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Triodion

Mode 4. On Monday Morning

On Monday of the First Week Morning

Menaion - February 23

Memory of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna

__________

MATINS

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CHOIR

Mode 4.

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

From Horologion - - -

Triadic Hymns

Mode 4.

We mortals dare to offer You the hymn of Your noetic ministers, and we say: Holy, holy, holy are You our God. By the protection of the Bodiless Hosts have mercy on us. [SD]

Glory.

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

Both now.

Like the Cherubim we dare to glorify the unoriginate Father, and You, O Christ God, and Your all-holy Spirit, and we say: Holy, holy, holy are You our God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 4. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

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CHOIR

Kathisma I.

From Triodion - - -

For compunction.

Mode 4.

O Lord, visit my humble soul, which as spent the entire time of this life in sins. Accept me and save me, as You once did the harlot. [SD]

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

As I sail across the ocean of the present life, I remember the abyss of my many vices. Since I have no good thought to pilot me, I shout to you the words of Peter: Save me, O Christ my God. Save me, O benevolent Lord. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

To you who were raised in the Temple, in the Holy of Holies, and who were clothed in faith and wisdom and measureless virginity, the Supreme Commander Gabriel from heaven brought the salutation, “Rejoice”; “Rejoice, O blessed Maiden! Rejoice, O glorified one! The Lord is with you.” [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 5. 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 2. N/M (Since you are the source.)

Εὐσπλαγχνίας ὑπάρχουσα.

Let us acquire compunction of soul ⁄ as God-given first-fruits of the fast. ⁄ Let us cry: Accept our prayer as pure incense, O Christ our Master. ⁄ Deliver us, we entreat you, from the stench of corruption ⁄ and from fearful torment. ⁄⁄ for you alone are ready to forgive! [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 2. Automelon (not metered).

Εὐσπλαγχνίας ὑπάρχουσα.

Grant us your mercy, Theotokos, fount of tender compassion. ⁄ Look upon the people who have sinned, ⁄ and manifest, as always your power. ⁄ For trusting in you, we cry out as once did Gabriel, chief of the bodiless hosts: ⁄⁄ Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you! [OCA]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 6. 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 2.

Let us begin the all-holy season of fasting with joy; ⁄ let us shine with the bright radiance of the holy commandments of Christ our God: ⁄ with the brightness of love and the splendor of prayer, ⁄ the strength of good courage and the purity of holiness! ⁄ So, clothed in garments of light, ⁄ let us hasten to the holy resurrection on the third day, ⁄⁄ that shines on the world with the glory of eternal life! [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 2.

Beyond all hope, I am wondrously set free, Mother of God, ⁄ from all that troubles me, ⁄ for I have obtained in my distress your invincible intercession! ⁄ You are always swift to help those who beseech you in faith, ⁄ dispelling the darkness of their many sins. ⁄ Therefore, with thanksgiving, I cry to you: ⁄ Accept, Lady, this small offering of grateful praise, ⁄⁄ and be my help in all things! [OCA]

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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 2. Heirmos.

Δεῦτε λαοί.

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

Peoples, now come * and let us sing a song to Christ our God, * who by His prophet split the sea and through it led across * His people and possession, out of Egyptian bondage, * for He was glorified. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

Illumined by Christ’s shining light and filed by his brightness, Father, wholly illumine my darkened soul, godly-minded one, by your entreaties. [VPA]

Verse: Let us sing to the Lord, for He is greatly glorified. Horse and rider He has thrown into the sea. [SAAS]

Illumined by Christ’s shining light and filed by his brightness, Father, wholly illumine my darkened soul, godly-minded one, by your entreaties. [VPA]

Verse: The Lord became my helper and the shield of my salvation; He is my God, and I will glorify Him; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. [SAAS]

The light of the preaching of salvation having flashed like lightning with its rays in your pure heart like a spotless mirror, illumined all. [VPA]

Verse: The Lord brings wars to nothing; the Lord is His name. Pharaoh’s chariots and army He cast into the sea. [SAAS]

You became an inscribed tablet of the new law, Father, having the Gospel of divine grace written not by black ink but by the Divine Spirit. [VPA]

Verse: The sea covered them; they sank to the bottom like a stone. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

Knowing that God who was before creation and before all ages took a body from you, without the will of the flesh, we confess you to be Theotokos. [VPA]

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Intermediate Verses of Ode One.

