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Triodion

Mode pl. 4. On Tuesday Morning

On Tuesday Before Palm Sunday Morning

Menaion - April 8

Memory of the holy Apostles of the Seventy

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode pl. 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 pl. 4.

With hearts in heaven, let us emulate the Angels, and in fear let us bow before the impartial Judge, as we shout the triumphal praise: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God. By the intercessions of the Forerunner save us. [SD]

Glory.

Daring not to look at You, the Cherubim in flight jubilantly cry out the inspired melody of the Thrice-holy Hymn. We sinners join them and also sing: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God. By the intercessions of the Saints save us. [SD]

Both now.

Bent down by our many offenses, we dare not gaze at Your height. Rather we bow our soul along with our body, and we shout the hymn of the Angels to You: Holy, holy, holy are You, O 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. 4.

Like the sinful woman, I come to You to be forgiven, and instead of perfume, I offer You my heartfelt tears, O Christ God, so that You will pity me, as You did her, O Savior, and grant to me forgiveness of sins. For like her, I cry to You, “Free me from the mud of my sinful deeds!” [GOASD]

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

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the wisdom.

Τὴν Σοφίαν καὶ Λόγον.

O my soul, keep the thought of that fearful day * in the front of your mind, and be vigilant; * and trimming your oil lamp, keep it lit with the virtues. * For you know not the day nor the hour the cry will come * to you specifically, saying, “Behold, your Bridegroom is here!” * Therefore, O my soul, always watch lest you slumber * and be left outside knocking like those five foolish maidens. * But continue in vigilance, * so that you may meet Christ God with abundant oil, and He give to you * the heavenly bridal room of His glory divine. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

O Believers, let us magnify the Theotokos in hymns. She is the unshakable support of the Faith, and the venerable gift to our souls. “Rejoice! for in your womb you contained the Rock of life. Rejoice! as the hope of all the earth, and the help of those in trouble! Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!” [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 pl. 2. (NA)

Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις.

Wasted by the disease of sin, I lie on the bed of despair. O Physician of the sick, visit me in Thy love for mankind; and, most merciful, let me not sleep shamefully in death, but enable me to cry with all my heart to Thee: Bestower of mercy, O Lord, glory to Thee. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Gabriel’s message to the Virgin was the beginning of salvation; for she heard his greeting ‘Hail!’ and did not reject his salutation. She did not doubt like Sarah in the tent, but she replied: ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. [KW]

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 pl. 1.

Yesterday and today Lazarus is sick, and his sisters make it known to Christ. Prepare thyself with joy, O Bethany, to welcome as thy guest the Lord and King, and to cry aloud with us: O Lord, glory to Thee. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

All-holy Mother of God, you are the fortress for Christians. As you are wont to do, deliver us your people, who intently cry to you. Counteract the shameful and prideful thoughts assailing us, so that we may shout to you, Rejoice, Ever-virgin! [SD]

READER

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory. Both now.

Psalm 50 (51).

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

PRIEST

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

through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; 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 Apostles.

Ode i. Mode 3. Heirmos.

Ὁ τὰ ὕδατα.

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

He who gathered the water into its places * of old by divine decree is the same One * who for the Israelite people parted the sea. * He is our God and Lord, and He is glorified greatly. * To Him only let us sing, for He is glorified. [SD]

Troparia.

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

Let us celebrate in unison the all-holy memorial of the holy Apostles, and let us sing their praises with joyful souls; for they ask the transcendently holy Word that he grant us forgiveness and mercy. [RB]

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

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

O glorious Apostles, you cast away the decay of polytheistic insanity, you restored the lost savor to every soul with the divine salt of your teaching, and, thus you presented them, thus restored, to the Creator of all. For this you are glorified. [RB]

Glory.

Let us bless in song glorious Herodion, Rufus, Agabus, Phlegon, and Hermes; for they are true friends of our Redeemer, divine messengers, and pillars of the faithful. [RB]

Both now. Theotokion.

O compassionate Theotokos, boast of the Apostles, glory of the prizewinners, and security of the faithful, I entreat you steady my mind, since it tossed about by the abuses of the deceiver and downcast with transgressions. [RB]

(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 pl. 2. Heirmos (NM).

