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Triodion

On Thursday of the Fifth Week - The Service of the Great Canon - at Matins

Mode 4. On Thursday Morning

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MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 4.

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

From Horologion - - -

Triadic Hymns

Mode 4.

We mortals dare to offer You the hymn of Your noetic ministers, and we say: Holy, holy, holy are You our God. By the intercessions of the Apostles save us. [SD]

Glory.

Now like the orders of Angels in heaven, and the ranks of people on earth, with fear we offer You a hymn of victory, O good One. Holy, holy, holy are You our God. By the intercessions of the Hierarch save us. [SD]

Both now.

Like the Cherubim we dare to glorify the unoriginate Father, and You, O Christ God, and Your all-holy Spirit, and we say: 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 8. 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 Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

From Triodion - - -

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

You made Your Disciples shine like luminaries, O Christ, * throughout the entire earth, for they illumined many souls * by preaching Your word to them. * Idolatry’s deception was through them eliminated, * and the world has been enlightened with Your true Christian doctrines. * We pray You save our souls, by their entreaties on our behalf. [GOASD]

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints, the God of Israel. [SAAS]

N/M (You who were lifted.)

O Master, by Your right hand Moses led Israel through the Red Sea out of bondage and drowned Pharaoh in the waves; and likewise Your wise disciples cut through the sea of bitter godlessness by their miracles, and they guided the people to You, O only benevolent unoriginate Logos. [SD]

Verse: To the saints on His earth, in them the Lord magnified all His will. [SAAS]

For the Martyrs.

Come quickly.

Your prize-winning martyr Saints, equipped and armed with the cross, * defeated the machinations of the arch-evil foe * of mankind, O Christ our God. * Shining like stars in heaven, * they are guides for us mortals. * To those who with faith request them, they dispense cures and healings. * Through their intercessions we pray You to save our souls. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

We have come to know that the Word of the Father, Christ our God, became incarnate from you, O Virgin Theotokos, only pure, only blessed. Therefore we never cease to extol and magnify you. [SD]

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.

CHOIR

The Great Canon

By Andrew of Crete.

Ode i. Mode pl. 2. Heirmos.

He became for me a helper and a shelterer for salvation. * He is my God, and I will glorify Him, * the God of my father, and Him will I exalt, * for He is greatly glorified. (2)

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Where shall I begin to weep for the actions of my wretched life? What first-fruit shall I offer, O Christ, in this my lamentation? But in Your compassion grant me forgiveness of sins.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Come, wretched soul, with your flesh to the Creator of all. Make confession to Him, and abstain henceforth from your past brutishness; and offer to God tears of repentance.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have rivaled in transgression Adam the first-formed man, and I have found myself stripped naked of God, of the eternal Kingdom and its joy, because of my sins.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Woe to you, miserable soul! How like you are to the first Eve! For you looked in wickedness and were grievously wounded; you have touched the tree and rashly tasted the deceptive food.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Instead of the visible Eve, I have the Eve of the mind: the passionate thought in my flesh, showing me what seems sweet; yet whenever I taste from it, I find it bitter.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Adam was justly banished from Eden because he disobeyed one commandment of Yours, O Savior. What then shall I suffer, for I am always rejecting Your words of life?

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

By my own free choice have I incurred the guilt of Cain’s murder. I have killed my conscience, bringing the flesh to life and making war upon the soul by my wicked actions.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O Jesus, I have not been like Abel in his righteousness. Never have I offered You acceptable gifts or godly actions, a pure sacrifice or an unblemished life.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Like Cain, O miserable soul, we too have offered, to the Creator of all, defiled actions and a polluted sacrifice and a worthless life: and so we also are condemned.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

As the potter molds the clay, You fashioned me, giving me flesh and bones, breath and life. But accept me in repentance, O my Maker and Deliverer and Judge.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I confess to You, O Savior, the sins I have committed, the wounds of my soul and body, which murderous thoughts, like thieves, have inflicted inwardly upon me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Though I have sinned, O Savior, yet I know that You are full of loving-kindness. You chastise with mercy and are fervent in compassion. You see me weeping and You run to meet me, like the Father calling back the Prodigal Son.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I lie as an outcast before Your gate, O Savior. In my old age cast me not down empty into hell; but, before the end comes, in Your love grant me remission of sins.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I am the man who fell among thieves, even my own thoughts; they have covered all my body with wounds, and I lie beaten and bruised. But come to me, O Christ my Savior, and heal me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The Priest saw me first, but passed by on the other side; the Levite looked on me in my distress but despised my nakedness. O Jesus, sprung from Mary, come to me and take pity on me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of all, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Your compassion give me tears of compunction.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

It is time for repentance: to You I come, my Creator. Take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Your compassion give me tears of compunction.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Reject me not, O Savior; cast me not away from Your presence. Take from me the heavy yoke of sin and in Your compassion grant me remission of sins.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

All my offenses, voluntary and involuntary, manifest and hidden, known and unknown, forgive, O Savior, for You are God; be merciful and save me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

From my youth, O Savior, I have rejected Your commandments. Ruled by the passions, I have passed my whole life in heedlessness and sloth. Therefore I cry to You, O Savior, even now at the end: Save me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

As the Prodigal, O Savior, I have wasted the substance of my soul in riotous living, and I am barren of the virtues of holiness. In my hunger I cry: O giver of mercy, come quickly out to meet me and take pity on me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I fall down, Jesus, at Your feet: I have sinned against You, be merciful to me. Take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Your compassion, O God, accept me in repentance.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Enter not into judgment with me, bringing before me the things I should have done, examining my words and correcting my impulses. But in Your mercy overlook my sins and save me, O Lord almighty.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Grant me the light of grace, from God’s providence on high, so that I may flee from the darkness of the passions and sing fervently the joyful tale of your life, O Mary.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Bowing before the divine laws of Christ, you drew near to Him, forsaking the unbridled longings of sensual pleasure; and in the fear of God you gained all the virtues as if they were one.

Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.

Through your intercessions, O Andrew, deliver us from shameful passions. We pray you, make us now partakers of Christ’s Kingdom; for with faith and love we sing your praises.

Glory. For the Trinity.

Trinity beyond all being, worshipped in Unity, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Your compassion grant me tears of compunction.

Both now. Theotokion.

O Theotokos, the hope and protection of those who sing your praises, take from me the heavy yoke of sin. O pure Lady, accept me in repentance.

Ode ii. Heirmos.

