Second Wednesday in Lent

From the Morning Office
Psalm 144-150 (after the Hebrew Numbering)

SESSIONAL HYMN, TONE 1

STRETCHED OUT AND KILLED UPON THE CROSS, O CHRIST, YOU KILLED OUR ENEMY, THE SERPENT, SOURCE OF EVIL! YOU HAVE RESTORED TO LIFE THOSE KILLED BY HIS STING, THEREFORE, I ENTREAT YOU, SAVIOR: GIVE LIFE TO MY DEADENED SOUL, FOR I TURN TO YOU IN PRAYER AND FASTING.

            Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

STRETCHED OUT AND KILLED UPON THE CROSS, O CHRIST, YOU KILLED OUR ENEMY, THE SERPENT, SOURCE OF EVIL! YOU HAVE RESTORED TO LIFE THOSE KILLED BY HIS STING, THEREFORE, I ENTREAT YOU, SAVIOR: GIVE LIFE TO MY DEADENED SOUL, FOR I TURN TO YOU IN PRAYER AND FASTING.

            Now and forever and ever. Amen.

WHEN THE EWE BEHELD, O CHRIST, HER LAMB HANGING ON THE CROSS BETWEEN TWO EVILDOERS, SHE CRIED OUT TO YOU, WEEPING AND LAMENTING BITTERLY: DEAREST CHILD, WHAT IS THIS WONDER I SEE? YOU REPLIED: MOST PURE MOTHER, THIS WONDER SHALL BRING LIFE TO ALL THE WORLD!



Psalm 1-8

SESSIONAL HYMN, TONE 3

AS WE PASS THROUGH THE SOLEMN TIME OF ABSTINENCE, LET US SOUND THE TRUMPET AND CRY ALOUD: LIFE HAS BLOSSOMED IN THE WORLD THROUGH THE FAST! THE DEATH THAT COMES FROM SELF-INDULGENCE IS DESTROYED! GUARD YOUR SERVANTS IN THE FAST BY THE POWER OF YOUR CROSS, O CHRIST THE WORD!

            Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

AS WE PASS THROUGH THE SOLEMN TIME OF ABSTINENCE, LET US SOUND THE TRUMPET AND CRY ALOUD: LIFE HAS BLOSSOMED IN THE WORLD THROUGH THE FAST! THE DEATH THAT COMES FROM SELF-INDULGENCE IS DESTROYED! GUARD YOUR SERVANTS IN THE FAST BY THE POWER OF YOUR CROSS, O CHRIST THE WORD!

            Now and forever and ever. Amen.

BY YOUR OWN FREE CHOICE, COMPASSIONATE CHRIST, YOU ENDURED A SHAMEFUL DEATH ON THE CROSS. WHEN YOUR MOTHER SAW YOU SHE WAS WOUNDED IN HEART AND BEATING HER BREAST, LAMENTED WITH A MOTHER'S SORROW. AT HER PRAYERS, THROUGH YOUR TENDER MERCY, HAVE PITY ON THE WORLD AND SAVE IT, FOR YOU TAKE AWAY ITS SIN.


                              APOSTIKHA

                TONE 7
DEATH CAME INTO THE WORLD THROUGH THE TREE FORBIDDEN IN PARADISE, BUT BY YOUR CROSS, YOU DESTROYED DEATH, LORD! THROUGH THIS FAST, DELIVER US FROM EVERY PLEASURE THAT CORRUPTS THE SOUL; ENABLE US TO BEAR THE FOOD THAT NOURISHES ETERNAL LIFE, SO THAT WE MAY RECEIVE THE INCORRUPTIBLE SWEETNESS OF HEAVENLY CROWNS WHICH YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO TRULY FAST; WE BESEECH YOU.

DEATH CAME INTO THE WORLD...

YOU WERE LIGHTS FOR THE UNIVERSE ALL-LAUDABLE, SUFFERING SAINTS, CRYING TO CHRIST: O LORD, GLORY TO YOU!

            Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.
WHEN THE BLAMELESS VIRGIN SAW YOU VOLUNTARILY NAILED TO THE WOOD, SHE WEPT, SINGING PRAISE TO YOUR MAJESTY.

At the Noon office

TROPARION OF THE PROPHECY, TONE 6

MOST HIGH GOD, WHO DWELL IN THE HEAVENS, WHO CREATED ALL THAT HAS BREATH, SAVE US, FOR WE HAVE HOPED IN YOU, OUR SAVIOR!


PROKEIMENON OF THE PROPHECY, TONE 5

TO YOU, LORD, WILL I CRY  *  AND TO MY GOD I WILL MAKE SUPPLICATION.
VERSE: I will extol You, Lord, for You have drawn me up.

PROPHECY OF ISAIAH 5: 16-25
And the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and the holy God shall be sanctified in justice.  And the lambs shall feed according to their order, and strangers shall eat the deserts turned into fruitfulness.  Woe to you that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as the rope of a cart. That say: Let him make haste, and let his work come quickly, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel come, that we may know it. Woe to you that call evil good, and good evil: that put darkness for light, and light for darkness: that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.
Woe to you that rue wise in your own eyes, and prudent in your own conceits. Woe to you that are mighty to drink wine, and stout men at drunkenness. That justify the wicked for gifts, and take away the justice of the just from him. Therefore as the tongue of the fire devoureth the stubble, and the heat of the dame consumeth it: so shall their root be as ashes, and their bud shall go up as dust: for they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and have blasphemed the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore is the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched out his hand upon them, and struck them: and the mountains were troubled, and their carcasses became as dung in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
PROKEIMENON, TONE 6

IN YOU, LORD, HAVE I HOPED  *  LET ME NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME.
VERSE: Deliver me in Your righteousness and rescue me.

Second Monday in Lent

From the Triodion, Monday of the Second week of Lent
(Psalms are numbered according to the Hebrew Usage commonly found in contemporary English translations, not the Septuagint/Vulgate usage found in the Douay)

At the Morning Office
Read Psalms 33-37

SESSIONAL HYMN (by Joseph)

I ENTREAT YOU IN YOUR COMPASSION, O CHRIST, RESTORE TO LIFE THROUGH TRUE FASTING AND REPENTANCE MY SOUL SLAIN BY THE FRUIT OF DISOBEDIENCE. GRANT THAT I MAY EVER WALK THE STRAIGHT PATH OF YOUR HOLY COMMANDMENTS, THAT IN THE COMPANY OF ALL WHO LOVE YOU, I MAY SHARE IN YOUR DIVINE GLORY, O JESUS, AND PRAISE YOUR GOODNESS TOWARDS ALL!

