TRIODION

On this page you will find translations from the Triodion into contemporary English. I hope that these are at least accurate, unlike some of those available on the WWW. I hope to publish here the daily readings from Holy Scripture and some of the texts of the offices. You will find the Catecheses of St Theodore the Studite and selections from the Greek ascetical writings of St Ephrem the Syrian on other pages.

This page will contain the daily readings from Holy Scripture for the weekdays of Great Lent, together with the Prokeimena and the Troparia for the Prophecy. All the translations are made from the Christian Old Testament, commonly known as the Septuagint, which has been the Christian text since the days of the Apostles. It was only in the sixteenth century that certain Christian bodies rejected this text in favour of translations based on the Hebrew Masoretic tradition. The Orthodox Churches have never taken this step. I should perhaps stress that these translations are provisional and in no way to be considered as definitive. Moreover they are translations of the texts as they are used in the contemporary Orthodox Church, and are in not intended to be translations of the Old Greek, or even of the Septuagint, as professional scholars understand these terms.

It is perhaps worth pointing out that translating the Septuagint for use in the Orthodox Church is an exacting task and cannot be achieved by taking an existing English version made from the Hebrew, such as the New King James Version, or even the New Revised Standard Version, and altering it where the manual edition of Rahlfs differs from it.

The Greek text frequently differs quite markedly from the Hebrew and this is particularly noticeable in the prophecies of Isaias and the book of Proverbs, both of which are used in Lent. For the latter we do not yet have a full critical edition. Moreover, the text in the Triodion sometimes differs from that in available editions of the Greek Bible. Furthermore the printed editions of the Triodion differ from time to time among themselves.

The Prokeimena that accompany the Lenten readings form a lectio continua of the Psalter, and it is the custom on the Holy Mountain to give out not only the Tone of the Prokeimenon, but also the number of the Psalm.

In English the only easily available version is that made by a pious evangelical English baronet in the nineteenth century. Unfortunately the Greek text from which he made his version is often not that used by the Church, and his version needs to be used with caution.

Rubrics in red are taken from the Triodion, except for those in square brackets, which are editorial and represent the use of the Holy Mountain of Athos.

Because HTML does not easily accept footnotes, I have added in blue in square brackets a few notes on the text and translation of the readings. Having now found a way of incorporating footnotes directly from Microsoft Word, the notes to the readings for the sixth week are somewhat fuller than those for the first five.

On Monday of the First Week.

At the Trithekti.

We sing the following troparion of the Prophecy, and after it we read the Prophecy. This we do throughout the holy Lent at the Trithekti.

Tone 5.

Lord, Lord, at whom all things quake and tremble before the face of your power, we fall down before you, O Immortal; we beseech you, Holy One: * Save our souls, at the prayers of your Saints.

Glory.

Save our souls, at the prayers of your Saints.

Both now.

Lord, Lord, at whom all things quake, and tremble before the face of your power; we fall down before you, O Immortal; we beseech you, Holy One: Save our souls, at the prayers of your Saints.

[In Athonite use the Troparion of the Prophecy is always said like this, with the last phrase only being repeated after ‘Glory’ and the whole after ‘Both now’.]

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 1.
[These titles are traditionally read by the Reader in full]

The Lord knows the way of the just, and the way of the ungodly will perish.

Verse: Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
1:1-20

A Vision which Isaias, son of Amos, saw, which he saw against Judea and Jerusalem, in the reign of Ozias and Jotham and Achaz and Ezekias, who reigned over Judea. Hear, O heaven, and give ear, O earth, because the Lord has spoken. I begot children and exalted them, but they rejected me. An ox knows its owner, and an ass its lord’s manger; but Israel does not know me, and my people has not understood. Woe, sinful nation, people full of sins, evil seed, lawless children! You have deserted the Lord and angered the Holy One of Israel. Why would you still be smitten as you add iniquity to iniquity? The whole head is in pain and the whole heart in grief; from feet to head there is no wholeness, nothing but wound, bruise, festering sore; it is not possible to apply plaster, or oil, or bandages. Your land is desert, your cities destroyed by fire; as for your country foreigners devour it before your eyes, and it has become a desert, ravaged by foreign peoples. The daughter of Sion will be abandoned, like a tent in a vineyard and like a store house in cucumber patch, like a city besieged. And had the Lord of hosts not left us seed, we had become like Sodom and been made like Gomorrha. Hear the word of the Lord, rulers of Sodom. Attend to the law of God, people of Gomorrha. What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I am full of holocausts of rams, and the fat of rams and the blood of bulls and goats I do not want. You are not to come to appear to me; who sought these things from your hands? You shall no more come to trample my courts; if you bring flour it is vain; incense is an abomination to me. Your new moons and Sabbaths and high days I do not endure; fast and holiday and your feasts my soul hates; you have become a excess for me, I shall no longer forgive your sins. When you stretch out your hands to me, I shall turn away me eyes from you; and if you multiply supplication, I shall not listen to you; for your hands are full of blood. Wash and become clean; put away the evils from your souls; in my sight cease from your evils, learn to do good, seek out judgement, deliver the wronged, judge for the orphan and do justice to the widow. And come, let us reason together, says the Lord; and if your sins are as scarlet, I will make them white as snow, while if they are crimson, I will make them white as wool. And if you are willing and will listen to me, you eat the good things of the land; but if you are not willing, and will not listen to me, a sword devours you; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken this.

Prokeimenon. Tone 7. Psalm 2.

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice at him with trembling.

Verse: Why did nations rage, and peoples meditate vain things?

Then the reading from the Ladder.

At Vespers.

Prokeimenon of the Evening. Tone 6. Psalm 3.

Salvation is of the Lord, and your blessing upon your people.

Verse: Lord, why have those who afflict me been multiplied?

The Reading is from Genesis.
1:1-13

In the beginning God made [This word is taken into the Creed: ‘Maker’]. the heaven and the earth. Now the earth was invisible [This word is also taken into the Creed] and unformed, and darkness was upon the deep and a spirit of God was being borne upon the water. And God said: Let there be light, and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God made a separation between the light and the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night; and there was evening and there was morning, one day. And God said: Let there be a firmament in the midst of the water and let there be a separation between the water and the water; and it was so. And God made the firmament; and God made a separation between the water, which was below the firmament, and between the water which was above the firmament. And God called the firmament Heaven; and God saw that it was good, and there was evening and there was morning, a second day. And God said: Let the water below heaven be gathered together into one gathering, and let dry land appear; and it was so. And the water below heaven was gathered together into their gatherings, and the dry land appeared. And God called the dry land Earth, and the accumulations of the waters he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. And God said: Let the earth sprout herb of grass, sowing seed according to its kind and according to its likeness, and fruiting tree making fruit, whose seed is in it according to its kind upon the earth; and it was so. And the earth brought forth herb of grass, sowing seed according to its kind and according to its likeness, and fruiting tree making fruit, whose seed was in it according to its kind upon the earth, and God saw that it was good. And there was evening and morning, a third day.

Prokeimenon. Tone 5. Psalm 4.

The Lord will listen to me when I call upon him.

Verse: When I called you listened to me, God of my justice.

The Reading is from Proverbs.
1:1-20

Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, who reigned in Israel, for knowing wisdom and instruction, understanding words of prudence, receiving difficulties of words, understanding true justice and directing judgement; that he might give cunning to the innocent, to a young man perception and understanding. For a wise man hearing these will be wiser, while the man of understanding will gain guidance; and will understand both parable and dark word, sayings of the wise and riddles. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; while there is good understanding for all those who do it; true religion towards God is the beginning of perception; while the godless will reject wisdom and instruction. Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not reject your mother’s rules. For you will receive a crown of graces for your head and a golden collar about your neck. My son, do not let godless men lead you astray, nor be willing, if they invite you, saying: Come with us, partake of blood, let us hide unjustly a just man in the earth; let us drink him down living, like Hell, and remove his memory from the earth; and let us lay hold on his valuable property; let us fill our houses with spoils; cast in your lot with us, and let us all obtain a common purse, and let their be one wallet for us; do not go in the way with them; turn aside your foot from their paths; for their feet run to wickedness and are swift to shed blood. For nest are not unjustly spread for birds. For they share in murder, store up evils for themselves; the overthrow of lawless men is evil. These are the ways of all that accomplish lawless deeds, for by godlessness they do away with their own soul. Wisdom is praised in the streets, in the squares brings boldness.

On Tuesday of the First Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 1.

Because we are sojourners on earth, like all our fathers, keep the short space of our life sinless, our Saviour, * and have mercy on us, as you love humankind.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 5.

Attend to the voice of my supplication.

Verse: Give ear to my words, O Lord; understand my cry.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
1:19-31 & 2:1-3

Thus says the Lord: If you are willing and will listen to me, you eat the good things of the land; but if you are not willing, and will not listen to me, a sword devours you; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken this. How has faithful Sion, full of judgement, become a harlot city; in which justice once slept, but now murderers. You silver is worthless; your merchants mix wine with water; your rulers disobey, companions of thieves, loving bribes, running after reward, not judging for orphans, not giving judgement for widows. Because of this, thus says the Lord, the Master of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: Woe to the strong in Jerusalem! For my wrath will not cease among my opponents; and I will execute judgement on my foes, and I will bring my hand upon you, and I will refine you into something pure; but the disobedient I will destroy, and remove all the lawless from you, and I will humble all the proud. And I will establish your judges as before, and your counsellors as from the beginning; and after this you shall be called a city of justice, mother city, faithful Sion; for with judgement will her captivity be saved, and with mercy. And the lawless will be crushed, and sinners as well, and those who have deserted the Lord will be utterly consumed. Therefore they will be shamed by their idols, which they wished for; and disgraced for their groves, which they desired. For they shall be a terebinth which has lost its leaves, and as a garden which has no water. And their strength will be a piece of tow and their works sparks of fire; and the lawless shall be burnt up, and sinners as well, and there shall be no one to quench the fire. [2:1] The word which came from the Lord to Isaias, son of Amos, concerning Judea and Jerusalem: That in the last day the mountain of the Lord will be manifest, and the house of the Lord on the peaks of the mountains; and it will be exalted high above the hills, and all the nations will come to it, and many nations will journey and say: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will proclaim his way to us; and we shall walk in it.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 6.

Lord, rebuke me not in your anger; nor chastise me in your wrath.

Verse: Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am weak.

At Vespers.

Prokeimenon of the Evening. Tone 5. Psalm 7.

Lord, my God, I have hoped in you.

Verse: Save me from all those who persecute me.

The Reading is from Genesis.
1:14-23

God said: Let there be lamps in the firmament of heaven to give light on the earth, and to make a separation between the day and the night; and let them exist for signs and for seasons and for days and for years; and let them exist to give light in the firmament of heaven, so as to shine on the earth; and it was so. And God made the two great lamps, the great lamp to rule the day, and the lesser lamp to rule the night and the stars. And God placed them in the firmament of heaven so as to shine on the earth, and to rule the day and the night, and to make a separation between the light and the darkness; and God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. And god said: Let the waters bring forth reptiles of living souls, and winged creatures flying over the earth, under the firmament of heaven; and it was so. And God made the great whales, and every soul of living reptiles, which the waters brought forth according to their kind, and every winged flying creature according to its kind. And God saw that they were good; and God blessed them and said: Increase and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let the winged creatures be multiplied upon the earth. And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.

Prokeimenon. Tone 5. Psalm 8.

Lord, our Lord, how wondrous is your name in all the earth!

Verse: For your majesty is exalted above the heavens.

The Reading is from Proverbs.
1:20-33

Wisdom is praised in the streets, in the squares brings boldness. On the tops of the walls she is proclaimed, in the gates of the mighty she takes her seat; at the gates of the city she boldly declares: For as long as the innocent hold to justice, they will not be shamed; while the foolish, being ones who desire conceit, becoming ungodly, have hated perception, and have become subject to reproofs. See, I shall bring forth for you the utterance of my breath, while I shall teach you my word. Since I was calling and you did not obey, and I spoke at length and you paid no attention; but you made my counsels of no effect, you paid no attention to my reproofs; therefore I too shall laugh at your destruction; I shall rejoice when annihilation comes upon you, and disturbance arrives suddenly for you, while overthrow will come like a tempest, and when trouble and siege comes to us; or when annihilation comes to you; for it shall be, when you call upon me, that I shall not listen to you; the wicked will seek me, and not find me. For they hated wisdom, while they did not choose the word of the Lord, nor did they wish to attend to my counsels; but they derided my reproofs. Therefore they eat the fruits of their own way, and will be filled with their own ungodliness. For in return for their wronging infants, they will be slain, and examination will destroy the ungodly. While one who hears me will dwell in hope and will be still, with no fear of any evil.

On Wednesday of the First Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 4.

You know what we are made of, you know our weakness, Lover of mankind; we have sinned, but we have not forsaken you, O God, nor have we stretched out our hands to a strange god. * In your goodness, spare us, O Compassionate.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 9.

I will confess you, Lord, with my whole heart.

Verse: I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing to your name, O Most High.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
2:3-17

Thus says the Lord: From Sion a law will come forth, and a word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he will judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; and they will beat their swords into ploughs and their pikes into sickles, and nation will not take up sword against nation, and they shall in no way learn to war any more. And now, house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord; for he has abandoned his people, the house of Israel, because their country, like that of foreigners, has been filled as at the beginning with divinations; and many foreign children have been born to them. For their country has been filled with silver and gold, and there was no numbering their treasures; and the land has been filled with horses, and there was no numbering their chariots; and the land has been filled with abominations, the works of their hands, and they have worshipped what their fingers have made. And a man bowed down, and a man was humbled, and I will in no way pardon them. And now enter the rocks, and be hidden in the earth from the face of the fear of the Lord, and from the glory of his strength, when he arises to crush the earth. For the eyes of the Lord are exalted, but man is lowly; and the exaltation of men will be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.

Prokeimenon. Tone 6. Psalm 10.

The Lord is just, and loves deeds of justice.

Verse: I have trusted in the Lord; how will you say to my soul: Flee to the mountains like a sparrow.

At Vespers.

Prokeimenon of the Evening. Tone 5. Psalm 11.

Do you, Lord, guard us and keep us from this generation and for ever.

Verse: Save me, O Lord, for there is not one godly man left.

The Reading is from Genesis.
1:24-31 & 2:1-3

God said: Let the earth bring forth living soul according to its kind, quadrupeds, reptiles, and wild beasts of the earth according to their kind; and it was so. And God made the wild beasts of the earth according to their kind, and the cattle according to their kind, and all the reptiles of the earth according to their kinds. And God saw that they were good. And God said: Let us make humanity according to our image and according to our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of heaven and the cattle and all the earth and all the reptiles which creep upon the earth. And God made humanity, according to the image of God he made it; male and female he made them. And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and have dominion over it; and rule the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of heaven and all the cattle and all the earth and all the reptiles which creep upon the earth. And God said: See, I have given you all seed-bearing grass, sowing seed, which is upon the whole earth; and every tree, which has in it fruit of seed-bearing seed, shall be food for you, and for all the wild beasts of the earth and for all the winged creatures of heaven, and for every reptile which creeps upon the earth, which has in itself a soul of life, and every green grass shall be food. And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made; and behold, they were very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. [2:1] And the heaven and the earth were accomplished, and all their array. And God accomplished on the sixth day the works which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from his works which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it; because on it he rested from all his works, which God had begun to make.

Prokeimenon. Tone 6. Psalm 12.

Look upon me, listen to me, Lord, my God.

Verse: How long, Lord, will you forget me to the end?

The Reading is from Proverbs.
2:1-22

My son, if you accept utterance of my commandment and hide it in yourself, your ear will obey wisdom and you will apply your heart to understanding; you will apply it to the instruction of your son. For is you call upon wisdom and give your voice to understanding, while you seek perception with a loud voice, and if you seek it like silver, and search it out like treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and you will find knowledge of God; because the Lord gives wisdom and from his face <come> knowledge and understanding. And he treasures up salvation for those who act uprightly; he will protect their path, to guard the ways of just deeds; and to protect the way of those who respect him. Then you will understand justice and judgement, and direct all good courses. For if wisdom comes into the mind, while perception seems to be good to your soul, good counsel will guard you; while holy thought will watch over you, that it may deliver you from a wicked way, and from a man who speaks nothing trustworthy. Alas for those who abandon straight ways to journey in ways of darkness; who are glad at wickednesses, and rejoice at wicked perversity! Whose paths are crooked and whose tracks are winding, to take you far from the straight way, and make you a stranger to just purpose. My son, let not wicked counsel, which has abandoned teaching from her youth, and forgotten God’s testament, take you; for she has set her house next death and her door-posts [This word means literally an ‘axle’ or ‘axis’, and hence metaphorically a ‘course’ or ‘path’. But in the plural it also means ‘door-jambs’, which is how it could be taken here. The MT has ‘paths’, but, like LXX, ‘house’ in the first half. Some modern editors alter this to ‘way’] with the earthborn next Hell. All those who journey by her will not return, nor will they take straight paths; for they are not taken by years of life [This curious reading seems to mean that the they will not enjoy a long life. The sentence appears to be a translation doublet of the previous half verse.]. For if they had journeyed on good paths, they would have found smooth paths of justice. They will be good builders of the land; but the innocent will be left behind in it; because the upright will inhabit the land and the holy will be left behind in it. The ways of the ungodly will perish from the land; while the transgressors will be destroyed from it.

On Thursday Of The First Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 1.

Deliver us from visible and invisible foes, O Lord; may the nations never say: Where is their God? Let them know, Master, that * you overlook the sins of your people when they repent.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 13.

When the Lord turns back the captivity of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

Verse: The fool has said in his heart: There is no God.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
2:11-21

The Lord alone will be exalted in that day; for the day of the Lord of hosts will be upon every one that is proud and haughty, and upon the high and lofty; and they will be humbled. And upon every cedar of Lebanon, of the high and lofty, and upon every tree of oak of Basan, and upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, and upon every high tower, and upon every high wall, and upon every ship of the sea and upon every sight of ships of beauty. And every man shall be humbled and the height of men shall fall; and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. And they will hide all things made with hands, bringing them into the caves and clefts of the rocks, and into the caverns of the earth, from the face of the fear of the Lord, and from the glory of his strength, when he arises to crush the earth. On that day a man will cast out his abominations, the silver and gold objects which they made to worship with vanities and bats; to enter the caverns of the solid rock and the clefts of the rocks and from the glory of his strength, when he arises to crush the earth.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 14.

Lord, who will dwell in your tabernacle? And who will dwell on your holy mountain?

Verse: He who walks blameless, and works justice, speaking truth in his heart.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 15.

I will bless the Lord who has given me understanding.

Verse: Guard me, O Lord, for I have hoped in you.

The Reading is from Genesis.
2:4-19

This is the book of the genesis of heaven and earth, when it came to pass; in the day when the Lord [The LXX uses the word Kyrios, frequently without the definite article, as here, as a proper name, the equivalent of the divine name YHWH.] God made heaven and earth and every herb of the field, before it was on the earth, and every grass of the field, before sprang up; for God had not sent rain on the earth, and there was no man to work it. But a spring went up out of the earth and watered the face of the earth. And God fashioned man, dust from the earth, and breathed into his face a breath of life; and man became a living soul. And God planted Paradise [The word means ‘a garden’, but is taken by the Triodion as a proper name.] in Edem, to the East, and he placed there the man he had fashioned. And God again made every tree fair to behold and good to eat to spring out of the earth; and the tree of life in the midst of Paradise, and the tree of knowing what can be known of good and evil. While a river came from Edem to water Paradise; from there it divides into four heads; the name of one is Phison, this encircles all the land of Evilat, where there is gold. The gold of that land is good; and there is carbuncle and the green stone. And the name of the second is Geon, this encircles the whole land of Ethiopia. And the third river is the Tigris, this is the one which flows out opposite the Assyrians. The fourth river is the Euphrates. And the Lord God took the man he had fashioned, and placed him in the Paradise of delight, to work it and guard it. And the Lord God commanded Adam, saying: From every tree in Paradise you may eat for food; but from the tree of knowing good and evil, you [This and the two following verbs are plural.] are not to eat from it; on the day you eat from it by death you will die. And the Lord God said: It is not good for man to be alone; let us make a helper for him, corresponding to him. And God fashioned again from the earth all the flying creatures of heaven, and the wild beasts of the field; and he brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And every name that Adam called each living soul, that was its name.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 16.

Guard me, O Lord, as the apple of your eye.

Verse: Listen, O Lord of my justice, attend to my supplication.

The Reading is from Proverbs.
3:1-19

My son, do not forget my laws, let your heart keep my words; for they will add to you length of life and years of life and peace. Do not let mercies and faith desert you; attach them to your neck, write them on the tables of your heart, and you will find grace; and take thought for what is good before the Lord and before men. Be trusting in God with your whole heart; do not be exalted in your own wisdom. In all your ways get to know her, that you may rightly direct your ways; and your foot not stumble. Do not be prudent in your own eyes; rather fear God and keep from every wickedness; then there will be healing for your body and treatment for your bones. Honour the Lord with your just labours and offer him the first of the fruits of your justice, that your stores may be filled to abundance with corn, that your presses may be bursting with wine. My son, do not treat lightly the Lord’s discipline, nor give up when you are rebuked by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves; scourges every child he receives. Blest the man who has found wisdom, every mortal who knows prudence. For it is better to trade for her than for treasures of gold and silver. She is more precious than valuable stones; nothing evil will withstand her; she is well known to all who draw near her, nothing precious is worthy of her, for length of life and years of life are in her right hand, while in her left are wealth and glory. Justice comes from her mouth; she carries law and mercy on her tongue. Her ways are good ways and all her paths are in peace. She is a tree of life to all who lay hold of her, and to those who lean hard upon her as upon the Lord she is safe.

On Friday of the First Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 8.

In your pity, Lord, come to the help our life full of sin and our way of living empty of repentance; we know no other but you who has mastery over life and death; * save, as you love mankind.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 17.

I will love you, Lord, my strength.

Verse: My God is my helper, and I will hope in him.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
3:1-14

See now, the Master, Lord of hosts, will take away from Judea and Jerusalem the strong man and the strong woman, strength of bread and strength of water, giant and strong and warrior and justice, prophet and diviner, elder and captain of fifty, wondrous counsellor and wise master-builder and understanding hearer. And I will set youths as their rulers, and scoffers will lord it over them. And the people will fall, man upon man, and man upon his neighbour; the child will insult the elder, the base the honourable. Because a man will seize his brother, or one of his own father’s house and say: You have a garment, become our prince, and let my food be under you. And answering in that day he will say: I will not be your prince; for there is neither garment nor food in my house; I will not be prince of this people, because Jerusalem is forsaken and Judea has fallen and their tongues are with iniquity and they disobey what concerns the Lord; therefore now their glory has been humbled and the shame of their face has stood against them; they have declared and manifested their sin like that of Sodom. Woe to their soul, because they have devised an evil counsel against themselves, saying: Let us bind the just, for he is burdensome to us; therefore they eat the products of their works. Woe to the lawless: evils will happen to him according to the works of his hands. My people, your bailiffs glean you, and your creditors lord it over you. My people, those who call you blest lead you astray and disturb the path of your feet. But now he will stand up for judgement; the Lord himself will come to judgement with the elders of the people and with its rulers.

Prokeimenon. Tone 6. Psalm 18.

Lord, my helper and redeemer.

Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God; while the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.

Note that we sing the Office from the Menaion of the Saint who falls on Saturday and Sunday, at Compline, or whenever the Ecclesiarch wishes.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon. Tone 5. Psalm 19.

May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble.

Verse: May the name of the God of Jacob shield you.

The Reading is from Genesis.
2:20-25 & 3:1-20

And Adam gave names to all the cattle and all the flying creatures of heaven and to all the wild beasts of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helper like himself. And God put a trance upon Adam, and he slept, and he took one of his ribs and filled up the flesh instead of it. And God built the rib which he had taken from Adam into a woman and brought her to Adam. And Adam said: This now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she has been taken from the Man. For this reason a man will leave behind his father and mother and be attached to his wife and they shall be two into one flesh. And they were both naked, Adam and his wife, and they were not ashamed. [3:1] Now the serpent was more sagacious [The word has no necessarily pejorative tone in Greek. Cf. 41:33,39] than all the beasts on the earth which the Lord God had made. And the serpent said to the woman: What is it God said: you are not to eat of any tree of Paradise? And the woman said to the serpent: From the fruit of the trees of Paradise we may eat; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of Paradise, God said: Do not eat of it, do not even touch it, lest you die. And the serpent said to the woman: By death you will not die; for God knows that on the day that you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be as gods knowing good and evil. And the woman saw that the tree was good to eat and that it was pleasing for the eyes to behold and fair for understanding; and she took of the fruit and ate; and she and she gave to her husband with her and they ate. And the eyes of the two of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves themselves together and made aprons for themselves. And the heard the voice of the Lord God as he walked in Paradise in the afternoon and Adam and his wife hid from the face of the Lord God in the middle of the trees of Paradise. And the Lord God called Adam and said to him: Adam, where are you? And he said to him: I heard your voice as you walked in Paradise, and I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid. And God said to him: Who told you were naked, unless you have eaten of the tree of which alone I commanded you not to eat? And Adam said: The woman, whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate. And the Lord God said to the woman: Why did you do this? And the woman said: The serpent deceived me, and I ate. And the Lord God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you are accursed above all the cattle and all the wild beasts on the earth; on your breast and on your belly you will go, and you will eat earth all the days of your life, and I shall place enmity between you and the Woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He will watch for your head, and you will watch for his heel. And to the woman he said: Multiplying I shall multiply your pains and your groaning; in pains you will give birth to children, and your recourse shall be to your husband, and he will lord it over you. While to Adam he said: Because you listened to the voice of your wife, and ate of the tree of which alone I commanded you not eat, you ate of it, the earth is accursed in your works; in pains you will eat all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it will bring up for you, and you shall eat the grass of the field; in the sweat of your brow you shall eat your bread, until you return to the earth from which you were taken; because you are earth and to earth you shall return. And Adam called his wife’s name Life [In Greek ‘Zoe’]; because she is the mother of all the living.

Prokeimenon. Tone 6. Psalm 20.

Be exalted, Lord, in your power; we sing and chant your mighty acts.

Verse: The king will glad in your power, Lord; and rejoice greatly in your salvation.

The Reading is from Proverbs.
3:19-34

God founded the earth with wisdom, he prepared the heavens with prudence. By perception the deeps were broken up, and clouds dropped rains. My son, do not let this pass by you; keep my counsel and understanding, that your soul may live and grace may be upon your neck; there will be healing for flesh and treatment for your bones, that you may walk trustingly on all your ways in peace, that your foot may not stumble; for if sit you will be fearless, if you sleep you will slumber sweetly; and you be afraid of terror coming upon you, nor of assaults of the godless coming at you; for the Lord will be on all your ways, and he will establish your foot, lest you be shaken. Do not forbear to do good to one in need, whenever your hand is able to give help. Do not, while you are able to do good, say: Go, come back again; to-morrow I shall give; for you do not know what the coming day will bring to birth. Do not plot evils against your friend who lives near you and trusts you. Do not quarrel with someone without cause, lest he work some wickedness against you. Do not gain the reproaches of wicked men, nor imitate their ways. For every transgressor is unclean before the Lord; nor does he take his seat among the just. God’s curse is in the houses of the ungodly; while the abodes of the just are blessed. The Lord resists the proud; but to the humble he gives grace.

It is to be noted that on all Fridays of the holy and great Lent, at Vespers and Compline, we do not make metanias, except only for those prescribed at the Presanctified; that is the 3 after Let my prayer, the 3 after the Entrance of the Holy Gifts, and the 3 at Blessed be the name of the Lord. At Compline we sing the Canons of Repose of the current Tone in the Cemetery. The Canons of the Menaion, that is, of the current Saturday and Sunday we sing whenever the Ecclesiarch decides; the one we sing at Compline on Friday, the other at Compline on Sunday. This we do on all Friday evenings of the holy and great Lent.

On Monday Of The 2nd Week .

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 1.

You, who alone fashioned our hearts, remember that we are dust; * do not condemn us to the lowest parts of the earth, O Sinless One.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 21.

You who fear the Lord, praise him; all you seed of Jacob glorify him.

Verse: O God, my God, attend to me; why have you abandoned me?

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
[4,2-6 & 5,1-7a]

Thus says the Lord: God will shine out on that day, in counsel with glory on the earth, to exalt and glorify the remnant of Israel. And there will be a remnant in Sion and a remnant in Jerusalem, they will all be called ‘Holy’ who are inscribed for life in Jerusalem. Because the Lord will wash the stain of the sons and daughters of Sion, and will cleanse the blood of Jerusalem[1] from the midst of them, with a spirit of judgement and a spirit of burning. And the Lord will come,[2] and it shall be that every place of mount Sion, and all the region round it a cloud will shelter by day, and like smoke and the light of fire burning by night, and it will be sheltered with all the glory. And it shall be for a shelter from heat, and with a shelter and a hiding place from harshness and rain. [5:1] Let me sing for my beloved a song of my loved one for my vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a hill,[3] on a fertile place. And I[4] made a hedge round it and dug a trench and planted a vine of Sorek and built a tower in the middle of it, and dug out a vat in it, and I waited for it to produce grapes, and it produced thorns. And now inhabitants of Jerusalem, and people[5] of Juda, judge between me and my vineyard. What should I yet have done for vineyard, and did not do? Because I waited for it to produce grapes, but it produced thorns. Now I will tell you what I shall do to my vineyard; I shall take out its hedge, and it will be for plundering; and I shall pull down its wall, and it will be for trampling under foot. And I will abandon my vineyard, and it will not be pruned or dug; and thorns will come up on it, as on fallow land; and I shall command the clouds not to shower rain on it. For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and a man of Juda the beloved plant.

Prokeimenon in the 2nd Tone. Psalm 22.

Your rod and your staff have comforted me.

Verse: The Lord shepherds me, and I will lack nothing.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon in the 1st Tone. Psalm 23.

The Lord <is> mighty and powerful in war.

Verse: The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the whole world and all who dwell in it.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[3,22-24 & 4,1-7]

The Lord God made for Adam and his wife tunics of skin, and clothed them. And God said: See, Adam has become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now lest he should ever stretch out his hand and take from the tree of life and eat and live for ever. And the Lord God sent him out of the Paradise of delight to work the earth from which he had been taken. And he cast Adam out and settled him opposite[6] the Paradise of delight; and he stationed the Cherubim, and the sword of flame turning about, to guard the way to the tree of life. [4:1] And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and said, ‘I have gained[7] a man through God’. And she gave birth once more to his brother Abel. And Abel became a shepherd of sheep, while Cain worked the earth. And it came to pass after some days that Cain brought from the fruits of the earth a sacrifice to the Lord. And Abel also brought from the firstborn of his sheep and of his fatlings. And God look upon Abel and upon his gifts; while he did not regard Cain and his gifts. And Cain was very sorrowful, and his face fell. And the Lord God said to Cain, ‘Why have you become very sorrowful, and why has your face fallen? If you offered correctly but did not divide correctly, did you not sin? Be still; his recourse shall be to you, and you shall rule him’.[8]

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 24.

Look upon me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and poor.

Verse: To you, Lord, I have lifted up my soul.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[3:34-35 & 4:1-22]

The Lord resists the proud, but to the humble he gives grace. The wise will inherit glory, but the ungodly have exalted dishonour. [4:1] Hear, children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you a good gift, do not forsake my law. For I too was a son obedient to my father and beloved in the sight of my mother. They taught me and said: Let our word be fixed in your heart, keep the commandments, do not forget, do not neglect the speech of my mouth, do not forsake it, and it will cling to you; love it, and it will watch over you. Trench it about and it will exalt you; honour it, that it may embrace you, that it may bestow on your head a crown of graces, may shield you with a crown of delight. Hear, my son, and accept my words, and years of life will be multiplied for you, that ways of life may become many for you. For I teach you ways of wisdom, I make you go up on right tracks. For if you journey, your steps will not be straitened; while if you run, you will not toil. Grasp my instruction; do not let it go, but guard it for yourself for your life. Do not enter the ways of the ungodly, do not imitate the ways of transgressors. In whatever place they pitch camp, do not enter there; keep away from them and pass by. For they cannot sleep unless they have done evil; sleep has been taken from them and they do not slumber[9]. For their bread is the bread of ungodliness, while they are drunk with lawless wine. But the ways of the just shine like light; they advance and give light until the day is established. The ways of the ungodly are dark, they do not know how they stumble. My son, attend to my speech, apply your ear to my words. So that your springs may not fail you, guard them in your heart. For there is life for those who find them, and healing for all flesh.

Tuesday of the 2nd Week.

At the Trithekti

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 6.

We are not able to hymn you worthily, but with supplication we beg, * ‘Do not destroy us with our iniquities, O Lord easy to placate’.

Prokeimenon in 4th Tone. Psalm 25.

Lord, I have loved the beauty of your house, and the dwelling-place of your glory.

Verse: Judge me, O God, for I have walked in innocence.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

[5,7-16]

Thus says the Lord: The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Juda the beloved plant. I waited for it to produce judgement, but it produced iniquity, and not justice, but a cry. Woe to those who join house to house, and who bring field close to field, that they may remove something of their neighbour’s! Will you alone dwell on the land? For these things have been heard by the ears of the Lord of hosts. For though many houses come into being, great and fair, they will become a desert, and there will be no inhabitants in them. For where ten yoke of oxen work, it will produce one jar-full; and the one who sows twelve bushels will produce one. Woe to those who rise in the morning and go after strong drink, staying until late; for the wine will heat them; for with harp and psaltery and drums and flutes they drink wine, while they do not regard the works of the Lord, and they do not keep in mind the works of his hands. Therefore my people has become a prisoner, through not knowing the Lord; and has become a multitude of corpses, through famine and thirst for water. And Hell has broadened its soul[10] and opened its mouth, so as to leave no interval; and her glorious ones will go down and her great and her rich and her pestilent ones, and the one who rejoiced in her. And a man shall be humbled, and a man shall be dishonoured; and the lofty eyes shall be humbled. And the Lord of hosts will be exalted in judgement; and the holy God will be glorified in justice.

Prokeimenon in the 3rd Tone. Psalm 26.

The Lord is my enlightenment and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

Verse: The Lord is the defender of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 27.

Lord, save your people, and bless your inheritance.

Verse: To you I shall cry, O Lord my God.