Attend, O Heaven, and I shall speak and sing in praise of Christ Who took flesh from a Virgin and came to dwell among us. (2)

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Attend, O Heaven, and I shall speak; give ear, O earth, to the voice of one who repents before God and sings His praise.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Look upon me, God my Savior, with Your merciful eye, and accept my fervent confession.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

More than all men I have sinned; I alone have sinned against You. But as God take pity on Your creation, O Savior.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I am surrounded by the storm of sin, O compassionate Lord. But stretch out Your hand to me, as once You did to Peter.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I offer to You, O merciful Lord, the tears of the Harlot. Take pity on me, O Savior, in Your compassion.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

With the lusts of passion I have darkened the beauty of my soul, and turned my whole mind entirely into earth.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have torn the first garment that the Creator wove for me in the beginning, and now I lie naked.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have clothed myself in the torn coat that the serpent wove for me by his counsel, and I am ashamed.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I looked upon the beauty of the tree and my mind was deceived, and now I lie naked and ashamed.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

All the ruling passions have ploughed upon my back, making long furrows of wickedness.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have lost the beauty and glory with which I was first created; and now I lie naked and ashamed.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Sin has stripped me of the robe that God once wove for me, and it has sewed for me garments of skin.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I am clothed with the raiment of shame as with fig leaves, in condemnation of my self-willed passions.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I am clad in a garment that is defiled and shamefully bloodstained by a life of passion and self-indulgence.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have stained the garment of my flesh, O Savior, and defiled that which was made in Your image and likeness.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have fallen beneath the painful burden of the passions and the corruption of material things; and I am hard pressed by the enemy.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Instead of freedom from possessions, O Savior, I pursued a life in love with material things, and now I wear a heavy yoke.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I adorned the idol of my flesh with a many-colored coat of shameful thoughts, and I am condemned.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I cared only for the outward adornment, and neglected that which is within -- the tabernacle fashioned by God.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

With my lustful desires I formed within myself the deformity of the passions and disfigured the beauty of my mind.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I discolored with the passions the first beauty of the image, O Savior. But seek me, as once You sought the lost coin, and find me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Like the Harlot I cry to You: I have sinned, I alone have sinned against You. Accept my tears also as sweet ointment, O Savior.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Like David, I fell into lust and I am covered with filth; but wash me clean, O Savior, by my tears.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Like the Publican I cry to You: Be merciful, O Savior, be merciful to me. For no child of Adam has ever sinned against You as I have sinned.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have no tears, no repentance, no compunction; but as God, O Savior, bestow them on me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Lord, Lord, at the Last Day shut not Your door against me; but open it to me, for I repent before You.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O Lover of mankind, who desires that all men shall be saved, in Your goodness call me back and accept me in repentance.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Give ear to the groaning of my soul, and accept the tears that fall from my eyes; O Lord, save me.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

For the Trinity.

I sing Your praises, One in Three Persons, God of all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

O Theotokos undefiled, Virgin alone worthy of all praise, intercede fervently for our salvation.

Another Heirmos.

See now, see that I am God, who rained down manna in the days of old, and made springs of water flow from the rock, for my people in the wilderness, by My right hand and by My power alone.

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

“See now, see that I am God.” Give ear, my soul, to the Lord as He cries to you; forsake your former sin, and fear Him as your Judge and God.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

To whom shall I liken you, O soul of many sins? Alas! To Cain and to Lamech. For you stoned your body to death with your evil deeds, and killed your mind with your disordered longings.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Call to mind, my soul, all who lived before the Law. You have not been like Seth, or followed Enos or Enoch, who was translated to Heaven, or Noah; but you are destitute, without a share in the life of the righteous.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You alone, O my soul, opened the windows of the wrath of your God, and you flooded, as the earth, all your flesh and deeds and life; and you remained outside the Ark of salvation.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

“I have slain a man to my grief and wounding,” said Lamech, “and a young man to my hurt”; and he cried aloud lamenting. Do you not tremble then, my soul, for you have defiled your flesh and polluted your mind?

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Ah, how I have emulated Lamech, the murderer of old, slaying my soul as if it were a man, and my mind as if it were a young man. With sensual longings I have killed my body, as Cain the murderer killed his brother.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Skillfully you planned to build a tower, O my soul, and to establish a stronghold for your lusts; but the Creator confounded your designs and dashed your devices to the ground.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I am wounded and smitten: see the enemy’s arrows which have pierced my soul and body. See the wounds, the open sores and the injuries, that cry out to God against the blows inflicted by my freely chosen passions.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Roused to anger by their transgressions, the Lord once rained down fire from Heaven and burnt up the men of Sodom. And you, my soul, have kindled the fire of Gehenna, and there to your bitter sorrow you shall burn.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Know and see that I am God, searching out men’s hearts and punishing their thoughts, reproving their actions and burning up their sins; and in My judgment I protect the orphan, the humble and the poor.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Sunk in the abyss of wickedness, O Mary, you lifted up your hands to the merciful God. And, as to Peter, in His loving-kindness He stretched out His hand to you in help, seeking in every way your conversion.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

With all eagerness and love you ran to Christ, turning from your former path of sin, finding your food in the trackless wilderness, and fulfilling in purity the commandments of God.

Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.

Let us see, O my soul, let us see the love of our God and Master for mankind; and before the end comes, with tears let us fall down before Him, crying: “At the prayers of Andrew, O Savior, have mercy upon us.”

Glory. For the Trinity.

O Trinity uncreated and without beginning, O undivided Unity: accept me in repentance and save me, a sinner. I am Your creation, reject me not; but spare me and deliver me from the fire of condemnation.

Both now. Theotokion.

Most pure Lady, Mother of God, hope of those who run to you and the haven of the storm-tossed: pray to the merciful God, your Creator and your Son, that He may grant His mercy even to me.

Ode iii. Heirmos.

Upon the unshaken rock of Your commandments, O Christ, make firm Your Church.

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, the Lord once rained down fire from Heaven and consumed the land of Sodom.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, flee like Lot to the mountain, and take refuge in Zoar before it is too late.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Flee from the flames, O my soul, flee from the burning heat of Sodom, flee from destruction by the fire of God.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I confess to You, O Savior: I have sinned, I have sinned against You. But in Your compassion absolve and forgive me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I alone have sinned against You, I have sinned more than all men; reject me not, O Christ my Savior.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You are the Good Shepherd: seek me, the lamb that has strayed, and do not forget me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You are my beloved Jesus, You are my Creator; in You shall I be justified, O Savior.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

For the Trinity.

O God, Trinity in Unity, save us from error and temptation and distress.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Rejoice, Womb that held God! Rejoice, throne of the Lord! Rejoice, Mother of our Life!

Another Heirmos.

Establish upon the rock of Your commandments my heart, O Master, * sorely shaken as it is, O Lord. * Only You are holy, and again only You are Lord.

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

For me You are the Fountain of life and the Destroyer of death; and from my heart I cry to You before the end: I have sinned, be merciful to me and save me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O Savior, I followed the example of those who lived in wantonness in the days of Noah; and like them I am condemned to drown in the Flood.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against You; be merciful to me. For there is no sinner whom I have not surpassed in my offenses.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, you followed Ham, who mocked his father. You did not cover your neighbor’s shame, walking backwards with averted face.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O wretched soul, you have not inherited the blessing of Shem, nor have you received, like Japhet, a spacious domain in the land of forgiveness.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, depart from sin, from the land of Haran, and come to the land that Abraham inherited, which flows with incorruption and eternal life.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You have heard, my soul, how Abraham in days of old left the land of his fathers and became a wanderer: follow him in his choice.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

At the oak of Mamre, the Patriarch gave hospitality to the Angels, and in his old age he inherited the reward of the promise.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You know, O my miserable soul, how Isaac was offered mystically as a new and unwonted sacrifice to the Lord: follow him in his choice.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, be watchful. You have heard how Ishmael was driven out as the child of a bondwoman. Take heed, lest the same thing happen to you because of your lust.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, you have become like Hagar the Egyptian: your free choice has been enslaved, and you have borne as your child a new Ishmael, stubborn willfulness.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You know, my soul, the ladder that was shown to Jacob, reaching up from earth to Heaven. Why have you not provided a firm foundation for it through your godly actions?

