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Triodion

Mode 1. On Friday Morning

On Friday of the Second Week Morning

Menaion - March 29

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

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 1.

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.

From Horologion - - -

Triadic Hymns

Mode 1.

As we are led up to a noetic and immaterial perception of the bodiless hosts, by means of physical depictions, and as we wait for the illumination, that comes from the Godhead in three Hypostases, let us imitate the cherubim, and sing aloud the Thrice-Holy Hymn to the only God: Holy, holy, holy are You, our God. By the power of Your Cross save us. [SD]

Glory.

Let us join all the heavenly hosts, and send up our Thrice-holy praise, and like the cherubim shout to Him who is in the highest: Holy, holy, holy are You, our God. By the intercessions of the Saints save us. [SD]

Both now.

Having risen from sleep, we fall before You, O good One, and to You we sing the Angels’ hymn, O almighty One: Holy, holy, holy are You, our God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 13. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

From Triodion - - -

For the Cross.

Mode 1.

When You were crucified, O Christ, the enemy’s tyranny was lifted and his power was crushed. For it was no Angel nor mere man, but You, the Lord himself, who saved us. Glory to You! [SD]

Verse: Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet; for He is holy. [SAAS]

Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

To Constantine the Great, that most pious of Rulers, * in time of war, the Cross was revealed to be armor, * an invincible monument of defeat over foes by faith. * Hostile forces now shudder before it and tremble. * For believers all it has become their salvation, * and the boast of the Apostle Paul. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

We have obtained your protection, O immaculate Lady, and by your earnest entreaties we are saved from calamities. In everything we are guarded by the Cross of your Son. We all dutifully magnify you piously. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 14. Then the short litany.

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray 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

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.

CHOIR

From Triodion - - -

Kathisma II. From the Triodion.

Mode 4. (NM)

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

Through fasting raised above the passions that creep upon the earth, let us exalt the Lord who was exalted on the Cross and has raised up the world. With full awareness let us drink the cup of contrition; and let us call to mind the day and hour when we shall stand before the eternal Judge. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 4. (NM)

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

When she beheld Thee hanging on the Cross, Thy Virgin Mother lamented bitterly and cried to Thee: ‘What is this new and strange wonder, O my Son? How has the lawless people nailed Thee to the Cross, O Life of all, my sweetest Light.’ [KW]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 15. Then the short litany.

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 blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

From Triodion - - -

Kathisma III. From the Triodion.

Mode pl. 1.

The grace of Thy Cross shines, O Lord, as lightning upon all the inhabited earth; it utterly destroys the power of devils, and in its strength we shall complete the Fast with ease. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 1. (NM)

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

When the Mother who bore Thee without the pain of travail beheld Thee lifted on the Cross, she wept lamenting and she cried: ‘Woe is me, my sweetest Son! Now am I wounded to the heart, seeing Thee nailed upon the Cross as an evildoer between two malefactors.’ [KW]

READER

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory. Both now.

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]

PRIEST

O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies:

through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints:

We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (12)

PRIEST

Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Hierarch.

Ode i. Mode 1. Heirmos (not metered).

Τῷ βοηθήσαντι Θεῷ.

Verse: Let us sing to the Lord, for He is greatly glorified.

To God who helped Moses in Egypt, and through him drowned Pharaoh with his entire army, let us sing a song of victory, for He is glorified. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O believers, let us extol that shining lamp of the Church of Christ. He has shined the light of faith on all people, who glorify the Creator of the universe. [SD]

Verse: The Lord reigns forever and ever and ever. For Pharaoh’s horses went with his chariots and horsemen into the sea. [SAAS]

O believers, let us extol that shining lamp of the Church of Christ. He has shined the light of faith on all people, who glorify the Creator of the universe. [SD]

Verse: But the children of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. [SAAS]

O blessed Hierarch, you were raised and you grew up in the meadow of the Faith of Christ, and with great joy you ascend to Him swiftly by the loftiness of martyrdom. [SD]

Glory.

O Mark, you were a preacher, an initiate, and a pure minister of Christ, and you laid down your life for His sake. You also offered your fellow athlete as sacrifices to Him. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Maiden graced of God, you are glorified by the human race, which through you was delivered from corruption, was honored with incorruption, and received undefiled life in Christ. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Hierarch.