Ἴδετε, ἴδετε.

See now, see that I am God, who rained down manna in the days of old, and made springs of water flow from the rock, for My people in the wilderness, by My right hand and by My power alone. (2) [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Rich by nature, O Christ, Thou hast by Thine own choice become poor; and Thou who fillest every living thing with plenteousness hast willingly gone hungry. I hunger for Thy grace, O Word of God: satisfy me and make me a partaker at Thy table in the Age to come. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Make me, O Christ, poor as Lazarus in sin, and scatter the wealth that I have gathered in wickedness; fill me with Thy perfect love, O merciful Lord, and deliver me from the fearful punishment that is to come. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Once in Babylon fasting made the Children stronger than the fire. Be not fainthearted, O my soul, but follow their example, and thou shalt quench the fire of sensual pleasure with the dew of the Spirit. [KW]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

We cry to thee ‘Hail!’, O Theotokos Virgin full of grace, who hast conceived our Joy. Pray to God whom thou hast borne, that we who at all times sing thy praises may be delivered from danger and corruption. [KW]

From Triodion - - -

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode ii. Mode pl. 1. (NM) See now, see.

Ἴδετε, ἴδετε.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

See now, see that I am God, who when I was dwelling on the far side of the Jordan heard that Lazarus was sick, and I said: ‘He will not die, but this is for My glory.’ [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

The sisters of Lazarus lament and disclose their anguish to Thee who knowest all things. But Thou delayest a little, in order to perform the miracle and show to Thy disciples Thy dread power. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

Unity in three Persons, single sovereignty, kingdom ruling over the ages, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: the multitude of angels and all mankind glorify Thee. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Who is not filled with wonder, O Virgin, beholding the Creator refashioning fallen Adam within thee, and born from thee in the flesh for our salvation, without undergoing change, through an ineffable union? [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Prepare thyself now, O Bethany, and with joy make ready to receive the King of all: for He shall come to thee, to bring back Lazarus from corruption to life. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode pl. 1.

Ἴδετε, ἴδετε.

See now, see that I am God. By Mine own will was I clothed in flesh, to save from error Adam who had fallen into sin through the deceit of the serpent. [KW]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Apostles.

Ode iii. Mode 3. Heirmos.

Ὁ ἐκ μὴ ὄντων.

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

From non-existence You brought forth all things, O God, * through the Word creating them, in the Spirit perfecting them. * Most High Ruler over all, * firmly establish me in Your love, O Master. [SD]

Troparia.

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

O divine Disciples of God the Word, you were the eyes of the Church, and you opened the eyes of many so that they might behold the incomprehensible beauty. [RB]

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

O divine Disciples of God the Word, you were the eyes of the Church, and you opened the eyes of many so that they might behold the incomprehensible beauty. [RB]

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

O all-renowned Rufus, you were a luminous house of the Trinity, and you dashed temples to the ground and built churches for the Lord with the word of grace. [RB]

Glory.

O wise Rufus, you ploughed hearts with your divine word, you sowed the salvific teachings, and you reaped the salvation of the saved as a great harvest. [RB]

Both now. Theotokion.

O immaculate Virgin, he who is unapproachable according to His divine nature I may now approach. He has taken on flesh and is completely united to me in His great compassion. [RB]

Heirmos.

From non-existence You brought forth all things, O God, * through the Word creating them, in the Spirit perfecting them. * Most High Ruler over all, * firmly establish me in Your love, O Master. [SD]

Ode 3: Short Litany

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Kathisma.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. N/M (The soldiers.)

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

O brightest proclaimers of God, you were beams shining the light of the Spiritual Sun, you illuminate the whole earth with the rays of your teaching, and you drive off the darkness of ignorance with divine grace. And so on this day of your luminous commemoration, we beam with joy, and in faith we call you blessed. [RB]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 1. N/M (The soldiers.)

The end of your life is at your door, and the Judge draws near. Wake up, my soul, sigh in sorrow, cry out to the Mother of God with your whole heart, and say: Save me, O Virgin, from the terrible torments. O all-immaculate Lady, let me dwell in the place of rest. [RB]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Apostles.

Ode iv. Mode 3. Heirmos.

Ἔθου πρὸς ἡμᾶς.