GLORY Be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit

I ENTREAT YOU IN YOUR COMPASSION, O CHRIST...

Now and forever and ever. Amen.

TOSSED IN THE STORM OF THE PASSIONS, DEAF TO THE VOICE OF MY CONSCIENCE, I CALL ON YOU WITH FERVOR, PURE VIRGIN! DO NOT LET ME PERISH IN MY WRETCHEDNESS, FOR YOU HAVE BORNE THE LORD OF UNENDING MERCY: I HAVE NO OTHER HOPE BUT YOU; I PUT MY TRUST IN YOU! DO NOT LET MY ENEMIES TRIUMPH OVER ME AND MOCK ME. ALL THAT YOU DESIRE YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO, FOR YOU ARE MOTHER OF THE GOD OF ALL!


Read Psalms 38-46

DIRECT OUR STEPS, O LORD, AS WE SET OUT ON THE SECOND WEEK OF THE FAST. SHINE THE SANCTIFYING LIGHT OF YOUR COMMANDMENTS ON US AND MAKE US WORTHY TO OFFER YOU AN ACCEPTABLE PRAYER ON BENDED KNEES: FOR YOU ARE OUR FATHER AND WE ARE THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS: WE SING YOUR PRAISE WITH FEAR AND CALL ON YOUR NAME!

GLORY Be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit

DIRECT OUR STEPS, O LORD...

Now and forever and ever. Amen.

THE MESSAGE OF GABRIEL TO THE VIRGIN WAS THE BEGINNING OF SALVATION FOR SHE HEARD HIS GREETING: REJOICE! AND DID NOT REJECT HIS SALUTATION. SHE DID NOT DOUBT LIKE SARAH IN THE TENT, BUT REPLIED: BEHOLD THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD, BE IT DONE TO ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD!
                               APOSTIKHA

                TONE 5

PRAYER AND FASTING ARE A MARVELOUS WEAPON WHICH SHOWED MOSES A WRITER OF THE LAW, ELIJAH, A ZEALOT IN SACRIFICE. ABIDING IN THEM, FAITHFUL, LET US CRY TO THE SAVIOR: AGAINST YOU ONLY HAVE WE SINNED!  HAVE MERCY ON US!

PRAYER AND FASTING ARE A MARVELOUS WEAPON...

BLESSED IS THE ARMY OF THE HEAVENLY KING! BORN ON EARTH AND ENDURING SUFFERINGS THEY HASTENED TO ACHIEVE THE RANK OF ANGELS. NOT CARING FOR THE FLESH, THROUGH SUFFERING, THEY WERE ACCOUNTED WORTHY OF BODILESS NOBILITY! BY THEIR PRAYERS, LORD, SAVE OUR SOULS!

GLORY Be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
Now and forever and ever. Amen.

WE ENTREAT YOU AS THE MOTHER OF GOD: PRAY FOR OUR SOULS, BLESSED ONE!

At the Noon Office

TROPARION OF THE PROPHECY

REMEMBER THAT WE ARE BUT DUST, CREATOR OF OUR HEARTS! DO NOT CONDEMN US TO THE NETHERMOST PARTS OF THE EARTH, SINLESS ONE!
 PROKEIMENON OF THE PROPHECY          TONE 6

COME, PRAISE THE LORD,  *  ALL YOU WHO FEAR THE LORD!
VERSE: My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Hear me!

READING FROM THE PROPHECY OF ISAIAH  4:2-6, 5:1-7b
In that day the bud of the Lord shall be in magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be high, and a great joy to them that shall have escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall be left in Sion, and that shall remain in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, every one that is written in life in Jerusalem. If the Lord shall wash away the filth of the daughters of Sion, and shall wash away the blood of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof, by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon every place of mount Sion, and where he is called upon, a cloud by day, and a smoke and the brightness of a flaming fire in the night: for over all the glory shall be a protection.
And there shall be a tabernacle for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a security and covert from the whirlwind, and from rain.
I will sing to my beloved the canticle of my cousin concerning his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a hill in a fruitful place. And he fenced it in, and picked the stones out of it, and planted it with the choicest vines, and built a tower in the midst thereof, and set up a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it broutht forth wild grapes. And now, O ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and ye men of Juda, judge between me and my vineyard. What is there that I ought to do more to my vineyard, that I have not done to it? And now I will shew you what I will do to my vineyard. I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be wasted: I will break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down.
And I will make it desolate: it shall not be pruned, and it shall not be digged: but briers and thorns shall come up: and I will command the clouds to rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel: and the man of Juda, his pleasant plant: and I looked that he should do judgment, and behold iniquity: and do justice, and behold a cry.
                PROKEIMENON                          TONE 6

YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF,  *  THEY COMFORT ME.
VERSE: The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want!

First Saturday of Lent

                TROPARION (to Theodore)         TONE 2

Great are the accomplishments of faith, for the holy martyr Theodore rejoiced in the flames as though at the waters of rest
Offering himself as sweet bread to the Trinity.
So by his prayers, o Christ God, save our souls!


                KONTAKION                       TONE 8

Your faith in Christ was like a breastplate upon your heart:
With its aid, you overcame the power of the enemy.
Therefore you are crowned in eternity with a heavenly diadem.


                THEOTOKION                      TONE 2

Beyond all thought and exceedingly glorious are your mysteries, Theotokos!
Sealed in purity and preserved in virginity,
You were revealed as truly the Mother who bore the true God!
Beseech him to save our souls!

                SESSIONAL HYMN                  TONE 3

You burned with the Orthodox faith,
Quenching the error of false teaching!
You destroyed the godless worship of idols.
You were sacrificed as a burnt offering to God!
With your miracles you bring joy to the end of the earth!
Glorious martyr, pray to Christ our god that we may receive great mercy!

      Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit

The Lord who strengthened you in your sufferings,
Has given you to all the inhabited earth
As a divine gift of salvation.
You heal the diseases of our soul
And put to flight the passions of our body!
Martyr Theodore, pray to Christ our God that we may receive great mercy!

Now and forever and ever. Amen.

You have conceived in your womb, undefiled Virgin,
The God whom nothing can contain:
The hypostatic word and consubstantial Son,
Who shone forth changelessly before all ages from the Father!
With the prophets and martyrs,
The holy monks, ascetics and righteous,
Entreat him that we may be granted remission of our sins!