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Follow the example of Melchizedek, the priest of God, the king set apart, who was an image of the life of Christ among men in the world.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Turn back, wretched soul, and lament, before the marketplace of life comes to an end, before the Lord shuts the door of the bridal chamber.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Do not look back, my soul, and so be turned into a pillar of salt. Fear the example of the people of Sodom, and take refuge in Zoar.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Flee, my soul, like Lot from the burning of sin; flee from Sodom and Gomorrah; flee from the flame of every brutish desire.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on me, I cry to You, when You come with Your angels to give to every man due return for his deeds.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Reject not, O Master, the prayer of those who sing Your praises, but in Your loving-kindness be merciful and grant forgiveness to them that ask with faith.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

I am held fast, O Mother, by the tempest and billows of sin. Keep me safe and lead me to the haven of divine repentance.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

O holy Mary, offer your prayer of supplication to the compassionate Theotokos, and through your intercessions open to me the door that leads to God.

Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.

Through your prayers grant even to me forgiveness of trespasses, O Andrew, Bishop of Crete, best of guides, leading us to the mysteries of repentance.

Glory. For the Trinity.

O simple Unity praised in Trinity of Persons, uncreated Nature without beginning, save us who in faith worship Your power.

Both now. Theotokion.

O Mother of God, without knowing man you gave birth within time to the Son, who was begotten outside time from the Father; and, strange wonder! you nurse Him while still remaining Virgin.

Heirmos.

Establish upon the rock of Your commandments my heart, O Master, * sorely shaken as it is, O Lord. * Only You are holy, and again only You are Lord. [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 Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 4. N/M (O Life of all, You rose.)

Divinely-shining lights, eyewitnesses of the Saviour, illuminate us in the darkness of this life, that we may now walk honestly as in the day; with the torch of abstinence may we drive out the passions of the night, and behold with joy the splendour of Christ’s Passion. [KW]

Glory. Another.

Mode pl. 4. N/M (When he perceived.)

O company of the twelve apostles, chosen by God, offer now to Christ your supplications, that we may all complete the course of the Fast, saying our prayers with compunction and practising the virtues with an eager heart; and so may we attain the glorious Resurrection of Christ our God, bringing to Him praise and glory.

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 4. N/M (When he perceived.)

The son and Word of God whom nothing can contain, in ways past speech and understanding was born from thee, O Theotokos. With the apostles pray to Him, that He may bestow true peace upon the inhabited earth and grant to us before the end forgiveness of our sins, in His boundless love counting thy servants worthy of the heavenly Kingdom. [KW]

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode iv. Mode pl. 4. Heirmos.

I have heard the report, O Lord, * of Your incarnation, which is a mystery. * I considered Your astounding works, * and I glorified Your divinity. [SD]

Troparia.

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

Enlightened by God, the apostles of Christ lived in abstinence; and by their divine mediation they help us in this season of the Fast. [KW]

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

As an instrument of twelve strings, the divine choir of the disciples sang a hymn of salvation, confounding the music of evil. [KW]

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

Driving away the drought of polytheism, O all-blessed apostles, with the rain of the Spirit ye have watered all the earth. [KW]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

I have passed my life in arrogance: make me humble and save me, all-pure Lady, for thou hast borne the Lord who has exalted our humiliated nature. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Mode pl. 4. (NM) O Lord, I have heard

Εἰσακήκος Κύριε, τὴν ἀκοήν.

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

O honoured choir of the apostles, in your intercessions to the Maker of all, ask that He have mercy on us who sing your praises. [KW]

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

As Christ’s husbandmen, O apostles, ye have tilled the whole world with the word of God, and ye bring Him fruit at all times. [KW]

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

Ye became a vineyard, O apostles, for Christ the well-beloved, and ye have made all the world to drink from the wine of the Spirit. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

Trinity one in essence, without beginning and supreme in power, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: O God, Light and Life, guard Thy flock. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Hail, fiery Throne! Hail, Candlestick that bears the Light! Hail, Mountain of sanctification, Ark of life, Tabernacle and Holy of Holies! [KW]

The Great Canon

Ode iv. Heirmos.

On hearing about Your advent, * O Lord, the Prophet Habakkuk of old was frightened: * that You purposed from a Virgin to be born * and appear to humankind. And thus he said: * O Lord, I have heard Your report and I am frightened. * Glory to Your strength, O Lord my God. (2)

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O righteous Judge, despise not Your works; forsake not Your creation. I have sinned as a man, I alone, more than any other man, O You Who love mankind. But as Lord of all You have the power to pardon sins.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The end draws near, my soul, the end draws near; yet you do not care or make ready. The time grows short, rise up: the Judge is at the door. The days of our life pass swiftly, as a dream, as a flower. Why do we trouble ourselves in vain?

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Awake, my soul, consider the actions which you have done; set them before your eyes, and let the drops of your tears fall. With boldness tell Christ of your deeds and thoughts, and so be justified.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

No sin has there been in life, no evil deed, no wickedness, that I have not committed, O Savior. I have sinned as no one ever before, in mind, word and intent, in disposition, thought and act.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

For this I am condemned in my misery, for this I am convicted by the verdict of my own conscience, which is more compelling than all else in the world. O my Judge and Redeemer, Who know my heart, spare and deliver and save me in my wretchedness.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The ladder which the great Patriarch Jacob saw of old is an example, O my soul, of approach through action and of ascent in knowledge. If then you wish to live rightly in action and knowledge and contemplation, be you made new.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

In privation Jacob the Patriarch endured the burning heat by day and the frost by night, making daily gains of sheep and cattle, shepherding, wrestling, and serving, to win his two wives.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

By the two wives, understand action and knowledge in contemplation. Leah is action, for she had many children; and Rachel is knowledge, for she endured great toil. For without toil, O my soul, neither action nor contemplation will succeed.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Be watchful, O my soul, be full of courage like Jacob the great Patriarch, that you may acquire action with knowledge, and be named Israel, “the mind that sees God”; so shall you reach by contemplation the innermost darkness and gain great merchandise.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The great Patriarch had the twelve Patriarchs as children, and so he mystically established for you, my soul, a ladder of ascent through action, in his wisdom setting his children as steps, by which you can mount upwards.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You have rivaled Esau the hated, O my soul, and given the birthright of your first beauty to the supplanter; you have lost your father’s blessing and in your wretchedness been twice supplanted, in action and in knowledge. Therefore repent now.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Esau was called Edom because of his raging love for women; burning always with unrestrained desires and stained with sensual pleasure, he was named “Edom”, which means the red heat of a soul that loves sin.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You have heard, O my soul, of Job justified on a dung-hill, but you have not imitated his fortitude. In all your experiences and trials and temptations, you have not kept firmly to your purpose but have proved inconstant.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Once he sat upon a throne, but now he sits upon a dung-hill, naked and covered with sores. Once he was blessed with many children and admired by all, but suddenly he is childless and homeless. Yet he counted the dung-hill as a palace and his sores as pearls.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

A man of great wealth and righteous, abounding in riches and cattle, clothed in royal dignity, in crown and purple robe, Job became suddenly a beggar, stripped of wealth, glory and kingship.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

If he who was righteous and blameless above all men did not escape the snares and pits of the deceiver, what will you do, wretched and sin-loving soul, when some sudden misfortune befalls you?

