Books - Sources

Triodion

Mode 4. On Friday Morning

On Friday of the Fifth Week Morning

Menaion - April 19

Memory of the Holy Hieromartyr Pafnoutios

__________

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 power of Your Cross 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 Saints 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 13. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

From Triodion - - -

For the Cross.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

O Savior, the Jewish leaders had You nailed to a cross, * by which You have called so many of us back to yourself * from the Gentiles, O Christ our God. * Willingly You were crucified, O Lord, and accepted * to be pierced in the side by a lance, in Your abundant * tender mercies, O benevolent Master. Glory to You! [SD]

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

Mode 4. N/M (Come quickly.)

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

O Christ, the light of our souls, as we now look at Your immaculate Cross and venerate it, we cheerfully shout to You: Glory to You, who were willingly lifted up on it! Glory to You, who through it illumined all of creation. Because of Your Cross, we unceasingly sing hymns to You and glorify You. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

Beholding You lifted up upon the tree of the Cross, * Your immaculate Mother grieved, O Word of God, and she said, * lamenting maternally: * You, as the Life of all things, * are with death now conversing, * wishing in Your compassion * to give life unto those who are dead. * This wonder without precedent * baffles me, O my Son. [SD]

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

DEACON

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are good and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

From Triodion - - -

Kathisma II. From the Triodion.

Mode 1. (N/M)

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

O Christ, Thou hast stretched out Thine hands upon the Wood, by Thy wounds healing Adam’s wound. I therefore pray Thee: heal the wounds that the deceiver has inflicted on my soul, and through prayer and fasting, Saviour, enable me to serve and worship Thee. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 1. The soldiers.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

Your blameless Mother cried out to You, when she saw You, * O Christ, upon the cross, hanging dead, O my Savior, * “What is this ineffable plan for saving the masterpiece * that Your holy hands have made, O Son, co-eternal * with the Father and the Holy Spirit, O Master * supremely compassionate!” [GOASD]

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

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

From Triodion - - -

Kathisma III. From the Triodion.

Mode pl. 2. (NA)

Ἐλπὶς τοῦ κόσμου ἀγαθή.

O Cross, guardian of the world, exorcist of devils, thee we have as our invincible protection in all things: grant that we may spend the remainder of the Fast with a pure conscience, and guide our souls to Christ, O blessed Wood. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 2. (NA)

Ἐλπὶς τοῦ κόσμου ἀγαθή.

Pure and honoured Virgin, glory of the angels, standing by the Cross of thy Son and God, thou couldest not bear to listen to the drunken insults heaped upon Him by His enemies, but thou hast cried aloud, lamenting as a mother: ‘O Lord who lovest mankind, how dost Thou endure their threatening? Glory be to Thy forbearance.’ [KW]

READER

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory. Both now.

Psalm 50 (51).

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]

PRIEST

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

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

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (12)

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Saint.

Ode i. Mode 4. Heirmos.

ᾌσομαί σοι Κύριε.

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

I will sing to You, Lord my God and Savior, * for You have brought Your people out * from bondage in Egypt, * and covered Pharao’s chariots and his host * in the Sea of old. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

Come, let us keep the yearly feast of the prize-winner, and honoring him with bright songs, let us glorify the one who crowned him. [VPA]

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

Come, let us keep the yearly feast of the prize-winner, and honoring him with bright songs, let us glorify the one who crowned him. [VPA]

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

You shone in the world in the manner of a star, blessed Paphnutios, servant of Jesus. Therefore we honor your all-sacred memory today. [VPA]

Glory.

You illumined your people with teachings, O hierarch, and drank the Lord’s cup through the sword, having contended most steadfastly. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Honoring you in songs as the unhewn mountain from which Christ, the uncut stone, appeared, we worthily bless you. [VPA]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode iii. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Τόξον δυνατῶν ἠσθένησε.

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

Weakened is the bow of mighty men, * and those who are weak are girded with strength from our righteous God. * For this reason, as it is written, my heart is strengthened in the Lord. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

Honoring the all-illustrious and sacred memory of the prize-winner Paphnutios today with sacred hymns, we celebrate it with gladness. [VPA]

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

Honoring the all-illustrious and sacred memory of the prize-winner Paphnutios today with sacred hymns, we celebrate it with gladness. [VPA]

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

We, the faithful, anointed with the divine oil which springs forth from your relics, put it forth an unbreakable and unshakeable wall against the demons [VPA]

Glory.

