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Octoechos - Mode 4.

On Friday Morning

Menaion - November 7

Memory of the Thirty-Three holy Martyrs in Melitene; and Memory of our Devout Father Lazarus the Wonder-worker, who lived as an Ascetic on Mt. Galesion.

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 4.

God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]

Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.

Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.

Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Apolytikion. For the Martyrs.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Your Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by You * the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You our immortal God. * Since they possessed Your power, they defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, save our souls. [SD]

Glory. For St. Lazarus.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

As you vigilantly prayed you drenched your pillar with rivers of your tears; and with your sighs from deep within, painstaking labors produced their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a pastor, giving forgiveness to all those who came to you, our devout father Lazarus. Intercede with Christ our God, entreating Him to save our souls. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 4.

When the Mother of the Lamb and Shepherd and Savior of the world saw Him on the Cross, she uttered tearfully, “The world rejoices at receiving redemption, but my insides are burning as I see Your crucifixion, which You endure for all, O my Son and my God.” [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 19. 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 Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Kathisma I.

From Octoechos - - -

For the Cross.

Mode 4.

You ransomed us from the curse of the Law by Your precious Blood. You were nailed to the Cross, and You were pierced with a spear, and You gushed forth immortality for humanity. Our Savior, glory to You! [SD]

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

Mode 4. Automelon.

You who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, * O Christ our God, bestow Your tender compassions * upon Your new community to which You gave Your name. * Cause our faithful emperors to be glad in Your power, * granting them the victories against their adversaries. * And for an ally, Lord, may they have You, * peace as their armor, the trophy invincible. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 4. You who were lifted.

Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.

When the all-pure and virgin Mother was watching * the Master’s voluntary slaughter, she cried out * with ardent tears lamenting, and she said to Him, * “How could you prefer to die, O my Child most beloved? * Why between two criminals? How can You now be dying, * for You in nature are the righteous Judge? * I glorify You, my Son, for Your longsuffering.” [GOASD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 20. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma II.

For the Cross.

Mode 4. Automelon.

Come quickly, O Lord, and keep us from becoming enslaved * to foes who speak blasphemies against You, Christ our God, * and boastfully threaten us. * Annihilate by the power of Your Cross those who fight us. * Let them know how the faith of the Orthodox has power. * Only benevolent God, accept Your Mother’s prayers for us. [SD]

Verse: God is our King before the ages; He worked salvation in the midst of the earth.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

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

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

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

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma III.

For the Cross.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

O Logos, You voluntarily submitted to death, * the Cross, and the unjust conviction, all for our sake, * in You boundless benevolence, * to free from the condemnation and the ancient curse, O Good One, * all those who through deception had succumbed to corruption. * Therefore we venerate Your crucifixion, O gracious Lord. [SD]

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.

For the Martyrs.

The hosts of the Angels are in attendance today, for the observance of the memory of the prize-winning martyrs, to illumine the minds of the faithful, and to brighten the civilized world with grace. O God, be importuned by them, and grant us Your great mercy. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

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

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]

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

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

The shining and glowing host of Martyrs has spiritually risen on us today like a sun, and the rays of their miracles fill the Church with light. So, as we celebrate their solemn memory, we pray to You, our Savior: At their entreaties, rescue us from danger, as our merciful and benevolent God. [SD]

Kontakion. For St. Lazarus.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. N/M (O Champion General.)

The Angels were amazed as they witnessed your supernatural labors and struggles, through which you received halos from God, O wise Saint. We pray you, since you speak to the Lord with confidence, to save us from all calamity, so that we may salute you and cry aloud: Rejoice, our Father and Pastor! [SD]

Oikos.

An Angel among men were you, O God-bearing Saint, and from earth you reached the heavens. And seeing how you vied with the bodiless hosts, O devout one, I am astounded and with awe I cry out to you such salutations: [SD]

Rejoice! Inerrant rule for monastics. Rejoice! Meadow of virtue where souls are nourished.

Rejoice! Intercessor for souls that never fails. Rejoice! Dancer who abides with angelic hosts.

Rejoice! You increased the flock of monastics. Rejoice! You preserved them in Eden.

Rejoice! With God’s help, you provided sufficient bread. Rejoice! You expelled the audacity of the demons.

Rejoice! Ever-flowing spring of miracles. Rejoice! Guarantee of future delight.

Rejoice! The lamp of all Asia Minor. Rejoice! The star and coach of monastics.

Rejoice! Our Father and Pastor!

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On November 7, we commemorate the holy 33 Martyrs of Melitini, Hieron and the rest.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Lazaros the Wonder-worker, who lived as an ascetic on Mount Galesion.

On this day we commemorate the holy Martyrs Melasippus, Cassiani, and Anthony.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Auktos, Taurion, and Thessaloniki.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Athenodoros.

On this day, the holy Martyr Alexander from Thessaloniki died by the sword.

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

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 4.

Ἄκουε Κόρη.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Hearken, O Damsel, let Gabriel say. * Incline your ear, O Virgin pure, * and hear the counsel of the Most High, ancient and true; * and make ready for your own reception of God. * For through you the Uncontainable associates with mortal men. * And I am therefore rejoicing and shouting: * O all you works of the Lord, * praise and bless the Lord. [SD]

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

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

CHOIR

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode 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]

Heirmos. Mode 4.

Ὡς ἐμψύχῳ Θεοῦ κιβωτῷ.

Now let no uninitiated hand * approach the living Ark of God to touch it. * Rather let believers’ lips sing out in exultation * the Angel’s salutation unceasingly * to the Theotokos and cry out: * You, O pure and virgin Maiden, are truly superior to all. [SD]

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

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Exaposteilarion of the Day. For the Cross.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 2. With the disciples.