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have defiled my body, I have stained my spirit, and I am all covered with wounds: but as physician, Christ, heal both body and spirit for me through repentance. Wash, purify, and cleanse me, O my Savior, and make me whiter than snow.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Your Body and Your Blood, O Word, You offered at Your Crucifixion for the sake of all: Your Body to refashion me, Your Blood to wash me clean; and You gave up Your spirit, O Christ, to bring me to Your Father.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O Creator, You worked salvation in the midst of the earth, that we might be saved. You were crucified of Your own will upon the Tree; and Eden, closed until then, was opened. Things above and things below, the creation and all the peoples have been saved and worship You.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

May the Blood from Your side be to me a cleansing fount, and may the Water that flows with it be a drink of forgiveness. May I be purified by both, O Word, anointed and refreshed, having as ointment and drink Your words of life.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I am deprived of the bridal chamber, of the wedding and the supper; for lack of oil my lamp has gone out; while I slept the door was closed; the supper has been eaten; I am bound hand and foot, and cast out.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

As a chalice, O my Savior, the Church has been granted Your life-giving side, from which there flows down to us a twofold stream of forgiveness and knowledge, representing the two Covenants, the Old and the New.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The time of my life is short, filled with trouble and evil. But accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food of the enemy; but, O Savior, take pity on me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Now I speak boastfully, with boldness of heart; yet all to no purpose and in vain. O righteous Judge, Who alone are compassionate, do not condemn me with the Pharisee; but grant me the abasement of the Publican and number me with him.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I know, O compassionate Lord, that I have sinned and violated the vessel of my flesh. But accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food of the enemy; but, O Savior, take pity on me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have become my own idol, utterly defiling my soul with the passions. But accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food of the enemy; but, O Savior, take pity on me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have not hearkened to Your voice, I have not heeded Your Scripture, O Giver of the Law. But accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food of the enemy; but, O Savior, take pity on me.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

You lived a bodiless life in the body, O holy Mary, and you received great grace from God. Protect us who honor you with faith and, we entreat you, deliver us by your prayers from every trial.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

You were brought down into an abyss of great iniquity, yet not held fast within it: but with better intent you mounted through action to the height of virtue, past all expectation: and the angels, O Mary, were amazed at you.

Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.

O Andrew, renowned among the fathers, glory of Crete, as you stand before the Trinity supreme in Godhead, in your prayers do not forget to ask that we may be delivered from torment; for we call upon you with love as our advocate in Heaven.

Glory. For the Trinity.

Undivided in Essence, unconfused in Persons, I confess You as God: Triune Deity, one in kingship and throne; and to You I raise the great thrice-holy hymn that is sung on high.

Both now. Theotokion.

You give birth and are a virgin, and in both you remain by nature inviolate. He Who is born makes new the laws of nature, and the womb brings forth without travail. When God so wills, the natural order is overcome; for He does whatever He wishes.

Ode v. Heirmos.

Early in the morning when I rise from night, * give me Your light, I pray, * and direct me in the way of Your divine commandments, * and teach me always to do Your will, O gracious Master. (2)

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

In night have I passed all my life: for the night of sin has covered me with darkness and thick mist. But make me, O Savior, a son of the day.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

In my misery I followed Reuben’s example, and devised a wicked and unlawful plan against the most-high God, defiling my bed as he defiled his father’s.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I confess to You, O Christ my King: I have sinned; I have sinned like the brethren of Joseph, who once sold the fruit of purity and chastity.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

As a figure of the Lord, O my soul, the righteous and gentle Joseph was sold into bondage by his brethren; but you sold yourself entirely to your sins.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O miserable and wicked soul, imitate the righteous and pure mind of Joseph; and do not live in wantonness, sinfully indulging your disordered desires.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Once Joseph was cast into a pit, O Lord and Master, as a figure of Your Burial and Resurrection. But what offering such as this shall I ever make to You?

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You have heard, my soul, of the basket of Moses: how he was borne on the waves of the river as if in a shrine; and so he avoided the bitter execution of Pharaoh’s decree.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You have heard, wretched soul, of the midwives who once killed in its infancy the manly action of self-control: like great Moses, then, be suckled on wisdom.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O miserable soul, you have not struck and killed the Egyptian mind, as did Moses the great. Tell me, then, how will you go to dwell through repentance in the wilderness empty of passions?

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Moses the great went to dwell in the desert. Come, seek to follow his way of life, my soul, that in contemplation you may attain the vision of God in the bush.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Picture to yourself, my soul, the rod of Moses striking the sea and making hard the deep by the sign of the Holy Cross. Through the Cross you also can do great things.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Aaron offered to God fire that was blameless and undefiled, but Hophni and Phinehas brought to Him, as you have done, my soul, strange fire and a polluted life.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

In my soul and body, O Lord, I have become like Jannes and Jambres, the magicians of cruel Pharaoh; my will is heavy and my mind is drowned beneath the waters. But come to my aid.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Woe is me! I have defiled my mind with filth. But I pray to You, O Master: wash me clean in the waters of my tears, and make the garment of my flesh white as snow.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

When I examine my actions, O Savior, I see that I have gone beyond all men in sin; for I knew and understood what I did; I was not sinning in ignorance.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Spare, O spare the work of Your hands, O Lord. I have sinned, forgive me: for You alone are pure by nature, and none except You is free from defilement.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You who are God, O Savior, were for my sake fashioned as I am. You performed miracles, healing lepers, giving strength to the paralyzed, stopping the issue of blood when the woman touched the hem of Your garment.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O wretched soul, do as the woman with an issue of blood: run quickly, grasp the hem of the garment of Christ, so shall you be healed of your afflictions and hear Him say: Your faith has saved you.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, do as the woman who was bowed down to the ground. Fall at the feet of Jesus, that He may make you straight again; and you shall walk upright upon the paths of the Lord.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You are a deep well, O Master: make springs gush forth for me from Your pure veins, that like the woman of Samaria I may drink and thirst no more; for from You flow the streams of life.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O Master and Lord, may my tears be to me as Siloam: that I also may wash clean the eyes of my heart, and with my mind behold You, the pre-eternal Light.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

O blessed saint, with a love beyond compare you longed to venerate the wood of the Cross, and your desire was granted. Make me also worthy to attain the glory on high.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Crossing the stream of the Jordan, you found peace, escaping from the deadening pleasures of the flesh. Deliver us also from them, holy Mary, by your intercessions.

Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.

Best of pastors, chosen above all others, O wise Andrew, with great love and fear I beseech you: through your intercessions may I receive salvation and eternal life.

Glory. For the Trinity.

We glorify You, O Trinity, the one God. Holy, holy, holy, are You: Father, Son, and Spirit, simple Essence and Unity, worshipped forever.

