turned away * from deceptive godlessness, * and you went within the * divine bridal chamber, * being yourself betrothed to Christ * through all the bodily tortures you endured. * O Dareia, your name is great; the Spirit’s vessel divine are you, * and the pride of the martyr saints, * and the joy of the virgin maids. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 4. You have given.

Ἔδωκας σημείωσιν.

I am lying on the bed of my indifference, O blameless Maid; * I am wasting my life away. * Therefore I am so afraid * of my final hour, * lest that wicked snake mercilessly like a lion snatch * my humble soul and with glee tear it apart. * O ever-blessed Theotokos, for this reason I pray to you: * In your goodness make me get up * for repentance before the end. [SD]

(No Entrance)

Stand for the hymn.

READER

Gladsome light of holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; * and therefore the world glorifies You. [SD]

The Readings

DEACON

The evening…

From Triodion - - -

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 2.

Psalm 3.

Salvation is of the Lord, and Your blessing is upon Your people.

O Lord, why do those who afflict me multiply? [SAAS]

The reading is from the book of Genesis.

PRIEST

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Gn 1:1-13

In the beginning God made heaven and earth. The earth was invisible and unfinished; and darkness was over the deep. The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the water. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw the light; it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day; the darkness He called Night; and there was evening and morning, one day. Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the water, and let it divide the water from the water”; and it was so. Thus God made the firmament, and God divided the water under the firmament from the water above the firmament. So God called the firmament Heaven, and God saw that it was good; and there was evening and morning, the second day. Then God said, “Let the water under heaven be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. The water under heaven was gathered into its places, and the dry land appeared. So God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas; and God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the herb of grass, bearing seed according to its kind and likeness. Let the fruit tree bear fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind on earth.” It was so. Thus the earth brought forth the herb of grass, bearing seed according to its kind and likeness. The fruit tree bore fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind on earth. God saw that it was good. So evening and morning were the third day. [SAAS]

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 1.

Psalm 4.

The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him.

You heard me when I called, O God of my righteousness. [SAAS]

The reading is from the Proverbs of Solomon.

PRIEST

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Pr 1:1-20

The Proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, who reigned in Israel, to know wisdom and instruction, and to understand words of discernment; to receive both subtlety of words, and to understand true righteousness and upright judgment; so as to give astuteness to the simple, and both perception and understanding to a young man; for a wise man who hears these things will be wiser, and the man of understanding will gain direction. He will understand both a parable and a hidden saying, both wise words and riddles. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and there is good understanding in all who practice it; and godliness toward God is the beginning of perception, but the ungodly despise wisdom and instruction. Hear, my son, the instruction of your father, and do not reject the laws of your mother. For you will receive a crown of grace on your head and a gold chain around your neck. My son, do not let the ungodly lead you astray, and do not consent if they invite you, saying, “Come with us; take part in bloodshed, and let us hide a righteous man in the earth unjustly; and let us swallow him, just as Hades does the living, and let us take away his remembrance from the earth; let us seize his valuable property, and let us fill our houses with spoils; cast your lot with us and let us acquire a common bag; let there be one purse for us.” Do not walk in the way with them, but turn away your foot from their paths. For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. For nets are not spread before birds for no reason,for those who participate in murder store up evils for themselves; and evil is the destruction of lawless men. These are the ways of all who accomplish lawless things, for they take away their own soul in ungodliness. Wisdom sings in the streets; she moves boldly in the squares. [SAAS]

PRIEST

Peace be with you.

Stand for the reading of prayer.

READER

O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen. O Lord, let your mercy be upon us for we have set our hope in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, grant me understanding of your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy is forever. Do not despise the works of your hands. To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you is due glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. [HC]

( Amen. )

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our evening 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 evening 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.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are good 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.

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)

Lord our God, who inclined the heavens and came down for the salvation of humankind, look upon Your servants and Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads and bent their necks to You, the fearsome yet compassionate Judge, not expecting human help, but awaiting Your mercy and anticipating Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and the coming night, from every enemy, from all demonic activity against them, from unprofitable reflections, and from wicked thoughts.

PRIEST (aloud)

Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Aposticha. From the Triodion.

From Triodion - - -

Idiomelon. Mode 3.

Let us present a good fast, well-pleasing to the Lord! ⁄ A true fast is alienation from the evil one; ⁄ the holding of one’s tongue, the laying aside of all anger, ⁄ the removal of all sensuality, ⁄ of accusation, falsehood and sins of swearing. ⁄⁄ The weakening of these will make the fast true and well-pleasing. [OCA]

Verse: I lift my eyes to You, who dwell in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the maidservant look to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God until He shall have compassion on us. [SAAS]

For the Martyrs.

Mode 3. Automelon (not metered).

Μεγάλη τών Μαρτύρων σου.

Verse: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we are greatly filled with contempt; our soul is greatly filled with it. We are a disgrace to those who prosper, and a contempt to the arrogant. [SAAS]

Great is the might of your martyrs, O Christ, ⁄ for though they lie in their tombs they drive away demons ⁄ and defeat the power of the enemy. ⁄ They have lived their lives in battle for piety ⁄⁄ by faith in the Trinity. [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 3.

Theotokos, protection of all who pray to you, ⁄ we have boldness, and exult in you! ⁄ We put all our hope in you; ⁄⁄ pray for your corrupt servants, to the One whom you bore. [OCA]

Stand for the reading of prayers

PRIEST

Song of Simeon.

Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. [NKJV]

PEOPLE

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.

From Horologion - - -

Apolytikia. Mode pl. 1.

O Virgin Theotokos, rejoice, Mary full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you have borne the Savior of our souls. [SD]

O Baptist of Christ, be mindful of us all, that we may be delivered from our iniquities; for unto you was given the grace to intercede for us. [SD]

Glory.

Entreat earnestly for us, O holy Apostles and all Saints, that we be delivered from peril and affliction; for you are our fervent advocates before the Savior. [SD]

This final troparion, according to older rules, is simply recited by the Reader. In current practice, however, it is usually, sung much like the preceding hymns.

Both now.

Beneath your tender compassion we take refuge, O Theotokos. Despise not our supplications in distress, but deliver us from all peril. You alone are pure; you alone are blessed. [SD]

READER

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.

READER

Lord, have mercy. (12)

All-Holy Trinity, the consubstantial dominion, the indivisible rule, and cause of every good: be well pleased, even with regard to me a sinner. Strengthen my heart and grant it understanding, and take away all my defilement. Illumine my mind, so that I may ever glorify, praise, worship, and say: One is Holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the Glory of God the Father. Amen.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and to the ages. (3)

Psalm 33 (34).

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall be praised in the Lord; let the gentle hear, and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me; and He delivered me from all my sojourning. Come to Him, and be enlightened, and your face shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him from all his afflictions. The Angel of the Lord shall encamp around those who fear Him, and He will deliver them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who hopes in Him. Fear the Lord, you His saints, for there is no want for those who fear Him. Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life, who loves to see good days? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Shun evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open to their supplications. The Lord’s face is against those who do evil, so as to destroy their remembrance from the earth. The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them; and He delivered them from all their afflictions. The Lord is near those who are brokenhearted, and He will save the humble in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but He will deliver them from them all. The Lord shall guard all their bones; not one of them shall be broken. The death of sinners is evil, and those who hate the righteous shall go wrong. The Lord will redeem the souls of His servants, and all who hope in Him shall not go wrong.

READER

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

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

Father, bless!

PRIEST

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

May 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.

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

CHOIR

Amen.