The Reading is from Genesis.
[4,8-15]

Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let us go out into the plain’.[11] And it came to pass while they were in the plain that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and killed him. And the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ And he said, ‘I do not know; am I my brother’s guardian?’ And the Lord said, ‘What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the earth. And now you are accursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand; when you work the earth it will not put forth its strength to give to you; groaning and trembling you shall be on the earth’. And Cain said to the Lord, ‘My crime is too great for me to be forgiven; if you cast me out to-day from your face, then I shall hide from your face, and I shall be groaning and trembling on the earth; and it shall be that anyone who finds me will kill me’. And the Lord God said to him, ‘Not so, anyone who kills Cain will pay seven penalties’. And the Lord God put a mark on Cain, that no one who found should do away with him.

Prokeimenon in the 7th Tone. Psalm 28.

The Lord will give strength to his people; the Lord will give his people the blessing of peace.

Verse: Offer to the Lord, children of God; offer to the Lord glory and honour.

The Reading is from Proverbs.
[5,1-15]

My son, attend to my wisdom, apply your ear to my words, that you may guard a good understanding; the perception of my lips commands you: Do not pay attention to a worthless woman; for honey drips from the lips of a harlot, who smoothes your throat for a time; but afterwards[12] you will find it more bitter than gall, and sharper than a two-edged sword; for the feet of folly lead those who make use of her with death down to Hell, her footsteps are not firmly planted; for she does not go by ways of life, but her tracks are slippery and not easy to pick out. Now then, my son, hear me, and do not make my words of no effect. Make your way far from her; do not go near the doors of her houses, lest you give your life to others and your livelihood to those without mercy; lest strangers be filled with your strength, while your toils come to the houses of strangers; and finally you repent when the flesh of your body is worn away, and you say, ‘How have I hated instruction, and how has my heart turned from the reproofs of the just? I did not hear the voice of my instructor and my teacher; nor did I apply my ear; I was within a little of being in total evil in the midst of the church and the congregation’. My son, drink waters from your own vessels, and the source of your own wells.

On Wednesday of the 2nd Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 6.

God Most High, who dwell in Heaven and who created everything that has breath, save us; * for we have hoped in you, our Saviour.

Prokeimenon in the 5th Tone. Psalm 29.

To you, Lord, I shall cry. O my God, I shall make supplication.

Verse: I will exalt you, Lord, because you have taken me up.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
[5,16-25]

The Lord of hosts will be exalted in judgement, and the holy God will be glorified in justice. And they that were despoiled shall be pastured like bulls, and lambs feed on the deserts of those taken away. Woe to those who draw sins to themselves as on a long rope, and iniquities as on the thong of a heifer’s yoke, saying, ‘Let him quickly bring near what he is going to do, that we may see it, and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel come, that we may know it!’ Woe to those who call evil good, who regard darkness as light and light darkness, who regard bitter as sweet and sweet bitter! Woe to them that are understanding in their own opinion, and knowledgeable in their own eyes! Woe to your strong ones who drink wine, and your powerful ones who also mix strong drink; who justify the ungodly for the sake of gifts, and deprive the just of justice! For this reason, in the same way that a reed will be burnt by a coal of fire, and be burnt up by a leaping flame, their root will be like chaff, and their flower will go up like dust; for they did not want the law of the Lord of hosts, but provoked the word of the Holy One of Israel. And the Lord of hosts was enraged with his people, and put out his hand upon them, and struck them; and the mountains were provoked and their carcasses became like dung in the middle of the way; and in all this his rage has not been turned away, but his hand is still raised high.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 30.

In you, Lord, I have hoped; let me not be shamed forever.

Verse: In your justice deliver me and rescue me.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 31.

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice you righteous; and be triumphant all you who are upright of heart.

Verse: Blessed are those whose iniquities have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered.

The Reading is from Genesis.
[4,16-26]

But Cain went out from the face of God and dwelt in the land of Naпd opposite Edem. And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. And he was building a city; and he named it with his son’s name, Enoch. To Enoch was born Gaпdad; and Gaпdad begot Maleleлl; and Maleleлl begot Mathousala; and Mathousala begot Lamech. And Lamech took two wives; the name of the one was Ada and the name of the second Sella. And Ada gave birth to Jobel; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and feed cattle; and the name of his brother was Joubal; it was who he revealed psaltery and harp. While Sella too gave birth, to Thobel, and he was a smith, a bronze smith of bronze and iron; while Thobel’s sister was Noлma. Now Lamech said to his wives, Ada and Sella, ‘Hear my voice, wives of Lamech, give ear to my words: because I have killed a man to my wounding, and a youth to my bruising. Because it has been revenged on Cain seven times, but on Lamech seventy times seven’. Now Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived and gave birth to a son, and named his name Seth, saying: For God has raised up[13] for me other seed in place of Abel, whom Cain killed. And to Seth there was a son; he named his name Enos; he hoped to call on the name of the Lord God.

Prokeimenon in the 1st Tone 1. Psalm 32.

May your mercy, O Lord, be upon us; as we have set our hope in you.

Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, you just; for praise befits the upright.

The Reading is from Proverbs.
[5:15-23 & 6:1-3]

My son, drink water from your own vessels, and from the source of your own wells; let the waters from your source overflow for you,[14] let your waters go through your streets. Let them be for you alone, and let no stranger share with you. Let your source be for you your own, and be glad with the wife of your youth. Let the hart of love and the colt of your graces be your companion, let her be considered your own, and let her be with you at every moment; for living in the company of her love, you will achieve much. Be not much with a strange woman, do not be held in the arms of woman not your own; for the ways of a man are before the eyes of God, he keeps watch on all his tracks. Iniquities hunt a man; while each one is bound in ropes of his own sins. This man dies with the uninstructed; he has been cast out of the abundance of his own livelihood, and he has perished through folly. My son, if you go surety for your friend, you will entrust your hand to an enemy; for a man’s own lips are a strong snare, and he is caught by the lips of his own mouth. Do, my son, what I command you, and be safe.

On Thursday of the 2nd Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 1.

We have fallen, raise us up; we have turned away, turn us back to you, O God as you love mankind * and hold together the ends of the earth.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 33.

I sought the Lord and he heard me, and delivered me from all my troubles.

Verse: I will bless the Lord at every moment; his praise shall ever be in my mouth.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
[6,1-12]

It came to pass in the year that king Ozias died that I saw the Lord, seated on a high and exalted throne, and the house was full of his glory. And Seraphim stood round about him, the one had six wings and the other had six wings, and with two they covered their face, while with two they covered their feet and with two they flew. And they cried one to the other and said, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Sabaoth, the whole earth is full of his glory’.[15] And the lintel was lifted up at the sound with which they cried, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said, ‘Ah, wretch that I am, for I have been pricked to the heart; because, being a man and having unclean lips, I dwell in the midst of people who have unclean lips and I have seen the King, the Lord Sabaoth with my own eyes’. And one of the Seraphim was sent to me, and he had a coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with the tongs,[16] and he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips, and will take away your iniquities and will cleanse your sins’. And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go to this people?’ And I said, ‘See, here am I. Send me’. And he said, ‘Go, and say to this people, “Hear with your hearing, and do not understand, and looking, look, and do not see”; for the heart of this people has become fat and with their ears they have become hard of hearing and they have shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart, and turn back, and I shall heal them’. And I said, ‘Until when, Lord?’ And he said, ‘Until cities are deserted through not being inhabited, and houses through there being no people, and the land shall be left a desert. And after these things God will take the men far away, and those who are left on the land will be multiplied’.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 34.

Be roused, Lord, and attend to my judgement.

Verse: O Lord, judge those who wrong me; make war on those who make war on me.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone 4. Psalm 35.

Lord, your mercy is in heaven, and your truth in the clouds.

Verse: Your justice is as the mountains of God; and your judgements as the great deep.[17]

The Reading is from Genesis.
[5,1-24]

This is the book of the genesis of humankind; on the day God made Adam, he made him according to God’s image; male and female he made them, and he blessed them; and he named his name Adam on the day he made them. Adam lived two hundred and thirty years and begot a son according to his form and according to his image, and he named his name Seth. The days of Adam which he lived after begetting Seth were seven hundred, and he begot sons and daughters. And all the days of Adam, which he lived, were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died. Seth lived two hundred and five years and begot Enos. And Seth lived after begetting Enos seven hundred and seven years, and he begot sons and daughters. And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years, and he died. And Enos lived one hundred and ninety years and begot Cainan. And Enos lived seven hundred and fifteen years after begetting Cainan, and begot sons and daughters. And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years and he died. And Cainan lived one hundred and seventy years and begot Maleleлl. And Cainan lived seven hundred and forty years after begetting Maleleлl and begot sons and daughters. And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years, and he died. And Maleleлl lived one hundred and sixty five years and begot Jared. And Maleleлl lived after begetting Jared for seven hundred and thirty years and begot sons and daughters. And all the days of Maleleлl were eight hundred and ninety five years and he died. And Jared lived one hundred and sixty two years and begot Enoch. And Jared lived after begetting Enoch eight hundred years and begot sons and daughters. And all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty two years, and he died. And Enoch lived one hundred and sixty five years and begot Mathousala. But Enoch was well pleasing to God after begetting Mathousala and he begot sons and daughters. And all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty five years. And Enoch was well pleasing to God, and he was not to be found, because God translated him.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 36.

Wait on the Lord and keep his way.

Verse: Do not fret because of the wicked, do not envy those who do iniquity.

The Reading is from Proverbs.
[6,3-20]

My son, do what I command you and be safe. For you have come into the hands of wicked men because of your friend. Do not be fainthearted, but stir up your friend also for whom you have gone surety. Do not give sleep to your eyes, and do not slumber with your eyelids, that you may be save yourself, like a gazelle from noose and as a bird from a snare. Go to the ant, sluggard, imitate him when you see his ways, and become wiser than him; for he has no husbandry, nor any to compel him, nor is he under a master; he prepares food in the summer and lays aside a great quantity at harvest. Or go to the bee[18] and learn what a worker she is and how serious the work that she does; which kings and private individuals make use of for health; she is desired and held glorious by all; and though she is weak in her strength, she has become outstanding by honouring wisdom. Until when, sluggard will you lie? When will you be roused from sleep? You sleep a little, you sit a little, you have a short doze, you fold your arms over your chest a little; then poverty comes on you like a wicked traveller, and want like good runner. But if you are not to sluggardly, your harvest will come like a spring, while your want will take itself like a bad runner. A foolish man and a lawless journey by ways that are not good; while the same winks with his eye, signals with his foot, teaches by pointings with his fingers. With a twisted heart he devises evils, at every moment such a person is stirring up troubles for a city. Therefore his destruction is coming suddenly, a deep wound and incurable fracture; he will be crushed through impurity of soul because he rejoices in everything which God hates: the eye of the haughty, an unjust tongue, hands that spill the blood of the just, a heart contriving wicked thoughts and feet that hurry to do wrong. An unjust witness sets lies alight and introduces judgements among brothers. My son, keep your father’s laws and do not spurn your mother’s rules.

On Friday of the 2nd Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 5.

Night and day we fall before you, Lord, to give our souls forgiveness of sins, * that we may worship you in peace and give you glory, Lover of mankind.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 37.

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chastise me in your wrath.

Verse: For your arrows are fixed in me, and you have laid a heavy hand upon me.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
[7,1-14]

It came to pass in the days of Achaz, son of Jotham, son of Ozias, king of Juda, that Rasim king of Aram and Phakeл son of Romelias king of Israel came up to make on war on Jerusalem and they were unable to take it by siege. And a message came to the house of David saying: Aram has made an agreement with Ephraim; and his soul was amazed and the soul of his people, in the same way as a tree in a wood is shaken by a wind. And the Lord said to Isaias: Go out to meet Achaz, you and your son who is left behind, Jasoub,[19] by the pool of the upper road of the fuller’s field, and you are to say to him: Guard your stillness and do not be afraid, nor let your soul be weakened because of these two smoking brands of wood; for when the anger of my rage has passed, I shall heal again. And the son of Aram and the son of Romelias, because they have taken evil counsel concerning you, saying: Let us go up against Judea, and having spoken with them we shall turn them to us, and we shall make the son of Tabeлl king for them; thus says the Lord Sabaoth: This counsel shall not abide, it shall not be; but the head of Aram is Damascus and the head of Damascus is Raseim; but yet sixty five years and the kingdom of Ephraim will cease from being a people — and the head of Ephraim is Somoron, and the head of Somoron is the son of Romelias; and if you do believe, nor will you understand. And the Lord spoke again to Achaz, saying: Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God in the height or in the depth. And Achaz said: I shall not ask, nor shall I tempt the Lord. And he said: Hear then, house of David: is it a little thing for you to hold a contest with men: What if you hold a contest with the Lord? Because of this the Lord will give you a sign.

Prokeimenon in the 2nd Tone. Psalm 38.

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and my supplication; give ear to my tears.

Verse: I said, I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 39.

Your mercy and truth, Lord, have helped me continually.

Verse: I waited, I waited for the Lord, and he attended to me, and listened to my supplication.

The Reading is from Genesis.
[5,32 & 6,1-8]

Noл was five hundred years old; and Noл begot three sons, Sem, Cham and Japhet. [6:1] And it came to pass when men began to become numerous on the earth that daughters were born to them. Now the sons of God seeing the daughters of men, that they were fair, took wives for themselves from all whom they had chosen. And the Lord God said, ‘My spirit shall not abide in these men for ever, because they are flesh; but their days shall be one hundred and twenty years’. Now the giants were upon the earth in those days; and after that, when the sons of God went into the daughters of men, they begot offspring for themselves; these were the giants of old, the men of renown. Now the Lord God, seeing that the wickednesses of men had multiplied upon the earth, and that every one in his heart thinks intently upon evils all his days, then God laid it to heart that he had made man upon the earth and he took thought. And God said, I will wipe away mankind, whom I made, from the face of the earth, from human to cattle, and from reptiles to the flying creatures of Heaven, because I have repented that I made them’. But Noл found grace before the Lord God.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 40.

I said, Lord, have mercy on me; heal my soul for I have sinned against you.

Verse: Blessed is the one who considers the poor and needy.

The Reading is from Proverbs.
[6,20-35 & 7,1]

My son, keep your father’s laws and do not spurn your mother’s rules. Attach them to your soul continually and hang then like a chain round your neck. When you walk, lead it along and let it be with you; when you sleep let it guard you, that it may talk with you when you wake. Because a commandment of the law is a lamp and a light, a way of life and reproof and instruction to keep you from an unmarried woman and from the calumny of a strange tongue. Let not desire for beauty conquer you, and do not be trapped by your eyes, nor captivated by her eyelids; for the value of a harlot is that of one loaf; while a woman hunts for the precious souls of men. Will anyone bind fire in his bosom without burning his clothes? Or will anyone tread on fire without burning his feet? So is one who goes in to an unmarried woman; he will not be held guiltless, nor will anyone who touches her. It is not remarkable if some one is caught stealing; for he steals to fill his soul when he is hungry; but if he is caught he will repay sevenfold and deliver himself by giving up all his goods. But the adulterer through lack of sense brings destruction on his soul; he bears pains and dishonours, and his disgrace will not be wiped out for ever. For the wrath of her husband is filled full of jealousy; he will not spare in the day of judgement, nor will he let his enmity go for any ransom, nor will he be reconciled by many presents. [7:1] My son, guard my words, hide my commandments with you. My son, honour the Lord, and you will be strong; apart from him, fear no other.

On Monday of the 3rd Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 4

Because we are weak and paralysed by sins, heal our infirmities, Physician of our souls, * who know the mind of men, O Lover of mankind.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 41.

Hope in God, for I will give him thanks; the salvation of my countenance and my God.

Verse: As the hart longs for the springs of waters, so my soul longs for you, O God.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
[8,13-22, 9,1-7]

Sanctify the Lord God, and he shall be your fear; and if you trust in him, he will be for your sanctification, and you will not meet with him as a stumbling stone, nor as a falling on a rock; while the houses of Jacob are in a snare, and those who dwell in Jerusalem in a hollow. Because of this many among them will become powerless and will fall and be smashed, and they will draw near and men will be taken in safety. Then they will be manifest who seal themselves not to learn my law. And he will say: I shall wait for God who has turned away his face from the house of Jacob and I shall trust in him. Behold I and the children whom God has given me, and they shall be signs and wonders in the house of Israel from the Lord Sabaoth, who dwells on the mountain of Sion. And if they say to you: Seek out ventriloquists and those who speak from the earth, and those who speak emptiness, those who speak out of their bellies, shall a nation not seek out its God? Why do they seek they dead concerning the living? For he gave the law for a help, that they should speak not according to this word, concerning which there are no gifts to give concerning it. And harsh famine will come upon you; and it shall be that when you are hungry you shall be grieved and speak ill of the ruler and your ancestral customs, and they will look up to the heaven above, and they will look on the earth below, and behold dire distress and darkness, tribulation and misery and darkness, so that it is impossible to see; and he who in distress will not be distressed only for a moment. [9:1] Do this first, do this quickly, country of Zavoulon, land of Nephthalim, way of the sea and the rest of the inhabitants of the sea coast and beyond Jordan, Galilee of the nations, the parts of Judea. The people who walked in darkness, see, a great light! You who dwell in the country and shadow of death a light will shine on you [There is an interesting difference, due to iotacism, between the text here and that in Great Compline, which reads ‘us’ rather than ‘you’. The Book of Hours also has a singular imperative in the previous sentence.]. The most part of the people which you brought down in your joy, they too will be rejoice before you as those who rejoice at harvest and in the way of those who divide the spoil. Because the yoke which lay on them and the rod that was on their neck has been taken away; for the Lord has scattered the rod of those who demanded, as in the day of Madiam. For they shall pay restitution for every robe that has been collected by trickery and every garment with exchange; and they will be willing even if they had been burnt by fire. Because a child has been for us, a son too has been given to us, whose rule was upon his shoulder, and his name is called Angel of great counsel, wondrous counsellor, mighty God, potentate, prince of peace, father of the age to come; for I shall bring peace upon the princes, peace and health to him. Great is his rule and of his peace there is no limit upon the throne of David and his kingdom to establish it and assist it with judgement and with justice from now and for ever; the zeal of the Lord Sabaoth will do all this.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 42.

The salvation of my face, and my God.

Verse: Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an unholy nation.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 43.

In God we shall boast all the day; and in your name we shall give thanks for ever.

Verse: O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[6,9-22]

Noл was a just man, perfect in his generation; Noл was well-pleasing to God. Noл begot three sons, Sem, Cham and Japhet. Now the earth had become corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with injustice. And the Lord God saw the earth, and it was utterly corrupt, because all flesh had utterly corrupted his way upon earth. And the Lord God said to Noл, ‘The moment for all mankind has come before me, because the earth has been filled with injustice because of them, and behold I am utterly destroying them and the earth. So make an ark for yourself from squared logs. You will make the ark with compartments and you will pitch it outside and inside with pitch. And you will make the ark thus: the length of the ark three hundred cubits and the breadth fifty and its height thirty. You will make the ark by narrowing it and complete it above to one cubit; you will make the door of the ark from its side; you will make it with chambers, of two levels and three levels. While I am bringing the flood, water upon the earth to destroy all flesh, in which there is the spirit of life, under heaven; and whatever there is upon the earth shall die. And I shall establish my testament with you; you are to enter the ark, you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. And of all the cattle and all the reptiles and all the wild beasts and all flesh you are to bring into the ark two by two, to feed them with yourself; male and female they are to be. Of all the winged birds according to their kind, and of all the cattle according to their kind, and of all the reptiles which creep upon the earth according to their kind, two by two of all they shall enter to you to be fed with you, male and female, while you shall take for yourself of all the foods which you eat, and you shall gather them to yourself, and they shall be for you and for them to eat’. And Noл did everything whatever the Lord God had commanded him, so he did.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 44.

I shall make your name to be remembered in every generation.

Verse: My heart has uttered a good word; I tell my works to the king.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[8,1-21]

My son, you will proclaim wisdom, that prudence may obey you; for she is on high peaks, she stands in the midst of the paths; she takes her seat by the gates of the powerful, she is hymned in the entrances. You men, I exhort you, and I utter my voice to the sons of men; you innocent, understand cunning, you that are untaught take on heart. Hearken to me, for I speak solemn things and shall open correct things from my lips; because my throat will meditate truth, while lying lips are an abomination before me. All the words of my mouth are with justice, crooked or twisted is in them; They are all present to those who understand and right to those who find knowledge. Accept instruction and not silver, and knowledge beyond tried gold; for wisdom is better than valuable stones, all that is precious is not equal to her worth. I wisdom have made counsel my dwelling, and I have called upon knowledge and understanding. The fear of the Lord hates injustice, arrogance and pride and ways of evil people; I have hated the perverted ways of the wicked; mine is counsel, mine is safety, mine is prudence, mine is strength; through me kings will reign and the powerful write justice; through me nobles become noble, and tyrants through me hold sway on earth. I love those who are my friends, while those who seek me will find grace. Wealth and glory are mine and the possession of many things and justice. To gather my fruit is far better than gold and precious stone, my produce is better than choice silver. I walk in ways of justice and I pass my time amid paths of justice, that I may divide property to those who love me and fill their treasuries with good things.

On Tuesday of the 3rd Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 7.

You are our salvation, Lord, and our protector in the day of trouble; * have mercy on us according to your great mercy, O Lover of mankind.

Prokeimenon in the 1st Tone. Psalm 45.

The Lord of powers is with us; our helper is the God of Jacob.

Verse: God is our refuge and our strength, our helper in the troubles that have come heavily upon us.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

[9,9-21, 10,1-4]

Thus says the Lord: All the people of Ephraim will know and those who dwell in Samaria with insolence and an exalted heart, saying: Bricks have fallen, but come, let us hew stones and cut down sycamores and cedars and let us build a tower; and God will dash those who rise against mount Sion against them,
[ The plural, read by the Triodion, is the reading of S and A. The Hebrew is completely different], and their enemies he will scatter, Syria from the rising of the sun and the Greeks [The ‘Philistines’ of the Hebrew have become ‘Greeks’ in the LXX.] from the setting of the sun, those who devour Israel with their whole mouth. In all this his rage was not turned away, but his hand is still upraised. In all this his rage was not turned away, but his hand is still upraised. But the people was not turned away until it was struck, and they did not seek the Lord. And the Lord away from Israel head and tail, great and small in that day, elder and those who marvel at persons (this is the start) and prophet teaching things that are unlawful (this is the tail). And those who call this people blest will lead them astray, and they lead them astray that they may gulp them down. Because of this the Lord will not rejoice at their youths and will not have mercy on their orphans and on their widows, because all are lawless and evil, and every mouth speaks things that are not just. And iniquity will burn like fire and like dry grass it will be devoured by fire; and it will burn in the thickets of the wood, and all that is round about the hills will be devoured. Because of the anger of the Lord the whole land has burned, and the people will be as though burnt up by fire; a man will not have mercy on his brother, but he will turn aside to the right because he will be hungry and he will eat from the left, and a man will by no means be filled by eating the flesh of his arm. For Manasses will eat of Ephraim and Ephraim of Manasses, because together they will besiege Juda. In all this his rage was not turned away, but his hand is still upraised. [10:1] Woe to those who write evil; for in writing they write evil, turning aside judgement from the poor, snatching judgement from the paupers of my people, so that widows are for plunder and orphans for forage. And what will they do in the day of visitation? Four your trouble will come from afar; and to whom will flee to be helped? And where will you abandon your glory so as not to fall into captivity? In all this his rage was not turned away, but his hand is still upraised.

Prokeimenon in the 3rd Tone. Psalm 46.

Sing to our God, sing; sing to our King, sing.

Verse: All you nations clap your hands, shout to God with a voice of gladness.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon in the 3rd Tone. Psalm 47.

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.

Verse: In the city of our God, on his holy mountain.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[7,1-5]

The Lord God said to Noл, ‘Enter the ark, you and all your house, because I have seen that you are just before me in this generation. Of all the clean beasts bring in to you seven by seven, male and female, while of the unclean beasts two by two, male and female, and of all the unclean flying creatures of heaven two by two, male and female, to maintain seed for all the earth. For yet seven days I am bringing rain upon the earth for forty days and forty nights and I shall wipe out everything which I have made to rise up.[ The word used here, which is also the reading of A, is unusual. It means ‘a protuberance’, ‘a prominence’, and hence that which ‘rises’ or ‘grows’, but this sense is not found in the classical language. Lampe takes it to mean ‘work [of creation]’, though the texts cited will all go back ultimately to this verse. The LXX, and this is what St John Chrysostom reads, has exanastasis, which presumably means ‘that which rises out of [the earth]’.] from the face of the whole earth. And Noл did everything that the Lord God had commanded him.

Prokeimenon in the 2nd Tone. Psalm 48.

My mouth will speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart understanding.

Verse: Hear these things, all you nations; give ear all you inhabitants of the world.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[8,32-36, 9,1-11]

My son, hear me, and blessed are they who guard my ways, [The Phфs edition and the Holy Synod’s Old Testament both print ‘sons’, which must be wrong. The latter will not here be independent of the Triodion, according to the principles of the edition. The Hebrew is not without difficulties and the LXX mss differ widely at this point.] hear instruction and be made wise and do not be stopped up. Blessed the man who will hearken to me, and a man who will guard my ways, keeping vigil at my doors day by day, keeping watch at the doorposts of my entrances; for my ways out are ways out to life, and favour is prepared from the Lord. Those who sin against me act impiously against their own souls; and those who hate me love death. [9:1] Wisdom has built herself a house. She has slaughtered her beasts and mixed her wine in the mixing bowl, and prepared her table. She her sent out her servants, to invite with a loud proclamation upon the mixing bowl, ‘Whoever is foolish, let him turn to me’. And to those who lack wisdom she said, ‘Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you. Abandon folly, that you may reign for ever; and seek prudence, and set aright your understanding with knowledge’. One who corrects the wicked will gain dishonour for himself. One who rebukes the impious will get blame for himself; for to the impious rebukes are blows. Do not rebuke the wicked, lest they hate you. Rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be wiser; teach a just man and he will increase learning. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and the counsel of Saints, understanding. While to know the law is the part of a good mind. For by this means you will live for a long time, and years will be added to your life.

On Wednesday of the 3rd Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 8.

There is no substance of works in us, Lord; you are merciful, Lover of mankind, * do not despise the works of your hands, O Sinless One.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 49.

Sacrifice to God a sacrifice of praise; and pay your vows to the Most High.

Verse: The God of gods, the Lord has spoken; and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

[10,12-20]

It shall be when the Lord has accomplished doing all things on the mountain of Sion and in Jerusalem, he will bring upon the great mind the ruler of the Assyrians, and upon the height of the glory of his eyes. For he said: In strength I shall act and in the wisdom of the understanding, I shall remove the boundaries of nations and their strength I shall plunder and I shall shake inhabited cities and the whole inhabited world I shall abandon like a nest and I shall take away the eggs that have been abandoned, and there is none who will escape from me or contradict me. Will an axe be glorified without someone to cut with it? Or will a saw be exalted without someone to draw it, as if someone lifts up a rod or staff? And nor so, but the Lord Sabaoth will send dishonour against your honour, and burning fire will be kindled against your glory. And the light of Israel will be for fire, and he will sanctify him with burning fire and it devours the fuel like grass, On that day the mountains will be consumed, and the hills and the forests, and <the fire> devours from the soul right through to the flesh; and the one who flees will be like one who flees from a burning flame; and those of them who have been left behind shall be a number, and a child will write them. And it shall be in that day that the remnant of Israel will no longer be added to, and the saved of Jacob no longer trust in those who have wronged them, but they will trust in God the Holy One of Israel in truth.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 50.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy.

Verse: Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 51.

I have hoped in the mercy of God for ever.

Verse: Why do you boast of iniquity in wickedness, O powerful one? All day long your tongue has contrived injustice.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[7,6-9]

Noл was six hundred years old when the flood of water came to pass on the earth. Noл and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark because of the water of the flood. And of the clean flying creatures and of the unclean flying creatures and of the clean beasts and of the unclean beasts and of all that creep upon the earth two by two they went in to Noл into the ark, male and female, as God had commanded Noл.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 52.

When the Lord turns back the captivity of his people; Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.

Verse: The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[9,12-18]

My son, if you become wise for yourself, you will also be wise for your neighbours; while if you prove wicked, you will draw wickedness alone. †One who relies on falsehoods, shepherds winds, while he will pursue flying birds; for he has left the ways of his own vineyard, while he has made the axes of his field go astray. He walks through a waterless desert and a land appointed to drought, he gathers fruitlessness with his hands.† [The passage marked † … † is not in the MT of the Hebrew.]A foolish and insolent woman, who does not know shame, comes to lack a morsel; she sits at the doors of her house, on a bench openly in the streets, inviting the passers by and those who are going straight on their ways. Whichever of you is most foolish, let him turn aside to me and I exhort those who lack prudence, saying: Touch the secret bread of pleasure and drink [This word is not in the standard editions of the LXX, nor in the Hebrew, which differs a good deal from the Greek in this verse anyway.] the sweet water of theft. But he does not know that those born of earth are destroyed by her, and he encounters a trap of Hell. †But hurry away, do not delay in the place and do not rest your eye on her; for thus you will pass through strange water, pass over a strange river; keep away from strange water and do not drink of a strange spring, that you may live a long time and that years may be added to your life.† [The passage marked † … † is not in the MT of the Hebrew.]

On Thursday of the 3rd Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 6.

If you should mark iniquities, Lover of mankind, what hope of salvation is there for us? * But as you are pitying, send down your help, Lord, to your people.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 53.

O God, save by your name; and judge me by your power.

Verse: O God hear my prayer, give ear to the words of my mouth.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

[11,10-13a.16b, 12,1-2]

Thus says the Lord: In that day there shall be a root of Jesse and the one who rises to rule the nations, in him the nations will hope, and his rest will be honour. And in that day it shall be that the Lord will continue to reveal his hand to be zealous for the remnant that is left of the people, that will have been left by the Assyrians and from Egypt and Babylonia and Ethiopia and from the Elamites and from the rising of the sun and from Arabia. And he will raise a sign for the nations and gather the lost of Israel and the scattered of Juda he will gather from the four corners of the earth. And the jealousy of Ephraim will be removed and the enemies of Juda perish. And it shall be for Israel as on the day when he came out of Egypt. [12:1] And you will say on that day, ‘I shall bless you, O Lord, because you were angry with me and you turned away your wrath and had mercy on me. See, my God, my saviour is the Lord, I shall trust in him and I shall not be afraid, because the Lord is my glory and my praise, and has become my salvation’.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 54.

Give ear to my prayer, O God; and do not despise my supplication.

Verse: Attend to me, and hearken to me.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 55.

Have mercy on me, O God, for man has trampled me down.

Verse: My foes have trodden me down all the day.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[7,11-24, 8,1-3]

It came to pass in the six hundredth year in the life of Noл, in the second month, on the twenty second of the month, on that day all the sources of the abyss were broken open, and the flood-gates of heaven were opened. And there came rain upon the earth for forty days and forty nights. On that day Noл, Sem, Cham, Japheth, the sons of Noл and the wife of Noл and the three wives of his sons entered the ark with him; and all the wild beasts according to their kind and all the cattle according to their kind and everything that creeps upon the earth according to its kind, and every winged bird according to its kind, entered to Noл into the ark, two by two, male and female of all flesh in which is a spirit of life. And those that entered male and female went in, according as the Lord God had commanded Noл. And the Lord God shut the ark from outside on him. And the flood came for forty days and forty nights upon the earth, and the waters were multiplied and lifted the ark up, and it was raised high from the earth. And the water prevailed, and was multiplied exceedingly upon the earth, and the ark was being borne upon the water. The water prevailed, prevailed exceedingly upon the earth, and covered all the high mountains which were under heaven. Fifteen cubits was the water raised up, and hid all the high mountains. All flesh died which moved upon the earth, of the flying creatures and the cattle and the wild beasts and every reptile which moved upon the earth and every human. And everything which has the breath of life, and everything which was on the dry land, died. And he wiped out everything that rose up from the earth; and Noл alone was left, and those with him in the ark. And the water was raised over the earth for one hundred and fifty days. [9:1] And God remembered Noл and all the wild beasts and all the cattle and all the winged creatures and all the reptiles that were with him in the ark, and God brought a wind upon the earth, and the water abated, and the sources of the abyss and the flood-gates of heaven were closed over, and the rain of heaven was withheld. And the water subsided and went from the earth, and the water grew less after one hundred and fifty days.

Prokeimenon in the 7th Tone. Psalm 56.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me; because my soul has trusted in you.

Verse: And in the shadow of your wings I shall hope, until iniquity pass by.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[10,1-22]

A wise son makes his father glad, but a foolish son is a grief to his mother. Treasures will not profit the lawless, but justice will deliver from death. The Lord will not starve a just soul, but he will overturn the life of the ungodly. Poverty humbles a man, but the hands of the courageous enrich. A son who has been instructed is wise, but he will use the fool as a servant. A thoughtful son has been saved from heat, but a lawless is blasted by the wind at harvest. The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just, but untimely grief will cover the mouth of the ungodly. The memory of the just is with praises, but the name of the ungodly is extinguished. One wise in heart will accept commandments, but one unguarded in lips will be overthrown in his perversity. One who walks simply walks trustingly, but one who perverts his ways will be known. One who winks with the eyes with trickery, gathers griefs for men; while one who reproves with boldness, makes peace. A source of life is on the lips of the just, but destruction will cover the mouth of the ungodly. Hatred rouses strife, while friendship covers all who do not love strife. One who puts forth wisdom from his lips smites the man lacking in sense. The wise will conceal perception, but the mouth of the hasty draws near to ruin. The property of the rich is a strong city; but poverty is the ruin of the ungodly. The works of the just produce life, the fruits of the ungodly sins. Instruction guards ways of just life, instruction without rebuke goes astray. Just lips conceal enmity, but those who utter insults are very foolish. From much talking you will not escape sin, by restraining your lips you will be thoughtful. Silver tried is the tongue of the just, but the heart of the ungodly will fail. The lips of the just know exalted things, but the foolish die in want. The Lord’s blessing is on the head of the just; it enriches him and grief will not be added to his heart.

On Friday of the 3rd Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 8.

With a word you perfected all things by your power, O God, and you brought us into being out of nothing. * Do not hand us over to our iniquities, we entreat you, sinless Lord.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 57.

If you truly speak justice, you judge fairly, sons of men.

