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!