First Friday of Lent

THE CANON

Canon
CANTICLE FIVE:

                TONE 2


Seeing the sinfulness that is in me,
the deceitful enemy urges me on to sin and works with me:
for he truly rejoices over my perdition.
But I entreat You, Savior,
grant me amendment of life that I may destroy him!

By Your Cross You have triumphed over the powers of darkness.
Deliver me from their wickedness,
for I am fallen into a depth of sin and a pit of iniquity;
but by Your mercy, I hope to be saved.

You hung dead upon the Cross:
restore life to my soul, deadened through sin, O Christ,
count me worthy to attain Your holy Resurrection tn peace,
obediently fulfilling Your commandments.

Pure Maiden, you are a light to me in my infirmity
and the salvation of my darkened soul;
save me, O save me, for I perish!
Clothe me, corrupted by my grievous sins,
in a garment of incorruption!

CANTICLE EIGHT:


In Your compassion You humbled Yourself, and were lifted on the Cross,
Raising up with Yourself
the one who had fallen of old through eating from the tree.
Therefore You are glorified, Lord, alone greatest in love,
and we sing Your praises for ever!

I have fallen into the heavy sleep of sin through heedlessness,
but, my Christ, Who for my sake fell asleep on the Cross,
awaken me, that the night of death not come on me.

Blinded by sensual pleasures,
I bear within me a darkened soul,
and the crafty enemy laughs when he sees me.
But give me light, O Christ, and deliver me forever from his malice.

I have wasted my life in carelessness,
and my soul is heavy with the drowsiness of sin.
I fly to your unsleeping intercession, all-pure Virgin:
do not let me slumber in the sleep of death!

CANTICLE NINE:


Hateful thoughts have covered my soul with leprosy:
cleanse it, Word of God, with the sprinkling of Your blood.
Christ, for my sake You have suffered shameful Crucifixion:
make me a partaker in Your glory.

I am bowed down to the earth, O Christ,
by the burden of my sinful deeds,
and in dark discouragement I cry to You, Lover of mankind:
By Your precious blood heal the incurable wounds of my soul
that I may sing the praises of Your Divinity.

I have made iniquity my food and heedlessness my drink,
and I continue without any change.
I take pleasure in abstaining from food to no purpose,
for such is not the fast the Lord has chosen.


You have destroyed the sentence of condemnation
passed upon mankind of old;
You are the restoration of our first Mother Eve,
the cause of our reconciliation to God, our bridge to the Creator!
We magnify you, Theotokos!

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos,
ever blessed and most pure and the Mother of our God!
More honorable than the Cherubim,
And more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim!
Without corruption you gave birth to God the Word:
True Theotokos, we magnify you!

First Thursday in Lent

                             FIRST CANON

                TONE 2 (By Joseph the Hymnographer)


CANTICLE FOUR:



Become as lightning, my soul,
receiving the flashing rays of abstinence,
and flee from the obscurity of sin:
that through the divine Spirit
the light of forgiveness may enlighten you as the rising sun.

The deceiver enticed and captured me with the hook of pleasure.
But, apostles, as by your preaching
you have caught the whole world in your net
deliver me from his malice.

Glorious apostles,
you shine as rays from the Sun of glory.
You dispel the eclipse of error.
Let your light also fall on me,
for I am darkened by every evil.

                (Theotokion)

I cry out to you day and night in my affliction.
Encircled by your help and strength, Virgin, I shall be saved,
and shall leap over the wall of sensual pleasure.

CANTICLE EIGHT:




Let us abstain from every pleasure;
let us enrich our powers of perception through fasting,
and let us drink gladly the cup of compunction, as we sing:
All works of the Lord, bless the Lord!

Apostles, when you sit with Christ to judge mortal men,
though I deserve condemnation for my many sins,
intercede for me, that I may be granted a place at His right hand.

Cleansed by the Fast,
let us go up into the chariot of the divine virtues,
making our mind ascend on wings to the height of heaven, as we sing:
All works of the Lord, bless the Lord!

                (Theotokion)

Virgin, you bore the fire of the Godhead, yet remained unconsumed.
Burn up the passions of our souls,
for in faith we call on you with the angelic salutation,
since it is you alone who bring us joy!

CANTICLE NINE:

  Cast into the yawning deep of sensual pleasure,
I call upon the abyss of Your tender mercies:
O Helmsman, save me!

Fountain of compassion,
give me compunction and cries of sorrow,
that I may lament the endless ocean of my evil deeds.

At the holy prayers of Your disciples, Jesus
grant that I may venerate Your divine passion
and Your dread Resurrection.

               (Theotokion)

You made our earthly nature heavenly, undefiled Virgin,
for God took up His dwelling in your womb:
Deliver us all from danger!

First Wednesday of Lent

First Canon, TONE 2

CANTICLE THREE:

Let us crucify our members through abstinence;
and as it is written, let us be vigilant in prayer,
living after the example of Him who suffered;
by His Passion, putting to death the passions.

Rejecting the bitter food of sin,
let us seek to please Christ,
Who of His own will tasted gall
and by the Cross cast down the author of evil.

Sin has become a habit for me,
and it drags me down to complete perdition.
But by Your Cross deliver me from my sinfulness,
compassionate Lord of many mercies!

                (Theotokion)

Lady who bore the Master,
Queen of all creation,
set me free from bondage to the deceitful enemy!

CANTICLE EIGHT:

The furnace of the passions consumes my soul;
but quench its flames with the dew of Your mercy.
For in Your loving self-abasement, Benefactor,
at Your Crucifixion,
You made a fountain of dispassion to flow from Your pure side.

Lifted upon Your Cross, O Christ,
You have raised up us who were fallen into evil.
I have slipped into the pit of sin:
bring me out and set me firmly on the rock of salvation,
that I may glorify Your power!

Through the lance that pierced Your side, O Christ,
You have cleansed my heart from the corruption of the passions.
I have been wounded by the poisonous bite of the serpent.
Heal me in every part,
and make me walk unwavering upon the paths of God.

                (Theotokion)

We all honor you, undefiled Virgin,
as the shining lamp and candlestick
in which the fire of the Godhead came to dwell,
bringing light to those held fast in the dark night of corruption,
and we bless your childbearing, blessed among women!

