New Texts arriving in the evening of April 17, 2024!
Event Information:
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Thu22Feb2024
The Discovery of the Relics of the Holy Martyrs at Eugenius (345-408).
Great Fast Day 11. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
MATINS ON THURSDAY MORNING
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 5
With all mankind, in spiritual hymns and songs* let us glorify the wise apostles as eyewitnesses of the Word and servants of Christ.* For they pray fervently to Christ on our behalf,* as we praise their holy memory and venerate their relics.
Their voice is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
Let us glorify with one accord the apostles of Christ,* for they shine as torches throughout the inhabited earth.* They have caught the nations in the net of the true Faith;* and bringing us light they teach us to honour the Holy Trinity,* one in Essence yet divided in Persons.
God is wonderful in His saints, the God of Israel.
The powers of heaven greatly marvelled at the victory of the holy martyrs;* for, contending bravely in their mortal bodies,* invisibly they conquered the bodiless enemy by the power of the Cross.* And now they intercede before the Lord,* that He may have mercy on our souls.
Glory… Now…
O Bride unwedded and Ever-Virgin,* in the company of the angels we sing your praises without ceasing;* for your Son and God has done great things for us through you.* Begotten before all ages from the Father,* He was pleased to be contained within your womb* and to set us free from error.
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 3
Christ the beauteous Vine, presented you as clusters of grapes,* filling the earth with the sweetness of salvation, O God-bearing apostles.* Wherefore I entreat you, to deliver me from the drunkenness of sensual pleasures;* granting to my soul tears of compunction on this divine day of the Fast,* that I may attain to the life of salvation.
Glory… Now…
I call to mind the measureless riches of your compassion* and the unconquerable strength of your power,* and fleeing to you for protection,* oppressed by troubles and utterly perplexed,* I cry to you with tears from the depths of my heart:* “O Virgin Theotokos, help me,* for you alone are the protection of the whole world.”
Sessional Hymn III, Tone 6
Be good and merciful to us, O Lord, in this divine season,* count us worthy to weep always before You from our hearts,* washing away the defilement of our souls,* and ever growing in obedience to Your holy commandments,* may our fasting be truly pleasing to You,* that we all be granted to behold Your Holy Passion,* by the prayers of Your apostles who have brought salvation to the world.* Glory be to You.
Glory… Now…
O fount of compassion, most pure Virgin Mother of God,* pour forth abundantly upon us your pure myrrh,* and grant us the remission of our sins,* for you alone are our Mediatress and divine protection.
Canon
Ode 4
Irmos: Were You angered by the rivers? Was Your wrath upon the rivers,* or Your strivings upon the seas?
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us extinguish the drunkenness of soul-destroying pleasures, and by fasting let us drink deeply from the cup of compunction. O my soul, fast from all excess of food, and take delight in the contemplation of that which is virtuous; that you may receive a place at the heavenly table.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O divine apostles of the Saviour, blazing coals of spiritual fire, burn up the grossness of my passions.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
From your own flesh did Christ assume flesh, put to death the passions of my flesh, O birth-giver of life, most pure Virgin.
Irmos: The prophet heard of Your coming, O Lord, and he was afraid.* How were You to be born of a virgin and appear to mankind?* And he said “I have heard report of You and I am afraid;”* glory to Your power, O Lord.
Holy Apostles of Christ, pray to God for us.
O twelve apostles, Peter, Paul, James and John, Andrew, Bartholomew, Philip, Thomas and Matthew, James with Simon and Jude, pray to Christ that He may save us.
Holy Apostles of Christ, pray to God for us.
Once you let down your net and caught a hundred and fifty and three fishes; and now having cast the net of your teachings upon the sea of life, you have mystically snared the nations, bringing them as an offering to the Lord, O holy apostles.
Glory…
I glorify the Son and the Spirit who came from the Father like rays of light issuing forth from the sun; the One begotten as Offspring, the Other proceeding and sent forth; divine and coeternal Trinity, adored by all creation.
Now…
The Virgin has given birth, yet kept her purity, she has given birth to both God and man, a single Person with a twofold nature. This, your miracle, O Virgin Mother, fills every ear and mind with wonder.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
You have become the light of the world, through the radiance of your preaching, as Christ said to you, pray on our behalf, that with noble courage we may complete the time of abstinence, and venerate the Resurrection.
Katavasia: The prophet heard of Your coming, O Lord, and he was afraid.* How were You to be born of a virgin and appear to mankind?* And he said “I have heard report of You and I am afraid;”* glory to Your power, O Lord.
Ode 8
Irmos: In His divine power the Lord descended into the flames* and was seen walking with the Children of the Hebrews:* O you priests, bless and supremely exalt Him* throughout all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Slain by many sins, I bear in life a deadened soul. Have compassion upon me and help me by your lifegiving intercessions, O disciples of the Saviour and eyewitnesses of God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Encompassed by the darkness of sin, I have, in truth drawn near to the Hades of despair. Wherefore enlighten me, O mystic rays of the Sun of glory, and eyewitnesses of God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O wretched soul, abstain from the passions and be saved. For abstinence from food is not an acceptable fast unless we also struggle to correct our faults.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Moses in prophecy foresaw you, Virgin Mother of God, as the burning bush: quench the furnace of my passions, and snatch me from the fire of Gehenna, and save me.