Strengthened by the strength of Christ, you preached the divine law among the lawless and having contended lawfully, O martyr, you received the crown of victory. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Rejoice, unwedded mother, who held in your womb the Logos of God, and gave birth to Him in the flesh as both God and man. [VPA]

Heirmos.

Weakened is the bow of mighty men, * and those who are weak are girded with strength from our righteous God. * For this reason, as it is written, my heart is strengthened in the 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 Menaion - - -

Mode 4. N/M (Come quickly.)

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

You dyed your sacred robe in blood; you brought yourself as an acceptable sacrifice to God, glorious Paphnutios. You dashed the demons boldness, gladdening the angels by your steadfast resistance. Therefore, do not cease earnestly entreating that we be saved. [VPA]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

O Mother of Christ our God, all-blameless Virgin most pure, * as Symeon told, a sword pierced through your all-holy soul * when you saw your Son and God * crucified by transgressors of His own will, O Lady. * Cease not to importune Him, * that He grant the forgiveness * of failings to us your servants, * O only most-blessed one. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode iv. Mode 4. Heirmos (not metered).

Τοὺς οὐρανοὺς ἡ ἀρετή σου.

Verse: Glory to Your strength, O Lord.

Your virtue covered the heavens, and the earth was filled with Your glory, O Christ. We therefore cry unceasingly: Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

We all now celebrate with gladness, dancing together with angels and archangels, observing your illustrious memory, prize-winner Paphnutios. [VPA]

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

We all now celebrate with gladness, dancing together with angels and archangels, observing your illustrious memory, prize-winner Paphnutios. [VPA]

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

You have been truly glorified by divine grace and you now stand with angels in the presence of the Master. Ever remember us, prize-winning martyr Paphnutios. [VPA]

Glory.

You endured hardships and pain, blessed one, with a calm and brave spirit and truly received the crowns from the hand of the King of all [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Being greater than the ranks of Cherubim and having God in the flesh riding in your embraces, rejoice, unwedded bride. [VPA]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode v. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Ὁ ἀνατείλας τὸ φῶς.

Verse: O Lord our God, grant us peace.

You made the light to rise up * and illumined the morning * and showed the dawn and daybreak. * Jesus, glory to You, * benevolent Lord. * O Son of God, glory to You! [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

You who have shown us the memory of the brave one brighter than the sun: glory to you. Glory to you, Jesus, Son of God. [VPA]

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

You who have shown us the memory of the brave one brighter than the sun: glory to you. Glory to you, Jesus, Son of God. [VPA]

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

With most sacred hearts and faithful spirit, we hymn your memory, glorious martyr, magnifying Christ. [VPA]

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

You were not at all afraid of sword and beast, and fire, and death, martyr, crying: Glory to you, Jesus, Son of God. [VPA]

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

Theotokion.

Creation unceasingly offers you, O Virgin, the saying of the angel: Rejoice, you who bore Jesus, the Logos of God. [VPA]

(read)

Intermediate Verses of Ode Five.

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

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

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

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

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode v. Mode 1. (NM)

Ὁ φωτίσας τῇ ἐλλάμψει.

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

O Jesus, supreme in love, who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain, Thou hast stretched out Thine hands upon the Cross. I therefore pray Thee: take pity on me, for I am stretched upon the rack and tormented by the enemy. [KW]

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

O Jesus, supreme in love, Thou hast awoken from Thy sleep upon the Cross and roused us to salvation, when we lay sleeping in the lowest depths of destruction. Therefore we glorify Thee with faith. [KW]

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

O Saviour, give light to the hearts of Thy servants, and count us worthy to hehold the day of Thy Passion and Thy lifegiving Resurrection, as we praise the power of Thy Kingdom. [KW]

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

Theotokion.

Seeing Thee nailed upon the Cross, the all-pure Virgin was wounded to the heart and she cried in grief: ‘O Lord, in Thy tender mercy Thou hast patiently endured Thy Passion, granting freedom from the passions unto all.’ [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode v. Mode pl. 2. (NM) From the night I seek Thee early

Ἐκ νυκτὸς ὀρθρίζοντα.