CANTICLE NINE:

The Fast shines upon us all more brightly than the sun,
bringing us the light of grace,
proclaiming the good news of the Cross,
of the precious Passion, and the saving day of Resurrection.

Let us love chastity and flee from fornication!
Let us gird our loins with temperance
that we may appear in purity before the Savior of our souls,
Who alone is pure and desires the purification of us all.

Nail my flesh with the fear of You, O Christ,
Who nailed the sin of Adam to the Cross.
Loose me from the bonds of wickedness,
shatter the arrows of the evil one with Your lance, Master,
and deliver me from all his mischief.

                (Theotokion)

Virgin Maiden who bore Christ the Lord,
the just Judge who alone is ever ready to forgive,
deliver me from the condemnation,
from the fire and torment that I deserve to suffer
because of my delight in sin.

First Tuesday of Lent

The First Canon, Tone 2
THE CANON

CANTICLE TWO:

                             FIRST CANON

Soul, be temperant;
be vigilant, sigh and weep.
Reject all the burden of sin by fasting.
Flee from the fire of passions by true and fervent repentance,
and rending the garments of mourning with tears, be clothed anew.

Woe is me!  Who will I become?
And what shall I do?
I have committed sins without conscience,
and have not feared the Master.
Therefore, even before the Judgment, I stand condemned.
Save me and bring me back, O righteous and gracious Judge,
though I have angered You more than all other men.

                (Theotokion)

Unsown earth, which brought forth the Nourisher of all:
He who opened His hands, and of His own good will
satisfies every living thing by His power:
strengthen with the Living Bread
the hearts weakened by satisfaction with wicked transgression.



CANTICLE EIGHT:


Soul, put aside the wicked sleep of laziness,
and persevere with sincere vigilance in the Lord's commands.
The torch-bearing Bridegroom is drawing near;
let us hasten to greet Him!

Wounded by wicked pleasures,
heal me with the bountiful cure of Your merciful divine will, O Word,
and I will glorify You with thanksgiving forever.

Restrain yourself, soul, from harmful passions,
from hate and envy and from every evil.
Be nourished in the Fast with the spiritual meat from heaven,
which is the Word of God.

                (Theotokion)

Pure Bearer of God,
heal the inclinations of my soul,
the passions of my heart; the instability of my mind.
You are the only helper of us sinners; the invincible wall.


CANTICLE NINE:


Who among men has sinned against the Lord as much as I?
Who has remained in sin for as long as I, a wretched man?
But, O God, the Fountain of mercy, have compassion on me.

Angelic powers who look on God,
entreat the One who is quick to forgive,
to save the soul, lost and adrift on the sea of this life's pleasures,
in a tempest of passions,
suffering from attacks of hostile spirits.

Come, soul, take wing.
By the efforts of the fast arise from indolence.
Be filled with the vision of joy,
and behold God in faith!

                (Theotokion)

Who can worthily proclaim your praise,
pure Virgin who gave birth ineffably to the exalted Master and Lord,
to whom the angelic hosts sing praise.
Pray to Him for all of us who have sinned exceedingly,
unwedded Bride.

First Monday of Lent

               (After the 2nd reading of the Psalter):

               SESSIONAL HYMN                       TONE 2 (by Joseph)

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!


               GLORY BE TO THE FATHER AND TO THE SON AND THE THE HOLY SPIRIT.

LET US ACQUIRE COMPUNCTION OF SOUL...

               NOW AND FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

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!



               (After the 3rd reading of the Psalter):

               SESSIONAL HYMN (by Theodore)     TONE 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!

      GLORY BE TO THE FATHER AND TO THE SON AND THE THE HOLY SPIRIT.

LET US BEGIN THE ALL-HOLY SEASON...

               NOW AND FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

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!

Cheesefare Sunday

The Canon from Matins, taken from the Triodion

                TONE 6

CANTICLE ONE:

IRMOS:  CROSSING THE DEEP ON FOOT AS IF IT WERE DRY LAND,
ISRAEL LOOKED ON THE PURSUING PHARAOH AS HE DROWNED AND CRIED ALOUD:
LET US SING A SONG OF VICTORY TO GOD!

                GLORY TO YOU, OUR GOD, GLORY TO YOU!

Come today, my wretched soul; weep over your deeds,
remembering how once you were stripped naked in Eden
and cast out from delight and unending joy.

In Your abundant compassion and mercy,
Fashioner of the creation and Maker of all,
You took me from the dust and gave me life,
commanding me to sing Your praises with Your angels!

In the wealth of Your goodness, Creator and Lord,
You planted in Eden the sweetness of Paradise,
and bade me take my delight
in fair and pleasant fruits that never pass away.

Woe to you, my wretched soul!
You received authority from God
to take your pleasure in the joys of Eden,
but He commanded you not to eat the fruit of knowledge.
Why have you transgressed the law of God?

                (Theotokion)

You are a daughter of Adam by descent, Virgin Theotokos,
but by grace the Mother of Christ our God.
I am an exile from Eden:
Call me back again.

CANTICLE THREE:

IRMOS:  NONE IS HOLY BUT YOU, O LORD,
OUR GOD WHO HAS RAISED UP THE HORN OF YOUR FAITHFUL IN YOUR GOODNESS,
ESTABLISHING US UPON THE ROCK OF YOUR CONFESSION!

                GLORY TO YOU, OUR GOD, GLORY TO YOU!

Long ago the crafty serpent envied my honor
and whispered deceit in the ear of Eve.
Woe is me!  I was led astray
and banished by her from the dance of life.

I stretched out my hand in rashness
and tasted from the tree of knowledge
although God had ordered me on no account to eat from it
and I was bitterly cast out from the divine glory.

Woe to you, my wretched soul!
How did you not recognize the craftiness of the enemy?
How did you not perceive his deceit and envy?
But you were darkened in mind
and transgressed the commandment of your Maker.

                (Theotokion)

You are my hope and protection, holy Virgin,
for you alone have covered fallen Adam's nakedness:
By your childbearing, Lady,
clothe me once more with incorruption!

                SESSIONAL HYMN                       TONE 4

Adam was cast out from the delight of Paradise:
When he broke the commandment of the Master in uncontrolled desire,
His taking of food became bitter,
And he was condemned to work the earth
From which he himself was taken.
He ate his bread in toil and sweat:
Therefore let us love abstinence,
That we may enter through the gate,//
And not weep as he did outside of paradise.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit

Now the season of virtues has come,
And the judge is at the door.
Let us not hold back with a darkened face,
But offering tears, contrition and giving of alms
Let us keep the fast, and let us cry:
Our sins are more in number than the sands of the sea,//
But forgive each of us, that we may receive an incorruptible crown, savior of all!