Both now. Theotokion.

O Virgin inviolate and Mother who has not known man, from you has God, the Creator of the ages, taken human flesh, uniting to Himself the nature of men.

Ode vi. Heirmos.

I cried aloud and shouted with all my heart * unto the tender-loving God, * and He heard my voice from the lowest depths of Hades, * and He raised my life from the pit of corruption. (2)

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I offer to You in purity, O Savior, the tears of my eyes and groanings from the depths of my heart, crying: “I have sinned against You, O God; be merciful to me.”

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Like Dathan and Abiram, O my soul, you have become a stranger to your Lord; but from the lowest depth of hell cry out, “Spare me,” that the earth may not open and swallow you up.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Raging as a maddened heifer, O my soul, you have become like Ephrem. So rescue your life, like a hart from the nets, gaining wings through action and the mind’s contemplation.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, the hand of Moses shall be our assurance, proving how God can cleanse a life full of leprosy and make it white as snow. So do not despair of yourself, though you are leprous.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The waves of my sins, O Savior, have returned and suddenly engulfed me, as the waters of the Red Sea engulfed the Egyptians of old and their charioteers.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Like Israel before you, you made a foolish choice, my soul; instead of the divine manna you senselessly preferred the pleasure-loving gluttony of the passions.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, you preferred the swine’s meat, the flesh-pots and the food of Egypt, to the food of Heaven, as the ungrateful people did of old in the wilderness.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, you valued the wells of Canaanite thoughts more than the veined Rock, Jesus, the Fountain of Wisdom from which flow the rivers of divine knowledge.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

When Your servant Moses struck the rock with his rod, he prefigured Your life-giving side, O Savior, from which we all draw the water of life.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Like Joshua, the son of Nun, search and spy out the land of your inheritance, O my soul, and take up your dwelling within it, through obedience to the Law.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Rise up and make war upon the passions of the flesh, as Joshua against Amalek, ever gaining the victory over the Gibeonites, your deceitful thoughts.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, pass through the flowing waters of time like the Ark of old, and take possession of the land of promise: for God commands you.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

As You saved Peter when he cried out, “Save me,” come quickly, O Savior, before it is too late, and save me from the beast. Stretch out Your hand and lead me up from the deep of sin.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I know You as a calm haven, O Lord, Lord Christ: come quickly, before it is too late, and deliver me from the lowest depths of sin and despair.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O Savior, I am the coin marked with the King’s likeness, which You lost of old. But, O Word, light Your lamp, Your Forerunner, and seek and find again Your image.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Your soul on fire, O Mary, you ever shed streams of tears, to quench the burning of the passions. Grant the grace of these your tears to me also, your servant.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Through the perfection of your earthly life, O Mother, you gained a heavenly freedom from the sinfulness of passion. In your intercessions pray that this same freedom may be given to those who sing your praises.

Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.

Pastor and bishop of Crete, intercessor for the inhabited earth, to you I run, O Andrew, and I cry: Deliver me, father, from the depths of sin.

Glory. For the Trinity.

“I am the Trinity, simple and undivided, yet divided in Persons, and I am the Unity by Nature one,” says the Father and the Son and the divine Spirit.

Both now. Theotokion.

Your womb bore God for us, fashioned in our shape. O Theotokos, pray to Him as the Creator of all, that we may be justified through your intercessions.

Heirmos.

I cried aloud and shouted with all my heart * unto the tender-loving God, * and He heard my voice from the lowest depths of Hades, * and He raised my life from the pit of corruption. [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.

CHOIR

Kontakion. (sung slowly)

From Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

My soul, O my soul, rise up! Why are you sleeping? The end draws near and soon you shall be troubled. Watch, then, that Christ your God may spare you, for He is everywhere present and fills all things. [un]

READER

Oikos.

Seeing Christ’s house of healing opened, and health flowing down from it upon Adam, the devil suffered and was wounded; and as one in mortal danger he lamented, crying to his friends: “What shall I do to the Son of Mary? I am slain by the Man from Bethlehem, who is everywhere present and fills all things.” [un]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On April 18, we commemorate our devout father John, the disciple of Saint Gregory of Decapolis.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Savvas the Commander.

On this day we also commemorate our father among the saints Cosmas, Bishop of Chalcedon.

On this day we also commemorate our devout mother Athanasia.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Neo-martyr John from Ioannina, who witnessed in the 1526.

From the Triodion.

On this day, Thursday of the fifth week of Lent, according to ancient tradition, we chant the service of the Great and compunctious Canon.

Verses

Jesus, give the habit of compunction

to us who now sing the Great Canon.

By the intercessions of Saint Andrew, O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

CHOIR

THE BEATITUDES

Mode pl. 2.

In Your kingdom. Remember us, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom.

O Christ, when the Thief cried to Thee upon the Cross ‘Remember me’, Thou hast made him a citizen of Paradise. Unworthy though I am, grant me to repent like him. [KW]

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

O my soul, thou hast heard how Manoah of old beheld the Lord in a vision, and then received from his barren wife the fruit of God’s promise. Let us imitate him in his devotion. [KW]

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Emulating Samson’s slothfulness, O my soul, thou hast been shorn of the glory of thy works, and through love of pleasure thou hast betrayed thy life to the alien Philistines, surrendering thy chastity and blessedness. [KW]

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

He who at the first overthrew the Philistines with the jawbone of an ass, then wasted his life in passionate lusts. Flee, O my soul, from his example, flee from his actions and his weakness. [KW]

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Barak and Jepthah the captains, with Deborah who had a man’s courage, were chosen as judges of Israel. Learn bravery from their mighty acts, O my soul, and be strong. [KW]

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

O my soul, thou knowest the manly courage of Jael, who of old pierced Sisera through his temples and brought salvation to Israel with the nail of her tent. In this thou mayest see a prefiguring of the Cross. [KW]

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Offer, my soul, a sacrifice worthy of praise, offer thine actions as an oblation purer than the daughter of Jepthah; and as a victim for thy Lord slay the passions of the flesh. [KW]

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

O my soul, consider the fleece of Gideon, and receive the dew from heaven; bend down like a hart and drink the water that flows from the Law, when its letter is wrung out for thee through study. [KW]

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Thou hast drawn upon thyself, O my soul, the condemnation of Eli the priest: thoughtlessly thou hast allowed the passions to work evil within thee, just as he permitted his children to commit transgressions. [KW]

Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely [for my sake].

In the Book of Judges, my soul, the Levite divided his wife limb from limb and sent the parts to the twelve tribes; and so he made known the lawless outrage committed by the men of Benjamin. [KW]

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.

Hannah, who loved self-restraint and chastity, when speaking to God moved her lips in praise, but her voice was not heard; and she who was barren bore a son worthy of her prayer. [KW]

Remember us, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom.

Great Samuel, the son of Hannah, was born at Ramah and brought up in the house of the Lord; and he was numbered among the Judges of Israel. Eagerly follow his example, O my soul, and before thou judgest others, judge thine own works. [KW]

Remember us, O Master, when You come in Your kingdom.