Verse: Glory to Your strength, O Lord.

Lord, You have established a mighty love of Your strength for us; * God of our deliverance, You gave Your only-begotten Son to die for us. * And now with thanksgiving we sing out and praise You: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [SD]

Troparia.

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

O wise Apostles, you brought divine healing with your words to believers, you gave over to destruction the evil ungodly land, and you edified souls in the Faith. And so, O wise Apostles, you are counted as blessed. [RB]

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

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

O blessed Herodion, the city of Patras is illustriously clothed with strength through you; for you were the first to sit on her throne, shining with the divine luminosities of the Holy Spirit. [RB]

Glory.

O blessed Herodion, the city of Patras was rich with you as her representative, since you led her to the exalted Zion. And so, she honors you with divine songs. [RB]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Maiden that gave birth to God, at a sacred word you conceived the Father’s Word Who redeems humanity from all irrationality. And so we always glorify you with divine words and a great voice. [RB]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Apostles.

Ode v. Mode 3. Heirmos.

Ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

Verse: O Lord our God, grant us peace.

Upon the earth You were seen, O unseen God, * and voluntarily lived among mortals, * incomprehensible One. * We therefore rise early to You, * and extol You, O benevolent Lord. [SD]

Troparia.

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

O divine Apostles, you preached the Word Who came to the earth to save what had wandered off, and you delivered all humanity from error. [RB]

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

O divine Apostles, you preached the Word Who came to the earth to save what had wandered off, and you delivered all humanity from error. [RB]

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

O godly-minded Agabus, God poured out the grace of prophecy on you in a mysterious manner, and you declared revelations of future things. [RB]

Glory.

O Prophet Agabus, you foretold deceit, imprisonment, and misfortune to Paul, and you tied your hands with his belt. [RB]

Both now. Theotokion.

Of all women on earth, only you mysteriously gave birth to the only one to reconcile us with the Father and who is alone pre-eternal and without beginning. And so, we only honor you as the Mother of God. [RB]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Apostles.

Ode vi. Mode 3. Heirmos.

Ἄβυσσος ἐσχάτη.

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

Sinfulness encircles me as the lowest depth did Jonah, * and my spirit is failing me. * I cry out to You, O Master. Reach out Your exalted arm. * Pilot, rescue me, as You saved Your Apostle of old. [SD]

Troparia.

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

O divine Apostles, the Word established as brightly shining lamps to enlighten the world, to end the darkness, and to show the way of salvation. [RB]

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

O divine Apostles, the Word established as brightly shining lamps to enlighten the world, to end the darkness, and to show the way of salvation. [RB]

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

Wise Asyncritus, you were the boast of the Apostles and the wise wall of Hyrcania. You preached the death of the dispassionate Lord, and you led the dead to life. [RB]

Glory.

O Asyncritus, You were Hyrcania’s river, filled with the currents of the Spirit. You watered Hyrcania with your hallowed streams, she brought forth beautiful shoots for the Master. [RB]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Bride of God, the ark of the Law was an image of you, since received the Fullness of the divine Law, you gave Him birth in the flesh, after giving birth you remained ever virgin, just as you were before giving birth. [RB]

Heirmos.

Ode 6: Short Litany

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

From Triodion - - -

READER

For the Martyrs. Mode pl. 4.

This tabernacle is splendidly illumined today with heavenly light. For herein do the armies of Angels greatly rejoice, and with them the hosts of the Righteous are cheerful, as the victorious Martyrs are commemorated. O Christ, by their supplications, send down peace and great mercy to Your world. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On April 8 we commemorate the holy Apostles of the Seventy Herodion, Agabos, Rufus, Phlegon, Asyncritos, and Hermes.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Celestine, Pope of Rome.

On this day the holy new martyr John the Koulikas, who witnessed in the year 1564, died by hooks.

On this day St. Pafsilipos reposed in peace.

On this day the holy new martyr John the shipmaster, who witnessed on the island of Kos in the year 1669, died by fire.

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

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Apostles.

Ode vii. Mode 3. Heirmos (not metered).

Τὸ πρὶν εἰκόνι.

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

Those three Servants of old would not worship the golden image and Persian deity; rather standing in the furnace they sang this hymn: “Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.” [SD]

Troparia.