Now and forever and ever. Amen

Though we are unworthy, o Theotokos,
May we never be silent, or cease to praise your power.
For without your protection,
Who would have delivered us from such great dangers?
Who would have preserved us in freedom to this present hour?
May we never forsake you, O Lady,//
For you ever save your servants from every kind of tribulation.

CANTICLE FOUR:

IRMOS:  THE HOLY CHURCH SINGS IN REVERENT WORSHIP:
CHRIST IS MY STRENGTH, MY GOD, AND MY LORD!
RAISING HER VOICE IN PURITY OF REASON,
AND KEEPING FEAST IN THE LORD!

                GLORY TO YOU, OUR GOD, GLORY TO YOU!

Master, You counted me worthy of honor in Eden,
but alas, in my wretchedness,
I was deceived by the envy of the devil
and cast out from before Your face.

Ranks of angels,
beauty of Paradise and all the glory of the garden:
weep for me, for I was led astray in my misery
and rebelled against God.

Blessed meadow, trees and flowers planted by God,
O sweetness of Paradise:
let your leaves, like eyes, shed tears on my behalf,
for I am naked and a stranger to God's glory.

Precious Paradise,
I no longer see you, nor delight in your joy and splendor,
for I have angered my Creator,
and have been driven out naked into the world.

                (Theotokion)

Holy Lady,
you opened to all the faithful the gates of paradise
which Adam closed of old through his transgression:
Open to me the gates of mercy!

CANTICLE FIVE:

IRMOS:  IN YOUR GOODNESS, ENLIGHTEN WITH DIVINE LIGHT
THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO SEEK YOU EARLY WITH LOVE,
THAT THEY MAY KNOW YOU TO BE THE TRUE GOD:
I ENTREAT YOU, O WORD OF GOD,
FOR YOU CALL THEM BACK FROM THE DARKNESS  OF TRANSGRESSIONS.

                GLORY TO YOU, OUR GOD, GLORY TO YOU!

Of old, the enemy who hates mankind
envied me the life of happiness I had in Paradise.
Taking the form of a serpent, he caused me to stumble
and made me a stranger to eternal glory.

I weep and lament in soul,
shedding abundant tears with my eyes,
when I reflect upon the nakedness
that is mine through the transgression.

I was fashioned out of the earth by the hand of God
and told in my wretchedness that to the earth I should return again.
Who would not weep for me!
I am cast out from God's presence, exchanging Eden for hell.

                (Theotokion)

Undefiled Mother of God,
we all proclaim you in faith as the mystical bridal chamber of glory.
Therefore I entreat you: Raise me up, for I am fallen,
and make me dwell in the bridal chamber of Paradise.

CANTICLE SIX:

IRMOS:  BEHOLDING THE RAGING SEA OF LIFE,
WITH ITS ROUGH WATERS OF TEMPTATION,
I RUN TOWARDS YOUR CALM HAVEN AND CRY ALOUD TO YOU:
LEAD UP MY LIFE FROM CORRUPTION, GREATLY MERCIFUL ONE!

                GLORY TO YOU, OUR GOD, GLORY TO YOU!

In Your compassion, Savior,
You clothed me in Eden with a divinely woven garment;
but persuaded by the devil, I neglected Your commandment
and was stripped naked in my wretchedness.

You have departed far from God
through your carelessness, miserable soul;
you have been deprived of the delight of Paradise
and parted from the angels;
you have been led down into corruption.
How you are fallen!

Have mercy, Almighty God,
and take pity on the work of Your hands.
I have cut myself off from the choir of Your angels;
but I entreat You, loving Lord:  Do not reject me.

                (Theotokion)

Mary chosen by God, and Queen of the world,
you have borne the Lord who is King and Redeemer of all.
I am a prisoner and an exile from the glory of Paradise:
Call me back, I entreat you!

                KONTAKION                            TONE 6

MASTER, TEACHER OF WISDOM, BESTOWER OF VIRTUE, YOU TEACH THE THOUGHTLESS AND PROTECT THE POOR: STRENGTHEN ME AND ENLIGHTEN MY HEART.  WORD OF THE FATHER, LET ME NOT RESTRAIN MY MOUTH FROM CRYING TO YOU: HAVE MERCY ON ME, A TRANSGRESSOR,// O MERCIFUL LORD.

                IKOS

Banished from the joys of Paradise, A.dam sat outside and wept, and
beating his hands upon his face he said:

                HAVE MERCY ON ME, A TRANSGRESSOR,
                O MERCIFUL LORD.

When Adam saw the angel drive him out. and shut the door of the divine
garden, he groaned aloud and said:

                HAVE MERCY ON ME A TRANSGRESSOR,
                O MERCIFUL LORD.

Paradise, share in the sorrow of your master who is brought to
poverty, and with the sound of your leaves pray to the Creator that He
may not keep your gate closed forever.

                HAVE MERCY...

Paradise, perfect, all-holy and blessed, planted for Adam's sake and
shut because of Eve, pray to God for the fallen:

                HAVE MERCY...

CANTICLE SEVEN:

IRMOS: AN ANGEL MOISTENED THE FURNACE WITH DEW FOR THE HOLY CHILDREN,
BUT THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD CONSUMED THE CHALDEANS WITH FIRE,
MAKING THE TYRANT CRY ALOUD:
BLESSED ARE YOU, GOD OF OUR FATHERS!

        GLORY TO YOU, OUR GOD, GLORY TO YOU!

Lord, Ruler over all the ages,
by Your will You created me:
I was beguiled of old
through the envy of the crafty serpent and angered You:
Do not despise me, O God my Savior, but call me back.

Woe is me, for in place of a robe of light,
I am clothed in shameful garments.
I weep for my loss, O Savior,
and cry to You with faith:
Do not despise me, O God of love,
but call me back.

The evil serpent in his envy
wounded my entire soul.
He caused me to be banished from the delight of Paradise.
Do not despise me, O God my Savior,
but in Your loving compassion, call me back.

                (Theotokion)

Accept my entreaty in your loving compassion,
pure and blameless Lady.
Grant me forgiveness of my offenses,
for I cry aloud fervently with tears:
Do not despise me, good Virgin, but call me back.

