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Triodion

Mode pl. 1. On Tuesday Morning

On Tuesday of the Third Week Morning

Menaion - March 18

Memory of St. Cyril of Jerusalem

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode pl. 1.

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

From Horologion - - -

Triadic Hymns

Mode pl. 1.

It is time to sing hymns; it is the hour of prayer. Let us earnestly cry out to our only God: Holy, holy, holy are You our God. By the intercessions of the Forerunner save us. [SD]

Glory.

Daring to portray Your spiritual armies, O unoriginate Trinity, we cry out with unworthy lips: Holy, holy, holy are You our God. By the intercessions of the Saints save us. [SD]

Both now.

O Christ our God, You were contained in the womb of the Virgin, and never parted from the bosom of the Father. Accept us as we cry to You together with the Angels: 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 10. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

From Triodion - - -

For compunction.

Mode pl. 1.

I am lying sick in the bed of many sins, and I am stripped of any hope of salvation. The sleep of my inertia will be the cause of my soul’s perdition. O God, who were born of the Virgin, I pray You wake me up, and stir me to extol You, and I will glorify You. [GOASD]

Verse: O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your anger. [SAAS]

Let us all be vigilant, and go out to meet Christ, with a good supply of oil and lamps burning bright, so that we be granted entry to the bridal hall. He who ended up outside the door, to no avail cried out, “Have mercy on me!” [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

The marvelous mystery involving the Virgin proved to be the means of universal salvation. You were born of her without being sown, and You suffered no decay in the flesh. You are the Joy of all. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 11. 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. (NM)

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

Let us cleanse ourselves by fasting and by prayer, and serve God through acts of mercy to the poor. Let us lament and groan with fervent tears, while we still have time for conversion, that we may be delivered from everlasting lamentation in the flames of hell. And let us give glory to Christ who has ordained repentance for all mortal men, calling upon them to turn back in righteousness. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 1. The stone had been secured.

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

Extend your holy hands, with which you held our Creator, * imploring Him who graciously for us became incarnate, * all-holy Virgin Mother, and entreat * for us who are extolling you with love, * that He free us from temptations, * from passions, and from dangers, as we sing to you: * Glory to Him who dwelt inside of you! * Glory to Him who came forth from you! * Glory be to Him who through your childbirth has set us free! [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 12. Then the short litany.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

From Triodion - - -

Kathisma III. From the Triodion.

Mode 3.

Gladdened by the Fast and greatly rejoicing in song, gaining mastery over all the passions through our prayers, let us trample underfoot the snares of the devil, and cry aloud with one accord to Christ: Count us worthy to look upon Thy Cross, in Thy compassion granting us great mercy. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 3. (NM)

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

O Virgin Mother, blessed of God, cure the sickness of my soul, for I am held prisoner by my sins; and sighing from my heart I cry to thee: All-blameless Theotokos, I have greatly sinned; accept me, that with boldness I may call upon thee: Hail, dwelling-place of God. [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; Athanasius, 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; Charalampus and Eleutherius, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Catherine, Kyriaki, Photini, Marina, Paraskevi and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); the 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.

Τριστάτας κραταιούς.

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

I pray You to submerge * in the sea of dispassion * the three powers of my soul, * like those powerful hosts. * And then using the deadening * of my body for a timbrel, * I may sing a triumphal hymn * unto You who born of the Virgin pure. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O Cyril, you adorned your soul with every virtue, and thus you made it receptive of the Holy Spirit’s gifts, by which you poured out an ocean of wisdom that dried up the seas of heresies. [SD]

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

O Cyril, you adorned your soul with every virtue, and thus you made it receptive of the Holy Spirit’s gifts, by which you poured out an ocean of wisdom that dried up the seas of heresies. [SD]

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

O Cyril, with the fire of your words you burned up the heresies, as an unsleeping beacon of the Church. For you had made your mind superior to matter, and were a companion of the bodiless hosts. [SD]

Glory.

O Cyril, wise Saint, as a genuine shepherd, as the fragrance of Christ, you cast out the namesake of madness and drove away the unbearable stench of every heresy, with the sweet smell of your words. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O all-immaculate and all-blameless Lady, preserve all who praise your ineffable childbirth from the mire of the passions, from the waves of sinful thoughts, from the arrows of the evil one, and from every adverse assault. [SD]

(read)

READER

Ode Two

Glory to You, our God; glory to You!

