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Triodion

On Thursday of the Second Week at Vespers

Menaion - March 29

Memory of the Holy Martyrs Mark, Bishop of Arethusa, Cyril the Deacon

__________

VESPERS

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.

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 18. Then the short litany.

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 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 pl. 4.

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

Stichera from the Triodion.

From Triodion - - -

Mode 4. N/M (You have given.)

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

Your side was pierced when you hung upon the wood, ⁄ pouring life out upon me ⁄ who was deadened by the guile of the serpent ⁄ by eating from the tree! ⁄ Therefore I glorify you, Christ, and entreat your compassion: ⁄ Grant me to complete the fast with compunction, ⁄⁄ that I may venerate your passion and resurrection! [OCA]

Mode 4. N/M (You have given.)

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

The fruit of the tree brought sorrow to Adam, ⁄ for you banished him from Paradise, ⁄ but when you were crucified as man upon the tree ⁄ you led him back, Savior! ⁄ Therefore I cry to you, O Redeemer: ⁄ Having purified me through tears, repentance, and fasting, ⁄ now rescue me from my sorrow, ⁄⁄ most gracious Jesus, the Savior of our souls! [OCA]

Mode pl. 1.

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

Word, we sing of your life-creating cross: ⁄ It has blossomed life in the world by slaying death! ⁄ Now we offer it to you in intercession. ⁄ Strengthen us who fast in these holy days. ⁄ Grant us strength to battle passions ⁄ and a peaceful victory, ⁄⁄ according to the greatness of your mercy, Lover of mankind! [OCA]

Stichera from the Menaion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. (NM)The Cross was planted.

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

O Hierarch, with valiant resistance, you cast down the arrays of the enemy, and you rescued people from the deceptive error of the idols. [SD]

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

O Hierarch, you stretched out your hands, and strengthened your fellow athletes in their labors, and thus you showed that the power of the enemy was impotent. [SD]

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

O Hierarch, as an initiate and Martyr of the Master, and a wise teacher of the Church, unceasingly implore Him on our behalf. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 1. O Martyrs, extolled.

Πανεύφημοι μάρτυρες.

The Virgin was watching You, O Christ, * being crucified unjustly, and lamenting she cried aloud, “O sweetest Son of mine, * how can you appear dead? * How can You be crucified? * For You of old established the earth on water. O most-merciful * Benefactor, I your handmaiden * and your Mother * pray You leave me not alone.” [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 4.

Psalm 35 (36).

O Lord, Your mercy is in heaven.

Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. [SAAS]

The reading is from the book of Genesis.

PRIEST

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Gn 5:1-24

This is the book of the genesis of mankind in the day God made Adam, whom He made in God’s image. He made them male and female, and blessed them; and the day He made them He called his name Adam. Now Adam lived two hundred and thirty years, and begot a son according to his form and image, and named him Seth. After he begot Seth, the days of Adam were seven hundred years; and he begot sons and daughters. So all the days Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died. Now Seth lived two hundred and five years, and begot Enosh. After he begot Enosh, Seth lived seven hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters. So all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years, and he died. Now Enosh lived one hundred and ninety years, and begot Cainan. After he begot Cainan, Enosh lived seven hundred and fifteen years, and begot sons and daughters. So all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years, and he died. Now Cainan lived one hundred and seventy years, and begot Mahalalel. After he begot Mahalalel, Cainan lived seven hundred and forty years, and begot sons and daughters. So all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years, and he died. Now Mahalalel lived one hundred and sixty-five years, and begot Jared. After he begot Jared, Mahalalel lived seven hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters. So all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years, and he died. Now Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begot Enoch. After he begot Enoch, Jared lived eight hundred years, and begot sons and daughters. So all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years, and he died. Now Enoch lived one hundred and sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. After he begot Methuselah, Enoch was well-pleasing to God for two hundred years, and begot sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. Thus Enoch was well-pleasing to God, and was not found, for God translated him. [SAAS]

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 2.

Psalm 36 (37).

Wait on the Lord, and keep His way.

Do not be envious of those who do evil. [SAAS]

The reading is from the Proverbs of Solomon.