Verse: The just will be glad when he sees the vengeance on the ungodly.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

[13,2-13]

Thus says the Lord: On a mountain of the plain raise a standard, lift up the voice to them: do not fear, comfort with the hand; open up, you rulers. I give order and I bring them; giants are coming to fulfil my wrath, rejoicing at the same time and insulting. A voice of many nations on the mountains, like that of many nations, a voice of kings and gathered nations. The Lord Sabaoth has commanded a nation in arms to come from a land far away, from the furthest foundation of heaven, the Lord and his armed men, to destroy the whole inhabited world. Howl, for the day of the Lord is near, and destruction will come from God. Because of this every hand will grow feeble and every human soul will quail. And the elders will be troubled and pangs will grip them like those of a woman in child-birth; and they will mourn one to another and be amazed and change their face like a flame. For see, the day of the Lord is coming without healing, of wrath and anger to make the inhabited world a desert and to destroy sinners from it. For the stars of heaven and Orion and all the host of heaven will not give light, and when the rises there will be darkness and the moon will not give her light. And I shall command evils for the whole inhabited world and for the ungodly their sins; and I shall destroy the arrogance and the arrogance of the lawless I shall humble. And those that are left behind will be more precious than gold tried by fire; and a man will be more precious than the stone of Souphir. For the heaven will be enraged and the earth be shaken from its foundations through the wrath of the anger of the Lord Sabaoth on the day when his wrath attacks.

Prokeimenon in the 7th Tone. Psalm 58.

Deliver me from my enemies, O God, and rescue me from those that rise up against me.

Verse: O God you are my helper, O God you are my mercy.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 59.

Give us your help from trouble; for vain is the salvation of men.

Verse: O God, you have rejected and destroyed us; you were angry and took pity on us.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[8,3b-21]

The ark came to rest in the seventh month, on the twenty seventh day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. While the water grew less until the tenth month. And in the tenth month, on the first of the month, Noл opened the window of the ark, which he had made, and sent forth the raven †to see if the water had ceased.† [The omission of this clause by Lee Brenton suggests that his basis is the Sixtine edition of 1587. The clause does not occur in the MT of the Hebrew.] and going out it did not return until the water had dried up from the earth. And he sent the dove after it to see if the water had ceased from the earth. And the dove not finding rest for her feet returned to him into the ark, because water was on all the face of the earth, and stretching out his hand he took her and brought her to himself into the ark. And having waited again seven other days again he sent out the dove from the ark. And the dove returned to him towards evening, and she had a an olive leaf, a twig, in her mouth, and Noл knew that the water had ceased from the earth. And he waited again seven other days and again sent out the dove, and she did not return to him again. And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year in the life of Noл, in the first month, on the first of the month, that the water subsided from the earth. And Noл uncovered the roof of the ark, which he had made, and saw that the water had subsided from the face of the earth. In the second month on the twenty second of the month the earth was dry. And the Lord God spoke to Noл saying, ‘Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons’ wives and all the wild beasts that are with you, and all flesh from the winged creatures to the cattle, and every reptile moving on the earth, bring out with yourself; and increase and multiply upon the earth’. And Noл and his wife and his sons and his sons’ wives with him; and all the wild beasts and all the cattle and every winged creature and every reptile moving on the earth according to their kind came out of the ark. And Noл built an altar to the Lord; and took of all the clean beasts and of all the clean birds and offered them as a whole burnt offering on the altar. And the Lord God smelt an odour of sweetness.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 60.

Hearken to my supplication, O God; attend to my prayer.

Verse: So I shall sing to your name to the ages.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[10,31-11,1-12]

The mouth of the just distils wisdom, but the tongue of the unjust will perish. The lips of just men distil graces, but the mouth of the ungodly is turned away. [11:1] Falsified balances are an abomination before the Lord, but a just weight is acceptable to him. Wherever arrogance enters, there too does dishonour; but the mouth of the humble meditates wisdom. The perfection of the upright will guide them, and the overthrow of the rebellious will spoil them. Possessions will profit nothing in a day of wrath, but justice will deliver from death. When a just man dies he has left regret, but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy and brings joy. Justice rightly directs blameless ways, but ungodliness falls in with injustice. The justice of upright men delivers them, but transgressors are caught by their destruction. When a just man has come to his end hope does not perish, but the boast of the ungodly perishes. A just man escapes from a trap, in his stead the ungodly is handed over. In the mouth of the ungodly is a snare for citizens; but the perception of the just is prosperous. By the good things of the just a city prospers, and in the loss of the ungodly there is rejoicing. By the blessing of the upright a city will be exalted, but by the mouth of the ungodly it was overthrown. One lacking in sense sneers at citizens, but a man of prudence brings stillness.

On Monday of the 4th Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 7.

Lord, do not rebuke in your rage a people that has sinned, nor chastise us in your anger as you are good; * for the whole earth glorifies you, and we implore: Spare us, O Holy One.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 61.

In God is my salvation * and my glory.

Verse: Shall my soul not be subject to God? For from him is my salvation.

The Reading is from the prophecy of Isaias.

[14,24-32]

Thus says the Lord Sabaoth: In the way that I have spoken, thus shall it be, and in the way I have planned, thus shall it remain, to destroy the Assyrians on my land and from my mountains, and they will be for trampling down and their yoke shall be taken from them and their glory shall be taken from their shoulders. This is the plan which the Lord has planned against the whole inhabited world, and this is the hand that is uplifted against all the nations. For what the holy God has planned, who will scatter it? And will turn away his uplifted hand? In the year that King Achaz died there came this word. Do not rejoice, all you foreigners, that the yoke of the one who struck you is broken, for from a serpent’s seed there will come a race of vipers, and their offspring will come forth flying serpents. And the poor will be pastured through him and paupers will rest in peace. But he will destroy your seed by famine and your remnant he will destroy. Howl, gates of cities, and let troubled cities cry out, all the foreigners, because smoke is coming from the North and there is no possibility of being. And what will the kings of the nations answer? That the Lord has founded Sion and through him the humble of the people will be saved.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 62.

So I will bless you * as long as I live.

Verse: O God, my God, I watch for you at dawn.

At Vespers.

Prokeimenon in the 8th Tone. Psalm 63.

Hearken to my voice, O God, when I entreat you.

Verse: Rescue my soul from the fear of the enemy.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[8,21-22; 9,1-7]

The Lord God, having considered, said: I will curse the earth again because of human works, because the human mind is bent intently on evils from youth. I will not again smite all living flesh as I have done. During all the days of the earth seed-time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and spring will not cease by day and night. [9:1] And God blessed Noл and his sons and said to them: Increase and multiply and fill the earth and have dominion over it, And the fear and dread of you will be on all the wild animals of the earth and on all the flying creatures of heaven, and of all the creatures that move on the earth and on all the fishes of the sea. I have put them under your hands. And every creeping thing which is living shall be for food for you; I have given all things to you as herbs of grass. Except that you are not eat meat with the blood of life. For the blood of your lives I shall require of all the wild beasts and I shall require the life of human from the hand of a fellow human. Whoever sheds human blood, he shall be shed [This is what the Greek says, but the text may be corrupt. Some versions add ‘blood’ as subject]. instead of that blood, because I made humanity in the image of God. But you, increase and multiply and fill the earth and have dominion over it.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 64.

Hear us, O God, the hope of all the ends of the earth.

Verse: To you, O God, praise is due in Sion; * and to you vows shall be performed.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[11,19-31, 12,1-6]

A righteous son is born for life, but the persecution of the ungodly is for death. Perverted ways are an abomination to the Lord, but all who are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him. One who with the hand strikes hands unjustly will not be unpunished, but one who sows justice will receive faithful recompense. Like a ear ring in a pig’s snout is beauty in a ill-minded woman. Every desire of the just is good, but the hope of the ungodly will perish. There are those who sow abroad their own possessions and make them more, but there are those who gather them in and are diminished. Every simple soul is blessed, but a passionate man is not noble. May the one that hoards corn leave it for the nations, but blessing be on the head of one who shares. One who devises good things seeks good grace, one who seeks out wicked ones, they will seize him. One who trusts in wealth is the one who will fall, but one who helps the righteous is the one who will rise. One who does not deal graciously with their own household will inherit wind, but the senseless will serve the wise. From the fruit of justice grows a tree of life, but the souls of transgressors are cut off unripe. If the just is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? [12,1] One who loves instruction loves sense, but one who hates rebukes is a fool. Better one who has found grace from the Lord, but a man who is a transgressor will be passed over in silence. A person will not succeed through transgression, but the roots of the righteous will not be pulled up. A courageous woman is a crown for her husband; but like a worm in wood, so a wife who does evil destroys her husband. The thoughts of the righteous are judgements, but the ungodly devise deceits. The words of the ungodly are deceitful, but the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

On Tuesday of the 4th Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 6.

We worship your Cross, O Master, * and we glorify your Resurrection.

Prokeimenon in the 8th Tone. Psalm 65.

Shout with joy to the Lord * all the earth.

Verse: Bless our God you nations, and make the sound of his praise be heard.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

[25,1-9]
[The Greek of this chapter is more than usually paraphrastic. It is in effect a Targum on the Hebrew]

Lord my God, I will glorify you, I will praise your name, for you have done wondrous deeds, an ancient and true counsel. So be it. Because you have made cities a heap, cities strong so that foundations should not fall. Let the city of the ungodly not be built for ever. Therefore the poor people will bless you, and cities of those who have been wronged will bless you; for you have become a helper to every humble city and a protection to those downhearted through want, you will deliver them from evil people, be a protection to the thirsty and a breath for people who have been wronged; as down-hearted people, thirsting in Sion, because of ungodly people, to whom you handed us over. And the Lord Sabaoth will make <a banquet> for all the nations on this Mountain. They will drink joy, they will drink wine, they will anoint themselves with myrrh. On this mountain hand on all these things to the nations, for this Counsel is upon all the nations. Death has been strong and swallowed down, and again the Lord has taken away every tear from every face. The shame of the people he has taken away from all the earth; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken this. And they will say in that day: See, the Lord our God, in whom we hoped and rejoiced, and he will save us. This is the Lord, we waited from him and we shall be glad, and we shall rejoice in his salvation.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 66.

May God, our God, * bless us.

Verse: May God take pity on us and bless us, cause his face to shine upon us.

At Vespers.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 67.

Sing to God, * chant to his Name.

Verse: Make a way for him who is mounted upon the west, the Lord is his name.

[This Prokeimenon, unusually, does not start with the first verse of the Psalm. In this case perhaps because the opening verses are so specifically linked to Pascha.]

The Reading is from Genesis.

[9,8-17]

The Lord God spoke to Noл and his sons with him and said, See, I am setting up my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living soul with you, from birds and beasts, and with all the wild animals of the earth, as many as are with you from all those who came out of the ark; and I will establish my covenant with you, and all flesh shall not die from the water of the flood and there shall not again be a flood to destroy the whole earth. And the Lord God said to Noл, This is the sign of the covenant, the sign that I setting between me and you and between every living soul which is with you for eternal generations. I am placing my bow in the cloud and it will be a sign of covenant between me and the earth. And it shall be when I gather together the clouds upon the earth that my bow shall appear in the cloud. And I shall remember my covenant, which is between every living soul in all flesh, and there never again be water for a flood so as to wipe out all flesh. And my bow shall be in the cloud, and I shall see it to remember the eternal covenant between me and the earth and between every living soul in all flesh which is on the earth. And God said to Noл, This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between me and between all flesh which is upon the earth.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 68.

May God, my salvation, * come to my aid.

Verse: Let the poor see and rejoice. Seek God and you will live.

[This Prokeimenon is curious. The text of the Prokeimenon is not that of the LXX proper, but is very similar to that of the 7th century corrector of the Sinaiticus. Also the Verse is taken from verse 32 of the Psalm rather than verse 1.]

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[12,8-22]

The mouth of one with understanding is praised by a man, but the dull of heart is held in derision. Better a man in dishonour who is a slave to himself than one who surrounds himself with honour and lacks bread. A just man has pity on the souls of his beasts, but the bowels of the ungodly are without mercy. One who works his own land will be filled with bread, but those who pursue vanities lack sense. One whose pleasure is in banquets of wine will leave behind dishonour in his own strongholds. The desires of the ungodly are wicked, but the roots of the godly are strongly set. Through sin of the lips the sinner falls into snares, but the just escapes them. One who looks with gentleness will find mercy, but one who is contentious in the gates will afflict souls. From fruits of the mouth the soul of a man will be filled with blessings, but the recompense of his lips will be given him. The ways of fools are right in their own eyes, but the wise listen to advice. A fool announces his anger the same day, but a prudent man hides his own dishonour. The just declares open trust, but the witness of the unjust is deceitful. There are those who wound with a sword when they speak, but the tongues of the wise heal. True lips establish testimony, but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue. There is deceit in the heart of one who imagines wickedness, but those who wish for peace will rejoice. Nothing unjust pleases a just man, but the ungodly are filled with evils. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but one who acts faithfully is accepted by him.

On Wednesday of the Fourth Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 6.

We worship your Cross, O Master, * and we glorify your holy Resurrection.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 69.

Let all who seek you, O God, rejoice and be glad in you.

Verse: O God, come to my help.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

[26,21 & 27,1-9]

[Most of this passage makes little sense in the LXX, which seems scarcely to have understood the Hebrew at all.]

See, the Lord is bringing his wrath from the holy place upon those who dwell on the land, and the land will uncover its blood and will not cover those who are slain upon it. [27:1] On that day God will bring his holy, great and strong sword upon the dragon, the serpent that flees, upon the dragon, the crooked serpent, and he will destroy the dragon. On that day a fair vine, a desire to make a beginning concerning it. I am a strong city, a city besieged, in vain shall I water it; for it will be captured by night, while by day its wall shall fall. There is no woman who has not taken hold of it. Who will set me to guard a reed in a field? Because of this enemy I have set it aside. Therefore because of this the Lord has done all the things that he appointed. I have been burnt up, those who dwell in it will cry out, Let us make peace with him, let us make peace. Those who are coming are children of Jacob; Israel will sprout and blossom and the inhabited world will be filled with his fruit. Shall he be smitten as he himself smote, and as he himself destroyed shall he be destroyed? Fighting and reviling he will send them away. Are you not the one who meditated with a harsh spirit to destroy them with a spirit of rage? Therefore the iniquity of Jacob will be taken away and this will be his blessing when I have taken away his sin, when they have broken all the stones of the altars in pieces like fine dust; and their trees will not remain and their idols will be cut down like distant thicket.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 70.

In you, Lord, I have hoped; let me not be put to shame for ever.

Verse: In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 71.

Blessed is the Lord the God of Israel, * who alone works wonders.

Verse: O God, give your judgement to the king and your justice to the son of the king.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[9,18-29 & 10,1]

These are the sons of Noл, who came out of the ark, Sem, Cham and Iapheth; Cham was the father of Canaan. These are the three sons of Noл; from these were men scattered over all the earth. And Noл began to be a farmer of the land, and he planted a vine; and he drank of the wine and became drunk and lay naked in his house. And Cham the father of Canaan saw the nakedness of his father and went out and told his two brothers outside. And Sem and Iapheth took a garment and put it on both their backs and walked backwards and covered up the nakedness of their father; and with their face backwards they did not see the nakedness of their father. But Noл awoke from the wine and realized what his younger son had done and he said, Canaan is accursed; he shall a servant boy to his brothers. And he said, ‘Blessed is Sem, and Canaan shall be his servant boy. May God broaden Iapheth, and may he dwell in the houses of Sem and let Canaan be his servant’. Noл lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood. And all the days of Noл were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died. [10:1] These are the generations of the sons of Noл: Sem, Cham and Iapheth, and sons were born to them after the flood.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 72.

It is good for me to cling to God; * to place my hope in the Lord.

Verse: How good God is to Israel, to those who are upright in heart.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[12,23-28 & 13,1-9]

A man of understanding is a throne of perception, but the heart of fools will encounter curses. The hand of chosen ones will easily obtain might, but the deceitful will be for prey. A fearful word troubles the heart of the just, but a good message makes him glad. A just arbitrator will his own friend, but the opinions of the ungodly are unfair. Evils will pursue those who sin, while the way of the ungodly will lead them astray. The deceitful will catch no wild game, but a pure man is a precious possession. In ways of righteousness is life, but ways of those who remember wrongs lead to death. [13:1] A clever son is obedient to his father, but a disobedient son is for destruction. The good eats from the fruits of justice, but the souls of transgressors perish unripe. One who guards his mouth will preserve his own soul, but one that has hasty lips will terrify himself. Every idle person lives in desires, but the hands of the brave are diligent. The just hates an unjust word, but the ungodly is put to shame and will not have boldness to speak. Justice guards the innocent, while sin makes the impious worthless. There are those who enrich themselves, though they have nothing, and there are those who humble themselves amid great wealth. His own wealth is a ransom of a man’s life, but the poor does not undergo threatening. There is always light for the just, but light is quenched for the ungodly. Deceitful souls go astray in sins, but the just show pity and mercy.

On Thursday of the 4th Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 6.

We worship your Cross, O Master, * and we glorify your holy Resurrection.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 73.

God is our King before the ages. * He has worked salvation in the midst of the earth.

Verse: Why, O God , have you finally rejected us? Why has your anger been enraged against the sheep of your pasture?

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

[28,14-22]

Thus says the Lord: Hear the word of the Lord, you afflicted [The Hebrew has ‘men of scorning’, i.e. ‘scorners’, on which Schleusner comments ‘ex interpretatione admodum inepta’. It is not clear whether the LXX understands that two groups or one are being addressed. The punctuation of the various editions implies two.] men and you rulers of this people which is in Jerusalem. Because you said, ‘We have made a covenant with Hell and agreements with Death. If a raging storm passes by, it will not come upon us. We have made falsehood our hope, and we will be sheltered by falsehood’, therefore thus says the Lord, the Lord. See, I am laying for the foundations of Sion a costly Stone, chosen, a corner-stone, precious for its foundations. And one who believes in it will not be put to shame. And I will set judgement for hope, but my compassion for balances [The Hebrew here means ‘a plummet’, but the Greek word can also mean ‘staging posts’ or ‘lodgings’.] And those that trust vainly in falsehood, because the storm will not pass you by. And will it not remove your covenant of death? And hope you have in Hell will in no way remain. If a raging storm comes against you, you will be like a pavement for it. When it passes by, it will take you, because morning by morning it will pass by day, and in the night there will be an evil hope. Learn to hear, you the distressed; we cannot fight, while we are too weak for us to be gathered. The will raise you up like a mountain of the ungodly, and he will be in the valley of Gabaon. With fury he will do his works, a work of bitterness. While his wrath will do what is unheard of, and its bitterness will be unheard of. And do rejoice nor let your bonds be strong, because I have heard from the Lord Sabaoth things accomplished and cut short, which he will do over the whole earth.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 74.

But I will rejoice for ever; * I will chant to the God of Jacob.

Verse: We will give you thanks, O God. We will give you thanks and call upon your name, and I will recount all your wonders.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 75.

Make your vows to the Lord, * and pay them.

Verse: God is known in Judea; his great name in Israel.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[10,32 & 11,1-9]

These are tribes of the sons of Noл according to their generations, according to their nations. From these the islands [This word is not in the Hebrew.] of the nations were scattered on the earth after the flood. [11,1] And the whole earth was of one tongue and one language. And it came to pass as they moved from the east that they found a plain in the land of Senaar and they dwelt there. And they said to one another, ‘Come, let us make bricks and bake them in fire’. And brick became as stone for them, and bitumen as mortar. And they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower, whose top will reach to haven, and let us make a name for ourselves before we are scattered over the face of the whole earth. And the Lord God came down to see the city and the tower which the children of men had built. And the Lord said, ‘See, they are all one race and one tongue, and they have begun to do this, and now nothing of all that they want to do will fail. Come, let us go down and confound their speech there, so that each one may not understand their neighbour’s language.’ And the Lord God scattered them from there over the face of the whole earth. And they stopped building the city and the tower. And so its name was called ‘Confusion’, because it was there that the Lord God confounded the tongues of the whole earth, and it was from there that the Lord God scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

Prokeimenon in the 7th Tone. Psalm 76.

I called to the Lord with my voice, * with my voice to God and he heard me.

Verse: In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[13,19-25 & 14,1-6]

The desires of the godly delight the soul, but the works of the ungodly are far from knowledge. One who walks with the wise will be wise, but one who walks with fools will be known. Evils will pursue those who sin, but good things will overtake the just. A good man will inherit children’s children, but the wealth of the ungodly will be laid up for the just. The just will spend many years in wealth, but the unjust will perish suddenly. One who spares his own rod hates his own child, but one who loves chastens it with care. A just person eats and satisfies their soul, but the souls of the ungodly are in want. [14,1] Wise women build houses, but the foolish one razes them to the ground with her own hands. One who walks uprightly fears the Lord, but one who is crooked in his ways will be dishonoured. From the mouth of fools comes a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise will guard them. Where there are no oxen, the mangers are clean; but where there is much produce, the strength of the ox is manifest. A faithful witness will not lie, but an unjust witness kindles lies. You will look for wisdom from the wicked and not find it, but from the prudent knowledge is easy.

On Friday of the Fourth Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 6.

We worship your Cross, O Master, * and we glorify your holy Resurrection.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 77.

He is compassionate and forgives their sins, * and will not destroy them.

Verse: Give heed to my law, my people; incline your ear to the words of my mouth.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

[29,13-23]

Thus says the Lord, This people draws near me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me, and in vain they honour me, teaching the commands and teachings of men. Therefore, behold, I will proceed to remove this people, and I will remove them and I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and conceal the understanding of those who understand. Woe to those who make their counsel deep and not by the Lord. Woe to those who make their counsel in secret, whose deeds are in the dark, and who will say, ‘Who has seen us? Who will know us, or what we do?’ Will you not be reckoned as potter’s clay? Will what is fashioned say to the one who fashions it, ‘You did not fashion me’? Or the thing made should say to its maker, ‘You did not make me wisely’? Is it not yet a little while and Lebanon shall be changed like the mountain of Chermel, and Chermel be reckoned as a forest? In that day the deaf will hear the words of a book, and those in darkness and the eyes of the blind in the mist will see. The poor will rejoice with gladness because of the Lord, and those without hope among men will be filled with gladness. The lawless has failed and the proud has perished and those who transgress wickedly have been destroyed and those who make people sin by word, and they will make those who reprove in the gates a stumbling block, because they have unjustly perverted the just. Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the house of Jacob, whom he set apart out of Abraham, ‘Jacob will not now be ashamed, nor will Israel change his countenance. But when their children see my works, for my sake they will hallow my name and hallow the Holy One of Jacob and fear the God of Israel.

Prokeimenon in the 5th Tone. Psalm 78.

Help us, O God our Saviour * for the glory of your name.

Verse: O God, the nations have entered your inheritance, defiled your holy temple, made Jerusalem a garden shed.

Today too the veneration of Cross takes place after the dismissal of the Hours, exactly as on Sunday. Then the Precious Cross is removed.

At Vespers.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 79.

You who are seated upon the Cherubim, * manifest yourself.

Verse: Shepherd of Israel, attend, you who guide Joseph like a sheep.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[12,1-7]

The Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, and you will be blessed. I will bless those who bless you, and those who curse you I will curse; and in you all the tribes of the earth will be blessed.’ So Abram went, as the Lord God had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Charan. And Abram took Sara his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions which they had gathered, and every person that they had gathered in Charan; and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. And Abram journeyed through the length of the land to the place at Shechem, to the high oak. At that time the Canaanites inhabited the land. And the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, ‘To your descendants I will give this land.’ So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

Prokeimenon in the 2nd Tone. Psalm 80.

Rejoice in God our helper; * shout with joy to the God of Jacob.

Verse: Take a psalm and sound the timbrel, a pleasant psaltery with a harp.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[14,15-26]

The simple believes every word, but the prudent goes to repentance. The wise fears and has turned away from evil, but the fool trusting in himself mixes with the ungodly. A person of quick temper acts thoughtlessly, but a prudent one bears many things. Fools will have wickedness as their portion, but the prudent will take hold of understanding. The evil will bow before the good, the impious will serve at the gates of the just. Friends will hate poor friends, but the rich has many friends. One who dishonours paupers commits sin, but one who has mercy on the poor is blessed. Those who go astray devise evils, but the good devise mercy and truth. Devisers of evils do not know mercy, but acts of mercy and faithfulness are with the devisers of good. With everyone who cares there is abundance, but the pleasure seeker and the callous will be in want. The crown of the wise is their wealth, but occupation of fools is wicked. A faithful witness will deliver a soul from evils, but a trickster kindles lies. In the fear of the Lord is hope of strength, while he leaves to his children a support of peace.

And the rest of the Liturgy of the Presanctified.

On Monday of the Fifth Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 3.

Because our iniquities have risen up against us, arise, Lord, help us; * for you are our Father, and we know no other but you.

Prokeimenon in the 8th Tone. Psalm 83.

Your altars, O Lord of powers, * my King and my God.

Verse: How beloved are your dwellings, O Lord of powers!

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

[37,33-38 & 38,1-6]

Thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not enter this city, nor shoot an arrow against it, nor come before it with a shield, nor cast up a siege ramp against it. But by the way that he came, by the same he shall return; and he shall not enter this city. Thus says the Lord: For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David. Then an Angel of the Lord went out and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians. When morning dawned, they were all dead. Then King Senachereim of Assyria turned and departed, and dwelt in Nineve. As he was worshipping in the house of his tutelary god Nasarach, his sons Adramelech and Sarasar struck him down with swords, and escaped into the land of Armenia. His son Asordan succeeded him. [38,1] It came to pass at that time that Ezekias became sick and was at the point of death. And the prophet Isaias, son of Amos, came to him, and said to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die. You will not live.’ Then Ezekias turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying, ‘Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you in truth with a true heart, and have done what is pleasing in your sight’. And Ezekias wept bitterly. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaias: Go and say to Ezekias, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David: I have heard your prayer, and I have seen your tears. See, I am adding fifteen years to your time. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and defend this city.’

Prokeimenon in the 8th Tone. Psalm 84.

Lord, show us your mercy, * and grant us your salvation.

Verse: You were well pleased with your land, O Lord, you turned away the captivity of Jacob.

At Vespers.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 85.

Guide me, Lord, in your way, * and I shall walk in your truth.

Verse: Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear me.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[13,12-18]

Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in a city of the people of the region and dwelt in Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were evil, great sinners before God. God said to Abram after Lot had separated from him, Raise your eyes, and look from the place where you are now, northward and southward and eastward and seaward; for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring for ever. I will make your offspring like the sand of the earth. If anyone can count the sand of the earth, your offspring will also be counted. Rise up, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you and to your seed for ever. So Abram moved his tent, and came and settled by the oak of Mambre, which was at Hebron; and there he built an altar to the Lord.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 86.

The Lord loves the gates of Sion * more than all the tabernacles of Jacob.

Verse: His foundations are in the holy mountains.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[14,27-35 & 15,1-4]

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, it makes one avoid the snares of death. The glory of a king is a multitude of people; without people a prince is ruined. One who is long suffering has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper is mightily senseless. One whose spirit is meek is a physician of the heart, but a sensitive heart makes the bones rot. Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who honour him take pity on the needy. The ungodly will be driven away by their evil-doing, but one who trusts in his own integrity is righteous. Wisdom takes her rest in the good heart of a man, but it is not known in the heart of fools. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sins diminish tribes. An understanding servant has the king’s favour, while by his good behaviour he removes disgrace. [15,1] Anger slays even wise men, but a submissive answer turns away wrath, while a grievous word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise knows what is good, but the mouth of fools declares wickedness. The eyes of the Lord in every place keep watch on the wicked and the good. A tongue which heals is a tree of life, and one who watches over it will be filled with spirit.

On Tuesday of the Fifth Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 3.

The God of Jacob is our helper * and our defender in a day of trouble.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 87.

I am poor * and in toils since my youth.

Verse: Lord God of my salvation I have cried to you by day.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

[40,18-31]

Thus says the Lord: To what have you likened the Lord, and to what likeness have you likened him? Has the craftsman not made an image, or the goldsmith melted gold, gilded it over and made it a likeness? For the craftsman chooses wood that will not rot and wisely seeks how he will set up his image so that it may not be shaken. Will you not know? Will you not hear? Was it not declared to you from the beginning? Have you not known the foundations of the earth? The one who hold fast the circle of the earth and those who dwell on it are like locusts. The one who set up the heaven like a chamber and stretched it out like a tent to dwell in. The one who appoints rulers to rule as nothing, who made the earth as nothing. For they shall not plant, nor shall they sow, nor shall their root take root into the earth. He blew on them and they withered, and a squall will take them like sticks. Now therefore to what have you likened me and I shall be exalted? said the Holy One. Lift up your eyes to the height and see, who has displayed all these things? He who brings forth his array by number will call them all by name. From his great glory and by the might of his strength nothing has escaped you. For do not say, Jacob, and why have you spoken, Israel: My way has been concealed from God, and my God has taken away judgement and has departed? And now, have you not known if you have not heard? The eternal God, the God who formed the extremities of the earth, will not hunger nor toil, nor is there any searching of his understanding. He gives strength to the hungry and grief to those who are not suffering. For the young will hunger and youths will toil and the chosen will be without strength. But those who wait on God will renew their strength.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 88.

The heavens will declare your wonders, * and your truth in the church of the saints.

Verse: I will sing of your mercies, Lord, to generation and generation.

At Vespers.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 89.

[Most unusually this Prokeimenon consists of the first and last verses of the psalm.]

Lord, you have been our refuge * from generation to generation.

Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and direct the works of our hands.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[15,1-15]

And the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision saying, ‘Fear not, Abram, I am shielding you. Your reward will be exceedingly great.’ But Abram said, ‘Master, Lord, what will you give me? I am departing childless, while the son of Masek my home-born female slave, this Eliezer of Damascus <will inherit>‘. And Abram said, ‘Since you have given me no seed my home-born slave will inherit from me.’ And the voice of the Lord came to him immediately, saying, ‘He will not inherit, but one who will come forth from you, he will inherit from you’. And he led him outside and said to him, ‘Look up to heaven and count the stars, if you can count them up’. And he said, ‘So shall your seed be’. And Abram believed God and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. And he said to him, ‘I am God who brought you out of the land of the Chaldeans so as to give you this land as your inheritance.’ But he said, ‘Master Lord, how will I know that I will inherit it?’ And he said to him, ‘Take me a three year old heifer and a three year old she-goat and a three year old ram and a dove and a pigeon.’ He took all these and split them down the middle and set them opposite one another, but the birds he did not split. But birds came down on the divided parts and Abram sat [The LXX seems to have understood the Hebrew verb to have been ysb rather than nsb. In an unpointed text, which is of course what the LXX translator would have had, there would in this context be no difference in the spelling of the Hebrew.] with them. About sunset a trance fell on Abram, and behold, a great darkness fell on him, and it was said to Abram, ‘You will surely know that your seed will be a sojourner in a land not their own, and they will enslave them and ill treat them and humiliate them for four hundred years. But the nation whom ever they will be slave to I will judge. But after these things they will come out here with much baggage. But you will go to your fathers in peace, nourished in a good old age.’

Prokeimenon in the 5th Tone. Psalm 90.

One who dwells in the help of the Most High, * will encamp under the protection of the God of heaven.

Verse: Will say to the Lord: You are my helper and my refuge; my God and I will trust in him.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[15,7-19]

The lips of the wise are bound by discretion, but the hearts of fools are not safe. The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord, but the prayers of the upright are acceptable with him. An abomination to the Lord are the ways of the ungodly, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. The instruction of the innocent is known by those who pass by, but those who hate reproofs come to their end disgracefully. Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord, how then shall not human hearts be also? An uninstructed person will not love those who rebuke him, but he will not converse with the wise. When the heart is glad the face is cheerful, but when it is in sorrows the face is sad. An upright heart seeks discretion, but the mouth of the uninstructed will know evils. The eyes of the evil look for evils all the time, but the good are always still. Better a small portion with fear of the Lord, than great treasures with no fear. Better entertainment of vegetables with friendship and grace than a spread of calves with enmity. An irate person prepares fights, but a long suffering one calms even a fight that is imminent. A long suffering person extinguishes quarrels, but an ungodly one rather stirs them up. The ways of the idle are strewn with thorns, but those of the hardworking are smoothed.

On Wednesday of the 5th Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 1.

Be entreated by the sufferings which the Saints endure for you, O Lord; * and heal all our pains we beg, O Lover of mankind.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 91.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, * and to sing to your name, O Most High.

Verse: To declare your love in the morning, and your truth each day.
[The LXX in fact has ‘in the night’, but in the liturgical use of this verse ‘night is often replaced by ‘day’ .]

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

[41,4-14]

Thus says the Lord: I am first and for what is to come I am. The nations saw and were afraid, the ends of the earth drew near and came together, each one judging to help his neighbour and his brother, and he will say, ‘The craftsman has become strong and the bronze smith striking with the hammer and forging’. Then he will say, ‘It is a good join and they have fastened them with nails, they will fix them and they will not be moved’. You are my servant, I have chosen you and I have not abandoned you. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not go astray, for I am your God who gives you strength and I have helped you and made you safe with my just right hand. See, all those who oppose you will be put to shame and turned back, for they will be as though they did not exist and all your opponents will perish. You will look for them and not find those who rage like drunkards against you, for those who make war on you will be as though they did not exist and they will not be. Because I am your God who gives might to your right hand and who says to you: Do not be afraid Jacob, Israel few in number. I have helped you, Israel, I the God who rescues you.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 92.

The Lord is king, * he has robed himself in majesty.

Verse: The Lord has robed and girded himself with power.

At Vespers.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 93.

The Lord is a God of vengeance, * the God of vengeance has spoken boldly.

Verse: Be exalted, you who judge the earth, give the proud their due reward.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[17,1-9]

When Abram was ninety nine years old the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am your God; be well-pleasing before me and be blameless, and I will establish my covenant between me and you and I will multiply you greatly.’ And Abram fell on his face and God spoke to him saying, ‘See, my covenant is with you, and you will be the father of many nations. And your name will no longer be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, because I have made you the father of many nations. And I will increase you greatly and I will make nations from you and kings will come forth from you. And I will set my covenant between you and your seed after you to all generations for an eternal covenant, for me to be your God and that of your seed after you. And I will give you and your seed the land on which you are dwelling, all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession, and I shall be God for them’. And God said to Abraham, ‘You are to keep my covenant, you and your seed after to all their generations.’

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 95.
[For some reason Psalm 94 is omitted from the series of Prokeimena.]

Sing to the Lord a new song, * sing to the Lord all the earth.

Verse: Sing to the Lord, bless his name; day after day proclaim his salvation.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[15,20-34 & 16,3-9]
[The reading is in fact continuous, but the arrangement of the verses differs widely between the MT and the LXX at this point.]

