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Triodion

Mode 2. On Friday Morning

On Friday of the Third Week Morning

Menaion - April 5

Memory of the Holy Martyrs Claudius, Diodore, Victor and the rest

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 2.

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 2.

We on earth, imitating the powers on high, send up a triumphal hymn to You, O good One: Holy, holy, holy are You, our God. By the power of Your Cross save us. [SD]

Glory.

O uncreated nature and Creator of the universe, open our lips, so that we may proclaim Your praise and cry out: Holy, holy, holy are You, our God. By the intercessions of the Saints save us. [SD]

Both now.

From my bed and sleep You have roused me, O Lord. Illumine my mind and heart, and open my lips to extol You, O Holy Trinity: 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 2.

We venerate Your immaculate icon, O good Lord, and entreat You to forgive our offenses, O Christ our God. By Your own choice you were pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, to deliver us, whom You created, from our slavery to the foe. Therefore we cry to You with gratitude: You have filled all things with joy, O our Savior, by coming to save the world. [SD]

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

You worked salvation in the midst of the earth, O Christ our God. You stretched out your immaculate hands on the Cross, and gathered all the nations, who cry to You: “Lord, glory to You!” [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

You are supremely glorified, O Virgin Theotokos; we sing your praise. For by means of your Son’s crucifixion has Hades been overthrown and death itself has died. We have risen, who once were dead, and have been made worthy of life. We received the original enjoyment of Paradise. And therefore with thanksgiving we send up glory to Christ our God because He is powerful and alone very merciful. [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 pl. 1. (NM)

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

We mortals, who died of old through eating from the tree, are through Thy Cross restored to life, O merciful Lord. By its power, O loving Master, give us strength to pass through the season of abstinence with compunction, obedient to Thy will, and to see the day of Thy light giving Resurrection. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 1. (NM)

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

When Thy Mother beheld Thee, O Christ, hanging by Thine own free choice upon the Cross between two thieves, then with a mother’s grief her heart was pierced and she cried out: ‘O sinless Son, how art Thou nailed unjustly to the Cross as an evildoer? It is because in Thy surpassing love Thou willest to restore mankind to life.’ [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

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 1. (NM)

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

With our flesh cleansed by abstinence and our souls filled with light by prayer, count us worthy, O Lord, to look upon Thy precious and venerable Cross and to reverence it with fear, singing hymns and saying: Glory to Thy lifegiving Cross; glory to the holy spear that pierced Thee, whereby we are restored to life, O Thou who alone lovest mankind. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 1. The stone having been sealed.

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

When Your Mother, the blameless Sheep, saw You the Lamb, O Logos, * in Your long-suffering, crucified together with robbers, * and witnessed the spear pierce Your side, * she lamented maternally and cried, * “O my Jesus, what is this awesome and horrifying mystery? * How can You, the limitless God, be concealed by a tomb? * What is happening is unspeakable! * Do not abandon me, Your Mother, O sweetest Son of mine!” [GOASD]

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 Saints.

Ode i. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Θαλάσσης τὸ ἐρυθραῖον.

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

The Red Sea was crossed by ancient Israel. They walked across dry ground, * when Moses stretched his hand over the sea * with his rod, in the form of a cross; * and likewise in the wilderness, they put to flight the hosts of Amalek. [SD]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Having completed the sacred journey, holy martyrs, you stand by the throne of God wearing crowns with glory, shining upon the world with the illuminating rays of the Spirit. [VPA]

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

Having completed the sacred journey, holy martyrs, you stand by the throne of God wearing crowns with glory, shining upon the world with the illuminating rays of the Spirit. [VPA]

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

Let the divine seven-fold choir of athletes be magnified today, as they sacredly flash with divine beauty like lightning and dance with the bodiless ranks in heaven. [VPA]

Glory.

Having lawfully run the course of martyrdom, wise ones, and steadfastly endured the assaults of all manner of tortures, you received the eternal inheritance with rejoicing. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

The Lord, who is outside of time, having received flesh from you in time, O pure one, loosed the long-lasting transgressions of mortals. Entreat him earnestly to have compassion on our souls. [VPA]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saints.

Ode iii. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Εὐφραίνεται ἐπὶ σοί.