Irmos: Him whom the hosts of heaven glorify,* and before whom tremble the Cherubim and Seraphim,* let every breath and all creation* praise, bless, and supremely exalt, throughout all ages.
Holy Apostles of Christ, pray to God for us.
As the twelve tribes came forth from Jacob, so has the company of the twelve apostles issued forth into the world from You, O Christ, for through their preaching all the faithful who have been reborn sing Your praises throughout the ages.
Holy Apostles of Christ, pray to God for us.
As the chariots of the invisible Pharaoh were overthrown in the Red Sea, so have you led the Lord’s people into the land of the knowledge of God, O apostles; wherefore they sing His praises throughout the ages.
We bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord.
I honour God one in Essence, I sing the praises of the three Hypostases, distinct from one another in characteristics, yet differing not in Nature, for there is one Godhead and one power in the three, the Father, Son, and Spirit.
Now…
From your effulgent womb, Christ has issued forth as does a bridegroom from his chamber, and as a great Light He has illumined those in darkness, like lightning has the Sun of righteousness shone forth, O pure Virgin, enlightening the whole world.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
You were initiated by Christ into the mysteries, and now enthroned with Him on high, you fervently intercede at all times on behalf of us sinners. Pray that we may complete the season of the Fast in sincerity of heart.
We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!
Katavasia: Him whom the hosts of heaven glorify,* and before whom tremble the Cherubim and Seraphim,* let every breath and all creation* praise, bless, and supremely exalt, throughout all ages.
Ode 9
Irmos: Upon Mount Sinai Moses saw you in the bush,* as one who conceived the fire of the Godhead within your womb, and yet remained unconsumed.* Daniel saw you as a mountain not cut by the hand of man,* and Isaiah proclaimed you as the Rod that blossomed forth from the root of David.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O apostles, you are noetic rivers flowing forth from the spiritual Fountain watering the pure in heart with goodness: by your prayers dry up the streams of my sins and lead me upon the paths of salvation.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
My wretched soul is tossed about in the tempest of sin, O good One, stretch forth Your right hand to me as once You did to Peter; and let not the depths of despondency drown me, that I become not food for the ever devouring sea-monster, O most merciful Christ.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The choir of the apostles prays to You, O Jesus King of all, and the ranks of angels entreat You: the abundance of Your tender compassions grant to Your people deliverance from evil, amendment of life and a place in Your Kingdom.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O pure Virgin Mother, Ark of holiness, in you virginity and childbearing have been united in a manner transcending nature. Wherefore I cry to youin faith: Sanctify me wholly and deliver me from the machinations of the passions, which ever afflict me.
Katavasia: Ineffable is the birthgiving of a seedless conception,* from a mother who knew not a man; an undefiled childbearing.* For the birth of God has renewed nature,* wherefore all generations rightly worship and magnify you as the Bride and Mother of God.
Holy Apostles of Christ, pray to God for us.
Living in the world as bodiless ones, you were like earthly angels, carrying in your hearts the Word alone, you netted the nations into one faith in Christ; and by your knowledge, showed the wise and eloquent to be foolish, O all-blessed apostles.
Holy Apostles of Christ, pray to God for us.
O Peter, rock and foundation of the faith; O Paul, herald and teacher to the Gentiles; O you sons of Zebedee, pray fervently on our behalf to Christ with the other eight apostles, that we may courageously complete the remaining time of the Fast.
Glory…
O Father, single only-Begetter of the only-Begotten Son; O only Light and Brightness from the one and only Light; and You, one and only Holy Spirit from the one God, true Lord from the Lord: O holy Three in One, save me as I theologize Your divinity.
Now…
The manner of your childbearing fills me with wonder, O all-immaculate One. How can you conceive without seed Him whom none can comprehend? How can you remain a Virgin and yet become a Mother? “Accept the miracle with faith and worship the Child that is born: for all that He wills, He accomplishes.”
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
In the power of the Spirit you went forth to kings and rulers, fearing neither fire nor sword; as the Lord’s chief captains, you have put to flight all delusion bringing salvation to all mankind, O all-blessed apostles.
Katavasia: Ineffable is the birthgiving of a seedless conception,* from a mother who knew not a man; an undefiled childbearing.* For the birth of God has renewed nature,* wherefore all generations rightly worship and magnify you as the Bride and Mother of God.
Aposticha
Tone 8
This is the season of repentance, wherein lenten ascetic struggle leads to eternal life,* let us therefore stretch out our hands in virtuous deeds,* for nothing saves the soul so much as being merciful to those in need;* for almsgiving combined with fasting delivers a man from death.* Let us do all this with gladness,* for this suffices to save to our souls.