Take heed, O heaven, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. [SAAS]

Let my proverbial saying be awaited as the rain, and let my words come down as raindrops on the wild grass, and as snowfall on the sown grass.

For I invoke the Lord’s name: ascribe greatness to our God.

He is God, His works are true; and all His ways are judgment.

A faithful God and without injustice; righteous and holy is the Lord.

They sinned; the blameworthy children are not His, a generation twisted and perverse. Is this how you repay the Lord?

O foolish and unwise people, is He not your Father, who acquired you? Has He not made and created you?

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations.

Ask your father, and he will tell you; your elders, and they will tell you:

When the Most High divided the nations, when He scattered the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the nations by the number of God’s angels.

For the Lord’s portion became the people of Jacob; the allotment of His inheritance is Israel.

He provided for him in the desert, in thirst of heat in a waterless place. He encircled him; He instructed him; He guarded him carefully as the apple of His eye.

As an eagle covers its nest, yearns after its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its back.

So the Lord alone led them, and there was no foreign god with them.

He raised them on the strength of the land; He fed them on the produce of the fields.

He suckled them on honey from the rock and oil from the solid rock.

Butter of oxen and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs and goats, of sons of bulls and goats, with the choicest wheat; and you drank wine, the blood of grapes.

So Jacob ate and was filled, and the beloved kicked; he grew fat, he grew thick, he is obese. Then he forsook God who made him and stood back from God his Savior.

They provoked Me to wrath against foreign gods; with their abominations they embittered Me.

They sacrificed to demons, and not to God, to gods they did not know; new ones, recent gods arrived, which their fathers did not know.

You abandoned the God who begot you, and forgot the God who nourished you.

So the Lord saw it, and was jealous; and He was provoked to anger by His sons and daughters.

Then He said, I will turn My face from them, and I will make known what their end will be; for they are a perverse generation, sons in whom is no faith.

They provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; they moved Me to anger by their idols; but I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation.

For a fire is kindled in My anger, and shall burn to the lowest Hades; it shall consume the land with its produce And set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

I will gather evils on them; I will spend My arrows on them.

They shall be wasted with hunger, devoured by birds and incurable disease; I will also send against them the teeth of wild animals With the anger of things crawling on the earth.

The sword shall make them childless outside, and fear from the inner chambers, for the young man and virgin, the nursing child with the elder of gray hairs.

I said, I will scatter them; I will make their memory cease from among men.

But for the wrath of the enemy, lest they live long, lest their adversary make a joint attack.

Lest they should say, “Our hand is high; and it is not the Lord who did all this.”

For they are a nation void of counsel, nor is there understanding in them. They were not wise to understand these things.

Let them be concerned for the coming time.

How could one chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight unless God had sold them, and the Lord delivered them up?

For our God is not like their gods, but our enemies are foolish.

For their vineyard is of the vineyard of Sodom, and their vine is of Gomorrah. Their grapes are grapes of gall; their clusters are bitter.

Their wine is the wrath of serpents, and the incurable wrath of asps.

Behold, is this not laid up in store with Me, sealed up among My treasures?

I shall repay on the day of vengeance; in time, when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and is waiting, ready for them.

For the Lord will judge His people, and have compassion on His servants.

For He sees them disabled and left in distress and weakened.

The Lord said, ‘Where are their gods in which they trusted?’

Who ate the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise and help you and be your defender.

Now see, I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; nor is there any who can deliver from My hands.

For I raise My hand to heaven, and I swear by My right hand, and say, “As I live forever.”

For I whet My sword like lightning; and My hand takes hold on judgment. I will render vengeance on My enemies, and repay those who hate Me.

I will make My arrows drunk from blood; and My sword shall devour flesh from the blood of the slain and the captives, from the heads of the leaders of the enemy.

Rejoice, O Heavens, together with Him, and worship Him, all the sons of God.

Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; and let all the angels of God be strong with Him; for He will avenge the blood of His sons and render vengeance to His adversaries; and the Lord will purify His people’s land. [SAAS]

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

CHOIR

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode ii. Mode 1. Heirmos (NM).

Ἴδετε, ἴδετε.