CANTICLE EIGHT:

IRMOS:  YOU POURED DEW FROM THE FLAMES UPON THE HOLY CHILDREN,
AND BURN THE WATER POURED ON THE SACRIFICE BY YOUR RIGHTEOUS SERVANT:
FOR YOU, CHRIST, DO ALL THINGS BY THE POWER OF YOUR WILL ALONE,
AND WE EXALT YOU ABOVE ALL FOREVER!

                GLORY TO YOU, OUR GOD, GLORY TO YOU!

Lord, the only Lover of mankind,
At the beginning You honored the work of Your hands
with every kind of gift:
But alas!  With his hissing the hateful serpent deceived us,
and stripped us of the blessings we had received.

Why did you listen to bitter counsel,
and disobey the divine command?
You have grieved God, O miserable soul:  Woe to you!
Yet you were created to glorify Him with the angels forever

                LET US BLESS THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY
                SPIRIT:  THE LORD!


You were appointed ruler over the wild beasts and creeping things:
then why did you speak with a creature
that crept on the earth, destroying souls?
And why did you take the destroying enemy as your counselor?
My wretched soul, how you have been deceived!

                Now and forever and ever.  Amen.

We sing your praises, Mary, full of divine grace,
tabernacle of the Light and dwelling place of God incarnate.
Hope of the hopeless, shine on me with the light of mercy,
for I am greatly darkened by the passions.

                WE PRAISE, BLESS AND WORSHIP THE LORD,
                SINGING AND EXALTING HIM THROUGHOUT ALL AGES!

CANTICLE NINE:

IRMOS:  NO MAN IS ABLE TO SEE GOD
UPON WHOM THE HOSTS OF ANGELS DARE NOT GAZE,
YET THROUGH YOU, PURE ONE, THE WORD MADE FLESH WAS SEEN BY MANKIND.
TOGETHER WITH THE RANKS OF HEAVEN WE MAGNIFY HIM AND CALL YOU BLESSED!

                GLORY TO YOU, OUR GOD, GLORY TO YOU!

When I took my fill of eating,
the taste of the fruit of knowledge in Eden seemed sweet,
but its end was gall.
Woe to you, wretched soul!
See how uncontrolled desire has made you an exile from Paradise!

God of all and Lord of mercy:
Look in compassion on my lowliness
and do not send me far away from Eden;
but may I see the glory from which I fell,

I weep, groan and lament
as I look upon the cherubim with the sword of flame
set to guard the gate of Eden against all transgressors.
Woe is me!  I cannot enter,
unless You grant me freedom to approach, O Savior.

I boldly put my trust
in the abundance of Your mercies, Christ my Savior,
and in the Blood that flowed from Your divine side;
for through Your Blood, loving Lord,
You have sanctified the nature of mortal man,
and have opened to those who worship You, the gates of Paradise
that were closed of old to Adam.

                (Theotokion)

Virgin Theotokos, you did not know man.
You are the spiritual gate of life through which none may pass:
By your prayers, open to me the gates of Paradise that were closed long ago
that I may glorify you,
for after God, you are my helper and strong refuge!

Cheesefare Saturday

Cheesefare Saturday, from the Triodion


                (after the 1st reading of the psalter):

                Sessional Hymn                       Tone 8

Illumined by the light of the fathers,
Let us now enter a paradise of joy!
Let us refresh ourselves beside the river of delight that flows there!
Let us look with wonder at the victory of the saints
And strive to equal them in virtue,
Crying out to the Savior://
O God, at their intercessions, make us sharers in your heavenly kingdom!

      Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

With one accord, let us praise Paul, the first monk;
Anthony the wise and Euthymius,
And all the other fathers!
Let us beg them ever to intercede with Christ on our behalf
As we celebrate their joyful memory,//
Glorifying in songs the Savior and Lord!

      Now and forever and ever. Amen.

We ever thank and magnify you, pure Theotokos;
We venerate and praise your childbearing, full of grace!
We call on you without ceasing:
Save us in your love, merciful Virgin!
Deliver us from the fearful scrutiny we must undergo before demons;//
In the hour of our test do not let your servants be put to shame!


                (after the 2nd reading of the psalter):

      Sessional Hymn                       Tone 8

Let us all praise Anthony and Euthymius in hymns
With all the other fathers who bore God in their hearts.
Let us celebrate their memory!
For they intercede with the Lord on behalf of all the world,//
That we may be saved from punishment and delivered from the ancient
                                                             curse!

      Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As if walking among the flowers of virtue
In the field of the God-bearing ascetics,
We are filled with fragrance that is sweet to breathe.
Their struggles hardened them as steel in the face of temptations;
By abstinence they held the body subject to the spirit,
Living on earth the life of angels.//
Therefore they have been counted worthy of glory!


      Now and forever and ever. Amen.

Grant, o Christ, at the prayers of your holy angels,
The forerunner, disciples, prophets and martyrs,
Of all your saints and holy monks, and of your virgin mother,
That we may walk in your light.//
Through your mercy and compassion count us worthy to receive your
                                                         kingdom!


      Hymn Of Light

Great multitude of holy fathers,
You denied the world and took up the cross,
Together with the choirs of martyrs,
The assembly of hierarchs and company of holy women!
Shine on us with your light,//
That we may rightly sing the praises of your glorious memory.

      Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

Let us praise with hymns of joy
The God-bearing fathers who shone forth in the ascetic life
Together with the hierarchs and the martyrs
And the choirs of holy women.
So we shall be sanctified,
And through their prayers and the intercessions of the Theotokos,//
We shall easily accomplish the course of the fast.

                             The Praises

                tone 8

Come, faithful, let us glorify the many fathers
Who lived the ascetic life in holiness!
Brethren, let us praise with one accord,
In hymns inspired by God
The hierarchs of Christ who lived in fasting and abstinence,
Showing us plainly the gospel of Christ.
Let us sing also the praises of the holy and glorious women:
All those who bore God in their hearts!
Out of love for him, let us follow their way of life,//
That in the world to come we may receive remission of our sins!

Come, brethren, let us praise and glorify
Those who shone forth in the ascetic life!
Here on earth they lived in holiness and righteousness;
Now they are translated in joy to eternal life.
In virtue and holiness they ran the straight course
Leading to the eternal blessings of the world to come.
Let us give them rightful honor,
That through their intercessions
We may obtain mercy, eternal joy and glory from God,//
And escape unending punishment in the future life!