Τῶν Μαθητῶν ὁρώντων σε.

O Cross, you are the guardian of the whole world. * O Cross, you are the height of the Church’s beauty. * O Cross, you are what strengthened the Emperors. * O Cross, the believers’ firm support. * O Cross, the glory of Angels * and the defeat of the demons. [SD]

For the Martyrs.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

The Church, which is unbreakable, * has you, O medaled Martyr saints, * as thirty-three living towers, * by which the world is protected, * as well as those who honor you * and keep your glowing memory. * Stand now near the throne of Christ, * for us you are interceding * with our all-merciful Savior. [SD]

For St. Lazarus.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

While you were in your mother’s womb, * the Maker sanctified you, * and He made you a dwelling place * of the all-holy Spirit. * Thus you became for monastics * a light, O godly father, * and from the darkness of their sins * guided them to the radiance of the laws * of the Lord, O Lazarus, and you brought them * to Christ. To Him pray earnestly * to save those who extol you. [SD]

Theotokion.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Daniel the Prophet saw you once, * O Maiden, as a mountain * from which without the hands of man * truly a stone was cut out, * and it reduced pagan altars * and the pillars of demons * to rubble, holy Bride of God. * Earnestly pray to Him, so that He will crush * the impassioned images in my own mind, * and in my heart noetically * establish His own image. [SD]

Lauds. Mode 4.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Show Stichologia

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.

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.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power.

Hide Stichologia

Stichera. For St. Lazarus.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. When you were called.

Ὁ ἐξ ὑψίστου κληθείς.

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]

Another Lazarus, equally beloved, * who, girt with the Master’s living and sweetly perfumed * mortification in his own flesh, and also wearing * the sacred garments that even now emit * the scent of his sweat and labors, is presented now * for us to praise and to celebrate, as with a banquet. * Come, and in unison let us honor him * who proved to be a faithful steward and * loyal servant of Christ our Lord and God, * O you host of monastics * and the choir of those who love the feasts. [SD]

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]

Another Lazarus, equally beloved, * who, girt with the Master’s living and sweetly perfumed * mortification in his own flesh, and also wearing * the sacred garments that even now emit * the scent of his sweat and labors, is presented now * for us to praise and to celebrate, as with a banquet. * Come, and in unison let us honor him * who proved to be a faithful steward and * loyal servant of Christ our Lord and God, * O you host of monastics * and the choir of those who love the feasts. [SD]

Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]

Most sacred father, you lived atop the pillar * as though in a room that was completely filled with light. * And round about it you stationed your ascetic labors * even as armed guards, O venerable one, * blocking access to the passions as to regiments. * You forged ahead into the divine bright nuptial chamber, * O blessed man, and you stand beside our God * and your own Bridegroom now with confidence, * as you openly relish His handsomeness. * Therefore earnestly pray Him to illumine us and save our souls. [SD]

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

Sanctified even within his mother’s belly, * devout father Lazarus became for Christ a pure * victim and priest. In the Spirit now he has invited * all the believers to come and celebrate * his memory. Clearly he emits a fragrant scent. * So all together let us run to him and get the blessing * that flows abundantly from his worshipful * and holy relics, as we glorify * and adore Christ our God who is marvelous * in His saints, as the Most High * who is resting in His holy ones. [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

Devout Father, the proclamation of your achievements went forth into all the earth. For your labors you found the reward in heaven. You destroyed the arrays of demons, and you attained to the orders of the Angels, whose lifestyle you emulated blamelessly. Since you have confidence before Christ our God, ask Him to grant peace to our souls. [SD]

Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 2. You rose within three days.

Τριήμερος ἀνέστης.

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

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.

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the 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 of the Octoechos.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4.

May Your Cross be a wall for us, O Jesus our Savior. For we believers have no other hope, except for You who were physically nailed to it, and who grant the great mercy unto us. [SD]

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]

Automelon.

Ἔδωκας σημείωσιν.

You have given those who fear You, Lord, a token, Your precious Cross, * having triumphed by means thereof * over Principalities and Powers of darkness. * Furthermore, by means of the Cross You brought us up again * to the beatitude that was ours of old. * O Jesus, the almighty Savior of our souls, we all glorify * Your benevolent plan, by which * You have saved the entire world. [SD]

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

Who is not amazed, O holy martyrs, seeing the good fight that you fought; how being armed with the Cross you confessed Christ, and thus defeated the bodiless enemy, though you yourselves were in body still. Therefore you have worthily been made the banishers of demons, and the opponents of foreign enemies, unceasingly interceding that our souls be saved. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

To a brave one.

Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.

When Your Mother the Virgin pure * saw You hanging upon the Cross, * she was overwhelmed with astonishment, O Lord; * and gazing earnestly, she began * to say: Dearest Son of mine, * how is it that You are hung * on the tree of the Cross, O Word * most long-suffering? * How is it that Your hands and feet were nailed to it by lawless men, O Master, * and that You shed Your all-holy blood? [SD]

PRIEST

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

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Apolytikion. For the Martyrs.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Your Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by You * the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You our immortal God. * Since they possessed Your power, they defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, save our souls. [SD]

Glory. For St. Lazarus.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

As you vigilantly prayed you drenched your pillar with rivers of your tears; and with your sighs from deep within, painstaking labors produced their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a pastor, giving forgiveness to all those who came to you, our devout father Lazarus. Intercede with Christ our God, entreating Him to save our souls. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 4.

O immaculate Maiden, the fruit of your womb is the fulfillment of the Prophets and the Law. Therefore, O Theotokos, with understanding, we glorify and magnify you piously. [SD]

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

PRIEST: Wisdom.

READER: Father, bless!

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

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

or:

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 our devout father Lazarus the Wonder-worker, whose memory we observe, 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.