See now, see that I am God, who saved the people of Israel when they were in bondage, and appointed Moses to lead them in the wilderness, for I am mighty in My power. (2) [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

The Father in His great love has adopted me as His son through the washing of Baptism, and has bestowed upon me the riches of His many blessings. But by mine own free choice I have become enslaved to fruitless thoughts, and so have fallen into poverty. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Be merciful, O Lord, be merciful, be merciful; do not pass judgement on me, righteous Judge, but in Thy great compassion accept my feeble cry of sorrow an.cl reject me not, O Christ. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Putting off the loathsome garment of self-indulgence, let us put on the shining robe of abstinence, and so in joy and glory let us come to the brightness of the Redeemer’s Resurrection. [KW]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Save me, O save me, Mother of the Saviour. O pure Lady, look on my distress, for each day the countless number of my sins brings my unhappy soul to despair. [KW]

From Triodion - - -

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode ii. Mode 3. (NM) See now, see.

Ἴδετε, ἴδετε.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

See now, see, that I am your God, the spring that flows with salvation for you: let every mortal man through abstinence draw water from this fountain. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

See now, see, that I have appointed for you this holy season of the Fast as a spiritual banquet. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

Let us glorify the Trinity and worship the Unity: the only-begotten Son without beginning from the Father without beginning, and the Spirit enthroned with the Son and coeternal with the Father. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

O all-blameless Virgin, intercede before the Saviour without ceasing on behalf of those who confess thee to be truly Theotokos in body and soul, that they may be delivered from all distress. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Great art Thou, O Lord, and marvellous are Thy works: of old Thou hast saved Daniel from being eaten in the lions’ den, for he was protected by fasting. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode 3.

Ἴδετε, ἴδετε.

See now, see, that I am the Saviour of the world, the true Light, the Fountain of life, the Son of God. [KW]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode iii. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Ὅτι στεῖρα ἔτεκεν.

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

Since the barren woman, yes, the Gentile Church, has borne many, * and she with many children, the Synagogue, is now forlorn, * we cry out to our God who is so marvelous, “Holy are You, O Lord.” [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O Father, we on earth have been delivered from the darkness of deceptive error by the Holy Trinity, whose triple radiance you explained to us, as you were shining with beams of spiritual wisdom. [SD]

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

O Father, we on earth have been delivered from the darkness of deceptive error by the Holy Trinity, whose triple radiance you explained to us, as you were shining with beams of spiritual wisdom. [SD]

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

O godly-minded Cyril, you were like a harp of the All-holy Spirit, thrilling our souls, with the sounds of the teaching about the advent of Christ, whom you proclaim in two natures. [SD]

Glory.

O Saint, you soul became a house of holiness. In it marvellously dwelt the Father, Son, and life-originating Spirit, to whom we sing: “Holy are You, O Lord.” [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O pure Virgin, not even a celestial mind can describe your incomprehensible childbirth. In your womb you conceived the Logos of the Primal Mind, who with a word constituted all things. [SD]

Heirmos.

Ode 3: Short Litany

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Kathisma.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. N/M (By conceiving the wisdom.)

Τὴν Σοφίαν καὶ Λόγον.

O hierarch Cyril, you were enriched by the wisdom of the Logos, and you poured out the living streams of dogmas, and your irrigated every mind of the Orthodox. You shepherded the flock with a divine staff, and you fed it on the pasture of divine knowledge. Therefore we extol you as Pastor, great teacher, and champion of the Faith, and we cry out to you: Intercede with Christ our God * that He grant forgiveness of offenses * to those who with longing observe your holy memory. [SD]

Glory. Another.

Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

Your tongue, which was divinely inspired, illumined * the people to adore the single God, undivided * in nature, and yet distinct in three persons, the Trinity. * Now we joyously observe your all-holy mem’ry * and invoke your name as one of our intercessors * with God in our fervent prayers. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 1. The soldiers.

O Mary, whose august body hosted the Master, * we pray you raise us up, for we are sunk in the darkness * of dreadful despondency, of transgressions and suffering. * Lady, you indeed are the salvation of sinners. * You give help to us; you are our mighty protection; * and you save us your servants. [GOASD]

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.

O devout Cyril, you receiving a stream of otherworldly wisdom in your heart, which gushed forth an ocean of teachings that drowned ideas of the heretics. [SD]

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

O devout Cyril, you receiving a stream of otherworldly wisdom in your heart, which gushed forth an ocean of teachings that drowned ideas of the heretics. [SD]

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

O Cyril, you proclaimed the one power, and one essence and will of the Godhead of three hypostases, and thus you dried up the torrent of the error of polytheism. [SD]

Glory.