David was chosen to be king and anointed for his royal office with the horn of divine oil. If thou, my soul, desirest the Kingdom on high, anoint thyself with the oil of tears. [KW]

Remember us, O Holy One, when You come in Your kingdom.

Have mercy upon Thy creation, merciful Lord; take pity on the work of Thy hands. Spare those who have sinned, and spare me who more than all others have despised Thy commandments. [KW]

Glory.

Without beginning are the birth of the Son and the procession of the Spirit. I worship the Father who begets, I glorify the Son who is begotten, and I sing the praises of the Holy Spirit who shines forth with the Father and the Son. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Mother of God, we venerate thy childbearing in ways past nature, yet we do not divide in two the natural glory of thy Son: for He is confessed as one Person in two Natures. [KW]

The Great Canon

Ode vii. Heirmos.

We sinned, O Lord, and we broke Your law, * we behaved unrighteously before You, * and neither have we kept Your word, nor acted according to the way You commanded for us. * Yet, O God of the fathers, we pray, do not utterly deliver us up.

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have sinned, I have offended, and I have set aside Your commandments, for in sins have I progressed, and to my sores I have added wounds. But in Your compassion have mercy upon me, O God of our fathers.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The secrets of my heart have I confessed to You, my Judge. See my abasement, see my affliction, and attend to my judgment now; and in Your compassion have mercy upon me, O God of our fathers.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

When Saul once lost his father’s asses, in searching for them he found himself proclaimed as king. But watch, my soul, lest unknown to yourself you prefer your animal appetites to the Kingdom of Christ.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

David, the forefather of God, once sinned doubly, pierced with the arrow of adultery and the spear of murder. But you, my soul, are more gravely sick than he, for worse than any acts are the impulses of your will.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

David once joined sin to sin, adding murder to fornication; yet then he showed at once a twofold repentance. But you, my soul, have done worse things than he, yet you have not repented before God.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

David once composed a hymn, depicting the action he had done; and he condemned it, crying: “Have mercy on me, for against You only have I sinned, O God of all. Cleanse me.”

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

When the Ark was being carried in a cart and the ox stumbled, Uzzah did no more than touch it, but the wrath of God smote him. O my soul, flee from his presumption and respect with reverence the things of God.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You have heard of Absalom, and how he rebelled against nature; you know of the unholy deeds by which he defiled his father David’s bed. Yet you have followed him in his passionate and sensual desires.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, you have subjected Your free dignity to your body; for you found in the enemy another Ahitophel, and agreed to all his counsels. But Christ Himself has brought them to nothing and saved you from them all.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Solomon, the wonderful, who was full of the grace of wisdom, once did evil in the sight of Heaven and turned away from God. You have become like him, O my soul, by your accursed life.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Carried away by sensual passions, he defiled himself. Alas! The lover of wisdom became a lover of harlots and a stranger to God. And you, my soul, in mind have imitated him through your shameful desires.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, you have rivaled Rehoboam, who paid no attention to his father’s counselors, and Jeroboam, that evil servant and renegade of old. But flee from their example and cry to God: I have sinned, take pity on me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Alas, my soul! You have rivaled Ahab in guilt. You have become a dwelling-place of carnal defilements and a shameful vessel of the passions. But groan from the depths of your heart, and confess your sins to God.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Elijah once destroyed with fire a hundred of Jezebel’s servants, and he slew the prophets of shame, as a rebuke to Ahab. But flee from the example of both of them, my soul, and be strong.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Heaven is closed to you, my soul, and a famine from God has seized you: for you have been disobedient, as Ahab was to the words of Elijah the Tishbite. But imitate the widow of Zarephath, and feed the Prophet’s soul.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

By deliberate choice, my soul, you incurred the guilt of Manasseh, setting up the passions as idols and multiplying abominations. But with fervent heart emulate his repentance and acquire compunction.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I fall before You, and as tears I offer You my words. I have sinned as the Harlot never sinned, and I have transgressed as no other man on earth. But take pity on Your creature, O Master, and call me back.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have discolored Your image and broken Your commandments. All my beauty is destroyed and my lamp is quenched by the passions, O Savior. “But take pity on me,” as David sings, and “restore to me Your joy.”

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Turn back, repent, uncover all that you have hidden. Say to God, to whom all things are known: You alone know my secret, O Savior; “have mercy on me,” as David sings, “according to Your mercy.”

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

My days have vanished as a dream of one awaking; and so, like Hezekiah, I weep on my bed, that years may be added to my life. But what Isaiah will come to me, O my soul, except the God of all?

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Raising your cry to the pure Mother of God, you drove back the fury of the passions that violently assailed you, and put to shame the enemy who sought to make you stumble. But give your help in trouble now to me also, your servant.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

He Whom you loved, O mother, whom you desired, in Whose footsteps you followed; He it was Who found you and gave you repentance, for He is compassionate God. Pray, O Mary, to Him without ceasing, that we may be delivered from passions and distress.

Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.

Set me firmly on the rock of faith, O father, though your intercessions; fence me round with fear of God, O Andrew; grant repentance to me now, I beseech you, and deliver me from the snare of the enemies that seek my life.

Glory. For the Trinity.

O simple and undivided Trinity, O holy and consubstantial Unity: You are praised as Light and Lights, one Holy and three Holies. Sing, O my soul, and glorify Life and Lives, the God of all.

Both now. Theotokion.

We praise you, we bless you, we venerate you, O Mother of God: for you gave birth to One of the undivided Trinity, your Son and God, and you opened the heavenly places to us on earth.

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode pl. 4. Heirmos.

The eternal King of glory, before whom the powers of heaven tremble and the ranks of angels stand in fear, O ye priests praise and ye people exalt above all for ever. [KW]

Troparia.

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

As coals of immaterial fire, O apostles, burn up my material passions and kindle within me now a longing for divine love. [KW]

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

Let us honour the well-tuned trumpets of the Word, which have caused the ill-founded walls of the enemy to fall, and have firmly established the ramparts of the knowledge of God. [KW]

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

Break in pieces the passionate idols of my soul, as ye brake in pieces the temples and pillars of the enemy, O apostles of the Lord, consecrated temples. [KW]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

O pure Virgin, thou hast contained Him who by nature cannot be contained; thou hast held Him who upholds all things; thou hast given suck to Him who sustains the creation, Christ the Giver of Life. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Mode pl. 4. (NM) The eternal King of glory

Τὸν ἄναρχον Βασιλέα.

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

O apostles of Christ, with the Spirit as architect ye have built the whole Church, within it ye bless Christ for ever. [KW]

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

Sounding the trumpets of the dogmas, the apostles have overthrown all the error of idolatry, exalting Christ above all for ever. [KW]

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

O noble company of the apostles who watch over the world and dwell in heaven, deliver from danger those who ever sing your praises. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

O threefold Sun, all-radiant Sovereignty of God, O Nature one in glory, one in throne: Father all-creating, Son and Spirit of God, I praise Thee for ever. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

As a throne honoured and most high, let us praise in ceaseless song the Mother of God, O ye peoples, for she alone is both a Mother and a Virgin after childbirth. [KW]

The Great Canon

Ode viii. Heirmos.

Him whom the hosts of the heavens glorify, * at whom quake the Cherubim and the Seraphim, * every breath and creation, * extol Him now and bless Him, * and exalt supremely, unto all the ages.