Your right hand, O God, is glorified in strength; Your right hand, O God, dashed the enemy in pieces. In the greatness of Your glory You broke the adversaries to pieces. [SAAS]

You sent forth Your wrath; it consumed them like stubble.

By the Spirit of Your anger the waters were gathered together; the waves stood upright in the midst of the sea; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea.

The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoils; I will satisfy my soul; I will destroy with my sword; my hand shall have dominion.’

You sent forth Your Spirit; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters.

Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorified in holiness, marvelous in praises, doing wonders?

You stretched out Your right hand; the earth swallowed them up.

In righteousness You guided Your people whom You redeemed; in strength You called them to Your holy resting place.

The nations heard and were angry; pangs seized the inhabitants of Philistia. [SAAS]

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode i. Mode 2. N/M (Peoples, now come.)

Δεῦτε λαοί.

Verse: The princes of Edom and the chiefs of the Moabites were dismayed; trembling took hold of them; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away. [SAAS]

How shall I begin to weep for my failures? ⁄ Where can I make a start for salvation? ⁄ I have lived as a Prodigal. ⁄ Save me by the ways that are Your, Bountiful One. [OCA]

Verse: Fear and dread fell upon them; by the greatness of Your arm, let them become as stone. [SAAS]

This is the time of repentance. ⁄ This is the day of salvation. ⁄ This is the beginning of the fast. ⁄ Be vigilant, my soul! ⁄ Close the door of your passions, and seek the Lord. [OCA]

Verse: Till Your people pass over, O Lord, till Your people pass over, whom You purchased. [SAAS]

The tempest of my sins has drawn me to the depths of despair. ⁄ But I flee to the sea of Your mercy: ⁄ O Lord, save me! [OCA]

Verse: The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands established. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

O Maiden, who gave birth to the source of dispassion, heal me who am wounded by the passions, and snatch me from the eternal fire, O Lady grace by God. [SD]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode i. Mode 2. N/M (Peoples, now come.)

Δεῦτε λαοί.

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

O peoples, come and let us welcome today the gift of Lent, as a God-given season of repentance; and during it, let us seek the Savior’s forgiveness. [SD]

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

This is the time of great spiritual efforts, ⁄ The course of the Fast. ⁄ Let us all begin with sincerity, ⁄ Bearing good works to the Lord as gifts. [OCA]

Glory. For the Trinity.

Let us praise the simple unity of three Lights, ⁄ The most powerful and ever-existing and ever-acting Lord and God: ⁄ The Father Almighty, the Son and the Spirit! [OCA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Let us sing of the holy mount of God, ⁄ of the immaculate Mary, ⁄ From whom the Sun of Righteousness arose, ⁄ And shone light on those who were in darkness: ⁄ Christ the life of all. [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

The fiery chariot received Elijah ⁄ who was strengthened by fasting. ⁄ By Fasting, Moses was a seer of ineffable things, ⁄ and by it, we shall see Christ. [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Adam ate the food ⁄ and was cast out of paradise for his indulgence. ⁄ But we receive the fast with joy, Lord: ⁄ Show us worthy of perfect repentance, Lover of mankind. [OCA]

Heirmos (not metered). Mode 2.

Δεῦτε λαοί.

Come, people, let us sing a song to Christ our God ⁄ Who parted the sea and through it led His people ⁄ whom He had brought out of the bondage of Egypt: ⁄ For He has been glorified! [OCA]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode iii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Στερέωσον ἡμᾶς ἐν σοὶ Κύριε.