A wise son gives his father joy, but a foolish son sneers at his mother. The paths of the senseless lack intelligence, but a prudent man walks straight. Those who do not honour councils postpone thoughts, but counsel dwells in the hearts of those who take counsel. The wicked will in no way obey it, nor will he say anything appropriate or for the common good. The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that turning aside he may be saved from Hell. The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners, but establishes the border of widows. An unjust thought is an abomination to the Lord, but the sayings of the pure are reverenced. One who receives bribes destroys himself, but the person who hates to take bribes will be saved. Sins are purged away by almsgiving and faithful dealings, [The pious baronet notes that this most unprotestant verse is not in the Hebrew, ‘nor any such doctrine’! The verse occurs as 16:6 in the Hebrew in a somewhat different form.] but by fear of the Lord everyone turns from evil. The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness, but the mouth of the ungodly gives wicked answers. The ways of just men are acceptable to the Lord, while through them even enemies become friends. God goes far away from the ungodly, but hearkens to prayers of the just. Better a small income with justice than large receipts with injustice. Let the heart of a man consider what is just, that his steps may be set right by God. An eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart, while a good reputation fattens the bones. One who rejects instruction hates himself, but one who guards reproofs loves his own soul. Fear of God is instruction and wisdom, and the beginning of glory will answer it. All the works of the humble are manifest with God, while the ungodly will perish in an evil day. Everyone who is proud hearted is unclean with God, and one who strikes hands with hand will not be held guiltless. The beginning of a good way is to do what is just, it is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrificing sacrifices. One who seeks the Lord will find knowledge with justice, while those who seek him rightly will find peace. All the works of the Lord are done with justice, but the ungodly is kept for an evil day.

And the rest of the Office of the Presanctified.
In the Refectory we take wine. We sing Compline in our cells.

On Thursday of the 5th Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 8.

Compassionate, long suffering, Almighty Lord, * send down your mercy on your people.

Prokeimenon in the 8th Tone. Psalm 96.

The Lord is king, * let the earth be glad.

Verse: Let all his Angels worship him.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

[42,5-16]

Thus says the Lord, who made the heaven and fixed it, who established the earth and the things in it and who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who tread it. I the Lord God called you in righteousness and I will take your hand and give you strength and I have given you as a covenant of a race, for a light of nations to open the eyes of the blind to lead out those who have been bound and those who sit on darkness from prison. I am the Lord God, this is my name; I will not give my glory to another nor my virtues to carved idols. See, the things from the beginning have come, and new things, which I am declaring, and which have been shown us [The Triodion follows the reading of Q, which is not recorded by Rahlfs. The other uncials have the correct reading.] before they are declared. Sing to the Lord a new hymn you his dominion; glorify his Name from the extremity of the earth, you who go down to the sea and sail it, you islands and you who inhabit them. Let the wilderness be glad and its villages, its hamlets and the inhabitants of Kedar. Those who inhabit the rock will rejoice, from the peaks of the mountains they will shout; they will give glory to God, they will declare his virtues to the islands. The Lord God of powers will come forth and crush war, he will rouse zeal and cry out against his enemies with strength. I have kept silent, shall I also keep be silent always and forbear I have endured like a woman in childbirth, I will amaze and wither at the same time. I will make mountains and hills and all their grass wither. I will make rivers into islands and dry up pools. And I will bring the blind by a way that they did not know, and I will make them tread paths of which they had no knowledge. I will turn darkness into light for them and their crooked places into straight. I will do these things and I will not desert them.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 97.

Sing to the Lord a new song, * for the Lord has done wondrous things.

Verse: Shout with joy to God all the earth, sing and rejoice and chant.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon in the 7th Tone. Psalm 98.

[This is one of the traditional Psalms for the Cross, which conveniently falls on a Friday. Or does this explain the omission of Psalm 94 earlier in the week? Probably not, since it would in that case have been the second Prokeimenon for this evening]

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool, * for he is holy.

Verse: The Lord is king, let the peoples rage; he is seated on the Cherubim, let the earth be shaken.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[18,20-33]

The Lord said, ‘The cry of Sodom and Gomorra has been increased before me, and their sins are exceedingly great. Therefore I will go down and see if they completely correspond to their cry which comes to me, but if not, that I may know it.’ And the men turned away from there and came to Sodom. But Abraham was still standing before the Lord. And coming near Abraham said, ‘Will you destroy the just with the godless and shall the just be as the godless? If there are fifty just in the city will you destroy them? Will you not spare the whole place for the sake of fifty just, if there are in it? By no means should you act in this way, to slay the just like the ungodly. By no means. You judge the whole earth, will you not act with judgement?’ The Lord said, ‘If there are fifty just in the city of Sodom I will spare the whole city and the whole place for their sake.’ And Abraham answered and said, ‘Now I have begun to speak to my Lord, I who am but earth and ashes. If there should be less than fifty just, but forty five, will you destroy the whole city for the sake of those five?’ And he said, ‘I will not destroy it if I find there forty five.’ And he continued to speak to him and said, ‘But if there are found there forty?’ And he said, ‘I will not destroy for the sake of the forty.’ And he said,’ Will there be anything if I speak? If thirty are found there?’ And he said, ‘I will not destroy for the sake of the thirty’. And he said, ‘Since I am able to speak to the Lord; if there be found there twenty?’ And he said, ‘I will not destroy if I find twenty there.’ And he said, ‘Will there be anything, Lord, if I speak yet once more. If ten be found there?’ And he said, ‘I will not destroy for the sake of ten.’ Then the Lord departed when he had ceased speaking to Abraham. And Abraham returned to his place.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 99.

Shout with joy to the Lord * all the earth.

Verse: Serve the Lord with gladness, enter his presence with joy.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[16,17-33 & 17,1-17]

One who accepts instruction will be among good things, while one who guards reproofs will be made wise. One who guards his own ways will preserve his own soul, while one who loves his life will spare his mouth. Pride goes before destruction, folly before a fall. Better one who is meek spirited with humility than one who shares out spoils with scorners. One who has understanding in affairs will be a discoverer of good things, while one who trusts in God is blessed. People call the wise and understanding worthless, but they who are sweet in word will hear more. Understanding is a source of life to its possessors, but the instruction of fools is evil. The heart of the wise will discern things from his own mouth, while on his lips he will wear knowledge. Good words are honeycombs, its sweetness a healing of the soul. There are ways that seem right to a man, their ends however look on the depth of Hell. A man in labours labours for himself and forces out his own ruin, the perverse however wears ruin on his own mouth. A foolish man digs evils for himself, treasures up fire on his own lips. A perverse man spreads evils and will light a torch of guile with evils and he parts friends. A lawless man puts friends to the test and leads them by ways that are not good. One who fixes his eyes thinks on perverse things, while his lips define all evils. Such a one is a furnace of wickedness. Old age is a crown to boast of, it is found in ways of righteousness. Better a long suffering man than a strong one, one who governs his temper than one who captures a city. Everything comes into the lap of the unjust, everything that is just from the Lord. [17,1] Better a crust with peace than a house full of many good things and unjust sacrifices with conflict. A wise servant will hold sway over foolish masters, and will share portions among brothers. As silver and gold are tested in a furnace so are chosen hearts with the Lord. The wicked obeys the tongue of transgressors, but the just does not attend to lying lips. One who laughs at the poor provokes the one who made him, while one who rejoices at one who is destroyed will not be guiltless, but one who has pity will find mercy. Children’s children are a crown for the old, while their fathers are the children’s boast. The faithful has the whole world of money, but the unfaithful has not a farthing. Faithful lips will not suit a fool, nor lying lips the righteous. For those who use it instruction is a reward of graces, while wherever it turns it will prosper. One who conceals injustices seeks friendship; but one who hates to conceal them will separates friends and kinsfolk. A threat crushes the heart of the prudent, but a fool when flogged feels nothing. Every wicked person stirs up strife, but the Lord will send out against him a merciless messenger [Or ‘angel’]. Care will befall a man of sense, but fools will discuss evil things. Whoever rewards evils for good things, evils will not be removed from his house. A rule of justice gives authority to words, but conflict and strife precede want. One who judges the unjust to be just, but the just to be unjust is unclean and abominable to God. Why does the fool have money? For the senseless is unable to purchase wisdom. One who makes his house high is seeking ruin, while one who neglects to learn will fall into evils. At every moment have a friend, and let brothers be useful in times of need.

And the rest of the Office of the Liturgy of the Presanctified, at which we take communion of the holy mysteries of Christ.

Note that if the Annunciation falls on this day the Office of the Great Canon is anticipated to Tuesday, that is Monday evening, but the Feast is not transferred.

On Friday of the 5th Week.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 5.

You are greatly to be praised Christ our God, who shake the earth to make those who dwell in it turn back and be saved, and you establish it again through your own loving kindness and ineffable compassion. * At the prayers of the Mother of God have mercy on us.

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 100.

I will sing to you, O Lord, * of mercy and judgement.

Verse: I will chant and be wise on a blameless way.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

[45,11-17]

Thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel who made the things that are to come: Ask me about my sons and about my daughters, and about the works of my hands command me. I made the earth and mankind upon it; I with my hand established the heaven, I gave commandment to all the stars. I raised him up with righteousness to be king, and all his ways are upright. He will build my city and turn back the captivity of my people not with ransoms nor with gifts, says the Lord Sabaoth. Thus says the Lord: Egypt has toiled and the merchandise of the Ethiopians, and the Sabeans, lofty men, will pass over to you and will do reverence to you and make their prayer by you; because God is in you and their is no God beside you. For you are God and we did not know, the God of Israel, the Saviour. All those who oppose him will be put to shame and will walk in shame. Keep a feast of dedication to me you islands. Israel is being saved by the Lord with an eternal salvation; they will not be put to shame nor will they be turned back again for ever, says the Lord Almighty.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 101.

Lord, hearken to my prayer, * and let my cry come to you.

Verse: Do not turn your face from me; in the day I am afflicted incline your ear to me; in the day when I call upon you hearken to me speedily.

At Vespers.

Evening Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 102.

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, * long suffering and of great mercy.

Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name.

The Reading is from Genesis.

[22,1-18]

It came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham and said to him, ‘Abraham, Abraham.’ He said, ‘Here I am.’ And he said, ‘Take your son, your beloved, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the high land and offer him there as a whole burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you.’ But Abraham arose in the morning and saddled his ass. He took with him two lads and Isaac his son and having split wood for a whole burnt offering he arose and went and came to the place of which God had spoken to him on the third day. And Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. And Abraham said to his lads, ‘Sit here with the ass while I and the lad will go over there and when we have worshipped we will return to you.’ Abraham took the wood for the whole burnt offering and put it on Isaac his son, while he took in his hands both the fire and the knife, and they went the two of them together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘Father.’ He said, ‘What is it, child?’ He said, ‘See, here are fire and wood. Where is the sheep for the whole burnt offering?’ Abraham said, ‘God will see for himself to a sheep for the whole burnt offering, child.’ They went both of them together and came to the place of which God had told him. And there Abraham built the altar and put the wood on it and he bound his son Isaac and put him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand to take the knife to slay his son. And the Angel of the Lord called him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham.’ But he said, ‘Here I am.’ And he said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the child nor do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God and you have not spared your beloved son for my sake.’ And raising his eyes Abraham saw and see, a ram caught in a Sabek plant by the horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a whole burnt offering instead of his son Isaac. And Abraham called the name of the place The Lord saw, so that they say today, on the mountain the Lord appeared. And the Angel of the Lord called Abraham a second time from heaven saying, ‘By myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not spared your beloved son for my sake, multiplying I will multiply you your seed like all the stars of heaven and like the sand which is beside the edge of the sea; and your seed will inherit the cities of their opponents. And in your seed all the nations of the earth will be blessed, in return for your obeying my voice.’

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 103.

How magnificent are your works, O Lord, * with wisdom you have made them all.

Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul. Lord my God, you are greatly magnified, you have clothed yourself with praise and majesty.

The Reading is from Proverbs.

[17,17b-28 & 18,1-5]

Let brothers be useful in time of need, for this they are born. A foolish man claps and rejoices at himself, like one who stands surety standing surety for his own friends. One who loves sin rejoices at conflicts, while the hard-hearted does not meet with the good. A man of changing tongue will fall into evils, while a foolish heart is a pain for the one who possesses it. A father is not made glad by a son without instruction, but a prudent son makes his mother glad. A glad heart creates good health, but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up. The ways of one who takes gifts in his bosom unjustly do not prosper, while the ungodly perverts ways of righteousness. The face of a wise man is intelligent, but the eyes of the fool go to the extremities of the earth. A foolish son is anger for his father and a grief for her who gave him birth. To punish a just man is not good, nor is it holy to plot against just princes. One who forbears to utter a harsh word is discreet, while a long suffering man is discreet. Wisdom will be imputed to a fool who asks for wisdom, while one who holds his peace will seem to be prudent. [18,1] A man who wishes to be parted from friends seeks excuses, but at every moment he will be subject to reproach. One who lacks sense has no need of wisdom, rather he is led by folly. Whenever the ungodly comes into a depth of evils he despises them, but dishonour and reproach come upon him. A word in a man’s heart is deep water, while a river and a source of life well up. It is not good to marvel at the face of the ungodly, nor holy to pervert what is just in giving judgement.

And the rest of the Office of the Presanctified. At Compline we sing the Canon for the dead of the prevailing Tone and likewise that of the Saint of the day in the Menaion.

On Monday Before Palm Sunday.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 6.

This is the fearful day, O God, whose the evening we did not hope to reach; yet in your love for humankind you have counted us worthy to see it. * Thrice-Holy One, glory to you!

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 104.

Let the heart of those * who seek the Lord be glad.

Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, and call upon his Name.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
[48,17–22 & 49,1–4]

Thus says the Lord, who delivered you, the Holy One of Israel: I am your God, I have shown how to find the way by which you should go. And if you had listened to my commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your justice like the waves of the sea; your progeny would have been like the sand, and offspring of your womb like the dust of the earth; now you would never be cut off or your name destroyed from before me. Go forth from Babylon, as you flee from the Chaldeans; declare this with a shout of joy, let this be heard; proclaim it to the end of the earth; say, ‘The Lord has delivered his servant Jacob!’ And if they thirst, he will bring them through the desert; he will bring water out of the rock for them; the rock will be split open and water will gush out, and my people will drink. There is no joy, says the Lord, for the ungodly. [49,1] Listen to me, you islands, and attend, you nations. For a long time he will stand, says the Lord. He called my name from my mother’s womb and made my mouth like a sharp sword and hid me in the shadow of his hand; he made me like a chosen arrow, he hid me in his quiver. And he said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel, and in you I will be glorified.’ But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain, I have given my strength for nothing and for futility; therefore my judgement is from the Lord, and my toil before my God.’

Prokeimenon in the 6th Tone. Psalm 105.

Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel * from age to age.

Verse: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his mercy is for ever.

At Vespers.

Prokeimenon in the 3rd Tone. Psalm 106.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, * for his mercy is for ever.

Verse: Let the redeemed of the Lord say it, whom he redeemed from the hand of the foe.

The Reading is from Genesis.
[27,1–41]

It came to pass that when Isaac was old and his eyes had become dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son, and said to him, ‘My son’; and he answered, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘See, I have grown old and I do not know the day of my death. Now then, take your equipment, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and hunt game for me, and prepare for me savoury food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat; that my soul bless you before I die.’ But Rebecca heard Isaac speaking to his son Esau. Esau went to the field to hunt for game for his father. But Rebecca said to her son Jacob, the younger, ‘See, I heard your father speaking to your brother Esau, saying, “Bring me game, and prepare for me savoury food, that I may eat it, and bless you before the Lord before I die.” Now therefore, my son, hear me as I command you. Go to the flock, and from there fetch me two fine, tender kids, and I will make them into savoury food for your father, such as he loves; and you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that your father may bless you before he dies.’ But Jacob said to Rebecca his mother, ‘My brother Esau is a hairy man, while I am a smooth man. Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him, and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing.’ His mother said to him, ‘Upon me be your curse, my child; only obey my word, and go, bring them to me.’ So he went and took them and brought them to his mother; and his mother prepared savoury food, such as his father loved. Then Rebecca took the best garments of Esau her elder son, the best ones which were by her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son; and the skins of the kids she put upon his arms and upon the exposed part of his neck; and she gave the savoury food and the loaves, which she had prepared, into the hands of her son Jacob. So he took them in to his father. And he said, ‘Father’; and he said, ‘Here I am; who are you, my child?’ Jacob said to his father, ‘I am Esau your first-born. I have done as you commanded me me; now arise, sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.’ But Isaac said to his son, ‘How is that you have found so quickly, my child?’ He answered, ‘What the Lord your God put before me.’ Then Isaac said to Jacob, ‘Come near, that I may feel you, my son, to know whether you are my son Esau or not.’ So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, ‘The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.’ And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him, and said, ‘Are you my son Esau?’ He answered, ‘I am.’ Then he said, ‘Bring it to me, and I will eat of your game, my child,[1] that my soul may bless you.’ So he brought it to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank. Then his father Isaac said to him, ‘Come near and kiss me, my child.’ So he came near and kissed him; and he smelt the smell of his garments, and blessed him, and said, ‘See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a full field which the Lord has blessed! May God give you of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine. Let nations serve you, and rulers bow down to you. Be lord over your brother, and your father’s sons will bow down to you. The one who curses you is cursed, and the one who blesses you is blessed.’ And it came to pass after Isaac had finished blessing Jacob his son, when Jacob had gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. He also prepared savoury food, and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, ‘Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s game, that your soul may bless me.’ His father Isaac said to him, ‘Who are you?’ He answered, ‘I am your son, your first-born, Esau.’ Then Isaac was greatly amazed, and said, ‘Who was it then that hunted game for me and brought it to me, and I ate of all of it before you came, and I have blessed him? And he shall be blessed.’ When Esau heard his father Isaac’s words, he cried out with an great and bitter cry, and said to his father, ‘Bless me also, father!’ But he said, ‘Your brother came with guile, and took your blessing.’ Esau said, ‘Rightly he was named Jacob? For see he has supplanted me this second time. He took my birthright; and now he has taken my blessing.’ Then Esau said to his father, ‘Have you not a blessing left for me, father?’ Isaac answered Esau, ‘If I have made him your lord, and all his brothers his servants, and with corn and wine I have sustained him, what then can I do for you, my son?’ Esau said to his father, ‘Have you only one blessing, father? Bless me also, father.’ But Isaac was stunned[2] and Esau lifted up his voice and wept. Then Isaac his father answered him and said, ‘See, away from[3] the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be, and away from the dew of heaven from on high. And you shall live by your sword, and you shall serve your brother; but the time will come when you will destroy and loose his yoke from your neck.’ And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him.’

Prokeimenon in the 7th Tone. Psalm 107.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, * and your glory over all the earth.

Verse: My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready. I will sing and chant with my glory.

The Reading is from Proverbs.
[19,16–25]

One who keeps a commandment guards their own life; but one who despises their own ways will perish. One who is merciful to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him in accordance with his gift. Discipline your son for thus there will be good hope; do not be exalted in your soul to arrogance. A man who thinks evil will pay a great penalty; and if he commits injury he will lose his life. Listen, my son, to the instruction of your father, that you may become wise at your last days. Many are the thoughts in the heart of a man, but the purpose of the Lord endures for ever. Acts of mercy are fruit for a man, while a just beggar is better than a rich liar. The fear of the Lord leads to life for a man; but one without fear will encamp in places which knowledge does not visit. One who hides his hands in his bosom unjustly, will not even bring them to his mouth. When the pestilent is scourged, a fool becomes more astute. But if your chastise a prudent man, he will understand knowledge.

On Tuesday Before Palm Sunday.

At The Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 5.

You have given our City an invincible wall: the Virgin who gave you birth. * Through her we pray, O Saviour, rescue our souls from the evils that surround us.

Prokeimenon in the 8th Tone. Psalm 108.

Help me, Lord my God, * and save me in accordance with your mercy.

Verse: O God do not be silent at my praise, for the mouth of sinner and trickster has been opened against me.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
[49,6–10]

Thus says the Lord, I have given you as a covenant for a race, as a light for nations, for you to be as salvation to the end of the earth. Thus says the Lord, who delivered you, the God of Israel, ‘Sanctify the one who despises his soul, who is abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers. Kings shall see him and arise; rulers, and they shall worship him, because of the Lord; for the Holy One of Israel is faithful, and he chose you.’ Thus says the Lord, ‘In an acceptable time I heard you, in a day of salvation I helped you. And I fashioned you I and gave you as a covenant for nations, to establish the land, to apportion desolate heritages, saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’ to those who are in darkness, ‘Be revealed.’ They shall feed along all the ways, on all the paths shall be their pasture. They shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall smite them, for he who has mercy on them will comfort them, and through springs of water he will lead them.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 109.

You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedek.

Verse: The Lord said to my lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.

At Vespers.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 110.

The fear of the Lord * is the beginning of wisdom.

Verse: I will give thanks to, O Lord, with my whole heart, in the council of the upright and in the congregation.

The Reading is from Genesis.
[31,3–16]

The Lord said to Jacob, ‘Return to the land of your father and to your kindred, and I will be with you.’ So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leia into the field where his flocks were, and said to them, ‘I see that your father’s face, it is not as it was towards me yesterday and the day before. But the God of my father has been with me. You know that I have served your father with all my strength; yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages of ten lambs, but God did not permit him to harm me. If he said, “The spotted shall be your wages,” then all the sheep bore spotted; and if he said, “The white shall be your wages,” then all the sheep bore white. Thus God has taken away the your father’s animals, and given them to me. And it came to pass, when the sheep had conceived and were with young, with my eyes I saw in a dream that the he-goats and rams mounting the ewes and the she-goats were striped, spotted, and mottled with ash-coloured spots. Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ’Jacob, Jacob’, and I said, ’Here I am! What is it?’ And he said, ’With your eyes look up and see, the he-goats and rams that mount ewes and she-goats are striped, spotted, and mottled; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. I am the God who appeared to you in God’s place, where you anointed a pillar to me and made a vow to me. Now therefore arise, go forth from this land, and return to the land of your birth.’’’ Then Rachel and Leia answered and said to him, ‘Is there any part or inheritance left to us in our father’s house? Are we not reckoned by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has been devoured the money given for us. All the wealth and glory which God has taken away from our father shall be for us and our children. Now therefore, do whatever God has told you.’

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. Psalm 111.

He is merciful, compassionate and just.

Verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, he will delight greatly in his commandments.

The Reading is from Proverbs.
[21:3-21]

My son, to do what is just and to speak truth is more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices. A haughty man is arrogant-hearted in his pride; while the lamp of the ungodly is sin. One that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues futility and goes towards the snare of death. Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they are unwilling to do what is just. To the crooked God sends crooked ways; for his works are pure and right. Better to dwell in a corner under the sky, than in stuccoed walls with injustice, and in a shared house. The soul of the ungodly will not be pitied by anyone. When a dissolute person is punished the guileless becomes cleverer: while a wise one who understands will receive knowledge. A just person understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly in their wicked deeds. One that stops his ears from hearing the weak, will cry out himself, and there shall be no one to listen. A secret gift turns away anger: but one who refrains from giving rouses strong wrath. The joy of the just to do judgement: but a holy person is unclean to evil-doers. A man who strays from the way of justice, will rest in the congregation of giants.[4] A poor man loves joy, making friends of wine and oil in abundance; while a transgressor is an off-scouring of a just one. It is better to dwell in a desert land than with a quarrelsome, talkative and quick-tempered woman. A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up. The way of justice and mercy will find life and glory.

On Wednesday Before Palm Sunday.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 5.

Act with mercy towards us, Lord, and do not hand us over to our iniquities, holy Master almighty, we beg you.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 112.

Praise the Lord, young people, praise the name of the Lord.

Verse: May the name of the Lord be blessed from now and for ever more.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
[58:1-11]

Thus says the Lord: Cry aloud, and spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet, and declare to my people their sins, and to the house of Jacob their iniquities. Day by day they seek me, and desire to know my ways; like a people that had done justice, and had not abandoned the judgment of their God, they now ask me for just judgment, and desire to draw near to God, saying, Why have we fasted, and you did not see? Humbled our souls, and you did not know? Because, in the days of your fasts you find your wishes, and all those under your power you goad. If you fast for quarrels and fights, and smite the humble with your fists, why do you fast for me as you do today, for your voice to be heard be heard in your cry? I did not choose this fast, nor a day for a person to humble their soul. Even if you bend down your neck like a ring, and spread under you sackcloth and ashes, you shall not because of this call it an acceptable fast. I did not choose such a fast, says the Lord. But untie every bond of iniquity, unfasten the knots of hard bargains, send the bruised away with remission, and cancel every unjust account. Break your bread for the hungry, and lead the poor who have no shelter into your house: if you see someone naked, clothe them, and you are not to disregard the relations of your own seed. Then your light will break forth as the morning, and your healing speedily spring forth: and your justice will go before you, and the glory of God will surround you. Then you will cry, and God will hear you; while you are still speaking he will say, Behold, I am here. If you remove the bond from yourself, and the stretching out of the hands, and murmuring speech; and if you give bread to the hungry from your soul, and satisfy the humbled soul; then your light will spring up in darkness, and your darkness will be as noon-day: and your God will be with you continually.

Prokeimenon. Tone 6. Psalm 113.

You are blessed by the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Verse: At Israel’s departure from Egypt, of Jacob’s house from a barbarian people, Judea became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.

At Vespers.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 114.

I will be well pleasing to the Lord in the land of the living.

Verse: I have loved because the Lord will listen to the voice of my supplication.

The Reading is from Genesis.
[43:26-31 and 45:1-16]

And the brothers brought Joseph the gifts which they had in their hands, into the house; and they prostrated before him with their faces to the ground. But he asked them, ’How are you?’ and he said to them, ’Is your father, the old man of whom you spoke, well? Is he still alive?’ And they said, ’Your servant our father is well. He is still alive.’ And he said, ’That man is blessed by God’.[5] And bowing down, they prostrated before him. And Joseph, lifting up his eyes, saw his brother Benjamin, born of the same mother, and said, ’Is this your younger brother, whom you said you would bring to me? ’ and he said, ’God have mercy on you, my child.’ And Joseph was deeply troubled, for so strong was the affection he felt for his brother that he wanted to weep; and he went into his private chamber, and wept there. And having washed his face and came out and controlled himself. [45:1] And Joseph could not refrain him with everyone standing near him, but he said, ’Send everyone away from me.’ And no one stood near Joseph, when he made himself known to his brethren. And he cried aloud with weeping. All the Egyptians heard, and it became known Pharao’s house. But Joseph said to his brothers, ’I am Joseph. Is my father still alive? And his brothers could not answer him, for they were deeply troubled. But Joseph said to his brothers, ’Come near me’; and they came near. And he said, ’I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. Now then do not be grieved, and do not let it seem hard to you that you sold me here, for God sent me before you for life. For this is the second year there is famine in the land, and there are still five years left, in which there will be neither ploughing, nor harvest. For God sent me before you that a remnant might be left for you on earth to nourish a great remnant of you. Now then it was not you that sent me here, but God; and he has made me like a father to Pharao, and lord of all his house, and ruler of all the land of Egypt. Hurry, therefore, and go up to my father, and say to him, ’This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all the land of Egypt; come down therefore to me, and do not delay. And you shall dwell in the land of Gesem of Arabia; and you shall be near me, you and your sons, and your sons’ sons, your sheep and your oxen, and whatever is yours; and I will nourish you there—for there are still five years of famine—lest you and your sons, and all your possessions be wiped out. Look, your own eyes can see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin can see, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. Report, therefore, to my father all my glory in Egypt, and everything you have seen, and make haste and bring down my father here. And he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept on him; and Benjamin wept on his neck. And he kissed all his brothers, and wept on them; and after this his brothers spoke to him. And the report was carried into Pharao’s house, saying, ’Joseph ’s brothers have come.’ And Pharao rejoiced, and his household.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 115.

I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

Verse: I believed, therefore I spoke. I was greatly humbled.

The Reading is from Proverbs.
[21:23-31 and 22:1-4]

One that guards their mouth and tongue keeps their soul from affliction. An arrogant, self-willed and boastful person is called a plague; while one that remembers ills is a transgressor.[6] Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything. An ungodly person longs for evil desires all day; but the just is ungrudgingly merciful and compassionate. The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them lawlessly. A false witness will perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously. An ungodly man brazenly gives undertakings in person;[7] but the upright himself understands his ways. There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly. A horse is prepared for the day of war; but help is from the Lord. [22:1-4] A good name is better than great wealth, while good favour is above silver and gold. A rich and a poor person met together; but the Lord made them both. An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely chastised is himself disciplined[8], but fools pass by and are punished. The offspring of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and wealth, and glory, and life.

Thursday Before Palm Sunday.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 1.

Do not forget the voice of your servants, Lord. Remember that we have always put our hope in you, the one who can all things, and help us, we implore.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 117.[9]

This is the gate of the Lord, the just with enter by it.

Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures for ever.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
[65:8-16]

Thus says the Lord, As when a grape in found in the cluster, people will say, Do not destroy it; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for the sake of the one that serves me, for that person’s sake I will not destroy them all. And I will lead out the posterity of Jacob and that of Juda, and they shall inherit my holy mountain: and my chosen ones shall inherit it and my servants shall dwell there. And there shall be in the forest folds of flocks, and the valley of Achor will be a resting for herds for my people, who have sought me. But you that have deserted me, and forget my holy mountain, and prepare a table for the devil, and fill up a drink-offering to Fortune, I will hand you over to the sword, you shall all fall by slaughter: for I called you, and you did not obey; I spoke, and you disobeyed; and you did evil in my sight, and chose the things I did not want. Therefore thus says the Lord, See, those who serve me shall eat, while you shall go hungry. See, those who serve me shall drink, while you shall go thirsty. See, those who serve me shall rejoice, while you shall be ashamed. See, those who serve me shall exult with joy, while you shall cry because of the pain of your heart, and howl from the affliction of your spirit. For you shall leave behind your name for the satisfaction[10] of my chosen ones, but the Lord shall destroy you, while those who serve me shall be called by a new name, which shall be blessed on the earth; for they shall bless the true God.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 118.

I ran in the way of your commandments, when you set my heart at large.

Verse: Lay down for me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I shall always seek it.

At Vespers.

Prokeimenon. Tone 6. Psalm 119.

When I was afflicted I called to the Lord, and he heard me.

Verse: O Lord, deliver my soul from unjust lips and from a deceitful tongue.

The Reading is from Genesis.
[46:1-7]

Israel departed, he and all that he had, and came to the well of the oath; and he offered a sacrifice to the God of his father Isaac. God spoke to Israel in a night vision, saying, Jacob, Jacob; and he said, What is it? And he says to him, I am the God of your fathers; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. And I will go down with you into Egypt, and I will bring you up in the end; and Joseph will place his hands on your eyes. And Jacob rose up from the well of the oath; and the sons of Israel took up their father, and the baggage, and their wives on the wagons, which Joseph[11] had sent to take him. And taking up their goods, and all the property, which they had acquired in the land of Chanaan, they came into the land of Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him, his sons, and the sons of his sons with him; his daughters, and the daughters of his daughters; and he brought all his seed into Egypt.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 120.

The Lord will guard you from every evil, the Lord will guard your soul.

Verse: I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains. From where will my help come?

The Reading is from Proverbs.
[23:15-35 and 24:1-5]

My son, if your heart is wise, you will gladden my heart also; and your lips, if they are right, will continue speaking with my lips. Do not let not your heart envy sinners: but be in fear of the Lord all the day. For if you keep these things, you will have posterity; and your hope will depart. Listen, my son, and be wise, and rightly direct the thoughts of your heart. Do not be a drinker, nor stretch yourself in subscriptions to parties, and purchases of meats,[12] for every drunkard and lecher will become poor; and every idler will dress in rags and tatters. Listen, my son, to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother because she has grown old. Buy truth, and do not sell wisdom, instruction, and understanding.[13] A righteous father brings up well; and his soul rejoices over a wise son. Let your father and your mother rejoice over you, and let her that bore you be glad. My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. For a foreign house is a perforated wine-jar; and something foreign is a narrow well.[14] For such a one will perish suddenly; and every transgressor will be destroyed.[15] Who has woe? Who has turmoil? who has disputes? and who unpleasantness and gossip? who has needless bruises? whose eyes are livid? Do they not belong to those who spend long hours at wine? to those who search out where drinking parties are? Do not get drunk with wine; but talk with just men, and converse in discussions.[16] For if you fix your eyes on bowls and cups, you will afterwards walk around more naked than a pestle. Finally such a person lies prostrate like someone bitten by a snake, and poison is spread through him as by a horned serpent. Whenever your eyes see a strange woman, then your mouth will speak dishonest things. And you will lie like someone on the high seas, or a steersman in a great storm. And you will say, They hit me, and I was not hurt; they made fun of me, and I did not realise it. When will it be morning, so that I may go and look for companions to go with? [24:1] My son, do not envy bad men, nor long to be with them. For their heart meditates lies, and their lips speak mischief. A house is built by wisdom, and is erected by understanding. Its rooms are filled by discernment with all precious and excellent wealth. A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.

Friday Before Palm Sunday.

At the Trithekti.

Troparion of the Prophecy. Tone 3.

Irresistible, Lord, is the anger of your threat on sinners; and we are unworthy to fix our gaze and ask you for mercy. Do not destroy in your rage and anger us who you fashioned with your own hand.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 121.

I rejoiced at those who said to me, ‘We shall go to the house of the Lord’.

Verse: For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for you.

The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
[66:10-24]

Exult, Jerusalem, and all you that love her keep a festival in her. Rejoice greatly with her, all who now grieve over her, that you may suck, and be satisfied with the breast of her consolation; that you may milk out, and delight yourselves from the entrance of her glory. For thus says the Lord, See, I turn towards them like a river of peace, and like an overflowing torrent flooding them with the glory of the nations. Their children will be carried on the shoulders, and comforted on the knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I too will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. And you will see, and your heart will rejoice, and your bones will spring up like grass; and the hand of the Lord will be known to those who fear him, and he will threaten the disobedient. For, see, the Lord will come like fire, and his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his vengeance with wrath, and his execration with a flame of fire. For with the fire of the Lord all the earth will be judged, and all flesh with his sword. Many will be slain by the Lord. Those who sanctify and purify themselves for the gardens and the porches, and eat swine's flesh, and abominations, and mice, will perish together, says the Lord. And I know their works and their thoughts. I am going to assemble all the nations and tongues; and they will come, and they will see my glory. And I will leave signs on them, and I will send out those of them that have been saved to the nations, to Tharsis, and Phoud, and Loud, and Mosoch, and to Thobel, and to Greece, and to the isles far away, to those who have not heard my name, nor seen my glory. And they will declare my glory among the nations, and bring your brethren out of all the nations as a gift for the Lord with horses, and chariots, in covered chariots with mules and canopies, to the holy city Jerusalem, said the Lord, just as the children of Israel bring their sacrifices to me with psalms into the house of the Lord. And I will take from them priests and Levites for myself, says the Lord. For as the new heaven and the new earth, which I am making, remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your seed and your name last. And from New Moon to New Moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh will come to worship before me in Jerusalem, said the Lord. And they will go out, and see the corpses of the men who have transgressed against me: for their worm will not die, and their fire will not be quenched; and they will be a spectacle to all flesh.