PRIEST

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Pr 6:3-24

My son, do what I command you, and you will save yourself; for you came into the hands of evil things through your friend; do not be faint, but provoke even your friend, for whom you assumed a debt; do not give sleep to your eyes nor slumber to your eyelids that you may be saved, as a gazelle from the snares, and as a bird from a trap. Compare yourself with the ant, O sluggard, and be zealous when you see his ways, and become wiser than he. For although he has no tilled land, neither anyone to compel him, nor any master to rule him, yet he prepares all his food in the summer and makes his provisions abundant in the winter. Or go to the honeybee, and learn how she is a worker and how solemnly she does her work, whose labors kings and common people use for health; and she is desirable to all and glorious; and although she is weak in bodily strength, she leads the way in honoring wisdom. How long, O sluggard, will you be idle, and when will you arise from sleep? You sleep a little; you sit down a little; you doze a short while and you fold your hands on your chest a little; then poverty comes to you as an evil traveler and neediness as a swift runner. But if you are diligent, your harvest shall come to you as a fountain, and neediness as an evil runner shall desert you. A man who is without discernment and is lawless does not walk in good ways. But he winks with an eye; he makes a sign with his foot, and teaches with the wave of his hand. And with a perverse heart, he constantly schemes evil things; such a man causes trouble in a city. Therefore his destruction comes suddenly, a deep and incurable wound. For he rejoices in everything the Lord hates, and he shall be broken because of his soul’s uncleanness: a haughty eye, an unrighteous tongue, hands that shed righteous blood, a heart that devises evil thoughts, and feet that hasten to do evil; as a false witness he kindles injustice and causes quarrels between brethren. My son, guard the laws of your father, and do not depart from the rules of your mother. [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.

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 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 pl. 1.

Of old, our parents did not fast according to the Creator’s command ⁄ and received death as a fruit of the tree of knowledge. ⁄ They were banished from the tree of life, ⁄ and from the sweetness of Paradise! ⁄ Therefore, faithful, let us fast ⁄ from corrupting snares, from harmful passions, ⁄ so that we may acquire life from the divine cross, ⁄ and return with the good thief to our initial home, ⁄⁄ receiving great mercy from Christ our God! [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]

Of old, our parents did not fast according to the Creator’s command ⁄ and received death as a fruit of the tree of knowledge. ⁄ They were banished from the tree of life, ⁄ and from the sweetness of Paradise! ⁄ Therefore, faithful, let us fast ⁄ from corrupting snares, from harmful passions, ⁄ so that we may acquire life from the divine cross, ⁄ and return with the good thief to our initial home, ⁄⁄ receiving great mercy from Christ our God! [OCA]

For the Martyrs.

Mode pl. 1.

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]

You disdained all earthly things, and you manfully defied the tortures. And hence you failed not in your blessed hopes, but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven, O Martyrs, extolled throughout the world. Since to our humane God you speak with freedom, ask for peace for the world, and great mercy upon our souls. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.

Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν.

Seeing the Lamb, to whom she gave birth, * going in earnest to the slaughter, the Ewe-lamb ran * in earnest after Him crying aloud and saying to Him, * “Sweetest Child of mine, where on earth are You going now? * O Christ, my beloved Son, why are running so tirelessly * this road, O Jesus, dearly loved and long-suffering, * O compassionate, very-merciful, sinless Lord? * Say something, even just a word, * to me your hand-maiden please. * Do not pass by me in silence; * do not ignore me who wondrously * gave birth to You, O God, * the Life-giver who is granting great mercy to the world.” [SD]

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.

Psalm 144 (145)

I shall exalt You, my God and my King, and I shall bless Your name forever and unto ages of ages. Every day I shall bless you and praise Your name forever and unto ages of ages. Great is the Lord and exceedingly praiseworthy, and His greatness has no limit. Generation and generation shall praise Your works, and they shall declare Your power. They shall speak of the magnificence of the glory of Your holiness, and they shall describe Your wonders. They shall also speak of the power of Your awesome deeds and describe Your great majesty. They shall overflow with the memory of Your rich goodness, and shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful, longsuffering and abundant in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are upon all His works. O Lord, let all Your works praise You and Your holy ones bless You. They shall tell of Your kingdom’s glory, and they shall speak of Your power, that all the sons of men may know Your power and the glory of Your kingdom’s magnificence. Your kingdom is a kingdom of all the ages, and Your dominion is from generation to generation. The Lord is faithful in His words and holy in all His works. The Lord supports all who stumble and restores all who are broken down. All eyes hope in You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and fill every living thing with Your pleasure. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He shall do the will of those who fear Him, and He shall hear their supplications and save them. The Lord keeps all who love Him, but all the sinners He shall utterly destroy. My mouth shall speak the Lord’s praise, and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and unto ages of ages.

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.