In the morning, fill us with Your love; we shall exult and rejoice all our days. Give us joy to balance our affliction for the years when we knew misfortune. Show forth Your work to Your servants; let Your glory shine on their children.
This is the season of repentance, wherein lenten ascetic struggle leads to eternal life,* let us therefore stretch out our hands in virtuous deeds,* for nothing saves the soul so much as being merciful to those in need;* for almsgiving combined with fasting delivers a man from death.* Let us do all this with gladness,* for this suffices to save to our souls.
Let the favour of the Lord be upon us: give success to the work of our hands, give success to the work of our hands.
Clothing yourselves with the breastplate of Faith,* and arming yourselves with the sign of the Cross,* you showed yourselves to be courageous warriors.* Bravely resisting tyrants and casting down the delusions of the devil;* you were rewarded with a crown of victory.* Intercede with Christ on our behalf, that our souls may be saved.
Glory… Now…
I flee to your protection, O holy Virgin Theotokos,* for I know that through you I shall obtain salvation; ** for you are able to help me, O pure one.
VESPERS ON THURSDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
The appointed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 4
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Pierced in Your side and hung upon the Tree,* You have poured out life upon me,* who before was slain by the malice of the serpent through eating from the Tree.* Wherefore I glorify You, O Christ,* and entreat Your loving-kindness:* grant me to venerate Your Passion and Your arising,* and to complete the Fast with compunction.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
The fruit of the Tree brought sorrow to the first-formed man,* for which cause You banished him from Paradise.* But, nailed upon the Tree as a man, O Saviour,* You have called him back to Paradise.* Wherefore I cry out to You, O Redeemer:* “Free me from all sorrow, cleansing me by fasting, tears, and penitence,* O supremely good Jesus, Saviour of our souls.
Tone 5
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
W chant the praises of Your lifegiving Cross, O Lord,* for it has slain death and blossomed forth life throughout the world.* And now we bring forth in intercession this Your Cross before You;* in these holy days fortify us who are fasting,* and according to the multitude of Your compassions* grant us strength against the passions and the victory of peace,* O Lover of mankind.
Tone 1
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
While living on earth you were joined to the incorporeal ones,* and with them you unceasingly minister to the Trinity, O divinely blessed father.* Wherefore, ever dwelling in the Highest as a heavenly man,* you initiated them that are on earth* into the mysteries of God.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O divinely blessed one,* you were shown to be a branch of the activity of Christ planted by God,* putting forth grapes of the divine Word,* whence we faithfully draw forth precious sweetness;* and with our whole heart* we offer your teaching to all the world.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Illumined with divine splendour, your body consumed by material fire,* you passed over to the immaterial radiance, O father.* Grant us remission by your prayers,* bringing light to the gloomy night of the passions of our souls,* O wise one.
Glory… Now…
When she beheld the Lamb lifted up upon the Tree,* the immaculate Virgin cried out, weeping:* O my sweet Child, what is this new and most strange sight?* How are You, who hold all things in the palm of Your hand,* nailed in the flesh to the Tree?
Prokeimenon I, Tone 4
O Lord, Your mercy is in heaven:* and Your truth reaches to the clouds.
verse: Your righteousness is as the mountains of God, Your judgments are a great abyss.
Reading I
Genesis 5:1-24
Prokeimenon II, Tone 6
Wait on the Lord and keep His way:* and He shall exalt you to inherit the earth.
verse: Fret not yourself because of evildoers, nor envy them that work iniquity.
Reading II
Proverbs 6:3-20
Aposticha
Tone 5
Fasting not from the Tree of Knowledge as the Creator had commanded them,* our first parents, because of their disobedience, harvested the fruit of death* and were banished from the Tree of Life and the delight of Paradise.* Wherefore, O faithful, let us abstain from an excess of the food that perishes* and from the self-destructive passions,* that we may reap life from the divine Cross,* returning with the Good Thief to our ancient fatherland* and receiving great mercy from Christ God.
I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us.
Fasting not from the Tree of Knowledge as the Creator had commanded them,* our first parents, because of their disobedience, harvested the fruit of death* and were banished from the Tree of Life and the delight of Paradise.* Wherefore, O faithful, let us abstain from an excess of the food that perishes* and from the self-destructive passions,* that we may reap life from the divine Cross,* returning with the Good Thief to our ancient fatherland* and receiving great mercy from Christ God.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud.
Despising every earthly thing, bravely withstanding torture,* you were not deprived of the blessedness for which you had hoped,* but were made heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, O all-praised martyrs.* Since you have boldness before God, the Lover of mankind,* pray that peace be granted to the world,* and to our souls great mercy.
Glory… Now…
Upon seeing her Lamb hastening to the slaughter* the Ewe-lamb eagerly followed Him crying aloud:* “To where do You go, O my sweetest Child?* O most beloved Jesus, sinless Lord, rich in mercy,* O longsuffering Christ, why do You so swiftly and so fearlessly proceed?* Speak to me Your handmaiden, O my well-beloved Son:* pass not by me, Your Mother, without a word, O all-compassionate One,* who grants the world great mercy.”