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

In Thy love for mankind Thou hast stretched out Thine hands, and the Jews nailed Thee to the Cross and pierced Thy side with a spear. All these things Thou dost endure, O Christ, for our salvation. [KW]

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

Adam died of old through eating from a tree, but he found life again through the tree of the Cross, O merciful Lord, and so he rejoiced once more in Paradise. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

O Trinity, I praise Thee as Unity by nature, without beginning, uncreated, supreme in sovereignty, beyond perfection, God and Light and Life, Creator of the world. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

In thy childbearing that surpasses nature, the laws of nature, holy Virgin, are plainly made void. For without seed thou hast given birth to God, begotten before all ages from the Father. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O Christ my Master, I honour Thy Cross, the spear and the nails, for through them Thou hast delivered us from corruption, making us immortal by Thy Passion. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode pl. 2.

Ἐκ νυκτὸς ὀρθρίζοντα.

From the night I seek Thee early, O Lover of mankind: give me light, I pray Thee, and guide me in Thy commandments, and teach me, O Saviour, to do Thy will. [KW]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode vi. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Ἐβόησε προτυπῶν.

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

Prefiguring * in the whale the divine three-day burial, * Prophet Jonah cried aloud, * in affliction beseeching God: * From corruption save me, * O Lord Jesus the King of angelic hosts. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

The grace which has been given to you, all-glorious prize-winner, has been poured out to the ends of the world. Therefore, we all magnify Christ, the giver, with faith. [VPA]

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

The grace which has been given to you, all-glorious prize-winner, has been poured out to the ends of the world. Therefore, we all magnify Christ, the giver, with faith. [VPA]

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

Paphnutios, the greatest servant of the Trinity, has been shown to be fearsome to the adverse powers, driving them away and illuminating the flocks of the faithful [VPA]

Glory.

Christ glorified you with wonders and signs, O prize-winner, and showed you to all as a healer, all-blessed Paphnutios. Therefore we honor your memory. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Bride of God and Theotokos, importune our God who took flesh from you for those who entreat you that they all be delivered from the varied temptations of the serpent [VPA]

Heirmos.

Prefiguring * in the whale the divine three-day burial, * Prophet Jonah cried aloud, * in affliction beseeching God: * From corruption save me, * O Lord Jesus the King of angelic hosts. [SD]

Ode 6: Short Litany

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the King of peace and the savior of our souls, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

From Triodion - - -

READER

For the Martyrs. Mode 4.

The solemn feast of the medal-winning Martyrs showed that the Church is heaven; and Angels join chorus with people to celebrate. By the entreaties of Your Saints, O Christ our God, save our souls. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On April 19, we commemorate the holy Hieromartyr Pafnutius.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Theodore, who was in Perga, Pamphylia.

On this day the holy woman Martyr Philippa, the mother of St. Theodore, died by the sword.

On this day, Saints Socrates and Dionysius died when they were run through with a spear.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father George the Confessor, Bishop of Pissidia.

On this day we also commemorate our father among the saints Tryphon, Archbishop of Constantinople. The Synaxis in his honor is celebrated in the Most Holy Great Church.

On this day we also commemorate the holy and glorious monastic Martyr Agathangelos of Esphigmenou Monastery (Mt. Athos).

On this day, devout Saint Symeon, one time Abbot of the holy Monastery of Philotheou on Mt. Athos, and founder of Holy Trinity Monastery on Mt. Phlamurion, known for having only one garment and for going barefoot, died in peace.

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

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Saint.

Ode vii. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Ὁ διασώσας ἐν πυρί.

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

You saved Your Servants in the fire, * Abraham’s three youthful descendants; * and the Chaldeans You destroyed, * for they plotted unjustly against the just. * O supremely extolled and praised * Lord, the God of our fathers, You are blessed. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

The case of your relics was given to the faithful as a rod of power against the demons, dispensing plentiful healing to all who cry out, O Paphnutios: O God of our Fathers, you are blessed. [VPA]

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

The case of your relics was given to the faithful as a rod of power against the demons, dispensing plentiful healing to all who cry out, O Paphnutios: O God of our Fathers, you are blessed. [VPA]

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

Piously celebrating your all-illustrious day, O prize-winner, we, born on earth, cry to the Lord: greatly-hymned Lord, the God of our Fathers, you are blessed. [VPA]

Glory.

Now holding the case of your relics as a treasure, the Church of Christ shouts rejoicing, O Paphnutios: greatly-hymned Lord, the God of our Fathers, you are blessed. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Let us, the faithful, venerate as the blessed mother of the Lord her who, in a manner past expressing and beyond nature, received the unchangeable God in her womb to be in the company of mortals in his compassion. [VPA]

Ode viii.