Choir of hierarchs and assembly of the righteous
With the ascetics and holy women who lived in Godliness:
We pray that you will intercede with the Lord
The only good and merciful one,
That he may have compassion on us.
May we be delivered at your prayers, o saints,
From condemnation in the age to come,
And rejoice to all eternity in the blessedness of heaven,//
Crying out with ceaseless hymns of praise to the giver of life!

Come, faithful! Let us celebrate today a solemn feast:
The memorial of the saints, hierarchs and ascetics,
Together with the martyrs and holy women.
They despised all that is passing and corruptible,
Seeing it as no more than refuse or a spider's web,
That they might gain Christ and his kingdom,
And enjoy the blessings no eye has seen or ear ever heard!//
At their prayers, o God, deliver our souls from corruption!

      Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Tone 6

The sound of your teachings has gone out into all the earth,
Venerable fathers!
Therefore you have found the reward of your labors in the heavens.
You destroyed the hosts of demons
And reached the ranks of angels whose life you blamelessly followed!
Since you have boldness before Christ our God,//
Entreat peace for our souls!


      Now and forever and ever. Amen. Tone 6

Theotokos,
You are the true vine who blossomed for us the fruit of life:
Implore him, we pray you, lady,
Together with the apostles and all the saints,
That he will have mercy on our souls!

Cheesefare Friday

Matins, from the Triodion


                (After the 2nd reading of the Psalter):

Sessional Hymn                  Tone 7

Holy Cross, raise up the horn of the churches,
By your power, cast down the arrogance of heretics!
Cause the congregations of the orthodox to celebrate!
Count us all worthy to be present when you are carried in procession
And to venerate you as the footstool of Christ!//
For we glory in you, Blessed Wood!

      Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Holy Cross, raise up the horn of the churches,
By your power, cast down the arrogance of heretics!
Cause the congregations of the orthodox to celebrate!
Count us all worthy to be present when you are carried in procession
And to venerate you as the footstool of Christ!//
For we glory in you, Blessed Wood!

      Now and forever and ever.  Amen

You see those on earth, Blessed Theotokos;
You have compassion, and suffer with us in our lowliness:
Take pity on your people in distress.
Ever pray for us, lest we perish in our sins.
Undefiled and all-holy Virgin,
Intercede before the God who is ever ready to forgive//
For the salvation of our souls!

      Aposticha

                TONE 6

Before the time of the saving Cross,
Sin ruled over all the earth.
Impiety prevailed, and men reveled in the pleasures of the flesh!
But since the mystery of the Cross was performed
And the demons' torture was smothered by the knowledge of God,
The virtuous life of heaven has reigned on the earth.
Therefore the fast is honored!
Abstinence glistens, and prayer is strengthened!
The witness of these is the present time
Granted to us by the crucified Christ, our God//
For the salvation of our souls!

In the memory of your Saints, Lord,
All creation feasts!
Heaven rejoices with angels and earth celebrates with men!//
By their prayers, have mercy on us!

      Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.  Amen

When your pure Mother beheld You crucified
She cried out in tears:
My son and my god, my sweetest child!//
How do you endure this shameful passion?

From Sixth Hour



      Troparion Of The Prophecy       Tone 8

Help us in our sorrow, Lord, and save us,// Lover of mankind, born of the virgin!

      Prokeimenon                     Tone 1

Let your mercy, Lord, be upon us  *  as we have set our hope on You!
      VERSE: Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous!  praise befits the just!

      Reading From The Prophecy Of Zechariah  8:7-17

      Prokeimenon                     Tone 3

Sing praises to our Ggod, sing praises!  *  sing praises to our King, sing praises!
      VERSE: Clap your hands, all peoples!  Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

From Vespers


                TONE 8

Come, all faithful!
Let us praise the assemblies of holy fathers:
Anthony the Great, Euthymius the Great, and all of their company,
Passing through their lives as through a paradise of sweetness!
Let us cry out with joy:
These are truly the trees which our God has planted!
These are the ripened fruits of eternal life,
Offered to Christ, nourishing our souls.//
Blessed, God-bearing Fathers, pray that we may be saved! 

Rejoice, Egypt, land of faith!
Rejoice, holy Libya, and the Thebaid chosen by God!
Rejoice, every place and country
Which has brought forth citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven,
Raising them in abstinence and labor,
Offering them to God as men perfect in love.
They are stars guiding our souls,
And by the brightness of their wonders and the miracles they wrought,
They have shed their spiritual light over all the earth.//
All-blessed Fathers, pray for our souls! 

Who among men can speak of the perfection of your lives, holy fathers?
What tongue can utter the sanctity of your efforts?
The sufferings in virtue, the control of the flesh?
The struggles with passions, in vigils, in prayers and in tears!
Truly you were angels while in the world.
You laid low the highest powers of evil.
You performed miraculous and wonderful signs.
Therefore pray with us, most blessed fathers,//
To gain for our souls eternal joy! 

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.  Amen

You preserved the image of God undefiled.
By fasting, your minds ruled the passions.
You attained to the greatest possible likeness of God,
Submitting the lower to the higher, making the flesh serve the spirit!
Therefore you were shown forth as leaders of monks,
Dwellers of the desert, the refuge of those who sought God,
Renowned keepers of the precepts of Christ!
Now being free of the veil,
In heaven you freely behold the Holy Trinity,//
Earnestly interceding for those who honor you with faith and love!

Prokeimenon                     Tone 7

You, o God, are my helper,  *  and your mercy shall go before me!
VERSE: Deliver me from my enemies, O God!  Save me from those that rise up against me!

Reading From The Prophecy Of Zechariah 8:19-23

Prokeimenon                     Tone 6

Let Israel hope in the Lord  *  henceforth and forevermore!
VERSE: Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high!

Aposticha

                TONE 2

Brethren, let us purify ourselves
From all stain of flesh and spirit.
Let us illumine the lights of our souls through love of poverty!
Let us not slander one another with curses!
For the time has come
When the Bridegroom renders to each according to his works.
Let us greet Christ with the wise Virgins,
Crying to him with the voice of the Thief://
Remember us, Lord, when you come in your kingdom!


By the holy martyrs praying for us
And singing the praises of Christ,
All error has come to an end,//
And mankind is being saved by faith!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit

TONE 8

We honor you, our Fathers,
Instructors of a multitude of monks!
We have indeed learned to walk rightly in your footsteps!
You are blest, for having labored for Christ,
You denounced the power of the enemy!
Conversors with the angels,
Companions of the venerable and righteous ones!
Together with them, entreat the Lord//
That he may grant mercy to our souls!