Ode iii. Mode 1. Heirmos.

Στερέωμά μου γενοῦ.

Verse: Holy are You, O Lord, and my spirit praises You.

Become my stable support, * O Lord who established the earth of old on the waters, * for no one is holy except for You. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O Mark, you dried up the murky streams of deceptive error with your words as with fire, and you poured out rivers of the knowledge of Christ. [SD]

Verse: The Lord went up into the heaven and thundered. The Lord judges the ends of the earth. [SAAS]

O Mark, you dried up the murky streams of deceptive error with your words as with fire, and you poured out rivers of the knowledge of Christ. [SD]

Verse: He gives strength to our leaders, and He will exalt the horn of His Christ. [SAAS]

O Mark, you invoked Christ, and you scattered the camp of your enemies. You mustered the people to His love, by your words. [SD]

Glory.

Having Christ the Savior as commander, the hosts of Martyrs won the implacable war on error. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Virgin, your intercession changes our afflictions into ease. As we are delivered from perils by you, we honor you with longing. [SD]

Heirmos.

Become my stable support, * O Lord who established the earth of old on the waters, * for no one is holy except for You. [SD]

Ode 3: Short Litany

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 You are our 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.

CHOIR

Kathisma.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

O Lord, You are the pride of the contest, the very dignity of the laurel crowns, which the glorious prize-winning Martyrs have put on as a garment. For by their endurance under torture they put the lawless men to flight. And by divine power from heaven they received the victory. Through their supplications set me free from the invisible enemies, O Savior, and save me. [SD]

Glory. Another.

Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

You patiently endured being tortured as martyrs. * You now indeed enjoy the life on high free of suff’ring. * And by your all-holy prayers you alleviate suffering * of the faithful who approach your relics with reverence. * As we honor you and venerate them with longing, * Great-martyrs, we call you blest. [SD]

Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 1.

We have obtained your protection, O immaculate Lady, and by your earnest entreaties we are saved from calamities. In everything we are guarded by the Cross of your Son. We all dutifully magnify you piously. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Hierarch.

Ode iv. Mode 1. Heirmos.

Κατενόησα Παντοδύναμε.

Verse: Glory to Your strength, O Lord.

O almighty One, I understood Your plan for our salvation, * O Savior, and I glorified You with fear. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O blessed Mark, you dried up the turbid torrents of deceptive error, and you won your war on falsehood. [SD]

Verse: The Lord God is my strength; He will direct my feet to the end. [SAAS]

O blessed Mark, you dried up the turbid torrents of deceptive error, and you won your war on falsehood. [SD]

Verse: He will set me upon high places, so to conquer by His song. [SAAS]

O Hieromartyr Mark, in the ocean of your wisdom you sank the foolishness of the pagans. [SD]

Glory.

O Hierarch of the Lord, with sound teachings you armed the array of your fellow combatants. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O immaculate Virgin, you are the champion of us who extol you. We pray you cast down the arrogance of our foes. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Hierarch.

Ode v. Mode 1. Heirmos (not metered).

Ἐκ νυκτὸς ὀρθρίζοντες.

Verse: O Lord our God, grant us peace.

Rising early in the morning, we extol You, O Christ our God, who for us became poor, and endured the Cross and death in the flesh. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O righteous Mark, you humbled the audacity of the enemies by resisting their fury with long-suffering, by which you prevailed, in imitation of Christ. [SD]

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

O righteous Mark, you humbled the audacity of the enemies by resisting their fury with long-suffering, by which you prevailed, in imitation of Christ. [SD]

Verse: Learn righteousness, you who dwell on the earth. [SAAS]

O righteous one, you were struck by a volley of arrows, but you wounded those who shot them, and you yourself were preserved unharmed by divine grace. [SD]

Verse: O Lord, Your arm is exalted, but they did not know it. But when they know it, they shall be ashamed. [SAAS]

O wise and saintly men, strong and invincible champions of the Faith, you courageously opposed those who disobeyed the Faith and opposed the truth. [SD]

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

Theotokion.

O immaculate Virgin, from you our Creator took to himself our nature, defiled by passions as it was, and He washed it, renewed it, and by divine grace deified it. [SD]

(read)

Intermediate Verses of Ode Five.

O Lord our God, grant us peace, for You render everything to us. [SAAS]

O Lord our God, possess us; O Lord, we know no other besides You; we name Your name.