O all-blessed one, you were divinely instructed and full of understanding, and with the lighting bolts of your words you convicted and burned up the miry and deranged ideas of Manis. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O pure Virgin, you are higher than all created things. Transcending nature, you conceived and bore the Maker of creation when He refashioned our nature. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode v. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Σὺ Κύριέ μου φῶς.

Verse: O Lord our God, grant us peace.

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

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O blessed Hierarch. by the water of Orthodox worship, you shepherded your flock with the staff of your divine wisdom. [SD]

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

O blessed Hierarch. by the water of Orthodox worship, you shepherded your flock with the staff of your divine wisdom. [SD]

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

O Cyril, your word flashed with divine light in Jerusalem, and it dispelled the darkness of ignorance from whose who were illumined by it. [SD]

Glory.

O Cyril, your word flashed with divine light in Jerusalem, and it dispelled the darkness of ignorance from whose who were illumined by it. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O all-pure one, the night of the sinful passions and the darkness of evil cover my soul. I pray you illumine me, since you gave birth to the Giver of Light. [SD]

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.

O Hierarch, you flowed like a river as if out of Eden, filled with the Spirit’s life-streaming waters, and you flood the furrows of the Church. [SD]

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

O Hierarch, you flowed like a river as if out of Eden, filled with the Spirit’s life-streaming waters, and you flood the furrows of the Church. [SD]

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

O most sacred Cyril, with your words, as with a beacon-fire, you call your people to a calm haven in Orthodoxy, and you preserve then from the storm of ungodliness. [SD]

Glory.

O most sacred Cyril, with your words, as with a beacon-fire, you call your people to a calm haven in Orthodoxy, and you preserve then from the storm of ungodliness. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O all-blameless Maiden, you made human nature heavenly, when it had become earthly, and you made it new again, when it was corrupted. Therefore we honor you with never ceasing voices. [SD]

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

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 pl. 1.

You have given us the miracles of Your holy Martyrs as an impregnable fortress, O Christ our God. At their entreaties, frustrate the plots of foreign enemies, and strengthen our nation, for You alone are good and benevolent. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On March 18 we commemorate our father among the saints Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem.

On this day the holy myriads of martyrs died when their throats were cut.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs Trophimos, Efkarpion, and those with them.

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

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Saint.

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

Νέοι τρεῖς ἐν Βαβυλῶνι.

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

Three young men in Babylon ⁄ counting a tyrant’s command to be idle talk, ⁄ cried aloud in the midst of the flames: ⁄ Blessed are You, Lord, God of our fathers! [OCA]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O Father, you had the fire of the fear of God in your mind. With it you burned up the substance of the pleasures, and you sang: “Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.” [SD]

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

O Father, you had the fire of the fear of God in your mind. With it you burned up the substance of the pleasures, and you sang: “Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.” [SD]

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

O blessed Cyril, with tears you extinguished the flame of the passions, and you kept the torch of your soul lit, and you cried out: “Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.” [SD]

Glory.

O godly-minded Father, you had the Spirit’s grace as a living stream in your soul, and you overflowed with rivers of teachings that watered the Church, which reverently honors you. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Theotokos, He who is holy took flesh of your flesh for himself, and thus He made you all-holy. He is the Lord, our God, who dwells in the holies. [SD]

Ode viii.

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode viii. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Λυτρωτὰ τοῦ παντός.

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

O almighty Redeemer of all the world, * You came down in the midst of the furnace fire, * and You bedewed those pious men, * and You taught them to sing praise, * “O all you works, to the Lord sing * a hymn as you bless the Lord.” [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O blessed Cyril, you cast the sleep of indifference from the eyelids of your soul. Now you sleep the sleep that befits the just, and you have passed over to the day of never-setting light. [SD]

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

O blessed Cyril, you cast the sleep of indifference from the eyelids of your soul. Now you sleep the sleep that befits the just, and you have passed over to the day of never-setting light. [SD]

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

O celebrated Cyril, you burned up the heresies like dry sticks, with the lightning bolts of your words, and you enlightened the faithful to worship a Trinity of persons existing in one nature. [SD]

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

O Cyril, as a godly hierarch and minister of ineffable Mysteries, you sacrificed yourself through ascetic practice, and you offered the bloodless sacrifice to the Lord who died for you. [SD]

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

Theotokion.

