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Wed06Apr2022
Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts for Wednesday of the Sixth Week of the Great Fast
GREAT VESPERS
ON TUESDAY EVENINGKathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man...” is sung.At Psalm 140
In Tone 2
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Ruled by many passions,* weakened by all the assaults of the evil one,* my heart lies shamefully in the tomb of laziness,* crushed with senselessness as with a stone.* Saviour, by your life-bearing Cross* You gave life to those who were in hell:* Awaken me, and give me life,* so that in fear, I may glorify Your divinity!
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
At the prompting of the evil one,* I have always loved the riches of corrupting pleasure* and without conscience I have delighted in vanity.* I have despised my mind when it groaned like Lazarus* and hungered for the food of God.* Word, deliver me in Your tender mercy from the flames to come* that I may glorify You, Lover of mankind!
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Today Lazarus has died;* Bethany laments for him.* But, Saviour, You shall raise him from the dead, * giving in Your friend assurance of Your awesome Resurrection,* of the death of hell, the life of Adam!* Therefore we sing Your praises!
In Tone 4
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
О holy Bishop Methodius,* you took upon yourself task of teaching the law of grace.* By holy letters you brought together and handed on these teachings to your people and your flock,* that by them they could read and contemplate the holy Scriptures,* and they blessed the Lord.* We, therefore, bless you worthily.
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
О blessed Methodius,* you followed the words of the Lord,* and truly blessed the Father,* who gave birth to the Word in essence,* and sent forth the all-holy Spirit.* You continue to profess this, crying aloud,* “Truly the Comforter proceeds from the Father and not from the Son.”* Therefore, О divine preacher,* you stand with the fathers of the First Council in their same profession,* pray with them to the Saviour, that he may save us all.
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
О father Methodius,* you received apostolic grace from God in abundance.* You were counted worthy of the wonder of prophecy,* seeing the future as if it were present.* Rejoice, О glorious father,* sight of the blind, expeller of demons and healer of the sick.* Grant us forgiveness of sins and great mercy.
In Tone 1
Glory…
О bishop Methodius, renowned citizen of the land of Moravia,* glory and boast of the northern countries,* your lofty preaching calls us together.* Come, О feast-lovers, let us rejoice in faith and exult with him* on the feast of his glorious falling asleep.* May he offer unceasing prayer to Christ our God,* that our souls may be delivered from all troubles and dangers.
Now…
Let us sing a hymn of praise to the Virgin Mary,* glory of the whole world!* She was herself formed by human seed,* yet she became the Mother of the Master, the Gate of heaven,* the theme of the angels’ hymn and beauty of the faithful.* She was seen as being heavenly* and the Tabernacle of the Godhead.* She indeed tore down the wall of enmity between God and man,* and brought peace in its place.* She opened up the kingdom of heaven.* Let us therefore cling fast to her for she is the anchor of faith,* and let us receive as our stronghold the Lord Who was born of her.* Be of good cheer, then, and have confidence, O people of God,* for He will fight our enemies for us,* He is all-powerful!
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
The fear of the Lord* is the beginning of wisdom!
verse: I will give thanks to You, Lord, with my whole heart!
Reading I
Genesis 31:3-16
The Lord said to Jacob, “Return to your father's land and to your family, and I will be with you.” So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field where the flocks were, and said to them, “I see your father's countenance, that it is not favourable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me. Now you know that with all my might I served your father. Yet your father deceived me and changed my wages ten times with respect to the male lambs, but God did not allow him to harm me. If he said thus, ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore speckled. But if he said thus, ‘The white shall be your wages,’ then all the sheep bore white. So God has taken away all your father's cattle and given them to me. Now it came to pass, when the flocks conceived, I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats and the rams that were speckled, spotted, and ash-coloured speckled were mating with the sheep and the goats. Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob.’ Thus I said, ‘Here I am.’ So He said, ‘Lift your eyes now and see, all the male goats and the rams mating with the sheep and the goats are speckled, spotted, and ash-coloured speckled; for I have seen everything Laban is doing to you. I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a vow to Me. Now then, arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your nativity, and I will be with you.’ ” Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house? Are we not considered strangers by him? For he sold us, and also completely consumed our money. For all the riches and glory God has taken from our father are really ours and our children's; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it.”
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
He is merciful, bountiful,* and righteous!
verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord!
Reading II
Proverbs 21:3-21
To do righteous things and to speak the truth
Are more pleasing before God than the blood of sacrifices.
A high-minded man is bold-hearted in his arrogance,
And the lamp of the ungodly is sin.
He who produces treasures with a lying tongue
Pursues worthless things upon the snares of death.
Destruction shall entertain the ungodly,
For they are not willing to do righteous things.
To the crooked, God sends crooked ways,
For His works are pure and upright. It is better to dwell in a corner in the open air
Than with wrongdoing in plastered rooms and in a shared house.
The soul of the ungodly will not be shown mercy by anyone among men.
When the intemperate man is punished, the simple man becomes more astute,
And a wise man of understanding shall receive knowledge.
A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly,
And he despises the ungodly in their evils.