Prokeimenon. Tone 6. Psalm 122.

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.

Verse: I have lifted my eyes to you who dwell in heaven.

At Vespers.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 123.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Verse: If the Lord had not been among us, let Israel now say; if the Lord had not been among us when people rose up against us, they would have swallowed us down alive.

The Reading is from Genesis.
[49:33 and 50:1-26]

When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. [50:1] And Joseph fell upon his father's face, and wept over him, and kissed him. And Joseph commanded his servants the embalmers[17] to embalm his father; and the embalmers embalmed Israel. And they completed forty days for him, for this is the number of days for burial; and Egypt mourned him for seventy days. And when the days of mourning were over, Joseph spoke to Pharao’s princes, saying, If I have found favour in your sight, speak concerning me in Pharao’s ears, saying, My father made me swear an oath, saying, In the sepulchre which I dug for myself in the land of Chanaan, there you are to bury me. Now therefore I will go up and bury my father, and come back again. And Pharao said to Joseph, Go up, bury your father, as he made you swear. So Joseph went up to bury his father; and all Pharao's servants went up with him, and the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, and Joseph's whole household, and his brothers, and all his father’s house. But they left behind his family[18] and the sheep and the oxen in the land of Gesem. And there went up with him also chariots and horsemen; and it was a very great company. And they came to the threshing-floor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan; and they lamented him with great and intense lamentation; and he made a mourning for his father for seven days. And the inhabitants of the land of Chanaan saw the mourning at the floor of Atad, and said, ’This is a great mourning for the Egyptians’; therefore they[19] called the name of the place, which is beyond Jordan, The Mourning of Egypt. And this is what his sons did for him. And his sons carried him up into the land of Chanaan, and buried him in the double cave, the cave Abraham had bought for possession of a burial place, from Ephrom the Chettite, facing Mambre. And Joseph returned to Egypt, he and his brothers, and those who had gone up with him to bury his father. But when Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, 'Perhaps Joseph will bear malice against us, and pay us back all the evils which we did against him. And they came to Joseph, and said, Your father made us swear an oath before his death, saying, ’Speak to Joseph as follows, Forgive them their injustice and their sin, for they have done evil against you; and now forgive the injustice of the servants of the God of your father’. And Joseph wept as they spoke to him. And they came to him and said, We here are your servants. And Joseph said to them, ’Do not be afraid, for I am God’s. You took counsel against me for evil, but God took counsel for me for good, so that things might be as they are today, and many people might be fed’. And he said to them, ’Do not be afraid, I will support you, and your families’. And he encouraged them, and spoke kindly to them. And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his brothers, and all his father's family. And Joseph lived a hundred and ten years. And Joseph saw Ephraim's children to the third generation; and the sons of Machir, Manasse’s son were born on Joseph’s thighs. And Joseph spoke to his bothers, saying, ’I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and will bring you out of this land into the land which God swore to your[20] fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’. And Joseph made the sons of Israel, swear an oath, saying, ’At the visitation with which God will visit you, then you shall carry up my bones from here with you’. And Joseph died, aged a hundred and ten; and they prepared his corpse, and put him in a coffin in Egypt.

Prokeimenon. Tone 4. Psalm 124.

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Sion.

Verse: One who dwells in Jerusalem will never be shaken.

The Reading is from Proverbs.
[31:8-31]

Open your mouth with the word of God, and judge all things fairly[21]. Open your mouth and judge justly, and defend the poor and weak. Who can find a dynamic wife? Such a wife is more valuable than precious stones. The heart of her husband has confidence in her: such a wife will not be in need of fine spoils. For she achieves good for her husband all her life long. Winding off wool and flax, she makes[22] it serviceable with her hands. She is like a ship trading from a afar: and she gathers her wealth. And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and tasks to her maidservants. She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants a plot of land. She strongly girds her loins, and sets her arms to work. She knows by experience that working is good; and her lamp is not extinguished all night. She reaches out her arms to what is needful, and applies her hands to the spindle. She opens her hands to the poor, and hands out fruit to the needy. Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he delays somewhere: for all those round her are clothed. She makes outer garments of double thickness for her husband, and garments of fine linen and scarlet for herself. Her husband becomes a an object of admiration in the gates, when he sits in council with the senior inhabitants of the land. She makes fine linens and sells them to the Phoenicians, and girdles to the Canaanites. She puts on strength and glory; and rejoices in the last days. She opens her mouth with care and with propriety, and keeps control over her tongue. The ways of her household are careful[23], and she does not eat the bread of idleness. She opens her mouth wisely, and in accordance with law. And her generosity establishes her children, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her. Many daughters have obtained power, many have gained wealth; but you have exceeded, and surpassed them all. Charms are false, and a woman's beauty is worthless: for it is a woman of understanding that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord. Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.

Triodion.

Sunday of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee.

On Saturday Evening. At Vespers

After the Opening Psalm we read Blessed is the man (the first Kathisma of the Psalter). At Lord, I have cried, we insert 10 Stichera: 7 of the Resurrection in the Tone of the week from the Octoichos, and the following Idiomels from the Triodion, doubling the first.

Tone 1

Brethren, let us not pray like the Pharisee, for those who exalt themselves will be humbled. Let us be humbled before God through fasting like the Tax Collector, as we cry aloud, ‘God forgive[1] us sinners’.[2] (Twice)

A Pharisee, conquered by vainglory, and a Tax Collector, bowed down in repentance, drew near to you, the only Master. The one by boasting was deprived of God’s good things, while the other by not uttering was found worthy of gifts. Strengthen me[3] by these sighs of sorrow, Christ our God, for you love humankind.

Glory. Tone 8

Almighty Lord, I know how powerful tears are. They brought Ezekias up from the gates of death.[4] They delivered the sinful woman from the transgressions of many years.[5] They justified the Tax Collector above the Pharisee. And so I pray, ‘Numbering me with them with them, have mercy on me’.

Both now.

The 1st Theotokion in the Tone of the week from the Octoichos, followed by the Entrance, O Joyful Light, and the Prokeimenon of the day, The Lord is King.

At the Liti, Stichera of the Saint of the monastery.

[Glory. Tone 3.

Understanding the difference between the Tax Collector and the Pharisee, my soul, hate the proud speech of the one, and eagerly imitate the deeply contrite prayer of the other, crying aloud, ‘God forgive me a sinner and have mercy on me’.[6]

Both now. Theotokion. Same Tone.

Virgin Mother of God, we praise you as the means of the salvation of our race; for your Son and our God, who through the Cross accepted suffering in the flesh he had taken from you, has redeemed us from corruption, for he loves humankind.][7]

We sing the Aposticha in the Tone of the Week from the Octoichos, and then:

Glory. Tone 5.

My eyes have been weighed down through my iniquities, and I am unable to look up and gaze on the height of heaven. But receive me, O Saviour, as I repent like the Tax Collector, and have mercy on me.

Both now. Theotokion. Same Tone.

You are temple and gate, palace and throne of the King, all-honoured Virgin. Through you, my Redeemer, Christ the Lord, appeared to those who sat in darkness, for he is the Sun of justice, who wishes to enlighten those whom he fashioned in his own image by his own hand. Therefore, O All-praised, as you have a mother’s freedom to speak with him, intercede unceasingly that our souls may be saved.

Apolytikion, Virgin Mother of God, three times.

After the blessing and distribution of the Loaves, a major Reading.

[If Vespers are celebrated on their own, Apolytikion of the Resurrection and Theotokion in the Tone of the week].

Note that we chant the Office of the Saint of the day at Compline on the preceding Friday, or when the Ecclesiarch thinks fitting, unless the commemoration of a major saint occurs.

Sunday of the Profligate Son.

On Saturday Evening. At Vespers

After the Opening Psalm and the usual reading from the Psalter, at Lord, I have cried, we insert ten stichera: six of the Resurrection in the Tone of the week from the Octoichos, and the following two Idiomels from the Triodion, doubling them.

Tone 1.

I was entrusted with a sinless and living country, but, having sown the ground[1] with sin, with a sickle I have reaped the ears of indifference and piled up the heaps of the sheaves of my actions, which I have not spread out on the threshing floor of repentance.[2] but I beg you, our God, husbandman before the ages, with the wind of your loving compassion winnow away[3] the chaff of my works, and provision[4] my soul with forgiveness; shut me in your heavenly storehouse and save me. (Twice)

Brethren, let us learn the power of the mystery. For when the Profligate Son ran back from sin to his Father’s hearth, the all-loving Father, coming out to meet him, kissed him and gave him back again the tokens of his own glory, and completed the mystical joy of those on high by sacrificing the fatted calf, so that we might live lives worthy of the loving Father, who offered the sacrifice, and of the glorious sacrificial victim, the Saviour of our souls. (Twice)

Glory. Tone 2.

Of what great blessings, wretch that I am, have I deprived myself! From what a kingship[5] in my misery have I fallen! I have wasted the wealth that I received, I have transgressed the commandment. Alas, unhappy soul ! You are henceforth condemned to the eternal fire. Therefore before the end cry out to Christ our God, ‘Receive me as the Profligate Son, O God, and have mercy on me’.

Both now.

The 1st Theotokion in the Tone of the week from the Octoichos.

Entrance, O Joyful Light. Prokeimenon of the day. At the Liti[6] we sing the sticheron of the patron saint of the monastery.

Glory. Tone 4.

Like the Profligate Son, having dissipated my whole livelihood in exile, I have squandered the wealth you gave me, Father. Accept me as I now repent, and save me.

Both now. Theotokion.

The mystery hidden from all eternity and unknown to Angels, has been revealed to those on earth through you, O Mother of God: God being made flesh in a union without confusion, and willingly accepting the Cross for us, through which he raised the first-formed man and saved our souls from death.

Alphabetical Aposticha from the Octoichos.

Glory. Tone 6.

I have squandered the wealth of my Father’s gift, and have grazed[7], poor wretch, with irrational beasts. Yearning for their food, I starved and was not filled. But now I return to the compassionate Father and cry out with tears, ‘Accept me as a hired servant, as I fall down before your loving-kindness, and save me’.

Both now. Theotokion.

My maker and redeemer, Christ the Lord, by coming from your womb, All-pure Lady, and clothing himself in me freed Adam from the former curse. Therefore, All-pure, as to her who is truly Mother of God and Virgin, we cry unceasingly the Angel’s ‘Hail’: Hail, Sovereign Lady, defence, protection and salvation of our souls!

Apolytikion, Virgin Mother of God, three times. And the rest of the office of the Vigil.[8]

At Matins.

After the Six Psalms, The Lord is God, the Apolytikion of the Resurrection (twice) and the Theotokion in the Tone of the week. The usual readings from the Psalter, the Kathismata in the Tone of the week from the Octoichos, the Evlogitaria, the Ypakoп, the Anavathmi and the Prokeimenon in the Tone of the week, and the appointed Morning Gospel. Then Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, followed by Psalm 50, and the following Idiomels.

Glory. Tone 8.

Open the gates of repentance to me, O Giver of Life, for my spirit rises early in the morning to your holy temple, bearing a temple of the body all defiled. But as you are full of pity, cleanse it by your compassionate mercy.

Both now. Same Tone.

Guide me to paths of salvation, Mother of God, for I have befouled my soul with shameful sins and have squandered all my life in sloth. By your intercessions deliver me from all uncleanness.

Have mercy on me, O God, in accordance with your great mercy. According to the multitude of your compassion blot out my offences.

Tone 6.

As I ponder the multitudes of dreadful things that I have done, wretch that I am, I tremble for the fearful day of judgement. But confident in your merciful compassion, like David I cry to you, ‘Have mercy upon me, O God, in accordance with your great mercy’.

The Canons. The Canon of the Resurrection, the Canon of the Cross and Resurrection, the Canon of the Mother of God, and of the Triodion. We sing the Office from the Menaion on the preceding Friday at Compline.

Canon of the Triodion to 6.
Composition of Kyr Joseph. Acrostic in Ode 9: Joseph.

Ode 1. Tone 2. Take up Moses’ song.

Jesus my God, now accept me too as I repent like the Profligate Son. All my life I have lived in carelessness and provoked you to anger.

The divine wealth that you once gave me I have squandered wickedly. I have gone far from you and lived like the Profligate, compassionate Father. And so accept me too as I return.

Spread wide your fatherly embrace now and accept me too like the Profligate, compassionate Lord, that with thanksgiving I may glorify you.

Theotokion

Show in me all your goodness, O God. As my Benefactor, overlook the multitude of my offences at your Mother’s godly prayers.

Katavasia.

Take up Moses’ song, my soul, and shout, ‘He has become my helper and protector. This is my God, and I will glorify him.’

Ode 3. Make my barren mind.

Wholly beside myself, I attached myself in madness to the inventors of passions. But accept me, O Christ, like the Profligate.

Imitating the words of the Profligate I cry aloud, ‘I have sinned, Father’. Like him now embrace me too and do not reject me.

Open wide your arms, O Christ, and in compassion receive me as I return from a far country of sin and passions.

Theotokion

O lovely among women, enrich me too, reduced to poverty by many sins, pure Virgin, with notions of what is fair and lovely, that I may glorify you.

Katavasia.

Make my barren mind produce fruit, O God, husbandman of what is lovely and planter of good things, in your compassion.

Kathisma. Tone 1. The soldiers watching.

Make haste and open to me your fatherly embrace. Like the Profligate I have squandered my whole livelihood. As I look to the inexhaustible wealth of your mercy, do not now despise my beggared heart, for to you, Lord, with compunction I cry, ‘I have sinned against you. Save me!’

Glory. The Same.

Both now. Theotokion

Pure Virgin Mother of God without bridegroom, the only guardian and protection of the faithful, deliver from dangers, afflictions and dread circumstances all who have their hopes on you, O Maiden, and by your godly intercessions save our souls.

Ode 4. Irmos. Foreseeing your birth.

The wealth of fair blessings which you gave me, heavenly Father, I have wrongly squandered, enslaved to citizens of a foreign country, therefore I cry to you, ‘I have sinned against you. Receive me like the Profligate of old, unfolding your arms to me’.

I have become enslaved to every evil and, wretchedly bowed down to the creators of the passions, through negligence I have lost possession of myself. Take pity on me, Saviour, heavenly Father, as I flee to your many mercies.

I have been filled with every shame and dare not look towards the height of heaven, for I have irrationally bowed down to sin. But now as I return I cry aloud in compunction, ‘I have sinned against you. Receive me, King of all’.

Theotokion.

You are the help of humankind, the sure hope of all Christians, immaculate Virgin, and the refuge of the saved. Save me by your motherly intercessions and count me worthy of the life to come.

Katavasia.

Foreseeing your birth from a Virgin, the Prophet cried out and proclaimed, ‘I heard your report, O Christ, and I was afraid, for you came from Theman and from a holy shaded mountain.’

Ode 5. Irmos. The night has passed.

I was enslaved to citizens of a foreign country, I became an exile in a land of destruction, and I was filled with shame. But now, as I return, O Compassionate, I cry to you, ‘I have sinned.’

Open to me now your fatherly compassion as I return from evils, heavenly Father, and in your surpassing mercy do not reject me.

I dare not look up at the height of heaven, O Christ, for I have angered you beyond measure. But knowing your compassion, merciful Lord, I cry, ‘I have sinned. Be merciful. Save me’.

Theotokion.

All-holy Virgin, full of grace, who gave birth to the propitiation of all, by your prayers lighten the heavy burden of my offences.

Katavasia.

The night has passed, the day is at hand, and the light has shone out on the world. Therefore the ranks of angels sing your praise and glorify you, Christ our God.

Ode 6. I am held fast by an abyss.

The depth of sin ever holds me fast, and a tempest of transgressions drags me down. Pilot me, Christ my God, to the harbour of life and save me, King of glory.

I have wickedly squandered my Father’s wealth, and reduced to poverty, I am filled with shame, enslaved to fruitless thoughts. Therefore I cry to you who love humankind, ‘Take pity on me and save me’.

I am wasted with starvation of every good, and estranged from you, O Christ supremely good. Take pity on me as I now return, and save me as I sing the praise of your love for humankind.

Theotokion.

Maiden, who conceived Christ the Saviour and Master, count me, beggared of every kind of good, worthy of salvation, pure Virgin, that I may sing the praise of your mighty acts.

Katavasia.

I am held fast by an abyss of sins, O Saviour, and am drowning in the ocean of life. But like Jonas from the beast, bring me up too from the passions and save me.

Kontakion. Tone 3. Today the Virgin.

I have foolishly run away, O Father, from your glory; I have squandered in evil deeds the riches you entrusted to me; therefore I offer you the words of the Profligate: I have sinned before you, compassionate Father: take me now repentant and make me as one of your hired servants.

Ikos.

Our Saviour teaches us every day through his own voice. Let us therefore listen to the Scriptures concerning the Profligate who became temperate again, and with faith let us imitate his fair repentance. With humble heart let us cry out to him who knows all secrets, ‘We have sinned against you, merciful Father, and are not worthy ever to be called your children as before. But since you are by nature full of love for humankind, accept me and make me as one of your hired servants.

Synaxarion from the Menaion, then what follows.

On this day we commemorate the parable of the Profligate Son from the holy Gospel, which our most godly Fathers prescribed for the second Sunday of the Triodion.

Verses.
If you’re a Profligate, like me, take heart!
All doors to God’s compassion open lie.

By your ineffable love for humankind, Christ our God, have mercy on me.

Ode 7. Irmos. Imitating the Cherubim.

I have bowed down miserably to the pleasures of the body and I have become wholly enslaved to the inventors of the passions; and I have become a stranger to you, lover of humankind. But now I cry with the voice of the Profligate, ‘I have sinned, O Christ, do not despise, for you alone are merciful’.

I call out, ‘I have sinned’, and I dare not even look towards the height of heaven, O King of all; for in foolishness I alone have angered you, rejecting your commandments. Therefore, as you alone are good, do not cast me away from your presence.

At the prayers of the apostles, prophets, ascetics, honoured martyrs and the just, pardon me all the things by which I have offended, and angering your goodness, Christ my Lord, that I may sing your praise to all the ages.

Theotokion.

Mother of God, you are revealed as more radiant than the Cherubim and Seraphim and all the heavenly host. With them, O all-blameless, entreat the One to whom you gave a body, God the Word of the Father without beginning that we may all be found worthy of the good things that last for ever.

Katavasia.

Imitating the Cherubim, the Youths in the furnace, danced as they cried out, ‘Blessed are you, O God, for with truth and judgement you have brought all these things upon us because of our sins; you who are highly praised and glorified to all the ages.’

Ode 8. Him, whom the wonder.

You, who through great mercy came down to earth to save the world by voluntary poverty, save me as you are merciful, for I am poor in all good works.

Distancing myself from your commandments, in utter wretchedness I became enslaved to the deceiver. But, as I now turn back like the Profligate of old and fall before you, accept me, heavenly Father.

Subjected by corrupting thoughts, I became dark and distanced myself from you, and I lost all possession of myself, compassionate Lord. Therefore, as I fall before you in repentance, save me.

Theotokion.

Pure Mother of God, only restoration of the broken, restore me, for I am wholly crushed and humbled by every kind of sin.

Katavasia.

Him, who for Moses foreshadowed the wonder of the Virgin in the Bush on mount Sinai, praise, bless and highly exalt to all the ages.

Ode 9. Who of those born of earth.

See, O Christ, the affliction of my heart; see my turning back; see my tears, O Saviour, and do not despise me. But embrace me once again through your compassion and number me with the multitude of the saved, that with thanksgiving I may sing the praise of your mercies.

Like the Thief I cry to you, ‘Remember me’. Like the Tax Collector, with downcast eyes cast, I now beat my breast and say, ‘Be merciful’. Like the Profligate deliver me from all my evils, compassionate King of all, that I may sing the praise of your profound condescension.

Groan now, my soul, all-wretched, and cry aloud to Christ, ‘Lord, who for my sake willingly became poor, in my poverty I lack every good work. Make me rich with an abundance of fair things, as you alone are good and full of mercy’.

O Good One, the joy that you once created at the voluntary return of the Profligate, now create once again because of me, wretch though I am. Open wide your holy arms to me, that saved I may sing the praise of your profound condescension.

Theotokion.

I pray you, Virgin, through your radiant intercessions enlighten the eyes of my mind darkened by wickedness and bring me to ways of repentance. So that, as is fitting, I may sing your praise, who beyond reason gave a body to the Word.

Katavasia.

Who of those born of earth has heard the like? Or who has ever seen that a Virgin has been found to bear in her womb and give birth to a babe without pangs? Such is your wonder. And, Mary, pure Mother of God, we magnify you.

The appointed Exapostilarion of the Resurrection
and the following of the Triodion.
Women hear.

By uselessly leaving home, wretch that I am, I wickedly wasted the wealth of grace that you gave me. And living like the Profligate I squandered my wealth deceitfully to demons. But now, as I return, accept me like the Profligate, merciful Father, and save me.

Another to the same melody.

I have squandered and spent all your wealth and have become the subject to evil demons, wretch that I am. But, most compassionate Saviour, take pity on the Profligate, cleanse me of filth and give me back again the first robe of your kingdom.

Theotokion.

Holy Virgin Mother of God, the great boast of Martyrs, Prophets and Ascetics, gain the mercy of your Son and Lord for us your servants, when he sits to judge each according to their due.

At Lauds. Four stichera of the Resurrection from the Octoichos and one by Anatolios, and then the following three Idiomels of the Triodion.

Tone 2.

I bring you the words of the Profligate, Lord. I have sinned in your sight, O Good One. I have squandered the wealth of your gifts of grace. But receive me in repentance Saviour, and save me.

Verse 1: Arise, O Lord, my God, lift up your hand: do not forget your poor for ever.

Tone 4.

Like the Profligate Son I too have come to you, merciful Lord. I have squandered my whole livelihood in a foreign land; I have scattered the wealth which you gave me, Father. Receive me as I repent, O God, and have mercy on me.

Verse 2: I will give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart: I will tell of all your wonders.

Tone 8.

Like the Profligate I have wasted the riches of my Father’s substance; and having spent them all I am now destitute, dwelling in the land of the evil citizens. No longer can I bear to live among them, but turning back I cry to you, merciful Father, ‘I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am not worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants, O God, and have mercy on me’.

Glory. Tone 6.

Loving Father, I have gone far from you, but do not forsake me, nor declare me unfitted for your Kingdom. The all-evil enemy has stripped me naked and taken all my wealth. I have squandered like the Profligate the graces given to my soul. But now I have arisen and returned, and I cry aloud to you, ‘Make me as one of your hired servants, you who for my sake stretched out your spotless hands on the Cross, to snatch me from the fearsome beast and to clothe me once again in the first robe, for you alone art full of mercy‘.

Both now.

You are most blessed, Virgin Mother of God, for through him who took flesh from you, Hell has been taken captive, Adam recalled, the curse slain, Eve set free, death put to death, and we given life. Therefore in praise we cry: Blessed are you, Christ our God, who have been thus well-pleased, glory to you.

Great Doxology. the two Litanies, and the Dismissal. The usual Liti, at which we sing the Eothinon, and the Catecheses are read.

Cheese Sunday.

At Vespers.

After the Opening Psalm, we read Blessed is the man, the first Kathisma.

At Lord, I have cried, we insert ten Stichera: six of the Resurrection in the Tone of the week from the Oktoichos, and the following four Prosomia from the Triodion:

Tone 6. Having set all your hope.

The Lord my Creator took me as dust from the earth, and with the breath of life he gave me a soul and made me a living creature. He honoured me as ruler on earth over all things visible and as a companion of the Angels. But Satan the deceiver, using the serpent as his instrument, enticed me by food, separated me from the glory of God and gave me over to the earth and to the lowest depths of death. But as Master and compassionate call me back again.

Wretch that I am, I have cast off the robe woven by God, disobeying your divine command, Lord, at the counsel of the enemy, and I am clothed now in fig leaves and in garments of skin. I am condemned to eat the bread of toil in the sweat of my brow, and the earth has been cursed so that it bears thorns and thistles for me. But, Lord, who in the last times were made flesh of a Virgin, call me back and bring me into Paradise again.

O precious Paradise, unsurpassed beauty, tabernacle built by God, unending gladness and delight, glory of the just, joy of prophets, and dwelling place of saints, with the sound of your leaves implore to the Maker of all to open for me the gates which I closed by my transgression, and may count me worthy to partake of the Tree of Life and of the joy in which I delighted when I dwelt in you before

Adam was banished from Paradise through disobedience and cast out from delight, beguiled by the words of a woman. Naked he sat opposite the place, lamenting ‘Woe is me!’ Therefore let us all make haste to accept the season of the Fast and obey the traditions of the Gospel, that through them we may become well-pleasing to Christ and once more receive Paradise as our dwelling.

Glory. Tone 6.

Adam sat opposite Paradise and, lamenting his nakedness, he wept, ‘Woe is me ! By evil deceit was I persuaded and robbed, and exiled far from glory. Woe is me ! Once naked in my simplicity, now I am in want. But, Paradise, no longer shall I enjoy your delight; no more shall I look upon the Lord my God and Maker, for I shall return to the earth whence I was taken. Merciful and compassionate Lord, I cry to you, ‘Have mercy on me who am fallen’.

Both now. Theotokion from the Oktoichos.

Entrance, O Joyful Light, and the Prokeimenon of the day, The Lord is King.

Aposticha in the Tone of the week from the Oktoichos, and then:
Glory. Tone 6.

Through eating Adam was cast out of Paradise. And so, as he sat in front of it, he wept, lamenting with a pitiful voice and saying, ‘Woe is me, what have I suffered, wretch that I am! I transgressed one commandment of the Master, and now I am deprived of every good thing. Most holy Paradise, planted because of me and shut because of Eve, pray to him who made you and fashioned me, that once more I be filled with your flowers.’ Then the Saviour said to him, ‘I do not want the creature which I fashioned to perish, but to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth, because the one who comes to me I will in no way cast out.’

Both now. Theotokion. Same Tone.

Christ the Lord, my Maker and Redeemer, came forth from your womb, all-pure Virgin, and having clothed himself in me he freed Adam from the curse of old. Therefore with never-silent voices we cry to you as true Mother of God and Virgin with the Angel’s salutation, ‘Hail, Sovereign Lady, guardian and protection and salvation of our souls’.

Now, Master, Trisagion, Apolytikion, Virgin Mother of God, three times, and the rest of the Office of the Vigil.

The Sunday of Orthodoxy.

Great Vespers on Saturday Evening.

After the Opening Psalm, we read Blessed is the man, the first Kathisma.

At Lord, I have cried, we insert ten stichera: six of the Resurrection in the Tone of the week from the Octoichos, and the following four Prosomia from the Triodion:

Tone 6. Having set all your hope.

The prophets, inspired by your Spirit, Lord, foretold that you, who cannot be grasped, and who shone forth without beginning before the morning star from the immaterial and bodiless womb of the Father, would become a child, incarnate from one who did not know wedlock, joined to mortals and seen by those on earth. Through them in your compassion count us worthy of your light, as we sing the praise of your ineffable and holy Resurrection.

Prophets inspired by God preached you in word and honoured you in works, and gathered the fruit of life without end. For steadfastly refusing, Master, to adore Creation instead of you, the Creator, they renounced the whole world like the Gospel says, and they were conformed to your Passion, which they had foretold. At their intercessions, count us worthy to pass through the stadium of self-mastery without blame, for you alone are rich in mercy.

Uncircumscribed, Master, in your divine nature, and incarnate in the last times, you were pleased to be circumscribed; for in assuming flesh, you also took on all its properties. Therefore, depicting the form of your likeness, we give it a relative salutation and are exalted to love of you, and following the godly traditions of the apostles, we draw from it the grace of healings.

The Church of Christ has received a precious adornment: the radiant restoration of the venerable and holy ikons of Christ the Saviour, of God’s Mother and of all the saints. Through this she is made bright and resplendent with grace and rejects the throng of heretics as she drives them out and joyfully gives glory to God who loves humankind, and who for her sake endured his voluntary sufferings.

Glory. Tone 6.

The grace of truth has shone out; the things prefigured in shadows in times of old have now been openly fulfilled. For see, the Church is clothed in a beauty that surpasses all earthly beauty, the physical ikon of Christ, as she displays the type of the Tent of Witness and maintains the Orthodox faith, so that, holding fast to the ikon of the One we worship, we may not go astray. Let all who do not believe like this be covered with shame; but our glory is the form of the One made flesh, which is devoutly worshipped but not made a god. As we kiss it, let us believers cry aloud, ‘O God, save your people and bless your inheritance’.

Both now. Theotokion from the Octoichos.

Entrance, O Joyful Light, and the Prokeimenon of the day, The Lord is King.

At the Liti, the Idiomel of the Saint of the Monastery as usual and after that the following.

Glory. Idiomel. Tone 2.

Hail, honoured Prophets, who rightly ordered the law of God and by your faith were shown to be indestructible and unshakeable pillars, for you appeared as mediators of Christ’s new Covenant, and having passed over into heaven, implore him to give to the world and to save our souls.

Both now. Theotokion. Same Tone.

All my hope I place in you, Mother of God. Guard me beneath your protection.

Alphabetical Aposticha in the Tone of the week from the Octoichos, and then:

Glory. Tone 2.

Advancing from false religion to true, and illumined with the light of knowledge, let us clap our hands, as the psalm says, offering praise and thanksgiving to God; and with fitting honour let us worship the sacred ikons of Christ, of the all-pure Virgin and all the saints, whether depicted on walls, panels or sacred vessels, rejecting the impious religion of the heretics; for, as Basil says, the honour shown to the ikon passes to the prototype, as we ask that at the prayers of your immaculate Mother, Christ our God, and of all the saints, we may be granted your great mercy.

Both now. Theotokion. Same Tone.

O new wonder, greater than all the wonders of old! For who has ever known of a Mother has given birth without a man and carries in her arms the One who holds all creation in his grasp? That which was conceived is the Counsel of God, whom you, All-pure, carried as a babe in your embrace and with whom, as you have gained a mother’s freedom to speak, do not cease to intercede on behalf of those who honour you, that he take pity and save our souls.

Apolytikion. Virgin Mother of God three times.

[According to some Typika, twice and the Apolytikion of the Feast once]

Apolytikion of the Feast. 2nd Tone.

We worship your most pure icon, loving Lord, as we ask pardon of our offences, Christ God. For by your own choice you were well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, to deliver from the slavery of the enemy those whom you had fashioned; therefore with thanksgiving we cry to you: You have filled all things with joy, our Saviour, by coming to save the world

And the rest of the Service of the Vigil.

Synodikon of Orthodoxy.

The text of the Synodikon of Orthodoxy has been much altered over the centuries, chiefly by the addition of material and names that postdate the Restoration of the Icons in 843. This is the case with the text that is printed in the current Triodia. Some of the more zealous contemporary Orthodox even include condemnations of such things as the ‘pan-heresy of Ecumenism‘. It is probably impossible to reconstruct the original text exactly. However the British Library possesses a manuscript, (BL. Additional 28816) written in 1110 or 1111 by a monk Andrew of the monastery of Oleni in Moraea, which may give some idea of the scope and contents of the original. In the opinion of Jean Gouillard, the editor of the critical edition of the Synodikon, ‘the London manuscript is certainly one of the best witnesses to the primitive and purely Constantinopolitan form of the Synodikon’. The manuscript was unknown to him when he prepared his edition and has in consequence been generally neglected.

This text of the Synodikon is written at the end of a manuscript of the Acts, Epistles and Apocalypse, with the somewhat misleading title ‘Definition [Horos] of the 7th Holy Synod’. The text of the Synodikon is finely written in red and black and is provided throughout with ekphonetic notation. The text was, therefore, intended to be solemnly chanted, like the Apostle or Gospel, and not simply read. A number of names, in particular those of Symeon Stylites and Theodore the Studite, are given special prominence. The words ’God will give their kingdom peace. Heavenly King, protect those on earth!’ are, it seems, peculiar to this manuscript. The seven numbered paragraphs are so numbered in the margin of the manuscript.

The translation is from one made by Professor Andrew Louth of the full text, and used here by his kind permission, edited to correspond with that of BL. Additional 28816 by Archimandrite Ephrem, and with the Scriptural references added. The manuscript itself does not mark out the scriptural passages in any special way. Phrases in square brackets are added by the translator for the sake of clarity The translation below has been set out in such a way as to represent, as far as possible, the layout of the manuscript, with its rubrications and paragraphing. The latter is indicated in the manuscript by larger, rubricated, letters.

A yearly thanksgiving is due to God on account of that day when we recovered the Church of God, with the demonstration of the dogmas of true religion and the overthrowing of the blasphemies of wickedness.

Following prophetic sayings, yielding to apostolic exhortations, and standing on the foundation of the accounts in the Gospels, we make festival on this day of dedication. For Isaias says that the islands will be dedicated[1] to God, meaning, [by the islands,] the churches from the nations and, by churches, not splendid church buildings, but the fullness of those who perform acts of reverence in them and worship the divine with hymns and praises. The Apostle recommends the same thing, when he commands us to walk in newness of life[2], and—by saying that if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation[3]—to be renewed.

Then there are the words of the Lord, which are to be taken prophetically: It was, he said, the feast of the dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.[4] [By winter is signified] either the spiritual [winter], according to which the nation of the Jews stirred up storms of bloodthirstiness and trouble against the Saviour of us all, or that which affects the bodily senses when the air changes to being icy-cold.

For there was a winter with us—along hard winter, and not just a fleeting season— one of great wickedness, spewing out savagery, but now there has blossomed forth for us the first of seasons, the spring of the graces of God, in which we have gathered together to make a thank-offering to God, a harvest of good works; or, to express it rather in the words of the psalm: Summer and spring, you have made them, remember this.[5]

For the enemies who reproach the Lord and utterly dishonour the holy veneration of him in holy icons, raising and puffing themselves up through their blasphemies: the Lord of wonders will tear them to shreds, and dash to the earth the insolence of their apostasy.