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode viii. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Τὸν ἐν μορφῇ Ἀγγέλου.

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

The One appearing in the fiery furnace * in the form of an Angel to those singers * was Christ our God. Sing His praises, * O you Servants, and bless Him, * you priests, and people highly * exalt Him to all ages. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

Now the bright day of the prize-winner’s memory flashes light-bearing and most bright. Celebrating it with yearning, we cry out: O people greatly exalt Christ unto the ages. [VPA]

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

Now the bright day of the prize-winner’s memory flashes light-bearing and most bright. Celebrating it with yearning, we cry out: O people greatly exalt Christ unto the ages. [VPA]

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

Standing in the stadium, you contended youthfully and received trophies of victory, all-blessed one, unceasingly making melody to Christ the Master and magnifying Him unto the ages. [VPA]

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

How truly beautiful were you shown in many struggles, O hieromartyr, having been robed with a sacred robe made red by your blood, and receiving from God a crown unto the ages. [VPA]

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

Theotokion.

Let us hymn unto the ages the only Theotokos, who without seed conceived in her womb and gave birth to Christ the only Redeemer and Savior for us who had suffered the ill-will of the evil foe. [VPA]

(read)

Intermediate Verses of Ode Eight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode 1. (NM)

Θαύματος ὑπερφυοῦς.

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

Thou wast fixed upon the Cross with nails, O Saviour, and Thou hast blunted the sting of the evil one; a crown of thorns was placed upon Thy head in mockery, and Thou hast uprooted the thorns of man’s transgression. We therefore sing Thy praises, and we cry: Let the whole creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever. [KW]

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

Thou hast stretched out Thine hands upon the Cross, O Christ, gathering mankind to the knowledge of Thyself; Thou hast suffered Thy side to be pierced by the spear, causing a fountain of illumination to well up for us who sing: Let the whole creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever. [KW]

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

Merciful Lord, with the streams of Thy compassion cleanse my heart that is defiled by the wounds of sin, and make the waters of contrition to spring up within me, that I may cry to Thee, O Jesus Christ: Let the whole creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever. [KW]

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

Theotokion.

We acknowledge thee, O Virgin, as the sacred Vessel that held the manna of the Deity, as Ark and Table, Candlestick and Throne of God, Pavilion and Bridge that brings us to divine life; and we sing: Let the whole creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode pl. 2. (NM) Offering the same hymn

Τῶν Παίδων τὴν ᾠδήν.

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

Christ is crucified and I am restored to life; and with the Children I sing: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. [KW]

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

By Thy death upon the Cross the world is delivered from corruption, and with the Children it sings: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. [KW]

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

For the Trinity.

Trinity equal in honour, consubstantial Unity, Father, Son and Spirit, save me, for I sing Thy praises with faith. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

I venerate the childbirth of the pure Theotokos, and with the Children I sing: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

I praise Thy Cross, O Saviour, whereby I have been saved, and with the Children I sing: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. [KW]

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Heirmos (NM). Mode pl. 2.

Τῶν Παίδων τὴν ᾠδήν.

Offering the same hymn, with the Children I sing: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. [KW]

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

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

CHOIR

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode 4.

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

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

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

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

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

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

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

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

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

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

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

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode ix. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Εὕα μὲν τῷ τῆς παρακοῆς.

Because of the malady of disobedience, Eve received the curse within herself. * But you, O Virgin Theotokos, have blossomed forth the blessing to all the world, * by means of the One who sprang from your pregnancy. * And therefore you do we all magnify. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

Invincible, all-praised prize-winner, you bestow abundant grace to all who faithfully come to your divine temple and sing hymns to the Savior and Lord, and celebrate your memory. [VPA]

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

Invincible, all-praised prize-winner, you bestow abundant grace to all who faithfully come to your divine temple and sing hymns to the Savior and Lord, and celebrate your memory. [VPA]

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

Importune the Lord by your all-sacred mediation to be gracious to all the faithful Orthodox who from everywhere run to observe your divine festival on your memorial. [VPA]

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

Glorious martyr, by your prayers calm the upheaval of the Church, which is storming, attempting to turn her aside from the straight paths of our God, by inspiring heresies and taking away the peace from all. [VPA]

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

Theotokion.