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

Establish us in You, Lord, we pray to You, * who mortified sin by Your crucifixion, * and implant in us the fear of You * within the hearts of Your servants who sing Your praise. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

God-seeing Polycarp, you became the fruitful olive in the house of your Lord, as the Psalm says, bringing joy by your preaching. [VPA]

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

God-seeing Polycarp, you became the fruitful olive in the house of your Lord, as the Psalm says, bringing joy by your preaching. [VPA]

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

Having harmoniously directed your mind towards the commandments of the Savior, God-blessed one, you worthily became a great shepherd of His Church. [VPA]

Glory.

You directed yourself entirely towards Christ as a living sacrifice through martyrdom; having contested before in the martyrdom of the conscience in ascetic labors. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

You shook off the dust of our mortality having truly given birth to immortality and you weaved for us robes of incorruption, O Virgin, by your giving birth. [VPA]

Heirmos.

Establish us in You, Lord, we pray to You, * who mortified sin by Your crucifixion, * and implant in us the fear of You * within the hearts of Your servants who sing Your praise. [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 pl. 4. N/M (By conceiving the wisdom.)

Τὴν Σοφίαν καὶ Λόγον.

You truly cultivated the grapes of grace in your soul, wise father, and you gushed forth like wine the word of faith which makes glad the mind of all the faithful; and you were seen as a boundless sea of miracles. Therefore you were shown to be the beauty of martyrs, having been perfected by fire and having been made worthy of the eternal light, O Polycarp. Ever intercede with Christ God that remission of transgressions be granted to those who fervently celebrate your holy memory. [VPA]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the Wisdom.

Living cloud of the spiritual Sun are you, * and the gold-shining lamp-stand of light divine. * Lady, all-immaculate, wholly blameless and undefiled, * because of shameful passions my soul is darkened and blind. * I pray you, shine the light of dispassion and restore its sight; * also I implore you, give me streams of compunction * and tears of repentance to purify my polluted heart, * and with love I will cry to you: * Intercede with your Son and God, * that He grant forgiveness of my sins to me. * I your unworthy servant have you as my only hope. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode iv. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Εἰσακήκοα Κύριε, τὴν ἀκοήν.

Verse: Glory to Your strength, O Lord.

I have heard the report, O Lord, * of your eternal plan for our salvation, * and I glorified You, the only Friend of man. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

You were seen to have brought the many-fruited, bountiful harvest of the virtues to the Master, Father Polycarp. [VPA]

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

You were brought as a perfect burnt-offering and a pure sacrifice to the Savior of all, Father, Polycarp. [VPA]

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

Piously leading the people to the light of the knowledge of God, Venerable one, you dispelled the darkness of godlessness. [VPA]

Glory.

Glorious one, we hymn the steadfast perseverance of your soul and the invincibility of your struggles. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Pure one who gave birth to the hypostatic light, wholly illumine my darkened soul by your light. [VPA]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode v. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ὁ τοῦ φωτὸς χορηγός.

Verse: O Lord our God, grant us peace.

Lord, the provider of light, * and the Creator of the ages, we pray * that You will guide us in the light of Your all-holy commands. * Except for You, we do not know any other God. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

Wholly illumined in mind by the ray of the Spirit, Venerable one, and through the symbol of a flaming fire you clearly were instructed about your perfection through fire, godly-minded one. [VPA]

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

Wholly illumined in mind by the ray of the Spirit, Venerable one, and through the symbol of a flaming fire you clearly were instructed about your perfection through fire, godly-minded one. [VPA]

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

You received a river of life, having been taught as from a flood of delicacies by the beloved disciple, who had drawn water from the depth of wisdom. [VPA]

Glory.