He does not disregard the voice of those who cry to Him, Remember, O Lord, the reproach of your servants, the reproach of many nations that I bore in my bosom, with which your enemies reproached you, O Lord, with which they reproached the exchange of your Christ.[6]

For the ‘exchange of Christ’ means those who have been redeemed by his death and have believed in him, through the preaching of the words and the depictions in images. For it is in this way that the great work of the Economy, accomplished through the cross and the sufferings he endured and the wonders he worked both before and after the cross, is made known to those who have been saved. And the imitation of his suffering passes over to the Apostle and then to the martyrs, and comes down, through them, to the confessors and the ascetics.

This reproach, with which the enemies of the Lord reproached, with which they reproached the exchange of his Christ,[7] our God has born in mind. His heart is full of consolation, and he is inclined by the prayers of his mother, and the apostles, and all the saints. For they also shared the insolence shown towards him, and with him were set at naught in the icons, so that, just as they shared with him the suffering in the flesh, so in a similar fashion they shared with him in the insolence offered to the icons.

Now God has at last made clear what he has willed today, and has done a second time what he accomplished earlier. For earlier, after the passage of many years when the holy icons suffered contempt and dishonour, he turned back piety to himself. Now, a second time, after a brief period of thirty years’ wickedness, he has restored to our unworthy selves freedom from vexation, the redemption of those who grieve, the renewed proclamation of piety, the assurance of the veneration of icons, and the feast that bears to us all these saving gifts.

For in the icons we see the Master’s sufferings for our sake, the cross, the tomb, Hades slain and despoiled, the martyrs’ combats, their crowns, salvation itself, which the judge of the combat and giver of the prize and the crowns has accomplished in the midst of the earth.

Today we make festival on this holy day, and making merry together and rejoicing in prayers and litanies, we cry out in psalms and songs.

Who is a great God like our God? You are our God, who alone does great wonders.[8]

For you mock those who despise your glory, and show those who dare boldly to set themselves against your icon to be cowardly and put them to flight.

But there is thanksgiving to God, and the sovereign trophy against the antagonists in these matters; yet another statement and detailed indictment makes clear the contests and struggles [that have taken place] against those who fight against the icons.

As we stand in possession of the spiritual Jerusalem, in a certain place of rest after the passage through the desert, in imitation of Moses, or rather as obedient to a divine command, we set up a pillar made out of great stones, ready to be written on, it is right and fitting that we should inscribe in the hearts of the brothers the blessings that are due to those who kept the law and the curses which the lawless have brought upon themselves. Therefore we say:

1.Those who confess the incarnate presence of God the Word by word, by mouth, in the heart and the mind, by writing and in icons:

May their memory be eternal!

2. Those who know the difference in essences of the one and the same hypostasis of Christ attribute to it properties both created and uncreated, visible and invisible, capable of suffering and beyond suffering, circumscribed and uncircumscribed; they ascribe to the divine essence uncreatedness and the rest, while they acknowledge in the human nature the other qualities, including being circumscribed, and affirm all this both in word and in images:

May their memory be eternal!

3. Those who, believing and proclaiming, preach the words of the Gospel in writings, and the deeds in forms, to gather together in a single duty that includes both proclamation through words, and sure confirmation of the truth through icons:

May their memory be eternal!

4. Those who sanctify their lips by the word, and then those who hear them through the word, knowing and preaching that as the eyes of those who see are sanctified by the sacred icons, so the mind is led to the knowledge of God, just as it is through consecrated churches, and sacred vessels and other holy treasures:

May their memory be eternal!

5. Those who know that the rod and the tablets, the ark and the lamp, and the table, and the altar depicted in advance and prefigured the All-holy Virgin, Mary, the Mother of God; and also that these things prefigured her, and she did not become them, for the maiden was and remained after giving birth to God a virgin, and therefore the maiden is to be depicted in images rather than foreshadowed in types:

May their memory be eternal!

6. Those who know and accept and believe the prophetic visions, as the Divine himself gave them shape and form, which the chorus of prophets behold and explain; and who, strengthened by the written and unwritten tradition of the Apostles, continuing to the Fathers, therefore express holy things in images and honour them:

May their memory be eternal!

7. Those who understand Moses, who said, Be attentive to yourselves that on that day, when the Lord God spoke on the mount Horeb, you heard the sound of words, but you saw no likeness,[9] and know how to answer rightly, that if we see something, we truly see, as the son of thunder taught us, he who was from the beginning, whom we heard, whom we saw, whom we beheld with our own eyes, and our hands touched, concerning the word of life,[10] and to these we bear witness; and again, as the other disciples of the Word, we ate with him and drank with him, not only before his passion, but also after the passion and the resurrection;[11] those who are able to distinguish the precepts in the law from the teaching of grace, and see that he is invisible in the former, but seen and touched in the latter, and that therefore what has been seen and touched is to be depicted in icons and worshipped:

May their memory be eternal!

As the Prophets saw, as the Apostles taught, as the Church has received, as the Teachers express in dogma, as the inhabited world understands together with them, as grace illumines, as the truth makes clear, as error has been banished, as wisdom makes bold to declare, as Christ has assured, so we think, so we speak, so we preach, honouring Christ our true God, and his Saints, in words, in writings, in thoughts, in sacrifices, in churches, in icons, worshipping and revering the One as God and Lord, and honouring them because of their common Lord as those who are close to him and serve him, and making to them relative veneration.

This is the faith of the Apostles; this is the faith of the Fathers; this is the faith of the Orthodox; this faith makes fast the inhabited world. These preachers of true religion, we praise as brothers and as those we long to have as our fathers, to the glory and honour of the true religion for which they struggled, and say:

Germanus, Tarasius, Nicephorus and Methodius, truly high priests of God, who taught orthodoxy and fought for it:

May their memory be eternal!

Ignatius, Photius, Stephen, Antony, and Nicolas, the most holy and orthodox Patriarchs:

May their memory be eternal!

On everything that has been written or spoken against the holy Patriarchs Germanus, Tarasius, Nicephorus and Methodius, Ignatius, Photius, Nicephorus, Antony and Nicolas:

Anathema!

On every innovation and action contrary to the tradition of the Church, and the teaching and pattern of the holy and celebrated Fathers, or anything that shall be done after this:

Anathema!

Euthymius, Theophilus and Aimilianus, the celebrated confessors and archbishops:

May their memory be eternal!

Theophylact, Peter, Michael and Joseph, the blessed metropolitans:

May their memory be eternal!

John, Nicolas and George, the thrice-blest confessors, and archbishops, and all the bishops who thought like them:

May their memory be eternal!

Theodore, the all-holy abbot of the Studites:

May his memory be eternal!

Isaac the wonderworker, and the most prophetic Joannikios:

May their memory be eternal!

Hilarion the most holy archimandrite, and abbot of the Dalmata monastery:

May his memory be eternal!

Symeon, the most holy stylite:

May his memory be eternal!

These blessings have passed down from them to us, as from fathers to sons who are zealous for their piety, and curses overwhelm the parricides, who disdain the master’s commands. Therefore, we, as the community of piety, publicly inflict on them the curse which they have brought on themselves.

On those who accept with their reason the incarnate economy of God the Word, but will not allow that this can be beheld through images, and therefore affect to receive our salvation in words, but deny it in reality:

Anathema!

On those who wickedly make play with the word ‘uncircumscribed’ and therefore refuse to depict in images Christ, our true God, who likewise shared our flesh and blood,[12] and therefore show themselves to be fantasiasts:

Anathema!

On those who admit, even against their will, the prophetic visions, but will not accept the making of images of what they saw—O wonder!—even before the Incarnation of the Word, but emptily say that the incomprehensible and unseen essence itself was seen by those who beheld it, or conclude that these things make manifest images, figures and forms of the truth to those who see them, but will not accept that the Word become man, and his sufferings for our sake, may be depicted in icons:

Anathema!

On those who hear and understand the Lord saying, If you believed Moses, you would have believed me,[13] and the rest, and Moses saying, The Lord our God will raise up for you from your brothers a prophet like me,[14] and then say that the prophet is received, but that they will not represent the grace of the prophet and the salvation he brought for the whole world through images,, even though he was seen and lived among men and women, and cured sufferings and sickness with mighty acts of healing, and was crucified, and buried, and rose again, and did and suffered all this for our sake; on those who will not accept that these works of salvation, accomplished for the whole world, may be seen in icons, nor honoured and venerated in them:

Anathema!

On those who remain in the icon-fighting heresy, or rather the Christ-fighting apostasy, and neither wish to be led to their salvation through the Mosaic legislation, nor choose to live piously in accordance with apostolic teaching, nor are persuaded to turn from their error by the advice and exhortations of the Fathers, nor are abashed by the harmony of every part of the ecumenical Church of God, but once and for all have subjected themselves to the lot of the Jews and the pagans[lit: Greeks]; for immediately they have uttered blasphemies against the Archetype, and have not blushed to dare to make the image of the archetype identical with the archetype himself. On those, therefore, who have heedlessly accepted this error, and have stuffed their ears against very divine word and spiritual teaching, as they are already putrefied, and cut themselves off from the common body of the Church:

On those, therefore, who have heedlessly accepted this error, and have stuffed their ears against very divine word and spiritual teaching, as they are already putrefied, and cut themselves off from the common body of the Church:

Anathema!

Anastasius, Constantine and Nicetas, those who started off the Isaurian heresies, unholy men and leaders to ruin:

Anathema!

Theodotus, Antony and John, procurers one for another of vices, and false successors of impiety:

Anathema!

Paul who turned back to Saul, and Theodorus called Gastes, and Stephen the Molutes, as well as Theodore Krithinus, and Louloudios the lion, and anyone who is like them in uttering impiety, to whatever category of clergy or any other honour or way of life they belong; on all these who continue in their impiety:

Anathema!

To all the heretics: Anathema!

Those who apply the sayings of the divine Scripture that are directed against idols to the august icons of Christ our God and his saints:

Anathema!

Those who share the opinion of those who mock and dishonour the august icons:

Anathema!

Those who say that Christians treat the icons like gods:

Anathema!

Those who say that another, apart from Christ our God, delivered us from the error of idols

Anathema!

Those who dare to say that the Catholic Church has accepted idols, thus overthrowing the whole mystery and mocking the faith of Christians

Anathema!

MANY YEARS TO THE BASILEIS!

God will protect their might. God will give their kingdom peace.

Heavenly King, protect those on earth!

Michael, our orthodox Basileus, and Theodora, his holy mother:

May their memory be eternal!

Basil and Constantine, Leo and Alexander, Christopher, and Romanos, Nicephorus, and John, Basil, and Constantine, Romanos, Michael, Constantine, Michael and Isaakios, who have all changed the earthly kingdom for the heavenly one:

May their memory be eternal!

Eudocia and Theophano, Theodora and Helen, Theophano and Theodora, Zoe and Theodora, most orthodox Augustae:

May their memory be eternal!

Germanos, Tarasios, Nikephoros, and Methodios, the renowned and blessed patriarchs:

May their memory be eternal!

Ignatios, Photios, Stephen and Antony, Nicolas and Euthymios, Stephen, Trypho, Theophylact and Antony, Polyeuctus, Nicolas, Sisinios, Sergios, Eustathios, the Orthodox Patriarchs:

May their memory be eternal!

The Holy Trinity has glorified them. By their contests and struggles and teachings for the sake of true religion to the point of death, we entreat God that we may be guided and strengthened and beg that we may be shown to be imitators of their inspired way of life until the end, by the pities and grace of the great and first high-priest Christ, our true God; at the intercessions of our most-glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, of the god-like Angels and all the Saints. Amen.

The End

Canon for the Synodikon of Orthodoxy

Introduction

In the Triodia this Canon is ascribed to Theodore the Studite, but it cannot be by him, since he had died several years earlier. The author is almost certainly the Patriarch St Methodios. The troparion of the 8th Ode which speaks of the famous Icon of Christ above the Bronze Gate of the Palace reminds one of the poem on the subject that was written by the Patriarch Methodios to celebrate its restoration. The rubric in the Triodion says, ’after the Dismissal of Matins and before the Liturgy, we go in procession, together with wood of the Cross and the revered Icons, to the place where the Synodikon is to be read. As we go and as we return we sing the following Canon’. If this canon was first sung in 843, it is tempting to suggest that it may have been sung as the clergy and people made their way from the church of the Mother of God in Blachernae, where the vigil had been celebrated, to the Great Church, where the Liturgy was to be celebrated.

It is perhaps worth remarking that one of those present would almost certainly have been a seventeen year old boy from Thessalonika, who had recently been sent to Constantinople on the death of his father and placed in the care of Theoktistos the Logothete, the Empress Theodora’s chief minister. The young man’s name was Constantine; though he is better known by his monastic name, Cyril — the Apostle of the Slavs.

The Canon presents a number of linguistic and historical problems, and this translation is only provisional. One of the historical problems is why such prominence is given to otherwise almost wholly unknown character, Lezix, who appears here as one of the leaders of the iconoclasts. It seems that he was subsequently reconciled to the Church by the Patriarch himself.

The two troparia that are sung after the Canon are not without interest. The first, which is now the Apolytikion for the day, seems to have been a rallying song of the Iconodules, for we read in the life of St Theodore the Studite that shortly after the exile of Patriarch Nikephoros and the removal of the icons, St Theodore organised a solemn procession of the icons, during which this troparion was sung. In his Life we read that ‘he ordered all the monks under him to take the icons in their hands, hold them high and then march round the whole circuit of the monastery, sing the hymn, "We worship your most pure icon, loving Lord", together with other hymns of victory to Christ the Victor. This took place on the glorious feast of Palms, which we all believers celebrate before the Passion and Resurrection of the Master’ [PG 99:185].

The other troparion formed part of the ancient office for the First Sunday of Lent, which was dedicated to the Prophets, in particular Moses, Aaron and Samuel. The three are found together in Psalm 96:6, ’Moses and Aaron were among his priests: and Samuel among those that call upon his name’. The present Gospel for this Sunday is also a survival from the ancient office, and it was chosen presumably because of the words of the Apostle Philip to Nathaniel, ’We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth’.

Canon for The Synodikon of Orthodoxy

By Methodios

Ode 1. Tone 6. Helper and Protector.

Let us believers sing a song of thanksgiving to our God, the Benefactor of all things, for he has raised up a saving horn for us, a mighty kingdom, a champion of Orthodoxy. [Twice]

Truly divine grace has appeared to the inhabited world, glory and honour have appeared, the Church leaps for joy, having received the robe of its own baring.

Christ’s tunic, previously rent by John the deceiver and poisoner, the godly Fathers have now woven and given to the Church.

The Church, having taken up the Lord’s form, rejoices and leaps with gladness with her children, as she has received from him prizes of victory, symbols of Orthodoxy.

Let the haters, dreadful Lizix and Antony with John and Theodore, both deniers of the faith, be ashamed and turned back.

Iannes and Iambres, who opposed Moses the Lawgiver of old, were put to shame; while now John the deceiver is truly routed with Antony.

You tore apart the faction of God’s foes, O Christ, and have now restored to the Church her robe, the Church for which you poured out your blood, as you are good.

Glory.

I contemplate you, O Trinity, and worship your divine might; deliver me from trials of every kind, for I believe in you, Father, Son and all-holy Spirit.

Both now. Theotokion.

Wearing from you the royal robe, O Virgin, God appeared to mortals in human form, double in being; the form of his form we hold in veneration.

Ode 3. Establish, Lord.

Rejoice, all you choirs of Fathers and Apostles, as you behold the worship of the Icons, which you clearly handed down. [Twice]

Let the all-unblemished Church cry out, ‘I have received my beauty and put on my robe, of which John had stripped me’.

Be ashamed, you lawless, who battle against the Lord, for he was incarnate and has been made manifest in an image, which we embrace in a relative manner.

Who would speak out the foul doctrines and lawless teachings of the insane John, expounding Delphic ways?

Anathema to Lizix and John, with Antony, Theodore the godless blasphemer, together with insane Theodotos!

The blood shed for the divine likeness of the incarnate Master cries out; blood that was shed by John.

The Lord has expelled the horde of aliens and has given back to his own what was theirs. Glory to his goodness!

Glory.

Let us worship with right belief the will that is without beginning, the authority and sovereign power of the Trinity, ever rejecting Arius.

Both now. Theotokion.

We confess you to be truly the Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God, heeding not the words of Nestorios, but the doctrines of the Fathers.

Ode 4. The prophet heard.

Rejoice with gladness, O Church, and every city, town and village; let the monasteries be opened and the nunneries adorned. Let then fittingly worship the relics and icons of the Martyrs.

Christ invites you! Now godly Fathers assemble with eagerness and recount, like the Apostles, the spectacle of his Incarnation, his miracles and his sufferings, as the Sacred Gospel writes.

Assemble rejoicing with boldness, you multitudes of monks, for though they were evilly strong, the cowards have again been worsted, and whatever counsel such men counselled, the Lord will scatter.

The stripes of the Fathers, the blood shed by their blows have truly ceased; continuous exiles are no more, and peace is being established for all. No longer does the work of magic have force; for ‘God is with us’.

The vine of evil spread out its branches of impiety and flowered with the bitter grape cluster, and their wine was the rag of the dragon, from which they truly gave the Lord’s people the evil-minded drink.

They defiled your Temple with unlawful ordinations for money, and they have been canonically cast out and are fallen from divine glory: Simon Magus, and with him John and Antony.

Against the wild beasts and enemies of God, foul Antony, the traitor, John, of satanic mind and enemy of the Church, assembled like fierce wolves, let us believers shout out three times, ‘Anathema!’.

Glory.

O uncreated Monarchy, Father, Son and Spirit, we worship you, whose praise the many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim sing, as they cry, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy are you, O Highest and Almighty!’

Both now. Theotokion.

Holier than the holies, higher than all creatures you were named, O Virgin Mother, who bore your own Creator; therefore we offer worship to your holy form, O Birth-giver of God.

Ode 5. Rising in the night.

Christ has conquered! Let earth leap for joy! Tumult has ceased; the weeping of the Lord’s servants too has ceased; while everywhere the Faith has been unfurled for the world. [Twice]

Seeing the Crucifixion in an Icon, we love it with reverence, greeting Christ and his symbols, and we worship them, but do not honour them as gods.

The garrulous and blasphemous spirit of Lyzikos has ceased, that continually by day and night spoke out against the divine image of Christ and his Saints.

Why, thrice wretched man, do you hate the immaculate image of Christ’s incarnation and of all the Saints? For surely we believers do not worship dumb idols, do we?

Lighting on instruments of impiety, they assembled a synod of impious priests against God most high, like the Jews, Annas and Caiaphas, of old.

On the day of judgement, most wretched man, the company of the Fathers will stand as accusers of your godless soul; the Fathers who flesh you stripped bare with unnumbered blows.

All the Churches will shout aloud, crying that they were all deprived by you of the image of the Lord and of his Saints, the holy Icons.

Glory.

Glory to you who sustain the universe by your might! Glory to you, Unity in Three Persons, Father, Son and Spirit, deliver from harm of every kind those who believe in you.

Both now. Theotokion.

We reverence you, Sovereign Lady and Virgin, as the beauteous golden lamp that gave birth for the world to the spiritual light and diminished the misty fog.

Ode 6. I cried from my whole heart.

The unsleeping guardians of Christ’s Church cried out, asking him that she be given peace. He heard and was attentive to their prayer. [Twice]

The game traps of the deceiver have been exposed by the teachings of the Fathers, and God, who is uncircumscribed in his Godhead, formed in flesh is praised.

Fellow workers of error, be ashamed! And let Theodotos and Lizix and Theodore, that abyss of destruction, be destroyed with Antony.

You opened your mouth, you wretch, not in spiritual songs, but in blasphemies against your Master, rejecting the honourable fashioning of Icons.

You overthrew the doctrines of the Fathers and the teachings of the Apostles, writing against them in accordance with your lawless cult, John, enemy of Christ.

The smoke of your tears filled the eyes of the devout; but with the wind of the godly Teachers they have been dispersed, demented John.

You ripped apart the divine robe, like Arius of old Christ’s tunic, therefore you have been cast out of the Church like a dog.

Glory.

I glorify one source of Godhead in three hypostases; for God is one, Father, Son and Spirit; though distinct in characteristics and persons.

Both now. Theotokion.

Prophetically, Pure Maiden glorified by God, you were revealed as City of God, from which your Maker was born, preserving you after childbearing as you were before.

Ode 7. We have sinned, we have offended.

Divine grace has now quenched the furnace of heresy, consuming the spiritual Chaldeans, bedewing the servants of the Trinity, who had been held in its flames for four weeks of years. [Twice]

The Church is adorned, robed, made fair with the form of the Master of all things, of his incarnation and sufferings, bearing their symbols to the end, in accordance with God’s laws.

The Lord’s people that bears Christ’s name celebrates, keeps festival, seeing the Church once again resplendent with the beauty of the divine form, which, though being God, he bore as human in order to save us.

In flesh the Word was poor and hungry and thirsty, these being the attributes of the human nature, through which he is circumscribed; though in hid Godhead he is simple and uncircumscribed.

The monstrosities and wizardries of the enemy of Christ have been destroyed, for he has been revealed as equal of the Greeks, inflated by their writings, which the voices of the just have utterly destroyed.

What tongue will recount your most damaging and soul destroying doctrines or the utterance of your belly, falsely named John and forerunner of the Antichrist Satan?

There was no need for you to be so named, but rather Pythagoras, Chronos, and Apollo, whose manner of life you rivalled, delighting in your impieties.

Glory.

Eternal, all-powerful, beyond understanding; we believers all worship a Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit, and let us confess them without confusion as we cry, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy are you, O God!’

Both now. Theotokion.

Sure Bridge for Christians, the boast of the faithful and their refuge; Sovereign Lady, Mother of God, you alone are she that helps all and saves them from dangers.

Ode 8. Whom the armies of Heaven.

Believers, let us all rejoice like the prophets and let us mystically be glad, for this is the day on which Christ the Word gave back to the Church his own robe.

Lezix and John, the yoke of Beliar, ranged themselves in serried ranks as for against Christ’s image, assaulting the Church with axe of wickedness.

Who would not grieve on seeing the outrageous act of daring, the divine image over the Bronze gate of the palace, stoned by lawless men on John’s instruction.

How do you not understand, blind wretch, darkened in mind, when you see that all under heaven has been adorned with Christ’s imprint; but alone you had the understanding of the Jews?

You thought you would utterly destroy the incarnate Image of the Lord and all the saints from the holy Churches; but divine grace has destroyed your tyranny.

Dread Lezix, along with John, the deniers of true religion, lawlessly said they would in no way worship the sacred relics of the saints and their Icons.

Glory.

As we all devoutly reverence the all-creating Divine Power in three Forms, the Father who has no beginning, the Word and the Spirit that shines out with them, let us glorify to the ages.

Both now. Theotokion.

Sure bridge of Christians, boast of the faithful and their refuge, Sovereign Lady and Mother of God, you alone help all and save them from dangers.

Ode 9. Conception without seed.

Nations, clap your hands; choirs of Father, hurry; Ascetics and those in the mountains, come together; you, that of old were persecuted by John the impious deceiver, have come publicly to heap scorn on wizardry and spells. [Twice]

Desert, rejoice, with the whole inhabited world; all you mountains, drop down sweetness; hills, be glad, for Christ, the Word, has given peace to those on earth, and to the godly Churches unity of faith.

The God of just sentences has now pronounced with freedom; Christ has appeared, giving strength today to godly Teachers to proclaim boldness his condescension and to depict with sureness his incarnation in icons.

Longsuffering Lord, how wonderful are your works! Who will number your love for humankind? Who, when they see your Priests and Ascetics slain for the sake of your Icon, would not burn up the deceivers? But you, when insulted, endured.

Lord, who fixed the Church unshaken – and the gates of Hell did not prevail – grant your peace to your people, that we may all sincerely worship you with a single hymn of glory and glorify you.

Let all who do not honour the imprint of your embodying, Master, stand under anathema; above all John, with Antony and impious Theodore, Theodotos and all the rest of the opponents of the Faith.

Master, who gave your peace to your Apostles, now too grant your calm to all, with your hand gathering the scattered, and number them as rational sheep in the sheepfold of your holy Church.

Glory.

I glorify the Godhead of Father, Son and Spirit, the One Nature in Three Hypostases. Essence Undivided, Separate in Persons, one single kingship, almighty sovereignty that holds the universe in being.

Both now. Theotokion.

Help, protection and assistance of all, O Mother of God, show that you can intercede for all those who take refuge in you and that you drive away the impious by the power of your Son; for as Mother you can do all things.

And when we reach the appointed place, we say the Troparion:

We worship your most pure Icon…

Glory. Both now. Another. Tone 2.

The choir of the Prophets gladly rejoices today with Moses and Aaron, because the Cross, bringing the end of prophecy, shines out, by which you saved us. At their intercessions, Christ our God, save our souls.

The Third Sunday in Lent.

THE ADORATION OF THE PRECIOUS
AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS

On Saturday Evening at Great Vespers.

After the Dismissal of Small Vespers, the Precious Cross is brought from the sacristy and placed with its case on the Holy Table. A candle is lit and left burning in front of it all night.

After the Opening Psalm, we read Blessed is the man, the first Kathisma.

At Lord, I have cried, we insert ten Stichera: six of the Resurrection in the Tone of the week from the Oktoichos, and the following four Prosomia from the Triodion:

Tone 5. Hail of ascetics

Shine, Cross of the Lord, with the bright darting rays of your grace on the hearts of those who honour you, and with love inspired by God, embrace you, O desire of all the world. Through you our tears of sorrow have been wiped away; we have been delivered from the snares of death and have passed over to unending joy. Show us the splendour of your beauty, granting to us your servants the reward of our abstinence, for we entreat with faith your rich protection and great mercy.

Hail, life-giving Cross! the fair Paradise of the Church, Tree of incorruption that blossoms for us with the enjoyment of eternal glory. Through you the hosts of demons are driven back, the companies of the Angels rejoice with one accord and the congregations of the faithful keep the feast. You are an invincible weapon, an unbroken stronghold; you are the victory of kings and the glory of priests. Grant us also now to draw near to the Passion of Christ and to His Resurrection.

Hail, life-giving Cross! unconquerable trophy of the true faith, door to Paradise, succour of the faithful, rampart set about the Church. Through you the curse has utterly destroyed, the power of death swallowed up, and we are raised from earth to heaven: invincible weapon, adversary of demons, glory of martyrs, true ornament of holy monks, haven of salvation bestowing on the world great mercy.

Come, first-fashioned pair, who fell from the choir on high through the envy of the murderer of humankind, through the bitter pleasure of tasting from the tree. See, the Tree, revered by all, draws near! Run with haste and embrace it joyfully, and cry to it with faith: O all-honoured Cross, you are our succour; partaking of your fruits we have gained incorruption; we are restored once more to Eden, and we have received great mercy.

Glory. Tone 3.

O Christ our God, of your own will you accepted Crucifixion, for the common restoration of humankind. Taking the reed pen of the Cross, out of love for humankind, in the red ink of royalty with bloody fingers you signed our absolution. Do not forsake us, who are in danger once again of being parted from you. Take pity on your people in distress, for you alone are longsuffering. Rise up and fight against our enemies, as you are all- powerful.

Both now. Theotokion in the Tone of the week from the Oktoichos.

Entrance, O Joyful Light, and the Prokeimenon of the day, The Lord is King.

Alphabetical Aposticha in the Tone of the week from the Oktoichos, and then:

Glory. Both now. Tone 4.

Lord, who helped gentle David in the combat and enabled him to overcome the foreigner, come to the aid of our faithful Sovereign and by the weapon of the Cross cast down our enemies. In your compassion show us your mercy as of old, and make them know in truth that you are God, and putting our trust in you may we conquer. At the constant intercessions of your most pure Mother, grant us your great mercy.

If there is a Vigil, Apolytikion Virgin Mother of God twice,
and that of the Cross once.

Of the Cross. Tone 1.

Lord, save your people, and bless your inheritance, granting to faithful Christians victories over their enemies, and protecting your commonwealth by your Cross.

If there is no Vigil, those of the Resurrection, the Cross
and the Theotokion.

When Gabriel addressed you, O Virgin, with his ‘Hail’, as he spoke the Master of all things became incarnate in you the holy Ark, as righteous David sang. You were proclaimed wider than the heavens, for you carried your Creator. Glory to him who dwelt in you, glory to him who came forth from you, glory to him who has set us free through your bearing child.

At Matins.

After the usual readings from the Psalter, the Kathismata of the Resurrection in the Tone of the week. After the Polyeleos and the Evlogitaria, the following Kathisma of the Cross:

Tone 8.

In Paradise of old the enemy stripped me naked by a tree, for by my tasting it he brought in death. But now the Tree of the Cross, that bears the clothing of life for mortals, has been fixed on the earth, and the whole world filled with every joy. Seeing it worshipped, you peoples, let us with one accord raise our cry to God with faith, ‘His house is full of glory!’

Glory. Both now. The same again.

Then the Anavathmi and the Prokeimenon in the Tone of the week and the appointed Morning Gospel. We then sing Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, followed by Psalm 50, and then, as on previous Sundays, Open to me, O Giver of Life.

The Canons

Four Troparia, including the Irmos, from the Canon of the Resurrection and two from the Canon to the Mother of God, in the Tone of the week from the Oktoichos; and then the Canon of the Triodion by St. Theodore the Studite, with eight troparia.

Ode 1. Tone 1. The day of Resurrection

A day of festival! At Christ’s Rising, death has fled away and the light of life has dawned. Adam has arisen and dances for joy. Therefore let us cry aloud as we sing a song of victory.

A day of worship of the Precious Cross! Come, let all approach it! For now it is set forth, shining with the bright beams of Christ’s Rising. Let us kiss it, as we rejoice in soul.

Great Cross of the Lord, appear! Show me now the divine vision of your beauty, and make me your worthy worshipper. For I address you and embrace you as though you were alive.

Let heaven and earth give praise with one accord, for the all-blessed Cross, on which Christ, nailed in the body, was sacrificed, is now set forth for all. Let us kiss it as we rejoice in soul.

Glory.

O Trinity in Persons, O Unity in Essence, Father, Son and Spirit, equal in power, Unity in purpose and will, dominion and rule, watch over your world and crown it with peace.

Both now. Theotokion

Virgin who did not know man, you give birth to an infant without seed and the Offspring you bear is the Maker of all things, Christ our God. Entreat him to grant the whole universe peace.

Katavasia

The godlike Moses prefigured your Cross of old, when he led Israel through the Red Sea, cutting the water with his rod, your Cross; and he sang you a song of departure, Christ our God.

Ode 3. Come, let us drink a new drink.

Come, let us sing a new song, as we celebrate the overthrow of Hell, for Christ has risen from the tomb; capturing death, and saving the whole universe.

Come, believers, let us drink, not from a well that gushes water that perishes, but from the source of enlightenment, as we worship the Cross of Christ, in which we boast.

As with our hands we now embrace your Cross, which Moses of old prefigured with his outstretched arms, the invisible Amalek we put to flight, Christ our Master, through whom we shall be saved.

Believers, with pure eyes and lips let us worship in joy the Cross of the Lord, as we raise a song of exultation.

Glory.

I honour one God without beginning, in three Persons but undivided in Essence, the Father, the Son and the living Spirit, in whose Name we have been baptized.

Theotokion

In days of old Moses saw your mystery prefigured in the bush, holy Virgin: for as the flames did not consume it, so the fire of the Godhead did not consume your womb.

Katavasia

By your Cross, Christ my Master, set me firmly on the rock of the faith: do not let my mind be shaken by the assaults of the malicious enemy; for you alone are holy.

Kathismata of the Cross

Your Cross, O Lord, has been made holy, for by it comes healing to those who are in sick in sins. Though it we fall down before you. Have mercy upon us.

Verse: Exalt the Lord our God. And fall down before his footstool, for he is holy (Psalm 98: 5).

Today the words of the Prophet have been fulfilled: for see, we worship at the place on which your feet have stood, Lord; and tasting from the Tree of salvation, we have been delivered from our sinful passions at the prayers of the Mother of God, only lover of humankind.

Glory.

No sooner had the Tree of your Cross been set up, Christ our Lord, than the foundations of death were shaken. Hell swallowed you eagerly, but it let you go with trembling. You have shown us your salvation, O Holy One, and we glorify you, Son of God. Have mercy on us.

Theotokion

Virgin Mother of God, implore your Son, Christ our God, who was nailed on the Cross of his own will, and rose from the dead, that our souls may be saved.

Ode 4. Let the Prophet Avvakoum

See, Christ has risen’, said the Angel to the Myrrhbearing Women, ‘Do not lament, but go, say to the Apostles, ‘Rejoice, today is the salvation of the world; for by death the tyranny of the enemy has been destroyed.’

As we celebrate today the joyful worship of your life-bearing Cross, O Christ, we prepare ourselves for your most holy Passion; for you achieved it for the salvation of the world, O Saviour, as all-powerful.

Today there is joy in heaven and on earth, for the sign of the Cross is made manifest to the world. The thrice-blessed Cross is set before us, and to all who worship it it is a fount of ever-flowing grace.

What shall we offer you, O Christ? For you have given us your Precious Cross to worship, on which your all-holy Blood was poured out, and to which your flesh was fixed by nails. As with love we kiss it we give you thanks.

Glory.

I sing the praises of the three Persons in one Godhead, one simple Nature undivided, as I proclaim: Father without beginning, Son and Holy Spirit, equal in throne, one lordship, equal Kingship, one everlasting Might.

Theotokion

You alone among women, pure Lady, were revealed as a marvellous and fearful thing. For you made nature new, conceiving without seed and still remaining as before a virgin; for the one born from you is true God.

Katavasia

Seeing you, upon the Cross, O powerful Lord, the great light was seized with fear withdrew and hid its rays; with dread the whole creation sang the praise of your longsuffering, for the earth too was filled with your praise.

Ode 5. Let us arise in the early dawn

You dawned form the tomb, O Light that never sets, and made incorruption blaze forth on the world. In your compassion you banished the darkness of death from the ends of the earth.

Cleansed by self-mastery, let us draw near, as with praise we fervently embrace the all-holy Tree on which Christ crucified saved the world in his compassion.

Today the ranks of angels dance with gladness at the worship of your Cross. For through it you shattered the regiments of devils, O Christ, so saving humankind.

The Church has been revealed as a second Paradise, having within it, as of old, a Tree that bears life, your Cross, O Lord. By touching it we share in immortality.