The prophets foretold your birth-giving in symbols, all-blameless one, each one from different places, wondrously fitting another name to address you; for you gave birth for those in Hades to the life that destroyed the power of death. [VPA]

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode 1. (NM)

Τύπον τῆς ἁγνῆς.

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

Elijah gave lightness to his flesh by increasing his prayer and fasting, and then he beheld the Lord in a light and gentle breeze. Follow his example, O my soul: cast aside the grossness of sensual pleasures, and so behold Him who is thy true desire. [KW]

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

Moses once lifted up the serpent on a wooden staff, and thus prefigured Thine exaltation on the Cross, O Saviour supreme in love. For through the Cross Thou hast delivered from the poisonous malice of the serpent all the nations that worship Thee. [KW]

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

I lie in the tomb of slothfulness, and the hardness of my heart weighs upon me like a stone. I have no understanding of Thine ever-living word and no feeling of Thy fear, O Saviour. In Thine abundant mercy take pity on me and save me. [KW]

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

Theotokion.

Lady, exalted above all things, raise me high above the sinful passions; for I glorify thee as true Theotokos, and I sing the praises of thy childbearing that is honoured as a mystery beyond our understanding, O Virgin undefiled, full of God’s grace. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode pl. 2. (NM) Conception without seed

Ἀσπόρου συλλήψεως.

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

Thou art crucified and Thou dost save me; Thou dost die and give me life. O depth of love and tender mercy! Who has ever seen or heard of a master who chooses openly to die for his servants? But glory be to Thine ineffable goodness, O Lord. [KW]

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

The sun set when it saw Thee crucified: for how should it not hide its light, beholding the outrage suffered by its Maker? All creation was shaken, and in silence cried aloud to those who crucified Thee, that Thou art the God of all. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

O Father, single only-Begetter of the only-Begotten Son; O only Light and Brightness from the one and only Light; and Thou, one and only Holy Spirit from the one God, true Lord from the Lord: O holy Three in One, save me as I tell of Thy divinity. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

The marvel of thy childbearing fills me with wonder, O all-blameless Lady. How hast thou conceived without seed Him whom none can comprehend? How hast thou remained a Virgin and yet become a Mother? ‘Accept the miracle with faith, and worship the Child that is born; for all that He wills, He has the power to do.’ [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

For our sake has each one of Thy members endured suffering: Thy head suffered blows and Thy cheek buffeting; Thy hands suffered the nails and Thy side the spear; and so Thou hast undergone all the agony of the Cross. Bur glory be to Thine ineffable compassion, O our Saviour. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode pl. 2.

Ἀσπόρου συλλήψεως.

Conception without seed; nativity past understanding, from a Mother who never knew a man; childbearing undefiled. For the birth of God makes both natures new. Therefore, as Bride and Mother of God, with true worship all generations magnify thee. [KW]

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Photagogic Hymns

From Horologion - - -

Mode 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 power of Your Cross, 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 Saints, 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.

Thou wast crucified with the thieves, O Christ our God, and Thou hast healed man’s nature by Thy wounds. I have fallen among invisible robbers, among bodiless thieves; they have stripped me of virtue and grievously wounded me. O despise me not: none of the saints can heal me; I lie half dead and have but little life remaining in me. Thou art my only hope, who hast restored the dead to life: bind up my wounds, pouring upon me the oil of Thy compassion, for Thou alone lovest mankind. [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]

Thou wast crucified with the thieves, O Christ our God, and Thou hast healed man’s nature by Thy wounds. I have fallen among invisible robbers, among bodiless thieves; they have stripped me of virtue and grievously wounded me. O despise me not: none of the saints can heal me; I lie half dead and have but little life remaining in me. Thou art my only hope, who hast restored the dead to life: bind up my wounds, pouring upon me the oil of Thy compassion, for Thou alone lovest mankind. [KW]

For the Martyrs.

Mode pl. 4. Automelon.

Τί ὑμᾶς καλέσωμεν.

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

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

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 4. What a paradoxal.

Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.

“What a paradoxal miracle; * Oh, novel mystery! Oh, * what an awful event this is!” * So Your Virgin Mother spoke, * as she witnessed You hanging there, * between two robbers on Golgotha, O Lord, * whom with no pain nor corruption she had borne. * “How can these lawless men, these ungrateful people, nail You to a cross, * O my Son, You are my heart, O sweetest Jesus Christ!” [SD]

PRIEST

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

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

READER

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

Lord, have mercy. (40)

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

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

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.