Riches and glory, brightness and length of life and an incorrupt life, were given to you, Father, from Christ the true wisdom, because you were preeminent in your love for Him. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

The ancient of days, as rain on fleece, all pure one, came down upon your sanctified womb and He, the lover of humanity, was seen as a new Adam. [VPA]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode vi. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἐν ἀβύσσῳ πταισμάτων.

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

Like a deep sea, my sins have encircled me. * I invoke the deep sea of Your ineffable * and unfathomable tender love. * Raise me up from corruption, O Lord my God. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

God-seer, you were dead to the entire world, living only to Christ and conversing with Him, you were translated to Christ, bearing the fruit of living incorruption. [VPA]

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

God-seer, you were dead to the entire world, living only to Christ and conversing with Him, you were translated to Christ, bearing the fruit of living incorruption. [VPA]

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

Walking honorably, blessed one, and being shown to be a child of light and peace, you recognized Marcion as an adversary and the first-born of darkness. [VPA]

Glory.

Having been admonished by your words, Father, we turn away from every profane heresy and evil council of those who impiously advocate two principles in God. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

All-blameless one, having conceived as a pure lamb the one who takes away the sin of the world, entreat that forgiveness of sins be granted to your servants. [VPA]

Heirmos.

Like a deep sea, my sins have encircled me. * I invoke the deep sea of Your ineffable * and unfathomable tender love. * Raise me up from corruption, O Lord my God. [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 4.

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]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On February 23, we commemorate the holy Hieromartyr Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna.

On this day we also commemorate our devout fathers John, Moses, Antiochus, and Antoninus.

On this day Saint Gorgonia, the sister of St. Gregory the Theologian, died in peace.

On this day the holy Martyr Clement died by the sword.

On this day the holy Martyr Thea died by the sword.

On this day we also commemorate our devout fathers Zebinas, Polychronios, Moses, and Damian.

Devout St. Damian, who lived as an ascetic near the holy Monastery of Esphigmenou on Mt. Athos, died in peace in the year 1280.

By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

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From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Saint.

Ode vii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Εἰκόνος χρυσῆς.

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

The image of gold * was in Babylon on Dura being worshiped. * But Your three Servants showed complete disdain * for that abominable decree. * Thrown into the fiery furnace, * in the midst of it they were bedewed, * singing: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

With firm thought you went upon the kindling of the flame, glorious one, like the three youths who sprinkled dew with immaterial fire in the furnace, crying out in the middle of the fire and remaining unburnt: Blessed are you, the God of our Fathers. [VPA]

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

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

You are blessed and it is well with you now as you dwell in the dwellings of the righteous, where are the ranks of the martyrs and where the choirs of the wise apostles cry out: Blessed are you, the God of our Fathers. [VPA]

Glory.

By the tilling of the Spirit you led to Christ as richly fruitful souls that had been fruitless; you made them smooth having put in them a fruitful seed, and you taught them to cry out: Blessed are you, the God of our Fathers. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

You alone were shown to be the unwedded mother of the God who created everything in wisdom, Virgin mother all pure. Therefore we piously cry out to you, Virgin, saying: Blessed are you who bore God in the flesh. [VPA]

Ode viii.

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode viii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Τὸν ἐν καμίνῳ τοῦ πυρός.

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

When God went down into the fire * of the furnace with the holy Hebrew Servants, * He converted the flames there into dew refreshing them. * Extol Him as Lord, O you works of His, * and exalt Him beyond measure, * unto all the ages. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

Having served piously as a priest the mystical sacrifice of Christ, a rational sacrifice, you brought yourself to God as an acceptable and pleasing sacrifice full of fruit, thrice-blessed Polycarp. [VPA]

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

In the deepest old age you showed youthful manliness; by the power of the Cross you set your mind towards divine struggles, godly-minded glory of the martyrs of Christ. [VPA]

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

Having leaned on the Cross and being worthily vested with hierarchical beauty, Father, you went into the temple of God by your own blood, to appear before Christ the arch-shepherd. [VPA]

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

You were slaughtered for Christ as a marked lamb, O revealer of sacred things; you were shown an imitator of His passion and you became a partaker of glory and a co-inheritor of His kingdom. [VPA]

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

Theotokion.