The dead will not see life; neither will physicians raise them. Therefore You brought evils upon them and destroyed them, and took away every male of theirs.

Because of Your fear, O Lord. We have been with child, we have been in pain, and we have given birth. We brought forth the spirit of Your salvation on the earth. [SAAS]

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode v. Mode 4. (NM) The godless shall not see.

Ἀσεβεῖς οὐκ ὄψονται.

Verse: Bring more evils on them, O Lord, on the glorious of the earth [SAAS]

Of Thine own will, O Master, Thou wast exalted on the Cross and hast cast down the enemy. Of Thine own will, then, raise me up in Thy compassion, for I am cast down into the pit of sensual pleasure. [KW]

Verse: O Lord, I remembered You in my hard circumstances. Your chastening to us was a small affliction. [SAAS]

When Thou wast stretched upon the Cross, O Jesus, Thou hast darkened the sun and given light to the whole fullness of the inhabited earth. My soul is darkened by corrupt passions: do Thou guide me to the light. [KW]

Verse: As a woman with child is in pain and cries out in her pangs, when she draws near the time of her delivery, so we became Your beloved. [SAAS]

Still the troubled waters of my mind, O Christ, granting me a peaceful voyage across the sea of the Fast, and make me come to anchor in the haven of the Resurrection. [KW]

Verse: We shall not fall but the inhabitants of the world shall fall. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

With pure minds let us honour the pure Lady, the beauty and the excellency of Jacob; and, gaining spiritual beauty by our obedience to the divine will, let us praise her with reverence as the Mother of our God. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode v. Mode pl. 1. (NM) Have mercy, O Christ.

Τοὺς ἐκ νυκτός.

Verse: The dead shall rise up; and those in the tombs shall arise. Those in the earth shall be glad. [SAAS]

Crucified, Thou dost release me from corruption; pierced by a lance, Thou makest me immortal. I glorify Thine ineffable mercy, O Christ, for Thou hast come to save me. [KW]

Verse: For your dew is a healing for them, but the land of the ungodly shall come to an end. [SAAS]

Stretching out Thine hands upon the Cross, O Lord, Thou hast killed the invisible Amalek and rescued Thy people: therefore we sing the praises of Thy power. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

Let us praise the Godhead in three Persons, one Sovereignty above all essence: Father without beginning, Son and Holy Spirit. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Him whom heaven could not contain, thou hast conceived within thy womb and borne as child. O fearful wonder beyond speech! Therefore we all sing in praise of thee, O Virgin undefiled. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

For my sake Thou hast endured crucifixion, drunk vinegar, and cried ‘It is finished’: help me to finish the course of the Fast and grant that I may see Thy Rising. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode pl. 1.

Τοὺς ἐκ νυκτός.

Have mercy, O Christ, upon those that worship Thee by night, and give them peace; for Thy commandments are light and healing to Thy servants, O Lord who lovest mankind. [KW]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Hierarch.

Ode vi. Mode 1. Heirmos.

Τὸν Προφήτην διέσωσας.

Verse: Save us, O Lord, like You saved the Prophet Jonah.

As You rescued the Prophet from the belly of the whale of old, * I pray bring me up from the sea of my sins, O benevolent Lord. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O celebrated Mark, you reproved the error of atheism, and with the splendor of divine knowledge you enlightened many people. [SD]

Verse: Those who follow vanity and lies forsake their own mercy. [SAAS]

O celebrated Mark, you reproved the error of atheism, and with the splendor of divine knowledge you enlightened many people. [SD]

Verse: As much as I vowed, I shall offer up to You, to You, the Lord of Deliverance. [SAAS]

O blessed one, you shook the shrines of the idols, and tottering men you made to be steady in Christ. [SD]

Glory.

O Mark, together with Cyril you armed your fellow contestants and fought the foes, and you received the medals of victory. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O immaculate Virgin, by your ineffable and divine childbirth, we who were born on earth have been lifted up, and the enemy has been cast down. [SD]

Heirmos.

As You rescued the Prophet from the belly of the whale of old, * I pray bring me up from the sea of my sins, O benevolent Lord. [SD]

Ode 6: Short Litany

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 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.

CHOIR

Amen.

From Triodion - - -

READER

For the Martyrs. Mode 1.