O blessed Lady and glorious Virgin, the pure Mother of God, through you we were redeemed from the curse of our first mother Eve. We bless and worship your All-holy Son. [SD]

(read)

Intermediate Verses of Ode Eight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode 1. Him before whom the angels (NM).

Ὃν φρίττουσιν Ἄγγελοι.

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]

I lament and weep as I think of the hour when I shall stand before the fearful throne, and be called to account for the many evil deeds that I have done in ignorance and in knowledge. [KW]

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

Moses, having found in fasting a means of purification, spoke with God who alone is pure. O my soul, be purified by fasting, and so draw near to the God of love. [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]

Let us love fasting, the mother of virtues, and hate pleasure, the begetter of passions; and let us cry: Father who art in heaven, save us, O save us, at the prayers of Thy saints. [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.

O pure Virgin Mary, at the hour of judgement pray to the Judge whom thou hast borne, that He may take pity on me and save me from condemnation; for thou art the only protection of mankind. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode 3. (NM) In His divine power.

Τὸν ἐν φλογί.

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

Entering as initiates into the dazzling grace of the Fast, let us shine as lightning with the virtues, and by our peaceful faces and our peaceful way of life let us display the peace that is within our souls. [KW]

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

By fasting Elisha gave back to the Shunnamite her child alive. From this let us learn, O brethren, how great a blessing is the Fast, and how it is a grace given by God. [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.

With the Father we worship the Son and the Holy Spirit in unity of essence, and from our mouths of clay we cry with the angels: Glory in the highest to God in Trinity. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Thou alone, O full of divine grace, hast given birth while still remaining virgin. O great mystery, dread and marvellous! For thou hast borne God made flesh, the Saviour of the world. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O brethren, let not one of us be sunk in idleness and sloth. This is the time for work, the hour of solemn festival. Who, then, is wise and in one day will gain eternal life? [KW]

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Heirmos (NM). Mode 3.

Τὸν ἐν φλογί.

In His divine power the Lord descended into the flames and was seen walking with the Children of the Hebrews: O ye priests, bless and exalt Him above all for ever. [KW]

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

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

CHOIR

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode 4.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the 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.

O Hierarch, you desired to see the ineffable glory of Christ, so you were diligently put to death the soul-corrupting passions and made your heart a vessel of the superior and higher wisdom. Therefore, we faithfully call you blessed. [SD]

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

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

O devout Cyril, Christ, the Sun, put you in the height of the Church as a bright star, to illuminate with the rays of holy doctrines the hearts of those who faithfully keep your luminous memory. [SD]

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

O Father, you led your life on earth as if bodiless, and thus you became a companion and fellow minister of the Angels. You were also a fellow communicant with the righteous and a peer of the holy hierarchs. As you join their chorus, remember us. [SD]

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

Theotokion.

O all-immaculate Virgin Theotokos, by the will of Him Who created all things by His command, you were born of a barren woman. my heart is barren of divine virtues, so I pray you to make it fruitful, so that I may extol you, who are extolled by all. [SD]

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode 1. (NM) Let us glorify the cloud of light.

Τὴν φωτοφόρον νεφέλην.

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]

Having fallen into a sea of sin, a deep of despair, a tempest of thoughts and a storm of passions, to Thee I raise my cry: O Abyss of mercy, help me and in Thy compassion grant me, as the rain from heaven, cleansing for my sins. [KW]

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

O ye faithful, let us cleanse the body through fasting, the spirit through abstinence, and the soul through tears. So in purity let us go with joy to meet Him who is pure, and to look upon the saving Passion that the Redeemer endured for our sake. [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 groan like the Publican; I weep like the Harlot; and I cry out like the Thief, ‘Remember me, O merciful Lord.’ With the blind man I call unto Thee, O Son of God, ‘Open the eyes of my soul, for they are blinded by the wickedness of the deceitful enemy who makes me stumble.’ [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.

O ye faithful, let us bless the Virgin, for she is the Mountain not cut by hand of man, the Gate through which none may pass; she is higher than the heaven and all creation, the beauty and the excellency of Jacob, the golden Vessel of manna, the Bridge, and the Mother of the Creator. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode 3. (NM) In the bush upon Mount Sinai.

Ἐν Σιναίῳ τῷ ὅρει.