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

Your Church rejoices in You, O Christ our God, and she cries out to You, * “You are my mighty strength, O Lord, * and You are my refuge and firm support.” [SD]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Having endured all kinds of tortures for the sake Christ, O saints, you were shone brighter than gold with the grace of the Holy Spirit. [VPA]

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

Having endured all kinds of tortures for the sake Christ, O saints, you were shone brighter than gold with the grace of the Holy Spirit. [VPA]

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

Glorious martyr Victorinus, you endured steadfastly the breaking of your back, and the loss of your eyes and hands and feet. [VPA]

Glory.

Bound to Christ by love, glorious athletes, you tore apart the contrivances of the crooked dragon. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

You gave birth to the Lord of all, rescuing mortals from noetic captivity, O spotless and all-hymned virgin. [VPA]

Heirmos.

Your Church rejoices in You, O Christ our God, and she cries out to You, * “You are my mighty strength, O Lord, * and You are my refuge and firm support.” [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

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 4. N/M (You who were lifted.)

Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.

Having borne various tortures, prize-winners, with minds that did not stumble, you shine with a brightness greater than the sun’s. Therefore we celebrate your bright memory, entreating you with faith that by your mediation we receive redemption from sins and the enjoyment of everlasting good things. [VPA]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 4. N/M (You who were lifted.)

O king of all, your mother, who bore you beyond nature as son and God, cried out “I cannot bear to see you stretched out on the cross, for I know, Master, I know your love for man, so that you suffer for the salvation of mortals, but I do not have strength, my Child, to bear my maternal grief, beholding you on the Cross. [VPA]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saints.

Ode iv. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Ἐπαρθέντα σε ἰδοῦσα.

Verse: Glory to Your strength, O Lord.

When the Church beheld You raised on the Cross unjustly, * O Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, crucified for our sake, * she stood in her course, like the moon, * and fittingly cried aloud, * “Glory to Your strength, O Lord!” [SD]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Godly-minded Victor, by grace you turned away the arrows of the enemy’s evil when your tongue was removed and your side scraped and so you were celebrated as a martyr. [VPA]

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

Protected by the shield of piety, martyr Nicephorus, you steadfastly endured the crushing of your body, crying out to your Master: Glory to Your strength, O Lord. [VPA]

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

The most excellent Claudius, fervently magnified the God of all when his hand and feet were cut off, and when his jaw was crushed with stones through the cruelty of the tyrant, he rejoiced. [VPA]

Glory.

All-lauded ones, you did not fear the varied tribulations of torments, nor death, which brought you glory, as you cried out in faith: Glory to Your strength, O Lord. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

August one, the prophet noetically foresaw you as an overshadowed mountain from which the Master truly appeared in the likeness of our flesh, saving humanity from corruption. [VPA]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saints.

Ode v. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Σὺ Κύριέ μου φῶς.

Verse: O Lord our God, grant us peace.

My Lord, You are the light. * Holy light, to the world You came * to turn people from the darkness * and the night of not knowing. And now in faith we sing Your praise. [SD]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Having endured great torments, Diodore, you readily bore the roasting on spits and burning on coals [VPA]

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

Having endured great torments, Diodore, you readily bore the roasting on spits and burning on coals [VPA]

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

Serapion, you remained unshaken in mind when hung and undergoing tortures of many kinds and you were perfected by the sword. [VPA]

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

O Pappias, you blunted the sword of the enemy when you were scraped and pierced by nails and drowned in the sea, O Martyr. [VPA]

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

Theotokion.

O Lady, you set aright the fall of mortals by conceiving God the Word, who has power to restore those who are broken down. [VPA]

(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 pl. 1. (NM)

Ὁ ἀναβαλλόμενος.

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

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; by Thy wounds cleanse the wounds of my soul, O Christ who hast accepted suffering in the flesh. [KW]

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

When the sun beheld Thee, O Christ, hanging in the flesh upon the Wood, its light was changed to darkness; and the earth quaked and the rocks were rent. [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]

O Lord who in Thy surpassing love hast been crowned with thorns, cleanse my soul, for it is full of thorns and overgrown with the weeds of all the passions. [KW]

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

Theotokion.