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have sinned, O Savior, have mercy on me. Awaken my mind and turn me back; accept me in repentance and take pity on me as I cry: I have sinned against You, save me; I have done evil, have mercy on me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Riding in the chariot of the virtues, Elijah was lifted up to Heaven, high above earthly things. Reflect, O my soul, on his ascent.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

With the mantle of Elijah, Elisha made the stream of Jordan stand still on either side: but in this grace, my soul, you have no share, because of your greed and uncontrolled desires.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Elisha once took up the mantle of Elijah, and received a double portion of grace from the Lord: but in this grace, my soul, you have no share, because of your greed and uncontrolled desires.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The Shunammite woman gladly entertained the righteous Prophet: but in your house, my soul, you have not welcomed stranger or traveler; and so you shall be cast out weeping from the bridal chamber.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O wretched soul, you have always imitated the unclean thoughts of Gehazi. Cast from you, at least in your old age, his love of money. Flee from the fire of hell, turning away from your wickedness.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You have followed Uzziah, my soul, and have his leprosy in double form: for your thoughts are wicked, and your acts unlawful. Leave what you have, and hasten to repentance.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, you have heard how the men of Nineveh repented before God in sackcloth and ashes. Yet you have not followed them, but are more wicked than all who sinned before the Law and after.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You have heard, my soul, how Jeremiah in the muddy pit cried out with lamentations for the city of Zion and asked to be given tears. Follow his life of lamentation and be saved.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Jonah fled to Tarshish, foreseeing the conversion of the men of Nineveh; for as a prophet he knew the loving-kindness of God, but he was jealous that his prophecy should not be proved false.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

My soul, you have heard how Daniel stopped the mouths of the wild beasts in the lions’ den; and you know how the Young Men with Azariah quenched through their faith the flames of the fiery furnace.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

All the names of the Old Testament have I set before you, my soul, as an example. Imitate the holy acts of the righteous and flee from the sins of the wicked.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O righteous Judge and Savior, have mercy on me and deliver me from the fire that threatens me and from the punishment that I deserve to suffer at the Judgment. Before the end comes, grant me remission through virtue and repentance.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Like the Robber I cry to You: “Remember me”; like Peter I weep bitterly; like the Publican I call out: “Forgive me, Savior”; like the Harlot I shed tears. Accept my lamentation, as once You accepted the entreaties of the woman of Canaan.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O Savior, heal the putrefaction of my humbled soul, for You are the one Physician; apply bandages and pour in oil and wine, works of repentance and compunction with tears.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Like the woman of Canaan I cry to You, “Have mercy on me, Son of David.” Like the woman with an issue of blood, I touch the hem of Your garment. I weep as Martha and Mary wept for Lazarus.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

As precious ointment, O Savior, I empty on Your head the alabaster box of my tears. Like the Harlot, I cry out to You, seeking Your mercy: I bring my prayer and ask to receive forgiveness.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

No one has sinned against You as I have; yet accept even me, compassionate Savior, for I repent in fear and cry with longing: Against You alone have I sinned; I have transgressed, have mercy on me.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Spare the work of Your own hands, O Savior, and as a shepherd seek the lost sheep that has gone astray. Snatch me from the wolf and make me a nursling in the pasture of Your own flock.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

When You sit on Your throne, O merciful Judge, and reveal Your dread glory, O Christ, what fear there will be then! When the furnace burns with fire, and all shrink back in terror before Your judgment-seat.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

The Mother of the Light that never sets illumined you and freed you from the darkness of the passions. O Mary, who received the grace of the Spirit, give light to those who praise you with faith.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

The holy Zosimas was struck with amazement, O Mother, beholding in you a wonder truly strange and new. For he saw an angel in the body and was filled with astonishment, praising Christ unto all ages.

Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.

Since you have boldness before the Lord, O Andrew, honored and renowned of Crete, I beseech you, intercede that I may find deliverance from the bonds of iniquity through your prayers, O teacher, glory of holy monks.

Glory. For the Trinity.

Father without beginning, coeternal Son, and loving Comforter, the Spirit of righteousness; Begetter of the Word of God, Word of the eternal Father, Spirit living and creative: O Trinity in Unity, have mercy on me.

Both now. Theotokion.

As from purple silk, O undefiled Virgin, the spiritual robe of Emmanuel, His flesh, was woven in your womb. Therefore, we honor you as Theotokos in very truth.

Verse: We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord. [SAAS]

Heirmos.

Him whom the hosts of the heavens glorify, * at whom quake the Cherubim and the Seraphim, * every breath and creation, * extol Him now and bless Him, * and exalt supremely, unto all the ages. [SD]

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

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

CHOIR

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode pl. 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 Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode pl. 4. Heirmos.

You are the Theotokos * lit’rally, O Virgin; * and we confess it, for we have been saved through you * whom we, O pure one, with choirs of angels magnify. [SD]

Troparia.

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

Ye were revealed, O apostles, as fountains of the water of salvation: bring refreshment to my soul that faints from the thirst of sin. [KW]

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

I am swimming in the deep waters of destruction and have come near to drowning: with Thy right hand, O Lord, save me as Thou hast saved Peter. [KW]

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

Ye are the salt that gives savour to the teachings of salvation: dry up the rottenness of my mind and dispel the darkness of my ignorance. [KW]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

O Lady, thou hast brought forth our Joy: grant me the spirit of mourning that in the coming Day of Judgement I may be comforted by God. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Mode pl. 4. (NM) With all generations we magnify thee

Σὲ τὴν οὐρανοῦ.

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

We magnify you in our hymns, O glorious company of the apostles: for ye have been revealed as shining lights of the inhabited earth, driving out error. [KW]

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

O blessed apostles, catching rational fish with the net of the Gospel, bring them always as an offering to Christ. [KW]

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

In your prayers to God remember us, we entreat you, O apostles. May we be delivered from all temptation, for lovingly we sing your praises. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

I sing Thy praises, Unity in three Persons, Father, Son and Spirit, one God, consubstantial Trinity, equal in power and without beginning. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

With all generations we call thee blessed, O Mother and Virgin: through thee we are delivered from the curse, for thou hast borne the Lord our Joy. [KW]

The Great Canon

Ode ix. Heirmos.

The birth is ineffable, conceived without the seed of man; the unwed Mother’s * childbirth was free of all corruption. The birth of God * makes new again the natures. * And thus, in Orthodox manner all * generations magnify you as the Mother and the Bride of God. (2)

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

My mind is wounded, my body has grown feeble, my spirit is sick, my speech has lost its power, my life is dead; the end is at the door. What shall you do, then, miserable soul, when the Judge comes to examine your deeds?