O Lord, You are the pride of the contest, the very dignity of the laurel crowns, which the glorious prize-winning Martyrs have put on as a garment. For by their endurance under torture they put the lawless men to flight. And by divine power from heaven they received the victory. Through their supplications set me free from the invisible enemies, O Savior, and save me. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On March 29 we commemorate the holy martyrs Mark, Bishop of Arethusa, Cyril the deacon, and many others.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs Jonah, Barachisios, and the seven martyrs with them.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father and confessor Eustathios of Bithynia.

By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Hierarch.

Ode vii. Mode 1. Heirmos.

Ὁ ἐν τῇ βάτῳ ὀφθείς.

Verse: Blessed are You, the God of our fathers.

When You appeared in the burning bush to the law-giver Moses, * You prefigured there the childbirth of the Ever-Virgin. * Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O Mark, the river of your martyric blood drowned the captains of error, and it provided divine cures to all who sing the praise of Christ God. [SD]

Verse: Blessed are You on the throne of Your kingdom, and You are praised and exalted beyond measure unto the ages. [SAAS]

O Mark, the river of your martyric blood drowned the captains of error, and it provided divine cures to all who sing the praise of Christ God. [SD]

Verse: Blessed are You in the firmament of heaven, for You are praised and glorified unto the ages. [SAAS]

O invincible Mark, you received unassailable power from God, and thus the attacks that the enemy plotted against you were frustrated. [SD]

Glory.

O Cyril, sacrificed with the sword of martyrdom, you offered yourself as a rational sacrifice to the Lord; and you were a whole-burnt offering in a godly death by fire. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Lady Theotokos, we unceasingly extol you, and we pray that, by your entreaties, you clothe us with strength to rule over the passions and to repel the attacks of spiritual enemies. [SD]

Ode viii.

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Hierarch.

Ode viii. Mode 1. Heirmos (not metered).

Ὕμνον σοι προσφέρομεν.

Verse: O you works, to the Lord sing a hymn, and exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages.

We offer You a hymn of the Bodiless hosts, as did the Servants in the furnace. And we extol You and say: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O Hierarch, you adorned the Church with your words, and made her illustrious with the streams of your blood, as she extols Christ who made you strong. [SD]

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

O Hierarch, you adorned the Church with your words, and made her illustrious with the streams of your blood, as she extols Christ who made you strong. [SD]

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, you heavens of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

O Hierarch, with the eyes of your soul ever watchful, you keep the flock of Christ unharmed, as she unceasingly glorifies you. [SD]

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you waters above the heaven, all you powers of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

The medaled Athletes offered their blood that was spilled to the Master as most fragrant perfume, saying: O all you works, bless you the Lord. [SD]

Verse: Bless the Lord, you sun and moon, you stars of heaven, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

O Mother of the God of goodness, we have you as our most good protector. We pray to receive help from God the Giver of Good, by your intercessions. [SD]

(read)

Intermediate Verses of Ode Eight.

Bless the Lord, every shower and dew, all you winds, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Bless the Lord, you fire and heat, you winter cold and summer heat, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you dews and snows, you frost and cold, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you hoarfrosts and snows, you lightning and clouds, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you light and darkness, you night and day, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you earth, you mountains and hills, and all you things growing on the earth, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you springs, you seas and rivers, you sea-monsters and everything that moves in the waters, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode 4. (NM) The Offspring of the Theotokos.

Παῖδας εὐαγεῖς.

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you birds of heaven, all you wild animals and cattle, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Nailed to the Cross in Thy compassion, Thou hast opened Paradise to the Thief. I have fallen among thieves through the cunning of the devil; my soul and my whole body have been wounded. Heal me and in Thy love for mankind open unto me the gates of repentance. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O children of men. Bless the Lord, O Israel, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Through fasting let us glorify our flesh and enrich our souls with virtues. Let us feed the poor and so acquire unfailing wealth in heaven, and let us cry: O all ye works of the Lord, praise ye the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O priests of the Lord, O servants of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

O Saviour, supreme in love, at Thy Passion the creation shook with fear, seeing Thee nailed upon the Cross. My mind is always shaken by the assaults of the serpent: I pray Thee, merciful Lord, establish it firmly on the unbroken rock of Thine own will. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous, O holy ones and humble in heart, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

Thou art the Gate of God that is closed, through which the Lord alone has passed: direct me on the paths of God and open unto me the gates of salvation, O Virgin full of grace. Thou art the only Protection of mankind, and to thee I flee for refuge. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode pl. 1. (NM) Sing, O ye peoples.