He who closes his ears that he might not listen to the weak,
He will also call upon someone, and there will be no one listening.
A secret gift calms anger,
But he who refrains from giving gifts stirs up strong anger.
It is the joy of the righteous to do judgment,
But a holy man is unclean before evildoers.
A man who wanders from the way of righteousness
Shall rest in an assembly of giants.
A man in need loves merriment,
Loving wine and oil as wealth.
A lawless man is the outcast of a righteous man.
It is better to live in a desert
Than with a contentious, talkative, and quick-tempered woman.
A treasury of desire will rest upon the mouth of a wise man,
But men without discernment shall swallow it.
The way of righteousness and mercy shall find life and glory.
A wise man assaults fortified cities
And pulls down the stronghold the ungodly trust.Readings for the Feast
Deuteronomy 1:8-17
Behold, I am delivering the land in your presence; go in and inherit the land I swore to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—to give it to them and their seed after them.’ So I spoke to you at that time, saying, ‘I alone am not able to bear you. The Lord your God multiplied you, and here you are today, as the stars of heaven in multitude. May the Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, and bless you, just as He said. How can I alone bear your labours, your burdens, and your lawsuits? 13Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them leaders over you.’ Then you answered me and said, ‘The thing you told us to do is good.’ So I took from you wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men and made them leaders over you: leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens; judges to interpret the law for you. Then I commanded your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the resident alien with him. You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall judge the small and the great; you shall not shrink before any man's presence, for the judgment is God's. The case too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.’
Deuteronomy 10:14-21
Indeed, heaven and heaven of heaven belong to the Lord your God, also the earth and everything in it. The Lord chose your fathers to love them; and He chose their seed after them, you above all nations, as it is this day. Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving him food and clothing. Therefore, love the resident aliens, for you were resident aliens in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and hold fast to Him, and take oaths in His name. He is your boast and your God, who did these great and glorious things for you, the things you saw with your own eyes.
Wisdom 3:1-9
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
And no torture will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the undiscerning they seemed to have died,
And their departure was considered to be misfortune,
And their passage from us to be their destruction;
But they are at peace.
For though in man's view they were punished,
Their hope is full of immortality.
Though chastened in a few things,
Great kindness will be shown them,
For God tested them and found them worthy of Himself.
He tested them like gold in a furnace
And accepted them as a whole burnt offering.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
And they will run about like sparks through straw.
They will judge nations and rule over peoples,
And the Lord shall reign over them unto the ages.
Those who trust in Him will understand truth,
And the faithful shall continue with Him in love,
Because grace and mercy are upon His elect.Aposticha
In Tone 8
O hierarch Methodius, aurora of the intellectual light, light of the church,* ornament of hierarchs and of the monks’ life of fasting the true rule,* you have appeared to us a defender* delivering our souls from the destructive enemy.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
O hierarch Methodius, you have received from God a great power,* you have driven off with your prayer* a multitude of the evil demons with their attacks* from all those that in faith have recourse to you.
What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?
How can we worthily hymn the great hierarch Methodius,* the venerable mind,* the light God-illumined that enlighten us* and grants the divine understanding,* the confessor of the profound mysteries.* Let us harmoniously say: Hail, O Methodius, the father of fathers.
Glory…
Come, О feast-lovers,* let us rejoice and exult with holy hymns,* the falling asleep of the bishop Methodius, the enlightener of Moravia,* the equal-to-the apostles of the Slavic peoples.* Behold, he rejected the pleasures of the world,* and took the apostolate of the cross on his shoulders,* together with his brother, enlightening the Slavic nations.* After his falling asleep, he received from God the reward of righteousness,* and prays without ceasing,* that our souls may be delivered from all troubles and dangers.
Troparion
In Tone 4
O Christ, bestow from above Your mercies* to those who radiantly feast Your bishop’s falling asleep.* Through the intercession of our father Methodius,* Your holy disciple,* open to us the doors of the Kingdom* and loose the chains of our many sins.
LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS
ON WEDNESDAY EVENINGAt Psalm 140
In Tone 5
- Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
I am rich in all sorts of passions,* and I am clothed in a garment of hypocrisy,* as I revel in the intemperance of sin.* My lack of mercy is beyond measure,* and I disregard my spirit lying before the gates of repentance.* Starved of every good thing, I suffer from illness.* But You, O Lord, make me like Lazarus who was poor in sin,* so that I will not have to beg for a drop of water* for my tongue suffering from thirst in the eternal fire.* Make me dwell in the bosom of the patriarch Abraham, O Lover of humankind.
- The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
I am rich in all sorts of passions,* and I am clothed in a garment of hypocrisy,* as I revel in the intemperance of sin.* My lack of mercy is beyond measure,* and I disregard my spirit lying before the gates of repentance.* Starved of every good thing, I suffer from illness.* But You, O Lord, make me like Lazarus who was poor in sin,* so that I will not have to beg for a drop of water* for my tongue suffering from thirst in the eternal fire.* Make me dwell in the bosom of the patriarch Abraham, O Lover of humankind.