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have put before you, my soul, Moses’ account of the creation of the world, and after that all the recognized Scriptures that tell you the story of the righteous and the wicked. But you, my soul, have followed the second of these, not the first, and have sinned against God.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The Law is powerless, the Gospel is of no effect, and the whole of Scripture is ignored by you; the prophets and all the words of the righteous are useless. Your wounds, my soul, have been multiplied, and there is no physician to heal you.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I bring you, O my soul, examples from the New Testament, to lead you to compunction. Follow the example of the righteous, turn away from the sinful, and through prayers and fasting, through chastity and reverence, win back Christ’s mercy.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Christ became a child and shared in my flesh; and willingly He performed all that belongs to my nature, only without sin. He set before you, my soul, an example and image of His condescension.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Christ became man, calling to repentance thieves and harlots. Repent, my soul: the door of the Kingdom is already open, and Pharisees and publicans and adulterers pass through it before you, changing their life.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Christ saved the Wise Men and called the Shepherds; He revealed as martyrs a multitude of young children; He glorified the Elder and the aged Widow. But you, my soul, have not followed their lives and actions. Woe to you when you are judged!

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The Lord fasted forty days in the wilderness, and at the end of them He was hungry, thus showing that He is man. Do not be dismayed, my soul! If the enemy attacks you, through prayer and fasting drive him away.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Christ was tempted; the devil tempted Him, showing Him the stones that they might be made bread. He led Him up into a mountain, to see in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. O my soul, look with fear on what happened; watch and pray every hour to God.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The Dove Who loved the wilderness, the Lamp of Christ, the voice of one crying aloud, was heard preaching repentance; but Herod sinned with Herodias. O my soul, see that you are not trapped in the snares of the lawless, but embrace repentance.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The Forerunner of Grace went to dwell in the wilderness, and Judea and all Samaria ran to hear him; they confessed their sins and were baptized eagerly. But you, my soul, have not imitated them.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Marriage is honorable, and the marriage-bed undefiled. For on both Christ has given His blessing, eating in the flesh at the wedding in Cana, turning the water into wine and revealing His first miracle, to bring you, my soul, to a change of life.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Christ gave strength to the paralyzed man, and he took up his bed; He raised from the dead the young man, the son of the widow, and the centurion’s servant; He appeared to the woman of Samaria and spoke to you, my soul, of worship in spirit.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

By the touch of the hem of His garment, the Lord healed the woman with an issue of blood; He cleansed lepers and gave sight to the blind and made the lame walk upright; He cured by His word the deaf and the dumb and the woman bowed to the ground, to bring you, wretched soul, to salvation.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Healing sickness, Christ the Word preached the good tidings to the poor. He cured the crippled, ate with publicans, and conversed with sinners. With the touch of His hand, He brought back the departed soul of Jairus’ daughter.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The Publican was saved and the Harlot turned to chastity, but the Pharisee with his boasting was condemned. For the first cried “Be merciful,” and the second, “have mercy on me”; but the third said, boasting, “I thank You, O God,” and other words of madness.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Zacchaeus was a publican, yet he was saved; but Simon the Pharisee went astray, while the Harlot received remission and release from Him who has the power to forgive sins. Make haste, O my soul, to follow her example.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O wretched soul, you have not acted like the Harlot, who took the alabaster box of precious ointment, and anointed with tears and wiped with her hair the feet of the Lord. And He tore in pieces the record of her previous sins.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You know, O my soul, how the cities were cursed to which Christ preached the Gospel. Fear their example, lest you suffer the same punishment. For the Master likened them to Sodom and condemned them to hell.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Be not overcome by despair, my soul; for you have heard of the faith of the woman of Canaan, and how through it her daughter was healed by the word of God. Cry out from the depth of your heart, “Save me also, Son of David,” as she once cried to Christ.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O Son of David, with Your word You healed the possessed: take pity on me, save me and have mercy. Let me hear Your compassionate voice speak to me as to the Robber: “Truly, I say to you, you shall be with Me in Paradise, when I come in My glory.”

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

A robber accused You, a robber confessed Your Godhead: for both were hanging beside You on the Cross. Open to me also, O Lord of many mercies, the door of Your glorious Kingdom, as once it was opened to Your robber who acknowledged You with faith as God.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Creation was in anguish, seeing You crucified. Mountains and rocks were split from fear, the earth quaked, and hell was despoiled; the light grew dark in the daytime, beholding You, O Jesus, nailed in the flesh.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Do not demand from me worthy fruits of repentance, for my strength has failed within me. Give me an ever-contrite heart and poverty of spirit, that I may offer these to You as an acceptable sacrifice, O only Savior.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my Judge who know me, when You come again with the angels to judge the whole world, look on me then with Your eye of mercy and spare me; take pity on me, Jesus, for I have sinned more than any other man.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

By your strange way of life you struck all with wonder, both the hosts of angels and the gatherings of mortal men; for you surpassed nature and lived as though no longer in the body. Like a bodiless angel you walked upon the Jordan with your feet, O Mary, and crossed over it.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

O holy Mother, call down the gracious mercy of the Creator upon us who sing your praises, that we may be set free from the sufferings and afflictions that assail us; so without ceasing, delivered from temptations, we shall magnify the Lord who glorified you.

Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.

Venerable Andrew, father thrice-blessed, pastor of Crete, cease not to offer prayer for us who sing your praises; that we may be delivered from all danger and distress, from corruption and sin, who honor your memory with faith.

Glory. For the Trinity.

Trinity in one Essence, Unity in three Persons, we sing Your praises; we glorify the Father, we magnify the Son, we worship the Holy Spirit, truly one God by nature, Life and Lives, Kingdom without end.

Both now. Theotokion.

Watch over Your city, all-pure Mother of God. For by you she reigns in faith, by you she is made strong; by you she is victorious, putting to flight every temptation, despoiling the enemy and ruling her subjects.

Heirmos.

The birth is ineffable, conceived without the seed of man; the unwed Mother’s * childbirth was free of all corruption. The birth of God * makes new again the natures. * And thus, in Orthodox manner all * generations magnify you as the Mother and the Bride of God. [SD]

DEACON

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST

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

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Photagogic Hymns

From Horologion - - -

Mode 4.

O Lord, who cause the light to rise on Your world, purify from every sin my soul, which is in the darkness; by the intercessions of the Apostles, and save me. [SD]

O Lord, who cause the light to rise on Your world, purify from every sin my soul, which is in the darkness; by the intercessions of the Hierarch, and save me. [SD]

O Lord, who cause the light to rise on Your world, purify from every sin my soul, which is in the darkness; 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.

Into the ambushes of thieves thou hast fallen, O my soul, and thou art sorely wounded, delivered through thine own sins into the hands of enemies without reason. But while thou still hast time, cry out with compunction: O hope of the hopeless, life of the despairing, raise me up, O Saviour, and save me. [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]

Into the ambushes of thieves thou hast fallen, O my soul, and thou art sorely wounded, delivered through thine own sins into the hands of enemies without reason. But while thou still hast time, cry out with compunction: O hope of the hopeless, life of the despairing, raise me up, O Saviour, and save me. [KW]

For the Martyrs.

Mode pl. 4.

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]

When you put on the breastplate of righteousness and faith, and you fully armed yourselves with the sign of the cross, you became the Lord’s mighty soldiers, you bravely confronted the tyrants, and you blunted the deceit of the devil. And you were awarded medals as victors. We pray you intercede for the salvation of our souls. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 4.

O all-pure Virgin Theotokos, accept the supplications of thy servants, and pray without ceasing that we may be given peace and the remission of our sins. [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.