O all-pure Virgin, thou hast brought forth my Creator as a new born babe. Entreat Him, then, I pray thee, to fashion me anew, who am grown old in evil. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode v. Mode 1. (NM) Seeking The early.

Ἐκ νυκτὸς ὀρθρίζοντες.

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

At the place of the Skull, O Christ, the Jews who crucified Thee wagged their heads in laughter and mockery; and all this Thou hast endured for our salvation. [KW]

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

Pilate wrote the inscription on Thy Cross in three languages, O Christ, showing in this way that Thou art one of the Trinity; who suffered of Thine own will for the salvation of all. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

O ye faithful, let us praise the threefold Sun of the Trinity supreme in radiance, honouring the Father as Light, glorifying the Son as Light, and proclaiming the Spirit as Light. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

O pure and honoured Virgin, He who was born of thee has made thee higher than the angels. For they are afraid to gaze on Him as God, but thou hast carried Him in thine arms as thy Son. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O precious Cross, guardian and salvation of the world, watch over me as I fast and count me worthy to take part in thy holy veneration. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode 1.

Ἐκ νυκτὸς ὀρθρίζοντες.

Seeking Thee early in the morning, we sing Thy praises, Christ our God, who hast for our sakes become poor and in Thy flesh endured the Cross and death. [KW]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saints.

Ode vi. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Θύσω σοι μετὰ φωνῆς.

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

“I will sacrifice to You, O Lord, with a voice of praise.” * So sings the Church You delivered * from the gore of sacrificing to demons; * for You cleansed her * by the blood that for mercy poured out from Your side. [SD]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let Serapion and the divine Diodore, Victorinus, Pappius, Nikeforos, Claudius, and Victor be hymned for they have completely prevailed over the error of the deceiver. [VPA]

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

Let Serapion and the divine Diodore, Victorinus, Pappius, Nikeforos, Claudius, and Victor be hymned for they have completely prevailed over the error of the deceiver. [VPA]

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

You were seen to be swords hardened by the Spirit and you cut down all the ranks of the enemy, O prizewinners, rightly enjoying the kingdom of heaven. [VPA]

Glory.

O, wonder! How, O Victor and Victorinus, when you were thrown upon a millstone, you were ground up like wheat, and by the crushing of your bones you crushed the snares of the enemy. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

All-blameless one, strengthen the power of my soul made weak by continual negligence and sin, so that with faith and yearning I may always celebrate you in song. [VPA]

Heirmos.

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

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 2.

The Saints had their foundation on the unshakable rock, and they mightily contended against the tyrants, and through their tortures they obtained the crowns of victory. By their prayers for us, save us, O God. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On April 5 we commemorate the holy martyrs Claudius, Diodoros, Victor, Victorinus, Pappias, Serapion, and Nikephoros.

On this day we also commemorate our devout mother Theodora of Thessaloniki.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs Theodora and Didymos.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Thermos.

On this day we also commemorate the holy women, a Lady and her Servant.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Pompey.

On this day, Saint Zeno died after they smeared him with pitch, threw him into fire, and ran him through with a spear while he was in the fire.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs Maximus and Terence.

On this day we also commemorate the holy five young women martyrs of Lesbos.

On this day St. George the Neomartyr, who contested in New Ephesus in the year 1801, died by the sword.

By the intercessions of Your saints, Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Saints.

Ode vii. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Ἐν τῇ καμίνῳ Ἀβραμιαῖοι.

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

Inside the furnace * in ancient Persia, sons of Abraham * were consumed with pious fear and the love of God * rather than the fiery flame, and sang * together, “In the temple of Your holy glory, You are blessed, O Lord.” [SD]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Victor, you were stretched and your sides were scraped, all-glorious one, you were crushed by a stone and your tongue was cut out, and you were perfected while chanting: Blessed are you in the temple of your glory, O Lord. [VPA]

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

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

By the strength of the divine Spirit, martyr Claudius, you endured scourging on your back and belly, the crushing of your jaw, and the removal of your hands, and feel, while hymning the Lord. [VPA]

Glory.

With a great spirit, being youthful, O Nikiforos, enduring the removal of your fingers and the crushing of your entire body you received a diadem of victory, befitting your name. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

As the most high throne of the most high, O Virgin, and the golden lamp and ark of holiness, we all hymn you, crying out: Blessed are you among women, all-blameless one. [VPA]

Ode viii.