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
With your souls filled with unquenchable love, O holy martyrs,* you endured the most terrible sufferings without ever denying Christ;* and you laid low the impudence of the torturers.* You kept the faith unwavering and unharmed* and have gone to dwell in heaven.* Therefore, having the boldness to approach the Lord,* beg Him to grant us His great mercy.
- Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
As You walked in the flesh, O Jesus,* in the land beyond the Jordan,* You said to those who were with You:* Our friend Lazarus has died and has been placed in the tomb.* But I rejoice for you, my friends,* for you will learn that I know all things,* and that with God, I am one,* even though by nature I appear in human form.* Therefore, let us go and give life to Lazarus* so that Death may recognize this victory,* and the perfect consummation I shall bring about* by granting great mercy to the world.
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O faithful, let us imitate Martha and Mary,* and offer virtuous deeds as ambassadors before the Lord,* that when He comes, He may uplift our minds full of misery which now lie dead in the tomb.* Without life, they have no sense of what they are neglecting,* and they are unaware of the awesomeness of God.* Behold, O Lord, now give life to all and grant us Your great mercy,* as once You had pity on Your friend Lazarus,* and by Your awesome power, You raised him from the dead.
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.
Now Lazarus has been in the tomb for two days,* and he sees all generations of the dead.* He beholds such strange and awesome things* and a countless number held within the power of death.* His relatives weep bitterly before his tomb;* but Christ is on His way to give life to His friend,* that He may stir up the same joy in the hearts of all.* Blessed are You, O Saviour; have mercy on us.
In Tone 1
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
All-wise Father George,* you venerated the holy and undefiled icon of Christ with honor!* You were strengthened by His might,* not fearing at all the threats of those who fought against God!* Entreat Him now that our souls may be granted peace and great mercy!
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
All-wise Father George,* you venerated the holy and undefiled icon of Christ with honor!* You were strengthened by His might,* not fearing at all the threats of those who fought against God!* Entreat Him now that our souls may be granted peace and great mercy!
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Glorious Father George,* you endured the wrath of the senselessly enraged ungodly ones;* you saw them exalt themselves in impious arrogance,* and again beheld them when they were openly and utterly crushed* by the providence that moved against the foolish ones!
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Father George, you were a co-worker of God, * a priest and husbandman!* By your words, you brought the souls of the saved to the Master, * bearing fruit a hundred-fold!* Pray that He may grant our souls peace and great mercy!
In Tone 3
Glory… Now…
By your great power, O pure one,* deliver us from sorrows and save us from death!* Protect us from every attack of the devil;* free us from every affliction.* Pray without ceasing to your Son,* that He may deliver us from every oppression.
Prokeimenon I, Tone 4
I walk in the presence of the Lord* in the land of the living.
verse: I love the Lord, for He has heard the cry of my appeal.
Reading I
Genesis 43:26-31 and 45:1-16
When Joseph came home, they brought the present in their hand to him in the house, and bowed down before him to the earth. Then he asked them about their well-being, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” So they answered, “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” Then he said, “Blessed be that man in God”; and they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves. Then Joseph lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, “Is this your younger brother you said you would bring to me?” So he said, “May God grant you mercy, my son.” Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. Then he went into his inner chamber and wept there. He then washed his face and came out; and he composed himself, and said, “Serve the bread.” Now Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. Then he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph then said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were stunned in his presence. But Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. Now therefore, do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to save life. For this is the second year of famine in the land, and five years still remain in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. For God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth, and to sustain you as a great remnant. So now, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. “Hurry then and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, “God made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children's children, your sheep and oxen, and all you have. There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all you have, come to poverty; for five years of famine still remain.’” And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see it is my mouth that speaks to you. Therefore, you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all you have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after this his brothers talked with him. Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, “Joseph's brothers have come.” So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well.
Prokeimenon II, Tone 4
I will pay my vows to the Lord,* in the presence of all His people.
verse: I trusted, even when I said: I am sorely afflicted.
Reading II
Proverbs 21:23-22:4
A troublemaker is called rash, arrogant, and boastful,
And he who bears malice is called lawless.
Desires kill a slothful man,
For his hands choose not to do anything.
The ungodly man desires evil all day long,
But the righteous man shows mercy and compassion unsparingly.
The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord,
For they offer them lawlessly.
A false witness shall perish,
But an obedient man will speak guardedly.
An ungodly man resists shamelessly to the face,
But the upright man himself understands his ways.
There is no wisdom, there is no courage,
There is no counsel for the ungodly.
The horse is prepared for the day of war,
But help is from the Lord.
A good name is to be chosen more than much wealth,
And good grace more than silver and gold.
The rich man and the poor man meet with one another,
But the Lord made both.
An astute man, seeing an evil man severely punished, is himself instructed,
But those passing by without discernment suffer loss.
The fear of the Lord and riches and glory and life
Are the offspring of wisdom.Prokeimenon, Tone 1
My mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart understanding.
verse: Hear these things, all you nations; give ear all you inhabitants of the world. (Psalm 28:4,2)
Epistle
Hebrews 7:26-8:2
Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: The mouth of the just man shall meditate wisdom and his tongue shall speak judgment.
verse: The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps will not falter. (Psalm 36:30,31)
Gospel
John 10:9-16