Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
At Psalm 140
In Tone 4
- Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Like the prodigal I squandered my paternal inheritance,
and now I am in desolation.
I dwell in the land of the wicked.
In my folly, I became like the unreasoning beasts,
stripped of all divine grace.
So I return and cry out to You:
O merciful and compassionate Father,
I have sinned, O God.
Receive me as a penitent and have mercy on me.
- The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Like the prodigal I squandered my paternal inheritance,
and now I am in desolation.
I dwell in the land of the wicked.
In my folly, I became like the unreasoning beasts,
stripped of all divine grace.
So I return and cry out to You:
O merciful and compassionate Father,
I have sinned, O God.
Receive me as a penitent and have mercy on me.
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
O martyrs of the Lord,
you are living sacrifices and spiritual offerings
and perfect incense burnt to God.
You are sheep that know God and are known to Him,
and wolves cannot break into His fold.
Pray that we may be led with you
to pasture beside the still waters.
In Tone 6
- Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
O apostles who have seen God,
and who reflect the light of the spiritual Sun for us,
pray for the illumination of our souls
and deliver us from the gloomy darkness of suffering.
Intercede that we may behold the day of salvation.
Through your prayers and intercessions
cleanse our heart which the Evil One has wounded,
so that, saved by faith, we may ever honour you
who brought the world salvation through your all-wise preaching.
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Into an evil land I have wandered,
prodigal that I am;
the wealth You gave to me, O compassionate Father,
I have squandered in a life filled with vice.
And now in hunger I long for the good I lost;
I am clothed with the shame of my transgression.
I have been stripped of righteous deeds and of divine grace.
Now I cry out that I have sinned.
But I know Your righteousness, O Christ;
in Your kindness receive me as Your hired servant,
through the prayers of Your apostles who love You.
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Apostles of the Lord and bright lights of the universe,
you made us the recipients of salvation,
and like the heavens you proclaim the glory of God;
you are adorned with wonders and bright miracles.
Intercede for us unceasingly before the Lord,
that He may receive our prayers as a pleasing aroma,
and grant that with love we may contemplate and kiss His life-giving Cross.
In Your love for humankind,
grant mercy to us who bow low before Your Cross, O Saviour.
In Tone 8
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
What shall we call you, glorious one?
Warrior of the mighty King and God?
For you courageously destroyed the impiety of bodiless demons!
Beacon shining with spiritual light?
A powerful destroyer of idols?
A most fervent athlete and lawful sufferer?
Pray that our souls may be saved!
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
What shall we call you, glorious one?
Warrior of the mighty King and God?
For you courageously destroyed the impiety of bodiless demons!
Beacon shining with spiritual light?
A powerful destroyer of idols?
A most fervent athlete and lawful sufferer?
Pray that our souls may be saved!
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
What shall we now name you, Sabinas?
A river of living waters pouring out on us a spiritual flood?
a truly inexhaustible fount of healing,
for us who are cruelly oppressed?
A cup overflowing with spiritual drink;
a most true wonder-worker, equal in honor to the bodiless ones?
Pray that our souls may be saved!
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
What shall we call you, holy one?
Guide to those who are going astray?
An intercessor for sinners storm-tossed with evil,
and a true physician for them?
A precious and fragrant lily of paradise?
The first-fruit among martyrs and their confirmation?
An ever-flowing source of miracles;
a valiant struggler?
Pray that our souls may be saved!
In Tone 2, Glory… Now…
The Word of God, equal in honour to the Father and the Holy Spirit,
has shone forth from the Virgin in these latter days as a mighty sun,
illuminating heaven and earth from end to end.
He has sent you, O glorious apostles, as light
to illumine with the light of faith all nations living in the darkness of ignorance,
and by divine teachings to lead them to the true faith.
Prokeimenon I, Tone 4
I trust in the goodness of God* forever and ever.
verse: I will thank You forevermore; for this is Your doing.
Reading I
Genesis 7:6-9
Prokeimenon II, Tone 4
When God delivers His people from bondage,* then Jacob will be glad and Israel rejoice.
verse: Fools have said in their hearts: There is no God above.
Reading II
Proverbs 9:12-18