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

The proclaimers of God firmly established the nations on the rock of the Faith, and they wisely enlightened those who once worshipped stones in vain. [RB]

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

The proclaimers of God firmly established the nations on the rock of the Faith, and they wisely enlightened those who once worshipped stones in vain. [RB]

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

O sacred Phlegon, you burnt away the entire thorny tangle of error with divine fire, and you kindled hearts that had been unfortunately quenched with the Spirit’s heat. [RB]

Glory.

O glorious Phlegon, you were a great defender, an excellent teacher, a luminary, and a guide for those in Marathon, and they honor you unceasingly,. [RB]

Both now. Theotokion.

O pure and immaculate Mother of God, for us you are a new Paradise. Those who died by eating are brought back to life by eating the Tree of Life, which you hold within yourself. [RB]

Ode viii.

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Apostles.

Ode viii. Mode 3. Heirmos (not metered).

Βαβυλωνία κάμινος.

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

The furnace in Babylon did not burn the Servants, nor did the fire of the Godhead injure the Virgin. Therefore, O believers, let us sing with the Servants: “O you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.” [SD]

Troparia.

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

Today let us bless Agabus, Phlegon, Asyncritus, Rufus, illustrious Hermes, and Herodion, for they were divine Apostles of the Word, lights for the world, and teachers of the nations. [RB]

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

Today let us bless Agabus, Phlegon, Asyncritus, Rufus, illustrious Hermes, and Herodion, for they were divine Apostles of the Word, lights for the world, and teachers of the nations. [RB]

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]

The renowned Hermes was the guide and luminary of all Dalmatia. He appeared there like a bright sun, he worked amazing miracles, and he enlightened hearts that had been blind. [RB]

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 glorious Hermes, you carried the Word as a bright lamp, you enlightened those who sat in the night of calamities, you performed healings and great signs, and you drew all the unbelievers to the faith. [RB]

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

Theotokion.

O spotless Virgin, we are your servants, and you are our protection and unfailing intercessor with your Son and God. O august Lady, save us from dangers and temptations, so that we may always glorify you with faith and zeal. [RB]

(read)

Intermediate Verses of Ode Eight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode pl. 2. (NM)

Ἐκ φλογὸς τοῖς Ὁσίοις.

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 think upon the multitude of my offences, and I am pierced by the sting of conscience; and in my misery I lament as though already in the flames of hell. Take pity on me, Word of God, in Thy mercy. [KW]

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

I have neglected the virtuous actions of Lazarus and emulated the ways of the rich man who showed no love for others. O compassionate God, turn me back and take pity on me, that I may glorify Thee 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]

My soul is sick, and despair has brought me near to death. Come to me, O Jesus, I implore Thee, for Thy visitation gives life to those that call upon Thee. [KW]

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

Theotokion.

Save me and come to the aid of my weakness, all-holy Virgin, for thou hast borne Him whose will it is to have mercy, and we exalt Him above all for ever. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode pl. 1. (NM) Thy holy Children sang.

Οἱ ὅσιοί σου Παῖδες.

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

O Bethany, home of Lazarus, rejoice. For Christ comes to thee and shall perform a mighty work, bringing Lazarus to life. [KW]

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

Lazarus falls sick that Thou, Son of God, mayest be glorified through him; and Thy works praise Thee, Lord, without ceasing. [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.

We praise the all-holy Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit, and we sing: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

With all mankind we sing the praises of thine ineffable childbearing, O pure Virgin; and honouring thy Son as God, we bless and praise Him without ceasing. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Preparing branches of virtue with which to welcome Christ, we cry: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. [KW]

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Heirmos (NM). Mode pl. 1.

Οἱ ὅσιοί σου Παῖδες.

Thy holy Children sang Thy praises, O Christ, in the furnace, and they said: O 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 3.

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 Apostles.

Ode ix. Mode 3. Heirmos (not metered).

Τὴν ἐν βάτῳ καὶ πυρί.

We magnify the only Theotokos. She was prefigured on Sinai to Moses the Lawgiver in the bush and the fire, as the one who would conceive unburnt the Divine Fire in her womb. We honor her with hymns, as the unquenchable lamp shining splendid light. [SD]

Troparia.