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saints.

Ode viii. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Χεῖρας ἐκπετάσας Δανιήλ.

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

Daniel shut the lions’ gaping mouths inside the den of old, by stretching out his hands. * The three young men overcame the force * of the furnace fire, having girt * themselves in virtue, for they loved * godliness, and were together singing, * “Bless the Lord and praise Him, all you works of the Lord.” [SD]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Lifting up your hands towards God to is able to save, blessed ones of God, you bore the pains of many kinds of tortures, you endured and were taken up to him as victors crying out: All you works of the Lord, Bless the Lord. [VPA]

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

Let us, faithful, lift up hymns today to the martyrs of Christ Pappias and Seraphion and Diodore, Claudius, Nicephorus, Victor and Victorinus all together, singing: All the works hymn the Lord. [VPA]

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]

Great martyrs, your blood, pouring out, sanctified the earth and by divine grace halted the flow of faithlessness, and richly watered the souls of those crying out All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord. [VPA]

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]

By sacred hymns let us sing to the beginningless Father, the co-beginningless Son and the Holy Spirit, the godhead of one power and life of one sovereignty, and let use cry out: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord. [VPA]

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

Theotokion.

Your dread childbirth overwhelms the grasp of the mind, O God-graced one, for the beginningless God receives a temporal beginning to save those who faithfully cry out to him: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord. [VPA]

(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 pl. 1. (NM)

Σοὶ τῷ παντουργῷ.

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]

O Christ, Thou hast stretched out Thine hands upon the Cross, and so Thou hast destroyed the sin of our forefather who stretched out his hands in greed. By the Tree hast Thou healed the curse of the tree: therefore we sing Thy praises for ever. [KW]

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

I fall down before Thee, O Word, who desirest my salvation. Cause the evil desires to vanish swiftly from my heart, O Thou who hast willingly endured the Cross and Passion. [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]

I have loved the guilty life of the Prodigal and my soul has grown dark. O Word who at Thy Passion hast darkened the light of the sun, shine upon me with Thy brightness, that I may turn back to Thee. [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.

Cause every ill to vanish from my greatly suffering heart, O Mother of Christ my God. Shatter the arrows and bows of the demons that make war against my humiliated soul. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode 1. (NM) Christ our God preserved.

Τὸν τοὺς ὑμνολόγους ἐν καμίνῳ.

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

In our wretchedness what shall we offer Thee, O Master of all, who hast suffered for us? Thou hast endured the Cross for our sake, O Christ, and we sing the praises of Thy grace and boundless mercy. [KW]

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

The lawless Jews who from envy killed Thee on the accursed tree, harmed not the power of Thy glory. For Thou remainest Master of all, and Thou hast suffered by Thine own free choice. [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.

I honour the three Persons of the Godhead that transcends all being, and I glorify for ever the Father without beginning, the Son and the Holy Spirit, undivided in essence and nature. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

We praise her who is higher that the heavens and exalted above the cherubim, the first among the saints, the undefiled Maiden who bore the God of all, and we exalt her above all for ever. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O thrice-blessed Cross of Christ, while hidden in the earth thou hast given us a victory-written in the sky; grant that, cleansed by fasting, we may all be counted worthy to venerate thee. [KW]

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Heirmos (NM). Mode 1.

Τὸν τοὺς ὑμνολόγους ἐν καμίνῳ.

Christ our God preserved the Children who sang His praises in the furnace, and He changed the roaring flames to dew; let us praise 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 4.

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 Saints.

Ode ix. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Λίθος ἀχειρότμητος.

A cornerstone was cut out without hands from a never-quarried mountain, * which prefigured you, holy Virgin. * The stone is Christ, who joined the disparate natures. * As we rejoice because of this, O Theotokos, we magnify you. [SD]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Following in the steps of the august passion, prizewinners, you endured all torture attempts with a firm mind and, having died in a glorious manner, you are blessed unto the ages. [VPA]

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

Having been set forth as an offering and sacrifice of most sweet fragrance upon the heavenly table you made the church of the first-born most radiant, shining brighter than the sun, O Martyrs. [VPA]

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

Gathering today, faithful let us bless the brave Victorinus, Claudius, the divine Pappias, Diodore, and Serapion and the wise Victor, and Nicephorus. [VPA]

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]

Your bright memory, rising up, illumines the entire church of Christ, august soldiers, in which intercede that remission of sins be granted to us, admirable ones. [VPA]

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

Theotokion.