Glory.

I glorify Three without beginning, God in one Essence, Father, Son and Spirit, a single Light in threefold radiance, Kingdom of equal might in identity without confusion.

Both now. Theotokion

You conceived by nature’s law, but above law; for your child-bearing alone was without seed. Fearful to think or speak of was the manner of your giving birth, O all-unblemished Virgin.

Katavasia

Rising at dawn we sing your praise, O Saviour of the world, for we have found peace through your Cross. By it you have renewed the human race, and led us to the light that knows no evening.

Ode 6. You went down to the deepest parts

Having crushed death, O Christ, you rose as a great King, calling us back from the storehouses of Hell to the enjoyment of the Kingdom of Heaven, to the land of immortality.

Believers, let us cry aloud in godly songs and shout with joy to God, as we greet the Cross of the Lord; for it is a fountain of holiness to all those in the world.

The saying of the writer of songs is fulfilled: for see, we worship at the footstool of your most pure feet, all-powerful Lord, your Precious Cross, the thrice-longed for Tree.

The wood which the Prophet of lamentation saw cast into your bread, — your Cross, compassionate Lord — we greet and we sing in praise of your bonds and tomb, of the lance and nails

The holy Cross, O Christ, which you accepted to bear on your shoulders, and on it to be lifted up and crucified in the flesh, we kiss; and from it we gather strength against invisible foes.

Glory.

A Unity in three Persons I praise and a Trinity worshipped in one Nature, God the three in one, Light of triple sun, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Both now. Theotokion

The greatest wonder of all wonders was revealed in you, O Ewe-lamb free from blemish,: for you bore the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Entreat him fervently for those who sing your praise.

Katavasia

Jonas in the belly of the whale foreshadowed by his outstretched hands the figure of the divine Cross; and he leapt out from the monster, saved by your power, O Word.

Kontakion. Tone 7. [By St Romanos]

The sword of flame no longer guards the gate of Eden,
For a strange bond came upon it: the wood of the Cross.
The sting of Death and the victory of Hell were nailed to it.
But you appeared, my Saviour, crying to those in Hell:
‘Be brought back
Again to Paradise’.

Ikos.

Three crosses Pilate fixed on Golgotha,
Two for the thieves and one for the Giver of life,
Whom Hades saw and said to those below,
‘My ministers and powers,
Who has fixed a nail in my heart?
A wooden lance has suddenly pierced me and I am being torn apart.
My insides are in pain, my belly in agony.
My senses make my spirit tremble,
And I am compelled to disgorge
Adam and Adam’s race, given me by a tree,
A tree is bringing them back
Again to Paradise’.

Synaxarion from the Menaion, then the following.

On the same day, the 3rd Sunday of the Fast, we celebrate the adoration of the precious and life-giving Cross.

Verses
Let all the earth bow down before the Cross,
Through which it learned to worship you, O Word.

By its power, Christ God, guard us from the assaults of the evil one and make us worthy to worship your divine Sufferings and life-bringing Resurrection, when we have passed successfully through the stadium of forty days, and have mercy on us as you alone are good and love mankind.

Ode 7. He who delivered the Young Men

You rose on the third day from the tomb as one who slept, Lord, and by your divine power struck down the gatekeepers of hell; you raised up all our forebears from of old, O God of our fathers, alone blessed and greatly glorified.

Today, you peoples, as we dance and sing to the harp, let us greatly rejoice at the worship of the Cross, glorifying Christ who was nailed upon it, the God of our fathers, alone blessed and greatly glorified.

All-merciful Lord, who showed the instrument of mortality, your Cross, to be the workshop of life, honoured by the whole world, sanctify those who worship it, O God of our fathers, alone blessed and greatly glorified.

You alone, O only Jesus, are merciful and tender-hearted: enlighten and sanctify those who with faith worship your Cross and your divine Sufferings, O God of our fathers, alone blessed and greatly glorified.

Glory.

I praise the Godhead, Unity in three Persons: for the Father is Light, the Son is Light, and the Spirit is Light, of Light remaining undivided, shining forth in oneness of Nature, and in three rays of the Persons.

Both now. Theotokion

With many names you were proclaimed by all the prophets: for you were revealed as gate of God, golden jar, holy land, O Virgin Bride of God who conceived in the flesh Jesus Christ, the God of our fathers who is greatly glorified.

Katavasia

The one who delivered the Young Men from the flames took flesh and came upon the earth. Nailed to the Cross, he granted us salvation, the God of our fathers, alone blessed and greatly glorified.

Ode 8. This chosen and holy day

‘Why do you hold sweet spices in your hands? Whom are you seeking?’, now cries the young man in the tomb. ‘Christ our God has risen, raising up the nature of mortals from the vaults of Hell’.

Hail, O Cross, thrice-blessed and divine Tree, a light for those in darkness. By your shining you herald to the four-cornered World the rays of Christ’s Rising. Grant that all the faithful may reach Pascha.

On this day the Tree anointed with life, the Cross of Christ, fills all things with the perfume of divine grace. Let us smell its God-given fragrance, worshipping it with faith to the ages.

Come, Elissaios the Prophet, tell us plainly: What was that wood you cast into the water? ‘It was the Cross of Christ, through which we have been drawn up from the depths of corruption, as we worship it with faith to the ages.’

Of old Jacob prefigured your Cross, O Christ, when he worshipped the top of Joseph’s holy staff, foreseeing this dread sceptre of your Kingdom, which now we worship in faith to the ages.

We bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I glorify one Substance in three beings: Father, Son and Spirit, neither confused in Persons nor divided in Essence; for there is one God in Trinity, over all to the ages.

Both now. Theotokion

Alone among mothers, Mary Bride of God, you remained a virgin, without man giving birth to the Saviour Christ, yet preserving the seal of your purity. We believers will call you blessed to the ages.

We praise, bless and worship the Lord, praising and exalting him above all for ever.

Katavasia

Daniel, great among the prophets, was once cast into the lions’ den; but, stretching out his hands in the form of the Cross, unharmed he was saved from being devoured by them, as he blessed Christ our God to the ages.

Ode 9. Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem

You went down into the tomb, O God the Giver of Life and you broke all the bolts and bars, raising up the dead who cry aloud: Glory to your Resurrection! O Christ, the Saviour all-powerful.

Your tomb, O Christ, has brought me life: for you, the Lord of life, came and cried to those who were dwelling in the grave, ‘All who are in bonds, be loosed: for I have come, the Ransom of the world.

Let all the trees of the forest dance and sing, as they behold their fellow-tree, the Cross, today receiving veneration: for Christ, as holy David prophesied, has exalted it on high.

I died through a tree, but I have found in you a Tree of Life, O Cross of Christ. You are my invincible protector, my strong defence against the demons. Venerating you this day, I cry aloud: Sanctify me by your glory.

Rejoice and be exceeding glad, O Church of God, as you venerate today the thrice-blessed wood of the most holy Cross of Christ, that is attended by the ranks of angels, and with fear they stand before it.

Glory.

I worship you, O holy God, as Trinity of Persons in Unity of Essence, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one Power and Kingdom, sovereign over all.

Both now. Theotokion

You are the great mountain, O Virgin, in which Christ dwelt, as holy David says. By you we are raised up to heaven, all-blessed Lady, regaining through the Spirit the adoption of sons.

Katavasia

Virgin Mother and true Mother of God, without seed you bore Christ our God, who was lifted in the flesh upon the Cross. We and all the faithful, as is right, magnify you with your Son.

The appointed Exapostilarion of the Resurrection; and then the Exapostilarion of the Cross

Seeing the Precious Cross of Christ placed this day before us, let us venerate it and rejoice in faith; with love let us greet the Lord who by his own free choice was crucified upon it, asking he to grant us all uncondemned to adore his Holy Passion and to attain the Resurrection.

Theotokion

All-hallowed Lady, with true devotion now we venerate the Wood on which your Son stretched out his most pure hands and for our sakes was nailed. Give us peace and grant that we may come to the Holy Passion that has saved the world; and may we worship at the radiant Festival of Easter, the Lord’s Day that brings light and joy to all creation.

Lauds. Four Stichera of the Resurrection in the Tone of the week, and then the following three Stichera of the Cross, repeating the first.

Tone 4.

With our voices let us shout and magnify in songs the Precious Cross; let us kiss it and cry out: O honoured Cross, sanctify our souls and bodies by your power, and keep unharmed from all malice of the enemy those who venerate you with true reverence.

(Twice)

Verse: Exalt the Lord our God: and fall down before his footstool, for he is holy. (Psalm 98:5)

Approach and draw waters that shall never fail, flowing from the grace of the Cross. See now set before you the holy Wood, source of divine gifts, on which there fell blood and water from the wounded side of the Lord of all. Of his own will he was raised upon the Cross, and with Himself he raised up mortal man.

Verse:. God is our King before the ages: He has worked salvation in the midst of the earth. (Psalm 73)

O honoured Cross, you are the firm foundation of the Church, the strength of kings the glory and defence of monks. Venerating you today, we are filled with light in heart and soul, through the divine grace of the Lord who was nailed upon you and overthrew the power of our deceitful enemy, bringing the curse to naught.

Glory. Tone 8.

The Lord of all has taught us in a parable to shun the boastful thoughts of the evil Pharisees; and he has instructed all of us not to think more highly than we should. He himself became our pattern and example, for he emptied himself even unto death upon the Cross. Let us therefore render thanks with the Publican and say: O God who suffered for us and yet remained impassible, deliver us from the passions and save our souls.

The usual Theotokion.

Palm Sunday.

At Great Vespers.

After the Opening Psalm and the whole of the 1st Kathisma of the Psalter, at Lord, I have cried we inset 10 Stichera and sing the following 5 Idiomels, doubling them.

[Note that the left hand choir always has the precedence at Great Vespers on this feast.]

Tone 6.

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together, and taking up the Cross we all say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!’

Same Tone.

He who has heaven as his throne and earth his footstool, the Word and co-eternal Son of God the Father, having come to Bethany, showed his humility today on the colt of a dumb animal. Therefore the children of the Hebrews, holding branches in their hands, sang his praise and cried, ‘Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes, the King of Israel’.

Same Tone.

Let us too, all the new Israel, the Church from the nations, come today and let us cry out, ‘Rejoice greatly, daughter of Sion. Proclaim it, daughter of Jerusalem. For see, your King is coming to you, meek and bringing salvation, and mounted on the colt of an ass, offspring of a beast of burden. Celebrate with the Children. Holding branches in your hands shout his praise, ‘Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes, the King of Israel’.

Same Tone.

Prefiguring for us your holy Resurrection, loving Lord, you raised a dead man from the grave by your command, Lazarus, your lifeless friend, who by the fourth day had begun to stink. So too, as a symbol, you mounted the colt, O Saviour, borne as on a chariot and giving a sign to the nations. So too Israel your beloved offers you praise from mouths of sucklings and innocent babes, as they see you coming to the Holy City, O Christ, six days before the Passover.

Same Tone.

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany and his Disciples approached him, saying, ‘Lord, where do you wish us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?’ But he sent them, saying, ‘Go to the village opposite and you will find a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him and say to the master of the household, ‘The Teacher says, ‘I am celebrating Passover with you along with my Disciples’’’.

Glory. Same Tone.

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together, and taking up the Cross we all say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!’

Both now. The same again.

Great Entrance, O Joyful Light and the Saturday Prokeimenon.

Then the Readings.

The Reading is from Genesis
[49:1-12]

Then Jacob called his sons, and said to them, ‘Gather round, that I may tell you what will happen to you in the last days. Assemble and hear me, sons of Jacob. Hear Israel, hear your father. Juda, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand will be on the back of your enemies. Your father’s sons will bow down before you. Juda is a lion’s whelp. From a tender shoot, my son, you have gone up. He crouches down, he stretches out like a lion, like a whelp. Who will rouse him? A ruler will not fail from Juda, nor a leader from his thighs, until the things laid up for him come, and he is the expectation of the nations. Binding his foal to the vine and his ass’s colt to the branch, he will wash his robe in wine and his cloak in the blood of the grape. His eyes are more cheering than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk’.

The reading is from the Prophecy of Sophonias.
[3:14-19]

Thus says the Lord, ‘Rejoice, daughter of Sion. Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your iniquities, he has ransomed you from the hand of your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst. You shall see evils no more. At that time the Lord will say to Jerusalem, ‘Be of good courage, Sion Do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst. The Mighty One will save you. He will bring joy upon you and renew you by his love. He will rejoice over you with delight, as on a day of festival. And I will gather your afflicted. Alas! Who has taken up a reproach against you? I will work for your sake at that time. And I will save her that was oppressed and receive her who was rejected, and I will make them a boast and famed in all the earth’.

The reading is from the Prophecy of Zachary.
[9:9-15]

Rejoice greatly, daughter of Sion! Shout aloud, daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, just and bringing salvation. He is meek and riding on beast of burden, on a young colt. He will utterly destroy the chariots from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem. And the battle bow he will utterly destroy, and there shall be abundance of peace out of the nations, and he will rule over the waters as far as the sea, and from rivers unto the ends of the earth. As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. You shall dwell in your strongholds, prisoners of the congregation. For one day of your exile I will repay you double. For I have bent you Juda as bow for myself. I have filled Ephraim and I will arouse your children, O Sion, against the children of the Greeks, and handle you like a warrior’s sword. Then the Lord will appear over them, and he will go forth like a lightning bolt. The Lord Almighty will sound the trumpet and march forth in the tumult of his threat. The Lord Almighty will protect them.

At the Liti. Idiomel Stichera. Tone 1.

The All-Holy Spirit, who taught the Apostles to speak in other strange tongues, himself inspires the innocent children of the Hebrews to cry out, ‘Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes, the King of Israel’.

Same Tone.

The Son and Word of the Father, like him without beginning and co-eternal, came today to the city of Jerusalem, seated on the colt of a dumb animal. The One whom the Cherubim cannot gaze upon with fear Children praise with palms and branches, as mystically they raise the song, ‘Hosanna in the highest to him who has come to save our whole race from error.’

Same Tone.

Six days before the Passover your voice was heard, Lord, in the depths of Hell. From it you raised Lazarus, dead for four days, while the children of the Hebrews cried out, ‘Hosanna! Our God, glory to you!’

Tone 2.

As you entered the Holy City, Lord, seated on the colt, you were hastening to your Passion, that you might fulfil the Law and the Prophets, while the Children of the Hebrews, foreshadowing the victory of your Resurrection, met you with branches and palms, saying, ‘Blessed are you, O Saviour. Have mercy on us’.

Tone 2.

Glory to you, O Christ, who are seated on the throne in the highest and are now awaited with your precious Cross. And so the daughter of Sion is glad, the nations of the earth rejoice. Children hold branches, the Disciples tunics; and the whole inhabited world was taught to cry out to you, ‘Blessed are you, O Saviour. Have mercy on us’.

Glory. Both now. Tone 3.

Six days before the Passover was to take place, Jesus came to Bethany to call back Lazarus who had been dead for four days and to proclaim beforehand the Resurrection. Women too came to meet him, Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, crying out to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, our brother would not have died’. Then he said to them, ‘Did I not tell you before, one who believes in me, even though they die, will live? Show me where you have laid him’. And the Creator of all things cried to him, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’

And the usual Prayers in the Narthex.

At the Aposticha the following Idiomels.
Tone 8.

Rejoice and be glad, city of Sion, exult and be joyful, Church of God. For see, your King has come with justice, seated upon a colt, praised by Children, ‘Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you, who have great compassion. Have mercy on us’.

Verse: From the mouth of babes and sucklings you have made sure of praise.

Today the Saviour came to the city of Jerusalem to fulfil the Scripture. And all took palms in their hands, spread their garments before him, knowing that he is our God, to whom the Cherubim cry without ceasing, ‘Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you, who have great compassion. Have mercy on us’.

Verse: Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is your name in all the earth!

You, who ride on the Cherubim and are praised by the Seraphim, mounted like David on a colt, O loving Lord. And Children sang your praise in a manner fitting God. Jews unlawfully blasphemed you. Your sitting on a colt prefigured how the untamed nations were being changed from unbelief to faith. Glory to you, O Christ, who alone are merciful and love humankind.

Glory. Tone 6.

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together, and taking up the Cross we all say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!’

Both now. The same again.

Apolytikia.
1st Tone.

Assuring us before your Passion of the general resurrection, you raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God. Therefore, like the Children, we also carry tokens of victory, and we cry to you, the Conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. (Twice)

Another, for Palm Sunday only.
4th Tone.

Buried with you through Baptism, Christ our God, we have been granted immortal life by your Resurrection, and we sing your praises, crying: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

At Matins.

The Six Psalms, The Lord is God, and the Apolytikia.

Apolytikia.
1st Tone.

Assuring us before your Passion of the general resurrection, you raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God: therefore, like the Children, we also carry tokens of victory, and we cry to you, the Conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Another, for Palm Sunday only.
4th Tone.

After the 1st reading from the Psalter, the following Kathisma.

Tone 4. Joseph was amazed.

Cleansed in soul, let us, like the Children, with branches spiritually praise Christ with faith, as we cry with a loud voice to the Master, ‘Blessed are you, O Saviour, who came into the world to save Adam from the ancient curse, becoming spiritually a new Adam, O Lover of mankind, as you were well pleased. O Word, who have disposed all things for our good, glory to you!’

Another Kathisma.
Tone 4. Today you have appeared.

By raising Lazarus, dead for four days, from the grave, Lord, you taught all to cry out to you with Palms and branches, ‘Blessed are you who come’.

After the 2nd reading from the Psalter, other Kathismata.

Tone 4. Joseph was amazed.

Over your friend, O Christ, you mystically shed tears and raise from the dead Lazarus who had died. By this you showed your compassion in your love for mankind. When they learned of your coming, the multitudes of infants went out today, holding Palms in their hands, crying out to you, ‘Hosanna! Blessed are you, for you have come to save the world’.

Tone 1. When the stone had been sealed.

Peoples and nations, give praise with one accord. For the King of the Angels has now mounted the colt and is coming willingly to smite his foes by the Cross as all-powerful. Therefore the Children too with Palms shout the hymn, ‘Glory to you who have come as Conqueror! Glory to you, Christ Saviour! Glory to you, our God, alone blessed!’

At the Polyeleos, the Selection.

In all the earth. Alleluia.

Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is your name in all the earth.
For your majesty has been raised up above the heavens.
From the mouth of infants you have made sure of praise.
Because of your enemies, to destroy the enemy and avenger.
You rebuked the nations, and the impious perished.
A stone which the builders rejected, this has become the head of the corner.
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
The Lord is great in Sion, and high over all the peoples.
Here he smashed the might of their bows.
Weapon and sword and war.
Sion heard and was glad, the daughters of Judea rejoiced.
Jerusalem, praise the Lord; Sion, praise your God.
The God of gods will appear in Sion.
Go round Sion and encompass her.
Observe her towers.
To proclaim the Lord’s name in Sion, and his praise in Jerusalem.
For God is king of all the earth.
Sing with understanding. God reigns over the nations.
Sing to the Lord, who dwells in Sion.
For God will save Sion, and the cities of Judea will be rebuilt.
A song is due to you, O God, in Sion.
And a vow will be paid to you in Jerusalem.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
The Lord is God and has appeared to us.
Celebrate a feast with thick branches, as far as the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will give you thanks. You are my God and I will exalt you.
I will give you thanks, for you have heard me and become my salvation.
That I may declare all your praise in the gates of the daughter of Sion.
Who will give salvation to Israel out of Sion?
In the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, Jerusalem.
The Lord will be king for ever.
Your God, O Sion, to generation and generation.
Your praise abides for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Glory. Tone 1

Let us worship the Father and glorify the Son, and let us together all sing the praise of the all-holy Spirit, as we cry and say: All-holy Trinity, save us all.

Both now.

Your people, O Christ, brings you your Mother in supplication; at her prayers grant us your pity, O Good One, that we may glorify you, who dawned from the tomb.

After the Polyeleos, the following Kathisma.
Tone 8. Taking knowledge.

He who sits on the throne of the Cherubim and on the colt for our sake, and has come to his voluntary Passion, hears today the Children crying out, ‘Hosanna!’ and the crowds replying, ‘Son of David, hasten to save those whom you fashioned, blessed Jesus. For for this you have come, that we may know your glory’.

Glory. Both now. The same again.

We have a reading from the Homilies on the Gospel according to John about the feast, numbers 65 and 66 [by St. John Chrysostom]

Then the 1st Antiphon of the Anavathmi in Tone 4, and after Let everything that has breath:

Prokeimenon in Tone 4.

From the mouth of babes and sucklings you have made sure of praise.

Verse: Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is your name in all the earth!

Then the Gospel according to Matthew.

[21:1-11 & 15-17]

[Note that while the Gospel is being read by the priest, we give an epitrachelion and euchologion to the Superior for reading the blessing of the Palms. We place the table near the reading desk of the right hand choir, and on it the baskets holding the crosses.

After the Gospel the Abbot reads the blessing of the Palms.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Superior:

Lord, our God, who are seated upon the Cherubim, you have roused your power and sent your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to save the world through his Cross, Burial and Resurrection. As he drew near Jerusalem for his voluntary Passion, the people that sat in darkness and the shadow of death, taking the symbols of victory, boughs of trees and branches of palms, foretold his Resurrection. Do you, Master, yourself keep and preserve us also, who, following their example, on this day before the Feast carry palms and branches in our hands and, like those crowds and those children, offer you our ‘Hosanna!’, so that with hymns and spiritual songs we may be counted worthy of the life-giving Resurrection on the third day; in Christ Jesus, our Lord, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The ecclesiastics scatter palm leaves over the whole floor of the church.]

We do not say, Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, but immediately after Psalm 50 we sing the following.

Glory. Tone 2.

Today Christ enters the Holy City seated on a colt, abolishing the wicked folly of the nations, that had been left dry and barren of old.

Both now. The same again.

Today Christ enters the Holy City seated on a colt, abolishing the wicked folly of the nations, that had been left dry and barren of old.

Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy. According to the fullness of your compassion blot out my offences.

Tone 6.

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together, and taking up the Cross we all say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!’

While the Brothers kiss the Gospel the Superior distributes the Palms.

Then we sing the Canon, the Irmi twice and the Troparia 4, or 6 times when there are only two, and at the end the Irmi again as Katavasias by both Choirs.

The Canon, of which the acrostic is:
Hosanna Christ, blessed God
A composition of Monk Kosmas.

Ode 1. Tone 4. Irmos.

‘The springs of the abyss appeared bereft of liquid and the foundations of the stormy sea were revealed, for by your command you rebuked its fury but saved your chosen People as they sang a song of victory to you, O Lord’.

Troparia.

From the mouth of innocent babes and sucklings, your own servants, you made sure of praise, to destroy the opponent and by the suffering of the Cross to avenge the fall of the old Adam; to raise him up through a tree as he sang a song of victory to you, O Lord.

The Church of the holy ones offers you praise, O Christ who dwell in Sion, while Israel rejoices in you his Maker, and mountains, types of the stony hearted nations exulted before your face, as they sang you a song of victory, O Lord.

Katavasia. The springs of the abyss.

Ode 3. Irmos.

‘The Israelite people drew water from solid rock, at your command become a flowing stream. You are the rock and life, O Christ, on which the Church has been established as she cries, ‘Hosanna! Blessed are you who come’.’

Troparia.

Trembling at your command Hell let go Lazarus, dead for four days, from among the dead. For you, O Christ, are resurrection and life on whom the Church has been established as she cries, ‘Hosanna! Blessed are you who come’.

You peoples, sing in Sion in a manner fitting God, and offer a prayer to Christ in Jerusalem. He comes himself in glory with dominion, on whom the Church has been established as she cries, ‘Hosanna! Blessed are you who come’.

Katavasia. The Israelite people.

The Ypakoп. Tone 6. [By St Romanos]

At first the ungrateful Jews with branches praised Christ God, later with staves arrested him. But as with faith unchanging we ever honour him as Benefactor, let us cry to him, ‘Blessed are you who come to call back Adam.’

Then is read the Sermon of Kyr Andrew of Crete.

Ode 4. Irmos.

‘Christ who comes manifestly as our God will comes and will not delay from a mountain overshadowed by forest, a Maiden who gives birth without knowledge of man, said the Prophet of old. Therefore let us all cry out, ‘Glory to your power, O Lord!’’

Troparia.

Let the mountains and all the hills break forth into mighty rejoicing at mercy, and let the trees of the forest clap their hands. Praise Christ, you nations, and all you peoples praise him as you cry out, ‘Glory to your power, O Lord!’

The Lord who is king over the ages will come clothed in strength. The splendour of his beauty and glory is beyond compare in Sion. Therefore let us all cry out, ‘Glory to your power, O Lord!’

The Lord who measures Heaven in a span and earth in the hollow of his hand is here. For he chose Sion. In her he was pleased to dwell and reign over the peoples who cry out in faith, ‘Glory to your power, O Lord!’

Katavasia. Christ who comes.

Ode 5. Irmos.

‘You that bring good tidings to Sion, go up onto a mountain, and you that preach to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength. Glorious things have been said of you, City of God. Peace upon Israel and salvation to the nations.’

Troparia.

God who is seated in the highest upon the Cherubim and looks upon lowly things comes himself in glory with dominion,. And all things will b filled with his divine praise. Peace upon Israel and salvation to the nations.

Sion, holy mountain of God, and Jerusalem lift your eyes round about and see your children gathered in you. For see, they have come from afar to worship your King. Peace upon Israel and salvation to the nations.

Katavasia. You that bring good tidings.

Ode 6. Irmos.

‘The spirits of the Just cried out in joy, ‘Now the new covenant is being granted to the world. And let a people be made new through sprinkling with divine Blood.’

Troparia.

Israel, receive the kingdom of God. And the one who walks in darkness see the great light And let a people be made new through sprinkling with divine Blood.

Sion, send forth your prisoners who have been set free, and lead them out of the waterless pit of ignorance. And let the people be made new through sprinkling with divine Blood.

Katavasia. The spirits of the Just.

Kontakion [sung]. Model melody. Tone 6.
[By St Romanos]

Mounted on the throne in heaven, Christ God, and on the colt on earth, you accepted the praise of the angels and the hymn of the children who cried to you, ‘Blessed are you who come to call back Adam.’

Ikos [read].

Since you bound Hell, slew Death and raised the world,^,with palms the infants praised you, O Christ, as victor, crying out to you to-day, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David. For no more’, they say, ‘will infants be slaughtered because of Mary’s babe, But for all, infants and elders, you alone are crucified. No more against us will the sword advance, for your side will be pierced by a lance, therefore we rejoice and say, ‘Blessed are you who come to call back Adam.’’

Synaxarion from the Menaion. Then the following.

On the same day, Palm Sunday, we celebrate the radiant and glorious festival of the entry into to Jerusalem of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Verses.

The One who spread the sky out with a word,
Seated upon a colt now seeks to free
From dumb unreason all the human race.

After the raising of Lazarus from the dead, many people saw what had happened and began to believe in Jesus. A decision was taken by the synagogue of the Jews to kill both Christ and Lazarus. Jesus therefore flees, giving place to evil, while the Jews were planning to kill him during the Feast of Passover. When a considerable time had been given to flight, Jesus came six days before Passover, as Scripture says, to Bethany, where Lazarus, the one who had been dead, was. And there a meal took place at which Lazarus also was eating with him. But his sister Mary poured sweet perfume over his feet. And the next day he sent his Disciples to bring the ass and her colt. And he who has heaven as his throne, mounted on the colt entered Jerusalem. The children of the Hebrews threw their garments over it and, cutting down branches of palm trees and carrying others in their hands, they went ahead of him crying out, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel’. This happened because the All-Holy Spirit moved their tongues to praise and extol Christ. They showed this through the Palms [Baпa], that is the branches (Baпon is what the Hebrews call the soft branch) which signified in advance the victory of Christ over death. For it was the custom for the victors in contests or wars to be honoured and escorted in the victory processions with branches of evergreen trees. The colt on the other hand signified us, the people from the nations, on which Christ, seated and resting upon it as victor and conqueror, was proclaimed as King of the whole earth. Of this Feast the Prophet Zachary said, ‘Rejoice greatly, daughter of Sion. See, your King comes to you, meek and seated on a beast of burden and a colt of an ass, offspring of a beast of burden’. And David again says of the Children, ‘From the mouth of babes and sucklings you have made sure of praise.’ But as Christ entered, Scripture says, all Jerusalem was shaken and the crowds, provoked to vengeance by the Chief Priests, were looking to make away with him. But he avoided them by hiding and showing himself, and he spoke to them in parables.

By your ineffable compassion, Christ our God, make us victors over the irrational passions, and count us worthy to see your shining victory over death and your radiant and life -bearing Resurrection, and have mercy on us.

Ode 7. Irmos.

‘You who saved the Children of Abraham in the fire and slew the Chaldeans who had plotted unjustly against the just, O Lord, highly exalted and God of our Fathers, blessed are you.’

Troparia.

With palms in their hands, the peoples bending their knees and rejoicing with the Disciples were crying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David. O Lord, highly exalted and God of our Fathers, blessed are you’.

The innocent multitude, being still in infancy, sang your praise in a manner fitting God, O King of Israel and of Angels. ‘O Lord, highly exalted and God of our Fathers, blessed are you.’

With branches of palms the multitudes greeted you, O Christ, and cried out, ‘Blessed is he who has come, King of the ages. O Lord, highly exalted and God of our Fathers, blessed are you.’

Katavasia. You who saved the Children.

Ode 8. Irmos.

‘Rejoice, Jerusalem, and keep festival all who love Sion. For the Lord of Powers who reigns over the ages has come. Let the whole earth stand in reverence before his face, and let it cry aloud, ‘All you his works, praise the Lord’.’

Troparia.

Mounted on a young colt, Christ your King is here, O Sion. For to abolish the irrational error of idols and restrain the untamed wilfulness of all nations, he is at hand that they may sing, ‘O Lord, highly exalted and God of our Fathers, blessed are you’.

Rejoice greatly, daughter of Sion, Christ your God has reigned to the ages, for so it is written, on a colt our just Redeemer has come, meek and bringing salvation, to destroy the prancing arrogance of foes who do not sing, ‘O Lord, highly exalted and God of our Fathers, blessed are you’.

The lawless Sanhedrin of disobedient men is scattered from the sacred precincts, for it had made God’s house of prayer into a den of thieves, having banished the Redeemer from their hearts. To him we cry, ‘O Lord, highly exalted and God of our Fathers, blessed are you’.

Katavasia. Rejoice, Jerusalem.

[Greater in honour is not sung.]

Ode 9. Irmos.

‘The Lord is God and has appeared to us. Together celebrate a feast, and rejoicing, come, let us magnify Christ with palms and branches as we cry out in hymns, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, our Saviour’’.

Troparia.

Nations, why did you rage? Scribes and Priests, why did you meditate vain things, saying, ‘Who is this, to whom Children with palms and branches shout aloud with hymns, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, our Saviour’?’

This is our God and there is none like him. He has found out every just way and given it to Israel his beloved. But after this he appeared and lived among mankind. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, our Saviour.

Disobedient people, why do put stumbling blocks for us on the path? Your feet are swift to shed the blood of the Master. But he will arise to save all those who cry, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, our Saviour’.

Katavasia. The Lord is God.

No Exapostilarion is sung, but only Holy is the Lord our God. We sing the same, and no other, 3 times.

At Lauds we insert 6 Stichera, and sing the following Idiomels, doubling the first two.

Idiomel Stichera. Tone 4.

A very great crowd, Lord, spread their garments in the way, while others cut down branches from the trees and carried them. Those who went ahead and those who followed cried out, saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed are you who came and who are coming again in the name of the Lord’. (Twice)

Holy is the Lord our God. We sing the same, and no other, 3 times.

At Lauds we insert 6 Stichera, and sing the following Idiomels, doubling the first two.

Idiomel Stichera. Tone 4.

The same Tone.

As you were about to enter the Holy City, Lord, the peoples were carrying branches of plants as they hymned you, the Master of all things, seeing you seated on the colt, as though they beheld you on the Cherubim. And therefore they cried out , ‘Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you who came and who are coming again in the name of the Lord’. (Twice)

The same Tone.

Come forth, you nations, and come forth you peoples, and look today on the King of Heaven on a humble colt as on a lofty throne treading the path to Jerusalem. Faithless and adulterous generation of the Jews, look on the one whom Isaias saw who has come for our sake in flesh. see, how he weds the new Sion, for she is chaste, and rejects the synagogue that is condemned. As at a marriage that is incorrupt and undefiled, the undefiled and innocent Children run together as they sing his praise. As we raise the song with them, let us cry aloud the Angels’ song, ‘Hosanna in the highest to him who has great mercy!’

The same Tone.

Before your voluntary Passion, Christ God, foreshadowing the general Resurrection for the assurance of all, in Bethany you raised Lazarus, dead for four days, by your mighty power, and as giver of light gave sight to the blind, O Saviour. And with your Disciples you entered the Holy City, seated, as though riding on the Cherubim, on the colt of an ass, so fulfilling the preaching of the Prophets. And the Children of the Hebrews with branches and palms went out to meet you. Therefore we also, carrying branches of olive and palms, cry out to you with thanksgiving, ‘Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’

Glory. Both now. Tone 6.

[Note that we are not anointed by the priest during Lauds, as is usual at a Vigil, but we only venerate the icon of the Feast.]

Great Doxology and Dismissal.

The Liti takes place outside the monastery, [the 1st Hour] and the Instruction.

At the Liturgy.

1st Antiphon. Tone 2. [Psalm 114]

Verse 1: I loved, because the Lord will hear the voice of my supplication.

At the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

Verse 2: The pangs of death surrounded me; the perils of Hell found me.

At the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

Verse 3: I found affliction and pain, and I called on the name of the Lord.

At the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

Verse 4: I will be pleasing in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.

At the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

Glory. Both now.

At the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

2nd Antiphon. Same Tone. [Psalm 115]

Verse 1: I believed, therefore I spoke: I have been humbled exceedingly.

Son of God, seated on the foal of an ass, save us who sing to you: Alleluia.

Verse 2: How shall I repay the Lord for all that he has given me?

Son of God, seated on the foal of an ass, save us who sing to you: Alleluia.

Verse 3: I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.

Son of God, seated on the foal of an ass, save us who sing to you: Alleluia.

Verse 4: I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

Son of God, seated on the foal of an ass, save us who sing to you: Alleluia.

Glory. Both now.

Only-begotten Son...

3rd Antiphon. Tone 1. [Psalm 117]

Verse 1: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.