                NOW AND EVER... (Theotokion)

Rejoice, Treasure of Purity!
Rejoice, Pure Abode of the Immaterial Light!
Rejoice, Praise of the Martyrs!
Rejoice, Preview of Our Salvation!
Rejoice, Preaching of the Apostles!
Rejoice, Fulfillment of the Prophets!
Rejoice, Beauty of Monks And Ascetics!//
Blameless Virgin, the Salvation of the Faithful!

Cheesefare Thursday

From Matins, the Triodion

After the 2nd reading of the Psalter):

      Sessional Hymn                  Tone 5

Today all the Apostles bless the forty days
And the week of cleansing that precedes them.
They sanctify this season of fasting
Which they received from Christ the redeemer.
They proclaim His Resurrection to all,//
And intercede with the Lord for mercy on our souls!

      Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
Today all the Apostles bless the forty days
And the week of cleansing that precedes them.
They sanctify this season of fasting
Which they received from Christ the redeemer.
They proclaim His Resurrection to all,//
And intercede with the Lord for mercy on our souls!

      Now and forever and ever. Amen.

You are the protection, pure Virgin,
Of those who steadfastly set their hope in you!
Deliver them from all temptations,
From harsh danger and distress!
Together with the Apostles,
Intercede on their behalf before your Son,//
And save all those who sing your praises!


      Aposticha

                TONE 3

The grace of self-control has shone,
Banishing the darkness of demons.
The power of the fast will constrain our minds;
Lent will bring the cure for our crippling worldliness!
Daniel and the children in Babylon were strengthened by fasting:
One stopped the mouths of lions,
While the others extinguished the flames of the furnace!
As You saved them, save us also, o Christ our God,//
For You are the Lover of mankind!


Even after death you shine as lights for the world, holy Martyrs!
Having fought the good fight,
You now have boldness before the Savior.//
Entreat Him to save our souls!

      Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.
Blessed are you among women, unwedded Mother!
You gave birth to Him who is both King and God, O Theotokos!//
Beseech him to Save us, for he is the Lover of mankind!

From Vespers

Aposticha

                Tone 2

The Cross of the Lord is ever adored
As the binding of pleasures, the Law of Lent!
Those who ceaselessly contemplate the Crucified One
Crucify the flesh with its passions and lusts!
Let us also flee from these through a pure fast!
Let us join Him who joined in the passion, out of love for man,
Who granted us a passionless nature,//
And who possesses great mercy!

Martyrs, you did not seek for the things of the earth,
And so were made worthy of heavenly joy.
You became fellow-citizens with the angels.//
Lord, through their prayers, have mercy on us and save us!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

Pure One, when you beheld suspended on the Cross
The Vine which blossomed unplanted in your womb,
You wept and cried in lamentation:
My Child, release the sweetness
Which will drive away the drunkenness of passions,//
For the sake of Your mother's entreaties, compassionate one!

Cheesefare Wednesday

From Matins, the Triodion

                (After the 2nd reading of the Psalter):

                SESSIONAL HYMN                  TONE 2

Grant us to pass in peace and humility
Through the days of cleansing that prepare us for the Fast.
In your ineffable love for mankind, Christ our God,
Destroy the evil plans of the enemy.
Preserve us all by Your Cross,//
For You alone know the secrets of our hearts.

      Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit

Grant us to pass in peace and humility
Through the days of cleansing that prepare us for the Fast.
In your ineffable love for mankind, Christ our God,
Destroy the evil plans of the enemy.
Preserve us all by Your Cross,//
For You alone know the secrets of our hearts.

      Now and forever and ever. Amen.

Your Virgin Mother, standing by Your Cross,
Could not bear to see You suffering unjustly.
Weeping and lamenting, she cried out to you:
Child, dear to my heart,
How do you suffer Your passion when by nature You are impassable?
I sing the praises of Your perfect love!

      Aposticha

                TONE 1

In vain do you rejoice in not eating, my soul!
You abstain from food, but are not purified from passions!
If you have no desire for improvement,
You will be despised as a lie in the eyes of God!
You will be compared to evil demons, who never eat!
If you continue in sin, you will perform a useless fast:
Therefore, remain in constant warfare,
That you may stand before the crucified savior,
Or rather that you may be crucified with him who died for your sake://
Remember me, Lord, when you come in your kingdom!

No tribulation, threat, or hunger,
Persecution, fire, sword, or savage beast
Could separate the Holy Martyrs from God!
They were bound by His love, and lived as exiles in this world!
Their suffering has won them a glorious prize:
They inherited the heavenly kingdom,
Where they ceaselessly pray for our souls!

      Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

The blameless Virgin cried out with tears
When she beheld the Lamb suspended on the Cross:
What is this new and fearful sight, my beloved Son?//
How can the Creator of all be nailed to the wood in the flesh?

From Sixth Hour


      Troparion Of The Prophecy       Tone 3

King, holy and almighty, before You all creation stands in fear and trembling!// save us and forgive our sins, in Your great mercy.

      Prokeimenon                     Tone 6

O lord, save Your people,  *  and bless Your inheritance!
      VERSE: To You, Lord, will I call; my God, be not silent to me!
     

      Prophecy:  Joel 2: 12-26

      Prokeimenon                     Tone 7

The Lord will give strength to His people!  * the Lord will bless His people with peace!
      VERSE: Give to the Lord, sons of God, give to the Lord glory and praise!

From Vespers

      Prokeimenon                     Tone 5

Save me, o god, by Your name  *   and judge me by Your strength!
      VERSE: Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth!

      READING FROM THE PROPHECY OF JOEL: 3:12-21

      Prokeimenon                     Tone 6

Let Israel hope in the Lord  *  henceforth and forevermore!
      VERSE: Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high!

      Aposticha

                TONE 3

The lenten spring has come!
The flower of repentance!
Brethren, let us cleanse ourselves from all evil,
Crying out to the Giver of light://
Glory to You, Lover of mankind!

Your martyrs, Lord,
Were confirmed by faith and strengthened by hope.
Spiritually united by love of Your Cross,
They overcame the tyranny of the enemy.
They have obtained crowns of glory,//
And together with the angels, they pray for our souls!

      Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

You are the joy of the heavenly host,
The Apostles' song and the Prophets' fulfillment!
Accept our humble prayers,//
Pure and most blessed Lady!