A light-emitting pillar of flame and a luminous cloud leading to the land of heaven, pure God-bearer, become for me, all-blameless virgin, who am wondering in the desert of life. [VPA]

(read)

Intermediate Verses of Ode Eight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode 2. N/M (When God went down.)

Τὸν ἐν καμίνῳ τοῦ πυρός.

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]

Christ, by the light of the fear of You, ⁄ renew my soul, ⁄ which is in darkness and burning with bitterness; ⁄ show me the light of salvation so that I may glorify You forever. [OCA]

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

Having despised the fullness of passions, my humble soul, ⁄ be nourished by food of good deeds. ⁄ Take joy in the sweetness of fasting, ⁄ avoiding the woe of sweetness, ⁄ and be enriched forever. [OCA]

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 was blinded, darkened by the drunkenness of passions. ⁄ In no way can I look to You, O God. ⁄ Therefore, be bountiful to me and enlighten me ⁄ and open to me the gates of true repentance. [OCA]

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.

Pure Virgin, ⁄ you have transformed our earthly and corruptible existence ⁄ into a spiritual heaven. ⁄ By your prayers, direct our entreaties and supplications to your Son, ⁄ the God and King of all. [OCA]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode 2. (N/M)

Τὸν πάλαι δροσίσαντα.

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

Faithful, Let us enter the fast with joy! ⁄ Let us not be sad, ⁄ but let us clean our faces with the waters of passionlessness, ⁄ blessing and exalting Christ forever! [OCA]

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

Anointing our heads with the oil of mercy, ⁄ let us not use many words ⁄ praying to our Father who is in heaven, ⁄ but let us bless and exalt Christ forever! [OCA]

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.

Faithful, let us hymn the Father, ⁄ ever-existing from before eternity; ⁄ the Son, who is equally without beginning ⁄ and the Spirit, shining forth from the Father: ⁄ the three consubstantial persons, ⁄ one aIl-powerful principle and Authority. [OCA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mary, the chosen of God, ⁄ the true purification of the faithful: ⁄ from you, forgiveness is given to all in abundance. ⁄ Do not cease to intercede before your Son and Lord ⁄ for all who sing and magnify you! [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

The Lord consecrated and sanctified these Forty Days of the Fast ⁄ by fasting Himself for forty days. ⁄ Having entered into them, brethren, let us cry aloud: ⁄ Blessing and exalting Christ forever! [OCA]

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Heirmos (not metered). Mode 2.

Τὸν πάλαι δροσίσαντα.

Let us sing with joy to the Lord ⁄ who sprinkled dew upon the Hebrew Youths of old ⁄ and marvelously burned the Chaldeans in the furnace: ⁄ bless and exalt him forever! [OCA]

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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 2.

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 2. Heirmos.

Τὸν ἐκ Θεοῦ Θεὸν Λόγον.

Being from God, God the Logos * with ineffable wisdom * came to make Adam new who fell through food * into corruption unhappily. * From an all-holy Virgin * ineffably He took on flesh for us. * We the faithful extol Him concordantly and magnify. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

Your light-bearing memory has risen, Father, and it illumines the souls of those who piously keep it, divinely-sweet one, and it makes all partakers of the divine illumination. We worthily magnify it in hymns, godly-minded one. [VPA]

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

With the choirs of the holy angels above, standing by the throne of the Master, entreat Him that we reach the saving passion and His resurrection with brightness, having completed many kinds of virtuous deeds. [VPA]

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

Your perception of the holy Trinity, Father, is seen clearly not in riddles as before, by your pure heart, which had kept away from the material and been loosed from the bonds of corruption, blessed and truly happy Polycarp. [VPA]

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

Believing that you are wearing a crown and the trophy of victory, Father, which you received from the divine right hand have completed your contests, and are filled with light, we have acquired you as an eager intercessor with Christ, wise Polycarp. [VPA]

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

Theotokion.