Holding Christ in your embraces, who took on mortal flesh from you, entreat him, O Virgin that immortality be given, all-blameless one, to those who faithfully honor and magnify you, the Theotokos. [VPA]

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

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

Ἠσαΐα χόρευε.

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]

O compassionate Saviour, take away the stony hardness of my soul, and grant me in Thy love a fountain of divine compunction: for Thou hast poured out life upon me from Thy side and lifted up mankind to Thee, O Lord. [KW]

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

Forsaking the heights of virtue I have thrown myself into the depths of sin. But draw me up and save me, for Thou hast ascended on the Cross and lifted up mankind to Thee, O Lord. [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 Lord Christ who art sweetness and delight, Thou the Creator hast tasted gall and raised up Adam’s children from their fall that came about through sensual pleasure. Saved by Thy Passion, we sing Thy praises. [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.

All-holy Lady, my hope and refuge, heal the wounds of my soul and give peace to my mind, that even I may praise thy greatness, Ever Virgin Theotokos. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode 1. (NM) Moses saw thee.

Σὲ ἥν περ εἶδε Μωυσῆς.

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]

The transgressors in mockery clothed Thee with purple, O Christ, and crowned Thee as King, striking Thy head with a reed; and from envy they crucified Thee and gave Thee gall to drink. In our hymns with all the faithful we magnify Thee. [KW]

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

When the sun beheld Thy sufferings upon the Cross, it hid its light; and seeing the outrages which Thou hast undergone, O Master, the whole creation quaked and the rocks were rent. In our hymns, Christ our Saviour, we magnify Thee. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

O Unity of the threefold Sun, Light and Life and Maker of all, God and Lord, shining with a single light, three Persons in one Godhead: with all the faithful we magnify Thee. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

In prophecy David the Psalmist called thee Zion: for He whom the heavens cannot contain made thee His dwelling-place, and from thy flesh He formed the mercy-seat of the world. In our hymns, pure Mother, we magnify thee. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O Lord, through abstinence enable us to run swiftly to Thy saving Cross, the Light of the faithful, and to behold and venerate it for our sanctification; that so through the Cross we may magnify Thee. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode 1.

Σὲ ἥν περ εἶδε Μωυσῆς.

Moses saw thee as a bush unconsumed by fire, and Jacob beheld thee as the living ladder and the gate of heaven, through which Christ our God has passed. In our hymns, pure Mother, we magnify thee. [KW]

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

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 2.

Send out Your eternal light, O Lord, and illumine the hidden eyes of my heart, by the power of Your Cross, and save me. [SD]

Send out Your eternal light, O Lord, and illumine the hidden eyes of my heart, by the intercessions of the Saints, and save me. [SD]

Send out Your eternal light, O Lord, and illumine the hidden eyes of my heart, 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.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

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

PRIEST (aloud)

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

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Aposticha. From the Triodion.

From Triodion - - -

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 2.

I have scattered the riches which the Father gave me and wasted my life as the Prodigal, carried away by the evil thoughts of sin. Taking pleasure in the sweetness of passion, I have transgressed Thy saving commandments and become like the unthinking beasts. O Christ my God, who for my sake wast pleased to hang upon the Cross, deprive me not of sonship, but accept me as I now turn back to Thee like the Prodigal Son, and save me. [KW]

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

For the Martyrs.

Mode pl. 2.

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

At the commemoration of Thy martyrs, O Lord, the whole creation keeps festival; heaven with the angels greatly rejoices, and the earth with all mankind makes glad. At their intercessions have mercy on us. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 2. You rose within three days.

Τριήμερος ἀνέστης.

The all-pure Theotokos, O Lord, * was watching You be crucified. * As a mother * she was grieving and she cried, saying, “O my sweetest Child, * how is it that You suffer * this painful Passion, O my Son and my God?” [SD]

PRIEST

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

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

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

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

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

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

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

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

READER

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.

PRIEST

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.

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.