Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
At Psalm 140
In Tone 1
- Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
O faithful, to undertake a spiritual fast,
we must speak no deceit with our tongues
nor place obstacles in the path of each other.
But by repentance let us brighten the lamp of our souls,
that with tears we may call out to Christ:
Forgive our trespasses, for You love humankind.
- The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O faithful, to undertake a spiritual fast,
we must speak no deceit with our tongues
nor place obstacles in the path of each other.
But by repentance let us brighten the lamp of our souls,
that with tears we may call out to Christ:
Forgive our trespasses, for You love humankind.
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
O martyrs, worthy of praise,
though the earth may not have covered you, heaven received you,
opening to you the gates of Paradise, where you dwell,
delighting in the Tree of Life.
Beseech Christ to grant our souls peace and great mercy.
In Tone 3
- Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Through the prayers of the divine apostles, O righteous Lord,
grant that this time of the Fast may be well spent.
In Your kindness grant repentance to our hearts,
that we all may be saved and give glory to You.
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Your coming will be great and fearful, O Lord,
when You shall sit in just judgment.
Do not pass sentence on me,
for I am already condemned;
but show Your divine favour toward me,
through the intercession of Your apostles.
In Tone 6
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
O apostles of Christ who shine your light on all mortals,
you are the treasuries of the holy knowledge of God.
Through your prayers deliver from temptation those who praise you.
Guide us successfully through the course of this Fast;
direct our lives in peace,
so that with our eyes lifted up to the Passion of Christ,
we may with courage give praise to our God.
In Tone 2
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Bravely enduring the present happenings and rejoicing in things hoped for,
the holy martyrs said to each other:
We have not stripped ourselves of a garment,
but we have put off the old person.
The winter is bitter but Paradise is sweet.
Although the chill is painful, it becomes sweet enjoyment.
Let us not bow down, O captains.
We suffer a little at present
that we may receive the crowns of victory from Christ,
since He is God and the Saviour of our souls.
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Bravely enduring the present happenings and rejoicing in things hoped for,
the holy martyrs said to each other:
We have not stripped ourselves of a garment,
but we have put off the old person.
The winter is bitter but Paradise is sweet.
Although the chill is painful, it becomes sweet enjoyment.
Let us not bow down, O captains.
We suffer a little at present
that we may receive the crowns of victory from Christ,
since He is God and the Saviour of our souls.
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Throwing off their garments and going into the lake without trembling,
the holy martyrs said to each other:
Since we have lost Paradise,
let us not care for a corruptible garment today.
Having once been clothed in corruption through the serpent,
let us now beseech resurrection for all.
Let us despise the icy destroying cold and scorn the flesh,
that we may receive the crowns of victory from Christ
for He is God and the Saviour of our souls.
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Looking upon the tortures as pleasures
and hastening towards the icy lake as towards the heat,
the holy martyrs said to each other:
Let us stand fearless in the winter season
that we may escape the dreadful fire of Hades.
Let a foot be burnt that it may rejoice forever;
let a hand be lost that it may be lifted towards the Lord;
let us not spare the dying nature.
Let us now accept death
that we may receive crowns of victory from Christ,
for He is God and the Saviour of our souls.
Glory…
Bravely enduring the present happenings
and rejoicing in things hoped for,
the holy martyrs said to each other:
We have not stripped ourselves of a garment,
but we have put off the old person.
The winter is bitter but Paradise is sweet.
Although the chill is painful, it becomes sweet enjoyment.
Let us not bow down, O captains.
We suffer a little at present
that we may receive the crowns of victory from Christ,
since He is God and the Saviour of our souls.
Now…
O Virgin, the shadow of the law passed away
with the realization of grace.
For as the bush had burned without being consumed,
so you gave birth while a virgin
and you remained a virgin.
Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice;
instead of Moses Christ God came forth,
the Saviour of our souls.
Prokeimenon I, Tone 8
Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord,* exult, O you just!
verse: Blessed are those whose offence is forgiven, whose sin is remitted.
Reading I
Genesis 4:16-26
Prokeimenon II, Tone 1
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us* as we have hoped in You.
verse: Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just; for praise is fitting for loyal hearts.
Reading II
Proverbs 5:15-6:3
Reading III
Isaiah 43:9-14
Reading IV
Wisdom 3:1-9
Reading V
Wisdom 5:15-6:3