Apostles of Christ, intercede for us.

Let us form a most sacred choir in faith and harmony of soul, and with fervor let us bless Hermes, Herodion, Rufus, Agabus, the great Asyncritus, and the divine Phlegon, who were eyewitnesses of the Word. [RB]

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

The proclaimers of God were like mystical olive trees, they made our souls and faces cheerful with grace, and they saved us from godless oppression and the darkness of ignorance. And so it is right to call them blessed. [RB]

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

O wise Apostles of the Redeemer, you redeemed us from despair and slavery to the enemy and deceiver of old, and you showed us the paths that lead us to the Heavenly Kingdom with God-inspired certainty. [RB]

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 six-branched lamp of holy disciples, entreat the Three-Sun Splendor with fervor that he light our souls and rescue us from darkness and eternal condemnation, for we observe your radiant memorial. [RB]

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

Theotokion.

O immaculate and laudable Virgin, you were like tongs that carry flame, for you received in your womb the spiritual Coal that burns up our passions, enlightens our souls, and shines light on the darkness of idolatry. [RB]

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode pl. 2. (NM)

Θεὸν ἀνθρώποις.

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]

Tasting once from the bitter fruit, the first-formed man was banished in grief from Paradise, and harnessed to the yoke of death. Fast, O my soul; flee from his example; flee from the pleasures of eating, for they are full of sorrow. [KW]

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

I call to mind Thy judgement seat, and the fire that never shall be quenched; and before the judgement comes, I condemn myself, O righteous Judge. I fear and tremble, for I have sinned against Thee without measure, more that any other man on earth: therefore take pity on me. [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]

Let us wash away the darkness of the passions with prayers of light, and bearing branches of virtue let us hasten to welcome Christ, who soon will come riding upon a foal; and He makes ready to suffer for our salvation. [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.

Coming forth from thee, O Virgin full of God’s grace, Christ the Giver of light and peace has shone upon us, who are held fast by the night of the passions. He has set us free from the transgression that came through heedlessness, and He bestows redemption on us. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

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

Ἠσαΐα χόρευε.

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

O wise Lazarus, prepare now for thy burial; for tomorrow thou shalt die and leave this life. Look at the tomb in which thou shalt dwell. But Christ will bring thee back to life again, raising thee on the fourth day. [KW]

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

Be glad, O Bethany: for Christ shall come to thee, performing in thee a great and fearful miracle. Binding death with fetters, as God of all He -will raise up Lazarus, who was dead and now magnifies the Creator. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

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

Both now. Theotokion.

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

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Come, let us make ready to meet the Lord, bringing to Him palms of virtue. So shall we receive Him in our souls as in the city of Jerusalem, worshipping Him and singing his praises. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode pl. 1.

Ἠσαΐα χόρευε.

Rejoice, Isaiah: the Virgin has conceived and borne a Son, Emmanuel, who is both God and man; and Orient is His Name. We magnify Him, O Virgin, and we call thee blessed. [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. 4.

You are the light, O Christ. In yourself illumine me, by the intercessions of the Forerunner, and save me. [SD]

You are the light, O Christ. In yourself illumine me, by the intercessions of the Saints, and save me. [SD]

You are the light, O Christ. In yourself illumine me, 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. Mode pl. 1.

Fallen into transgressions and bound fast by the cords of sin, why art thou slothful, O my soul? Why art thou careless? Flee at all times from the burning of lasciviousness, as Lot fled from Sodom and Gomorrah; turn not back, lest thou become as a pillar of salt. Take refuge in the mountain of the virtues; run always from the flames that burnt the rich man because he was merciless and cruel. With the steps of humility advance like Lazarus, and go to dwell with Abraham, crying: My hope and refuge, O Lord, glory to Thee. [KW]

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

For the Martyrs.

Mode pl. 1.

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

Thy victorious martyrs, O Lord, imitated the life of the angelic hosts: with patience they endured the tortures, as though they had no body, setting all their hope in the blessings Thou hast promised. At their prayers, O Christ our God, grant peace to Thy world, and to our souls great mercy. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 1.

O blessed among women, we entreat thee as the Mother of God: pray for the salvation of our souls. [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.