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]

Knowing the present days to be sacred above all others, let us offer up prayers to God with a pure conscience, kneeling often on the ground, and let us say: O Lord, accept at all times the petitions and entreaties of Thy servants. [KW]

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

The people, so it is written, sat down to eat and drink, and then rose up to dance and worship the carved image of Belphegor. Behold the grievous fruits of gluttony! But let us fast, and we shall be glorified like great Moses. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

The Trinity supreme in Godhead is by Essence an undivided Unity; though single in Nature, it is distinguished in Persons; though indivisible, it is divided; though one, it is three: Father, Son and Spirit of Life, together guarding all things. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Who has ever heard of a virgin that bore child and a mother that knew not man? O Mary, this miracle hast thou accomplished, but tell me how? ‘Do not enquire into the mystery of my childbearing: it is altogether true, yet beyond man’s understanding.’ [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O Lord, since Thy wrath against sinners is not to be endured, who shall stand unafraid when it threatens him? Boundless is Thy mercy: save me in Thy compassion, and judge me not according to my many sinful works. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode 3.

Ἐν Σιναίῳ τῷ ὅρει.

In the bush upon Mount Sinai Moses saw thee, who hast conceived within thy womb the fire of the Godhead, and yet wast not consumed. Daniel saw thee as a mountain not cut by hand of man, and Isaiah proclaimed thee as the Rod that blossomed from the root of David. [KW]

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

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Photagogic Hymns

From Horologion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

O Lord and Giver of light, send out Your light and illumine my heart, by the intercessions of the Forerunner, and save me. [SD]

O Lord and Giver of light, send out Your light and illumine my heart, by the intercessions of the Saints, and save me. [SD]

O Lord and Giver of light, send out Your light and illumine my heart, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, and save me. [SD]

READER

Lauds. (read)

Psalm 148.

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

Psalm 149.

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

Psalm 150.

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

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

Stand for the reading of the Doxology.

Doxology (read)

HIERARCH or READER

To you belongs glory, O Lord our God, and to you we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

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.

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

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

PRIEST (aloud)

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Aposticha. From the Triodion.

From Triodion - - -

Idiomelon. Grave Mode.

I confess to Thee, O Lord, that I have sinned as the Prodigal. I dare not raise my eyes to heaven, whence I have fallen in my wretchedness. I have sinned against heaven and before Thee, and am not worthy to be called Thy son. I openly proclaim my guilt; I have no need of others to accuse me or bear witness; for my own life of sinful prodigality triumphantly condemns me; my evil habits cry aloud against me; my nakedness puts me to shame, and the rags which clothe me bring disgrace upon me. O compassionate Father, only-begotten Son, and Holy Spirit, receive me in repentance and have mercy upon me. [KW]

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

For the Martyrs.

Grave Mode.

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

In the midst of the arena, before the lawless pagans, the victorious martyrs cried aloud rejoicing: ‘O Lord, glory to Thee.’ [KW]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Grave Mode.

Thou wast born, O Christ, of a Virgin in ways surpassing all interpretation; Thou hast brought light to those in darkness, and they cry: ‘O Lord, glory to Thee.’ [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.

PRIEST

O heavenly King, uphold our rulers, strengthen the Faith, calm the nations, give peace to the world. Protect this holy Church (or, Monastery); grant our departed fathers and brethren that they may dwell with the righteous, and accept us in repentance and confession; for You are good and benevolent.

We now make three prostrations: i.e. we recite the Prayer of St. Ephrem (quietly or mentally), and with each verse we make a bow or prostration.

While it has become customary for this prayer to be recited by someone aloud, nevertheless the indicated practice is that it be recited inaudibly and mentally by everyone, clergy and congregants alike, with the accompanying bows etc.

Prayer of St. Ephrem

O Lord and Master of my life, do not permit the spirit of laziness and meddling, the lust for power and idle talk to come into me.

Instead, grant me, Your servant, the spirit of prudence, humility, patience and love.

Yes, Lord and King, give me the power to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Then we make the sign of the cross 12 times, each time saying, “God, be gracious to me a sinner and have mercy on me.” Then we repeat the third verse of the Prayer (quietly or mentally) and make a final bow or prostration.

Yes, Lord and King, give me the power to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

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

or:

READER

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

Lord, have mercy. (3) Father, bless!

Dismissal

PRIEST

Glory to You, 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.