Having you, Maiden, as Theotokos and Mother of the Logos and an ambassador of the eternal and divine life, as you illumined us with the sun of righteousness, we, the faithful with one mind magnify you in hymns. [VPA]

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode 2. N/M (Being from God.)

Τὸν ἐκ Θεοῦ Θεὸν Λόγον.

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]

This is the first day of the Fast. ⁄ For you, soul, let it be the setting aside of sin, ⁄ the return to God; to life with Him. ⁄ Flee from the abyss of evil. ⁄ Love only those ways which lead to peace, ⁄ resting before and within God. [OCA]

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

Having been tempted by foul thoughts, ⁄ I have sinned in the flesh, ⁄ but yet I cry out: Save me, Lord; ⁄ save me, only gracious One. ⁄ Do not condemn me to the fires of Gehenna, ⁄ though I am fully worthy of such condemnation. [OCA]

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]

Clothed with the radiant garments of the Fast, ⁄ let us shed the dark and grevious garments of debauchery, ⁄ so that, illumined by divine good works, ⁄ we may behold in faith the radiant Passion of the Savior. [OCA]

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

Theotokion.

Heal my wretched soul, ⁄ made weak by the attacks of the most evil devil, ⁄ most pure Queen, who gave birth to the healer, Christ, ⁄ the Redemption of us who know you, ⁄ undefiled Virgin and Handmaiden. [OCA]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode 2. (N/M You conceived.)

Τὴν ὑπερφυῶς σαρκί.

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]

Now the time of the holy Fast has come. ⁄ Let us begin it with a return to good actions, ⁄ for it is written, In quarrels and fights, you shall not fast. [OCA]

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

Cleansed by fasting on Mount Horeb, ⁄ Elijah saw God. ⁄ Let us also cleanse our hearts with fasting, ⁄ and we shall see Christ. [OCA]

Glory. For the Trinity.

I bow down to the one Essence; ⁄ I sing to the three Persons: ⁄ the One God of all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, ⁄ the ever-existing Life. [OCA]

Both now. Theotokion.

The pure One bears a Child; ⁄ the Virgin gives milk. How can this be? ⁄ The Virgin has borne; God has done it! ⁄ Do not ask me how this can be! [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Only one day, he said, ⁄ is the life of those on earth. ⁄ For those who make the effort in love, ⁄ there are Forty Days of the Fast ⁄ for us to accomplish with joy! [OCA]

Heirmos (not metered). Mode 2.

Τὴν ὑπερφυῶς σαρκί.

Faithful, let us magnify the Theotokos ⁄ who has ineffably given birth in the flesh to the Word of God ⁄ who shone from the Father before all ages! [OCA]

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.

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Photagogic Hymns

From Horologion - - -

Mode 4.

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

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

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

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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.

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Stand for the reading of the Doxology.

HIERARCH or READER

Doxology (read)

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: 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.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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.

The Fast is here, the mother of chastity, ⁄ the accuser of sins, the advocate of repentance ⁄ the life of angels and the salvation of men, ⁄ faithful, let us cry: ⁄⁄ O God, have mercy on us. [OCA]

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]

Blessed is the army of the heavenly King! ⁄ Though on earth they endured great sufferings, ⁄ they achieved the rank of angels. ⁄ They did not care for the flesh ⁄ and became equals to the bodiless hosts. ⁄⁄ By their prayers, Lord, save our souls. [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 1.

We magnify you in song, Mother of God: ⁄ pure Virgin, more holy than the Cherubim, ⁄ for with souls and bodies we confess you to be the Theotokos ⁄ who truly gave birth to the incarnate God. ⁄⁄ Pure one, intercede for our souls. [OCA]

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.