Assuring us before your Passion of the general resurrection, you raised Lazarus from the dead, Christ our God. Therefore like the children we also carry tokens of victory, and we cry to you, the Conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Verse 2: Let the house of Israel say that he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.

Verse 3: Let the house of Aaron say that he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.

Verse 4: Let all who fear the Lord say that he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.

Entrance [Psalm 117]

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. The Lord is God and has appeared to us. Son of God, seated on the foal of an ass, save us who sing to you: Alleluia.

Apolytikion. Tone 1

Glory. Apolytikion. Tone 4

Both now. Kontakion. Tone 4

Mounted on the throne in heaven, Christ God, and on the foal on earth, you accepted the praise of the Angels and the hymn of the children who cried to you: Blessed are you who come to call back Adam.

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone. [Psalm 117]

Blessed is he who comes * in the name of the Lord.

Verse: O give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endures for ever.

The Reading is from the Epistle of Paul to the Philippians.
[4:4-9]

Brethren, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Alleluia in the 1st Tone. [Psalm 97]

Verse 1: Sing to the Lord a new song; for the Lord has done marvellous things.

Verse 2: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Instead of It is truly right we sing:

The Lord is God and has appeared to us. Together celebrate a feast, and rejoicing, come, let us magnify Christ with palms and branches as we cry out in hymns, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord: our Saviour’.

Communion

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Alleluia.

Instead of We have seen the true light we sing:

Assuring us before your Passion of the general resurrection, you raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God. Therefore like the children we also carry tokens of victory, and we cry to you, the Conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

In the refectory there is a consolation for the Brethren, for we eat fish.

On Palm Sunday Evening.

At Vespers.

Leave-taking of the Feast of Palms

After the Opening Psalm, at Lord, I have cried, we insert 6 Stichera and sing the following Idiomels, doubling them.

By John the Monk. Tone 8.

Rejoice and be glad, city of Sion, exult and be joyful, Church of God. For see, your King has come with justice, seated upon a colt, praised by children, ‘Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you, who have great compassion. Have mercy on us’. (Twice)

Loving Lord, who ride on the Cherubim and are praised by the Seraphim, you mounted, like David, on a colt. And children sang your praise in a manner fitting God. Jews unlawfully blasphemed you. Your sitting on a colt prefigured how the untamed nations were being changed from unbelief to faith. Glory to you, O Christ, who alone are merciful and love humankind. (Twice)

Glory.

Rejoice and be glad, city of Sion; exult and be joyful, Church of God. For see, your King has come with justice, seated upon a colt, praised by children, ‘Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you, who have great compassion. Have mercy on us’.

Both now.

Entrance and the Prokeimenon of Sunday evening.

At the Aposticha the following Idiomels.

By Kyprianos. Tone 2.

From palms and branches, as we pass from divine Feast to divine Feast, let us believers make haste together to the solemn and saving celebration of the Sufferings of Christ. Let us look upon him as he undergoes voluntary suffering for our sake, and let us raise a fitting hymn of thanksgiving to him, as we cry out, ‘Source of compassion and harbour of salvation, Lord, glory to you!’

Verse: Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things.

By Patriarch Elias. Tone 3.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. He is the Judge of the thoughts and meditations of the heart. Let no one enter putting the unblemished faith on trial. But with meekness and fear let us draw near to Christ that we make receive mercy and find grace for timely help.

Verse: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

By the same. Tone 7.

Evil and adulterous Synagogue, who did not keep faith with your own husband, why do you hold fast to the covenant to which you were not heir? Why do you make the Father your boast since you have rejected the Son? You did not accept the Prophets when they proclaimed the Son. Be ashamed in front of your own children as they shout, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’

Glory. Tone 2.

From palms and branches, as we pass from divine Feast to divine Feast, let us believers make haste together to the solemn and saving celebration of the Sufferings of Christ. Let us look upon him as he undergoes voluntary suffering for our sake and let us raise a fitting hymn of thanksgiving to him crying out, ‘Source of compassion and harbour of salvation, Lord, glory to you!’

Both now. Tone 3.

Apolytikion Virgin Mother of God, and all the rest with the prostrations, as on the preceding Sundays at Vespers.

Note that Virgin Mother of God is chanted with music on all the Sundays of holy Lent as on the present one. But on the other days of Holy Week it is simply recited.

Holy And Great Week.

The following pages will eventually contain the full offices for Holy and Great Week, starting with Palm Sunday. Matins and Vespers for each day are ready, but the Canons for Compline await completion.

From Monday Morning we give every service in full, so that the user does not have constantly to turn back, for example to find the Stichera for Vespers in the preceding Lauds. However, the Hours and Typika for the first three days are given once only, on Monday. Apart from the Sixth Hour, the only differences between them are the Kontakion and the Kathismata of the Psalter.

The full Service of the Anointing [The Euchelaion] is available in the Euchologion, to which I give a hyperlink here.

As many churches do not boast a deacon, I have, for the moment, put the word Priest throughout. Similarly, I have used various names for the non-clerical participants: People, Singers, Choir, Reader.

As there are many local variations in the way the services are celebrated, it is not possible to mention every possibility. The texts are translated from the full Greek Triodion, without many of the abbreviations that are currently customary in many Greek churches. I have however made use of the 1990 edition of the Holy Week Book edited by Protopresbyter Konstantinos Papagiannis from the Apostoliki Diakonia in Athens. This edition, though incorporating the contemporary shortenings and the deplorable rearrangement of Saturday Matins, which has even affected the Holy Mountain, makes some first tentative steps to be a critical edition. His work on the Enkomia for Matins of Great Saturday is particularly important for those who sing the text to the traditional Greek melodies. The translation of these into English has been made, on the the basis of my original draft, by David Melling, and each troparion has been rendered so that it fits exactly to the Greek melody. For almost the complete music for Holy Week in English in downloadable PDF format go to David Melling's Music pages: http://www.church-music.co.uk/EOChant.htm/

I have indicated in a number of places the instructions in the Russian Typikon, particularly with regard to the patristic readings. Most have these have disappeared from the Greek books. Where possible I give hyperlinks to available translations, but much remains to be done.

Holy And Great Monday.

The Midnight Office is read in the Church [and not, as usually on weekdays, in the Narthex, or Liti] as during Great Lent.

At Matins.

After the Dismissal of the Midnight Office the Priest, having made the customary metania to the Superior, or to his stall, enters the sanctuary and makes three bows before the holy Table. He puts on the Epitrachelion and, standing in front of the holy Table, intones:
Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen.

The Priest blesses the incense and begins to cense the sanctuary and the whole church as usual.

The Reader begins:
Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (three times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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 to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Priest: For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen.

Lord, have mercy (x12). Glory. Both now.

Come, let us worship and fall down before the King, our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ the King, our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

With three metanias. Then the following two Psalms.

Psalm 19
May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob shield you. May he send you his help from the holy place, and support you from Sion. May he remember your every sacrifice, and accept with favour your whole burnt offering. May the Lord give you your heart’s desire, and fulfil your every purpose. We shall rejoice in your salvation, and be magnified in the name of our the Lord our God. May the Lord fulfil all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord has saved his Christ. He will hear him from his holy heaven; in mighty acts is the salvation of his right hand. Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will call on the name of the Lord our God. They were fettered and fell, but we have risen and been set upright. Lord, save the king, and hear us on the day we call upon you.

Psalm 20
The king will rejoice in your power, O Lord, he will exult exceedingly in your salvation. You gave him his heart’s desire; you did not deny him the request of his lips. For you came to meet him with blessings of goodness; you placed a crown of precious stones upon his head. He asked you for life, and you gave him length of days for age on age. Great is his glory because of your salvation; you will place on him glory and majesty. For you will give him blessing for age on age, and make him glad with the joy of your countenance. For the king puts his hope in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he will not be shaken. May your hand light upon all your enemies, and your right hand find out all who hate you. You will make them like a blazing oven at the time of your presence. The Lord will confound them in his wrath and fire will devour them. You will destroy their offspring from the earth, and their seed from among the children of humankind. Because they intended evils against you, and devised plans by which they can in no way succeed. For you will put them to flight; among your remnants you will prepare their presence. Be exalted, Lord, in your power; we will sing and praise your mighty acts.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (three times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Priest: For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

The priest must take care that he is standing beneath the Polyeleos to say this conclusion. He then enters the sanctuary, puts away the censer and takes his stand in front of the Holy Table.

Reader: Amen.

And the following Troparia:

Lord, save your people, and bless your inheritance, granting your faithful people victory over their enemies, and guarding your commonwealth by your Cross.

Glory.

Lifted up on the Cross of your own will, grant you mercies, Christ God, to the new commonwealth called by your name. Make your faithful people glad by your power, giving them victory over their enemies. May they have your help in battle, a weapon of peace, an invincible trophy.

Both now. Theotokion.

Dread Champion that cannot be put to shame, do not despise our petitions, O Good One. All-praised Mother of God establish the commonwealth of the Orthodox, save your people and give them victory from heaven, for you gave birth to God, O only blessed one.

Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy. We pray you, hear and have mercy.

Reader: Lord have mercy (x3).

Priest: For you, O God, are merciful, and love humankind, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and to the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen. In the name of the Lord, give the blessing, Father.

Priest: Glory to the holy, consubstantial, life-giving and undivided Trinity, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen.

THE SIX PSALMS

And we begin the Six Psalms, listening with complete silence and compunction. The Superior, or the designated reader, with devotion and fear of God says:

Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill among men (x3).
Lord, you will open my lips: and my mouth will declare your praise (x2).

Psalm 3
Lord, why have those who afflict me been multiplied? Many rise against me. Many say to my soul, ‘There is no salvation for him in his God’. But you, Lord, are my helper, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. With my voice, I cried to the Lord, and he heard me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I awoke, because the Lord will assist me. I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who surround me. Rise, Lord, save me, my God; because you have struck all who are vainly my foes. You have smashed the teeth of sinners. Salvation is the Lord’s, and your blessing is upon your people.

And again:

I lay down and slept; I awoke because the Lord will assist me.

Psalm 37
Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chastise me in your wrath. For your arrows have been stuck fast in me, and you have laid a heavy hand upon me. There is no healing in my flesh on account of your wrath, nor peace in my bones on account of my sins. My iniquities flooded over my head; like a heavy burden they weighed heavily upon me. My wounds stank and festered on account of my foolishness. I was wretched and utterly bowed down; I went about mourning all day long. For my loins were filled with mockings, and there is no healing in my flesh. I was maltreated and humiliated exceedingly; I howled from the groaning of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before you, and my groaning was not hidden from you. My heart was troubled, my strength failed me; and even the light of my eyes had gone from me. My friends and my neighbours drew near and stood against me, and those nearest me stood far away. Those who sought my life used force, and those who sought evils for me spoke vanities, and meditated trickeries all day long. But I, like a deaf man, heard nothing; like one who is dumb, who does not open his mouth. So I became like one who cannot hear, and in whose mouth there are no rebukes. For in you, Lord, I have hoped; you will answer me, O Lord my God. For I said: Let my foes never exult over me. When my foot slipped they crowed over me. For I am ready for blows and my pain is with me continually. For I will declare my iniquity and be troubled at my sin. But my enemies live and have prevailed over me, and those who hate me unjustly have been multiplied. Those who repay me with evils in place of good have slandered me, since I pursued goodness. Do not forsake me, Lord; my God, do not go far from me. Hasten to help me, Lord of my salvation.

And again.

Do not forsake me, Lord; my God do not go far from me.
Hasten to help me, Lord of my salvation.

Psalm 62
O God, my God, I watch for you at dawn; my soul has thirsted for you, my flesh how often in a desert, untrodden and waterless land. Thus I appeared before you in the holy place, to see your power and your glory. For your mercy is better than life; my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. May my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. When I remembered you upon my bed, every dawn I meditated upon you. For you became my helper, and in the shelter of your wings I shall rejoice. My soul clung to you; and your right hand upheld me. But those who vainly sought my life will go down to the deepest parts of the earth, they will be delivered to the power of the sword, they will be portions for foxes. But the king will rejoice in God, and all who swear by him will be praised; for the mouths of those who speak iniquities have been stopped.

And again.

Every dawn I meditated upon you, for you became my helper, and in the shelter of your wings I shall rejoice.
My soul clung to you; and your right hand upheld me.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God (x3, without Metanias). Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 87
Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried by day, and by night also before you. Let my prayer come into your presence, and turn you ear to my supplication. For my soul was filled with evils, and my life drew near to Hell. I was reckoned among those that go down to the Pit; I became as one that has no help, free among the dead. Like the slain that sleep in the tomb, whom you remembered no more; and they were cut off from your power. They placed me in the lowest Pit; in darkness and in the shadow of death. Your wrath lay heavy upon me, and you brought all your waves against me. You put my friends far from me, and made me an abomination to them. I was handed over and I came out; my eyes grew weak because of my beggary. I cried to you, Lord, all the day; I stretched out my hands towards you. Will you work wonders for the dead; or will physicians raise them up again to praise you? Will any declare your mercy in the tomb, or your truth in the place of destruction? Will your wonders be known in the dark, or your justice in a land that has been forgotten? But to you, Lord, I have cried, and in the morning my prayer will come before you. Why have you rejected my soul, Lord; why do you turn away your face from me? I am poor and in toils since my youth; exalted, I was humbled and brought to despair. Your fierce anger overwhelmed me, and your terrors appalled me. They surrounded me like water all day long; they closed in upon me from every side. Friend and neighbour you have put far from me, and my companions because of my misery.

And again.

Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried by day; and by night also before you.
Let my prayer come into your presence, and turn your ear to my supplication.

The priest comes from the Altar and reads the morning prayers quietly.

Psalm 102
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of his benefits. He forgives all your iniquities; he heals all your diseases; he redeems your life from corruption and crowns you with mercy and compassion; he satisfies your desire with good things; your youth will be renewed like an eagle’s. The Lord performs deeds of mercy and judgement for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his wishes to the children of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy. He will not always be wrathful, nor will he be enraged for ever. He has not dealt with us according to our iniquities, nor rewarded us according to our sins. For, like the height of heaven above the earth, the Lord has made his mercy prevail over those that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he taken our sins from us. As a father takes pity on his children the Lord has taken pity on those who fear him. For he knows of what we are made; has remembered that we are but dust. As for man, his days are but as grass, he will blossom like a flower of the field; for when a wind has passed over it, it will be no more and will know its place no longer. But the mercy of the Lord is for ever and ever upon those who fear him; and his justice upon their children’s children, upon those who keep his covenant and remember his commandments to do them. The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, all you his Angels, powerful in strength, who perform his word, and listen to the voice of his words. Bless the Lord, all you his Powers, his Ministers who do his will. Bless the Lord, all you his works. In every place of his dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul!

And again.

In every place of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 142
Lord, hear my prayer: in your truth give ear to my supplication, and in your justice hear me. Do not enter into judgement with your servant: for in your sight no one living can be justified. For the enemy pursued my soul, humbled my life to the ground. Made me dwell in darkness, like those for ever dead. My spirit grew despondent within me and my heart within me was troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all your works: I made the works of your hands my meditation. I stretched out my hands towards you: my soul thirsted for you like a waterless land. Hear me swiftly, O Lord, my spirit has failed. Do not turn your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. Make me hear of your mercy in the morning, for I have hoped in you. Make known to me the way in which I should walk, for to you I have lifted up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, Lord: I have run to you for shelter. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your good Spirit will guide me in an upright land. For your name’s sake, O Lord, you will give me life. In your justice, you will bring my soul out of trouble, in your mercy slay my enemies, and destroy all those that afflict my soul, for I am your servant.

And again.

In your justice hear me, O Lord, and do not enter into judgement with your servant. (x2)

Your good Spirit will guide me in an upright land.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit.

Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God (x3). Metanias (x3)

Then the Litany by the Priest, outside the Sanctuary.

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy. And so after each petition.

For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
For our Archbishop N., for the honoured order of presbyters, for the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
[For our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Family, her Government, and all in authority, let us pray to the Lord.
For our Father and Abbot Priest-monk N. and for all our brotherhood in Christ, let us pray to the Lord.]
For this city[holy monastery], for every, city, town and village, and for the faithful who dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.
For favourable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.
For those who travel by land, air or water, for the sick, the suffering, for those in captivity, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.
Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People: To you, O Lord.

Priest: For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

People: Amen.

We sing Alleluia 3 times in the 8th Tone, saying first one of the following verses.

Verse 1. From nightfall my spirit is awake for you, O God, for your commands are light upon the earth.

Verse 2. Learn justice, inhabitants of the earth.

Verse 3. Jealousy will seize an untaught people, and now fire devours their adversaries.

Verse 4. Bring evils upon them, O Lord, bring evils upon them, the glorious ones of the earth.

Then the following Troparion is sung solemnly 3 times.
Tone 8

Behold, the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night, and blessed is that servant whom he finds watching; but unworthy is the one whom he finds slothful. Take care then, my soul, not to be overcome with sleep, lest you be given up to death, and be shut out of the kingdom; but rouse yourself and cry: Holy, holy, holy are you, O God; through the protection of Bodiless Powers, have mercy on us.

Glory.

Both now.

[According to the Russian Typikon the ending is the same each time: through the Mother of God have mercy on us. The modern Greek books place a small Litany here, with the ekphonesis, For yours is the might…]

Then we recite Kathisma 4 [Psalms 24-31] of the Psalter. After the Psalter the following Kathisma:

Tone 1. The soldiers watching

The present day makes the holy sufferings dawn for the world like saving lights; for Christ in his goodness is hastening to suffer; he who holds the universe in the hollow of his hand accepts to be hung upon a Tree to save humankind.

Glory. Both now.

Then Kathisma 5 [Psalms 32-36] of the Psalter is read, and after it the following Kathisma to the same melody.

Tone 1. The soldiers watching

Invisible Judge, how have you been made visible in flesh and are coming to be slain by lawless men, so condemning our condemnation by your passion. Therefore with one accord, O Word, we offer praise, majesty and glory to your authority.

Glory. Both now.

Then Kathisma 6 [Psalms 37-45] of the Psalter is read, and after it the following Kathisma:

Tone 8. The Wisdom and Word.

The present day is resplendent with the first fruits of the Lord’s sufferings. Come then, lovers of feasts, let us meet it with songs; for the Creator is coming to accept Cross, afflictions and scourges, as he is judged by Pilate; therefore too, struck on the face by a slave, he endures all that he may save humankind. And so let us cry aloud to him: Lover of humankind, Christ our God, grant forgiveness of offences to those who with faith worship your most pure sufferings.

Glory. Both now.

The present day is resplendent with the first fruits of the Lord’s sufferings. Come then, lovers of feasts, let us meet it with songs; for the Creator is coming to accept Cross, afflictions and scourges, as he is judged by Pilate; therefore too, struck on the face by a slave, he endures all that he may save humankind. And so let us cry aloud to him: Lover of humankind, Christ God, grant forgiveness of offences to those who with faith worship your most pure sufferings.

[The Russian Typikon prescribes three readings, one after each Kathisma, from St John Chrysostom’s commentary on St Matthew’s Gospel, without specifying the references precisely. We give a hyperlink to the homily on the Gospel which follows, Homily 67 and 68]

And at once the Priest says:
And that he would count us worthy to listen to the holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord God.

Reader: Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Wisdom. Stand upright. Let us listen to the holy Gospel. Peace to all.

Reader: And to your Spirit.

Priest: The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Reader: Glory to you, Lord, glory to you!

Priest: Let us attend.

[21:18-43]

At that time, as Jesus was going back to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it, and found nothing on it, but only leaves. And he said to it, ‘May fruit no longer come from you for ever.’ And at once the fig tree was withered. When they saw it, the disciples marvelled and said, ‘How was the fig tree withered at once?’ But Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Amen, I say to you, if you have faith and do not hesitate, not only will you do this to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and cast into the sea’, it will be done. And everything you ask for in prayer with faith you will receive.’ And when he came to the temple precinct the chief priests and elders of the people came to him as he was teaching and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘I shall also ask you one question, and if you answer me, I shall also tell you by what authority I do these things. John’s baptism, where was it from, from heaven or from humans?’ They discussed this among themselves and said, ‘If we say ‘from heaven’, he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’. But if we same ‘from humans’, we are afraid of the crowd, for all hold John to be a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus and said, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Nor shall I tell you by what authority I do these things. What is your opinion? A man had two sons, and he approached the first and said to him, ‘My son, go and work in my vineyard today’. He answered, ‘I do not wish to’. But later he changed his mind and went. And he approached the second and said the same to him. But he answered, ‘Yes, sir’. And he did not go. Which of the two did the will father’s will?’ They said to him, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, I say to you. The publicans and harlots are going ahead of you into the kingdom of God. For John came to you in the way of justice, and you did not believe him. But the publicans and harlots believed him. But even when you saw, you did not later change your minds and believe him. Hear this parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard and put a hedge round it and dug a wine press in it and built a tower. Then he let it out to tenant farmers and went abroad. When the time of the vintage drew near, his sent his slaves to the farmers to collect his produce. But the farmers seized his slaves and one they flogged, one they killed and one they stoned. Once again he sent other slaves, more than at first, and they treated them the same way. Afterwards he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son’. But when the farmers saw the son they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and obtain his inheritance’. And they took him and cast him outside the vineyard and killed him. So when the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?’ They said to him, ‘He will bring those evil men to an evil end. And he will hire out the vineyard to other farmers, who will return his produce to him at the proper times.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Did you never read in the scriptures, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce its fruits’.

Reader: Glory to you, Lord, glory to you!

And at once:
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, in accordance with your great mercy. According to the multitude of your compassion blot out my offence. Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my wickedness, and my sin is ever before me. Against you alone I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight, that you may be justified in your words and win when you are judged. For see, in wickedness I was conceived and in sin my mother bore me. For see, you have loved truth; you have shown me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom. You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be cleansed. You will wash me and I shall be made whiter than snow. You will make me hear of joy and gladness; the bones which have been humbled will rejoice. Turn away your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me. Do not cast me out from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and establish me with your sovereign Spirit. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn to you again. O God, the God of my salvation, deliver me from bloodshed and my tongue will rejoice at your justice. Lord, you will open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise. For if you had wanted a sacrifice, I would have given it. You will not take pleasure in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a humbled heart God will not despise. Do good to Sion, Lord, in your good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt. Then you will be well pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, oblation and whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer calves upon your altar.

We begin the Canon by St Kosmas, of which the Acrostic is:
On Monday

In each Ode the Irmos is sung twice, and the troparia are repeated to make 12. The Irmos is repeated as Katavasia.

Ode 1. Tone 2. Irmos.

‘Let us sing to the Lord, who by his divine command dried up the pathless, raging sea, and through it guided the people of Israel to march on foot, for he has been greatly glorified.’

Troparia

Ineffable the condescension of God’s Word, for Christ himself, being both God and man, and not considering his being God as something to be grasped, showed this to his disciples by being formed as a slave; for he has been greatly glorified.

Myself rich in godhead, I have come to serve Adam who has become poor, whose form I, the Creator, have willingly put on, and to lay down my life as a ransom for his, I who am impassible in my godhead.

Katavasia

Let us sing to the Lord, who by his divine command dried up the pathless, raging sea, and through it guided the people of Israel to march on foot, for he has been greatly glorified.

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

Reader: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace.

Reader: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

Reader: To you, O Lord.

Priest: For you are the King of peace and the Saviour of our souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and to the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen.

After the small litany the Kontakion
Tone 8.

Jacob lamented the loss of Joseph, yet the noble one was seated in a chariot, honoured like a king; for as he had not been slave to the pleasures of the Egyptian woman, he was glorified in return by the one who sees the hearts of men, and bestows an incorruptible crown.

The Ikos

Let us now add a lament to his lament and let us shed tears, with Jacob weeping for the revered and temperate Joseph, who though enslaved in body, guarded his soul unenslaved, and became lord of all Egypt; for God grants to his servants an incorruptible crown.

The Menologion of the day and then the following notice:

On holy and great Monday we commemorate the blessed and most virtuous Joseph, and the fig tree which was cursed by the Lord and withered.

Verses on the most virtuous Joseph.
Chaste Joseph a just ruler was revealed,
And furnisher of corn: O wealth of virtues!

Others on the withered fig-tree.
A fig tree to the Hebrews’ congregation
Devoid of spiritual fruits Christ here compares,
And cursing withers: let us flee its passion.

At the prayers of the all-virtuous Joseph, Christ God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Ode 8. The Irmos.

‘The unwearied fire, fed with unlimited fuel, shuddered at the bodies of the shining youths, like their souls undefiled; while as the ever-living flame withered away, an everlasting hymn was sung: All you his works, praise the Lord and highly exalt him to all the ages.’

Troparia

‘Then all will know that you are my disciples, if you keep my commandments’, says the Saviour to his friends, as he goes to his passion. ‘Be at peace with one another and with all; think humble thoughts and so be exalted; and, acknowledging me as Lord, praise and highly exalt me to all the ages’.

‘Let might over your fellows be for you the opposite of the order of the nations; their self-chosen will is not my lot, but tyranny. The one among you then who wishes to be leader of the rest, let him be the last of all; and acknowledging me as Lord, praise and highly exalt me to all the ages’.

Katavasia

The unwearied fire, fed with unlimited fuel, shuddered at the bodies of the shining youths, like their souls undefiled; while as the ever-living flame withered away, an everlasting hymn was sung: All you his works, praise the Lord and highly exalt him to all the ages.

The Magnificat is not sung, but instead the 9th Ode.

Ode 9. The Irmos.

‘Christ, our Fashioner, you magnified the Mother of God who gave you birth, from whom you put on a body with passions like ours, the atonement of our faults of ignorance; as we call her blessed, all we generations magnify you.’

Troparia

Wisdom of all, you said to your Apostles, ‘Casting off every stain of passion, take up a prudent intent, worthy of the divine kingdom. By this you will be glorified, shining more brilliantly than the sun’.

You said, Lord, to your own disciples, ‘Looking to me alone, do not have lofty thoughts, but live with humble. Drink the very cup which I drink, and you shall be glorified in my Father’s kingdom’.

Katavasia

Christ, our Fashioner, you magnified the Mother of God who gave you birth, from whom you put on a body with passions like ours, the atonement of our faults of ignorance; as we call her blessed, all we generations magnify you.

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

Reader: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace.

Reader: Lord, have mercy.

Reader: To you, O Lord.

Priest: For all the Powers of heaven praise you, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and to the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen.

After the small litany, the Exapostilarion sung slowly and solemnly:
Tone 3. Model Melody.

Your bridal chamber, O my Saviour, I see all adorned, but I have no garment so that I may enter it. Make bright the mantle of my soul, O Giver of light, and save me! (x3)

At Lauds we insert 4 Idiomel Stichera, doubling them.
Tone 1

Psalm 148
[A] Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the highest. To you praise is due, O God.

[B] Praise him, all his angels: Praise him, all his Powers. To you praise is due, O God.

[A] Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you stars and light.

[B] Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters that are above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord.

[A] For he spoke and they came into being; he commanded and they were created.

[B] He established them for ever and ever; he made an ordinance, and it shall not pass away.

[A] Praise the Lord from the earth; praise him, you sea-monsters and all deeps;

[B] Fire and hail, snow and ice and storm-wind; things that do his word.

[A] Mountains and all hills, fruiting trees and all cedars;

[B] Beasts of the wild, and all cattle, creeping things and winged birds;

[A] Kings of the earth and all peoples, rulers and all judges of the earth;

[B] Young men and maidens: old men and youths together, let them praise the name of the Lord; for his name alone has been exalted.

[A] His praise is above earth and heaven, and he will exalt the horn of his people.

[B] A hymn for all his holy ones; for the children of Israel, a people that draws near him.

Psalm 149
[A] Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the Church of the holy ones.

[B] Let Israel rejoice in him that made him, let the children of Sion be joyful in their king.

[A] Let them praise his name in the dance; let them sing his praise with timbrel and with harp.

[B] For the Lord is well-pleased with his people; he will exalt the meek with salvation.

[A] His holy ones will exult in glory, and rejoice upon their beds.

[B] The high praises of God in their mouths, and two-edged swords in their hands,

[A] To exact vengeance among the nations, punishments among the peoples.

[B] To bind their kings in fetters; and their nobles in shackles of iron.

[A] To execute upon them the judgement that is decreed; such glory will be for all his holy ones.

Psalm 150
[B] Praise God in his saints; praise him in the firmament of his power.

[A] Praise him for his mighty acts; praise him according to the greatness of his majesty.

By Monk Kosmas. Tone 1

As the Lord was coming to his voluntary passion, he said to his Apostles on the road, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be betrayed, as it is written of him’. Come then, let us too, with minds made pure, journey with him, and let us be crucified with him, and for his sake become dead to the pleasures of life, that we may live with him and hear him as he cries, ‘I am no longer going up the earthly Jerusalem to suffer, but to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God. And I shall raise you up with me to the Jerusalem above, in the kingdom of heaven’.

[B] Praise him in the blast of the trumpet: praise him upon the lute and harp.

[A] Praise him with the timbrel and dances: praise him upon the strings and pipe.

By the same. Tone 5

Believers, having reached the saving passion of Christ our God, let us glorify his ineffable forbearance; so that in his compassion he may, with himself, also raise us up, who have been slain by sin, as he is good and loves humankind.

[B] Praise him on fine-sounding cymbals: praise him on cymbals of gladness. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

[A] Glory. Both now. By the same. Tone 5

Lord, as you were coming to your passion, you strengthened your disciples, taking them aside and saying, ‘How have you not remembered my words, which I spoke to you of old, ‘Is it not written no prophet may be killed but in Jerusalem’? Now the moment has come of which I spoke to you. For see, I am being handed over to be mocked by the hands of sinners, who, when they have nailed me to a cross and handed me over for burial, will reckon me a loathsome corpse. Nevertheless, take courage, for on the third day I arise, for the joy of believers and eternal life’.

Then the Superior says:

To you glory is due, O Lord, our God, and to you we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and to ages of ages. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we thank you for your great glory. O Lord, heavenly King, God the almighty Father. O Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Lord God, lamb of God, Son of the Father, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us, who takes away the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, you who sit on the right hand of the Father and have mercy upon us. For you alone are holy, you alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day I will bless you, and praise your name for ever and ever. I said, Lord, have mercy upon me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, I have run to you for refuge; teach me to do your will for you are my God. For with you is the source of life, and in your light we shall see light. O continue your merciful kindness toward those who know you.

Grant, Lord, this day to keep us without sin. Blessed are you, Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name for to the ages. Amen. May your mercy, Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, Lord, teach me your statutes. Blessed are you, Master, make me understand your statutes. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your statutes. Lord, your mercy is for ever; do not scorn the work of your hands. To you praise is due, to you song is due, to you glory is due, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.

Reader: Lord, have mercy.

Help us, save, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace.
That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

Reader: Grant this, O Lord.

Priest: An Angel of peace, a faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.
Things good, and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
That we may live out the rest of our days in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
A Christian end to our life, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and a good defence before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask.
Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

Reader: To you, O Lord.

Priest: For you are a God of mercies and of pity, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen.

Priest: Peace to all.

Reader: And to your spirit.

Priest: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

Reader: To you, O Lord.

Priest: For yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen.

After the Litany and the Prayer at the Bowing down of heads, the Aposticha:
By Monk Kosmas. Tone 5

O Lord, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, not understanding the ineffable mystery of your dispensation, asked you to grant her own children the honour of a temporary kingdom; but instead of this you promised your friends that they would drink cup of death; a cup which you said you would drink before them, a cleansing from sins. And so we cry to you: O Salvation of our souls, glory to you!

Verse 1. We were filled in the morning with your mercy, O Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad. In all our days, let us be glad, for all the days you have afflicted us, for the years we have suffered adversity. Look upon your servants and your works, and guide their children.

By the Same.

O Lord, instructing your own disciples to think thoughts of perfection, you said, ‘Do not to be like the nations, so as to rule over the least strong. It shall not be so with you, my disciples, because my wish is to be poor. The first among you, then, let him be the servant of all; the ruler as the ruled, the leader as the last. For I have come to serve Adam who became poor, and to give my life as a ransom for many, those who cry to me: Glory to you!’

Verse 2. And may the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us. Direct the work of our hands, O direct the work of our hands.

Fearing the punishment of the withered fig tree, because of its lack of fruit, brethren, let us offer fruits worthy of repentance to Christ, who grants us his great mercy.

Glory. Both now. By the same. Tone 8.

The serpent, having found in the Egyptian woman a second Eve, hastened by flatteries to trip up Joseph; but he, abandoning his tunic, fled from sin, and though naked was not ashamed, like the first formed before his disobedience. At his entreaties, O Christ, have mercy on us.

Then the Superior says:

How good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High. To declare your love in the morning, and your truth every night.

Reader: Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (three times).

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed, your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Priest: For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen.

After the Our Father, we say the following Apolytikion:

Standing in the temple of your glory, we think we stand in heaven, O Mother of God. O gate of heaven, open to us the door of your mercy.

[The modern Greek books replace this with the Kontakion of the day: Jacob lamented the loss of Joseph, and the noble one was seated in a chariot, honoured like a king; for as he had not been slave to the pleasures of the Egyptian woman, he was glorified in return by the one who sees the hearts of men, and bestows an incorruptible crown.]

Then Lord have mercy (x40). Greater in honour than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word, truly the Mother of God we magnify you. In the name of the Lord, bless, Father.

Priest: Blessed be he who is.

The Superior: Heavenly King, establish our rulers: strengthen the faith: calm the nations: make the world peaceful: guard well this holy church [monastery]: assign our fathers and brothers who have gone before us to the tents of the just, and accept us in repentance and confession, as you are good and love humankind.

Then the prayer of St Ephrem with 4 full and 12 small metanias

Lord and Master of my life, do not give me a spirit of sloth, idle curiosity, love of power and useless chatter. (Prostration)

Rather accord to me, your servant, a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love. (Prostration)

Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults, and not to condemn my brother; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen. (Prostration)

We then make 12 small metanias, then one further great metania as we repeat the last line of the prayer.

Then at once Come let us worship, and the First Hour, during which we do not add a Kathisma of the Psalter, nor at the Ninth Hour.

First Hour.

The First Hour being joined to the Morning Office, as has been said above, begins straight away with:

Come, let us worship and fall down before the King, our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, the King, our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

Three Metanias and the Psalms.

Psalm 5
Give ear to my words, O Lord, understand my cry. Attend to the voice of my supplication, my King and my God; for to you I shall pray, O Lord. In the morning you will hear my voice. In the morning I shall stand before you, and you will watch over me; because you are not a God who wants iniquity. The evildoer will not dwell with you, nor will the lawless