Τὸν Ποιητὴν τῆς κτίσεως.

Verse: Bless the Lord, O Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

I sing the praises of the holy Wood on which Thou, my Christ, wast crucified, and I bless Thee above all for ever. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O Apostles, Prophets, and Martyrs, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

The transgressors crucified and killed Thee on Golgotha, O Christ: but Thou dost live and save us for ever. [KW]

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

For the Trinity.

In a strange manner the Trinity is divided, while yet remaining undivided as God. Him do we exalt above all for ever. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Intercede for those who sing thy praises, O All-Undefiled, that they may be delivered from every danger and temptation. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Strengthening me by the power of the Cross, O Lord, grant me with good courage to complete the course of the Fast. [KW]

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Heirmos (NM). Mode pl. 1.

Τὸν Ποιητὴν τῆς κτίσεως.

Sing, O ye peoples, sing in praise of the Maker of creation, before whom angels tremble, and exalt Him above all for ever. [KW]

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.

The Magnificat. Mode 1.

Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]

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. [GOASD]

Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [NKJV]

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. [GOASD]

Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]

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. [GOASD]

Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]

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. [GOASD]

Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]

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. [GOASD]

Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]

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. [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Hierarch.

Ode ix. Mode 1. Heirmos (not metered).

Σὲ τὴν ὁραθεῖσαν.

O Virgin Theotokos, you are the gate that the Prophet Ezekiel saw and through which no one went except God alone. We honor you with hymns. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O Father, first you offered rational service and unbloody sacrifices to the Lord with a pure heart. Then, through martyrdom, you offered yourself as a pure victim. [SD]

Verse: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people. [RSV]

O Father, first you offered rational service and unbloody sacrifices to the Lord with a pure heart. Then, through martyrdom, you offered yourself as a pure victim. [SD]

Verse: And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. [RSV]

O Mark, you cut off the many heads of falsehood, with the sword of your words; and you magnified the truth by proclaiming it to all. [SD]

Verse: As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us. [RSV]

O Benefactor Christ, count us worthy of divine graces, by the intercessions of Your athletes, and by the entreaties of Your sacred clergy Mark and Cyril, and of their fellow martyrs. [SD]

Verse: To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant. [RSV]

Theotokion.

O pure Virgin, the Creator of all bowed down, in His compassion and ineffable benevolence, and was born of you, and He refashioned and renewed humanity that had been corrupted. [SD]

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode 4. (NM) Christ, the corner-stone.

Λίθος ἀχειρότμητος.

Verse: The oath which he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, be[ing] delivered from the hand of our enemies. [RSV]

The prophet saw Thee, Saviour, as a stone cut from the mountain of the Virgin; and at Thy Crucifixion Thou hast rent the rocks. I am weighed down by the stone of insensitivity: O Lord all-merciful, do Thou set me free. [KW]

Verse: [That we] might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. [RSV]

O my soul, fast from wickedness and take thy delight in divine love. Open wide the door to every thought of good, and by abstinence and prayer guard the entrance against evil. [KW]

Verse: And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways. [RSV]

O my Master and Saviour, through Thy Cross Thou hast condemned the separation that made man an enemy of God. Save me, who am condemned, and though I am defiled by passions and darkened by sins, send me not to the punishment of Gehenna. [KW]

Verse: To give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God. [RSV]

Theotokion.

When Thou shalt come in glory to judge the world, spare me, O Christ. At the prayers of Thy Mother, destroy the dark mist of my wickedness and make me an inheritor of Thy heavenly Kingdom. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode pl. 1. (NM) Rejoice, Isaiah.

Ἠσαΐα χόρευε.

Verse: When the day shall dawn upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. [RSV]

Through Thy Crucifixion Thou dost open Paradise again and deliver me from the eternal death of disobedience. With rejoicing I partake of life, and I magnify Thee as my God, O Thou who lovest mankind. [KW]

Verse: To guide our feet into the way of peace. [RSV]

O Lord, Thy lifecreating Cross has turned the instrument of the curse into a seal of blessing. Beholding Thee upon it, we who before were dead are brought to life, and singing Thy praises we magnify Thee as our Master. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

O honoured Trinity, consubstantial, without beginning, source of life, O undivided Unity, I sing Thy praises: Father unbegotten, Word and Son begotten, and Holy Spirit, save us all who glorify Thee. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Beyond our understanding is thy childbearing, O Mother of God. For without man thou hast conceived, and in virginity thou hast given birth; and the Child that thou hast borne is God. We magnify Him, O Virgin, and we call thee blessed. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O precious Cross, my strength and refuge, bestow upon me light and joy; purify me through abstinence and deliver me from temptation, that I may give thee glory and magnify Christ the Master. [KW]

Heirmos. Mode pl. 1.

Ἠσαΐα χόρευε.

O Isaiah, dance with joy, * for the Virgin conceived in the womb; * and she brought forth a son, who is God and man. * His name is Emmanuel, Dayspring and dawn, Orient, The Branch. * We magnify the Lord, and we also call the Virgin blest. [SD]

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. 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. [GOASD]

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 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.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Photagogic Hymns

From Horologion - - -

Mode 1.

O Christ, who make the light to rise, purify my soul of every sin, by the power of Your Cross, and save me. [SD]

O Christ, who make the light to rise, purify my soul of every sin, by the intercessions of the Saints, and save me. [SD]

O Christ, who make the light to rise, purify my soul of every sin, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, and save me. [SD]

READER

Lauds. (read)

Psalm 148.

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light. Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name, for He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created. He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps, Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word, mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds, kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted; His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people, a hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him. [SAAS]

Psalm 149.

Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones. Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King. Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him; for the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation. The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds; the high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand, to deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples, to shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to fulfill among them the written judgment: This glory have all His holy ones. [SAAS]

Psalm 150.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power; praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. Praise Him with the sound of a trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre; praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute; praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Alleluia. [SAAS]

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

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 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)

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 the Triodion.

From Triodion - - -

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 4.

Killing the passions, the present Fast brings promise of healing to those wounded by sin. God has given us this Fast to help us: let us honour and accept it as the divinely-written tables of the Law, given through Moses. Let us not choose wanton self-indulgence, because of which the tables once were broken; let us not perish with those whose carcasses fell in the wilderness. Let us not be like the Jews, of a sad countenance, but let us rejoice with the Church. Let us not be hypocrites like the Pharisees, but in the spirit of the Gospels let us put on the beauty of holiness, glorying in the Cross of Christ the Deliverer of our souls. [KW]

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]

Killing the passions, the present Fast brings promise of healing to those wounded by sin. God has given us this Fast to help us: let us honour and accept it as the divinely-written tables of the Law, given through Moses. Let us not choose wanton self-indulgence, because of which the tables once were broken; let us not perish with those whose carcasses fell in the wilderness. Let us not be like the Jews, of a sad countenance, but let us rejoice with the Church. Let us not be hypocrites like the Pharisees, but in the spirit of the Gospels let us put on the beauty of holiness, glorying in the Cross of Christ the Deliverer of our souls. [KW]

For the Martyrs.

Mode pl. 4. Automelon.

Τί ὑμᾶς καλέσωμεν.

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]

What are we to call you, O holy ones? * Cherubim, inasmuch as Christ has found repose in you. * Seraphim, for without ceasing you were glorifying Him. * Or Angels, from the body you had turned away. * Or Powers, you are active doing miracles. * Your names are many, and greater are * the spiritual gifts that you received. * So intercede, we entreat you, that our souls be saved. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 4. (NM) What shall we call you.

Τί ὑμᾶς καλέσωμεν.

‘What is this strange wonder?’ cried the Virgin to the Lord, as a mother to her child. ‘The bitter pangs I knew not when I bore Thee, O my Son, now have pierced my heart. O Light of mine eyes, I cannot bear to see Thee nailed upon the Cross. But do Thou hasten to arise, as Thou hast promised, that with all the world I may glorify Thy dread and saving work.’ [KW]

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

Standing in your glorious church, O Theotokos, we think we are standing in heaven. O heavenly Gate, open to us the door of your mercy.

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.

Then we begin the First Hour, saying: “Come let us worship…”

or:

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. (3) Father, bless!

Dismissal

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.

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

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

CHOIR

Amen.