New Texts arriving in the evening of April 17, 2024!
Event Information:
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Tue27Feb2024
Our Venerable Father and Confessor Procopius the Decapolitan (716-40)
Great Fast Day 16. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
TUESDAY MORNING MATINS
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 6
Give me, O Lord, the watchfulness of the wise virgins,* and cause the lamp of my soul to burn brightly with the oil of Your compassion*, that I may sing to You the hymn of the angels: Alleluia.
O Lord, rebuke me not in Your anger, neither chasten me in Your wrath.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us;* for we sinners, lacking all defence, offer You this prayer, O Master:* have mercy on us.
God is wonderful in His saints, the God of Israel.
With patient endurance the saints suffered and contended* and received the prize of victory from You.* They brought to nothing the schemes of the transgressors* and were granted crowns of incorruption.* Through their prayers, O God,* bestow upon us Your great mercy.
Glory… Now…
Open to us the gate of your loving-kindness, most blessed Theotokos.* In you we set our hope:* suffer us not to go astray,* but through you may we be delivered from adversities.* For you are the salvation of the Christian people.
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 1
Let us cleanse ourselves by fasting and prayer,* and please God through acts of mercy to the poor.* Let us weep and lament with fervent tears,* while time remains for reformation,* that we may be delivered from eternal lamentation in the flames of Gehenna,* and let us render glory to Christ who has ordained penitence for all mankind,* turning back their understanding to righteousness.
Glory… Now…
Stretching forth your divine arms, wherewith you bore the Creator* who in His goodness has become incarnate, O most pure virgin,* beseech Him to deliver from temptations, sufferings, and tribulations* we who praise you with love and cry aloud:* Glory to Him who made His abode within you!* Glory to Him who issued forth from you!* Glory to Him who has delivered us by your birth-giving!
Sessional Hymn III, Tone 3
Gladdened by the Fast and rejoicing in song,* mastering control of the passions through prayer,* let us trample underfoot the snares of the evil one,* that we may cry aloud to Christ:* Count us worthy to look upon Your Cross,* as You are compassionate, granting us great mercy.
Glory… Now…
O divinely blessed unwedded Mother, cure the infirmities of my soul,* for I am held prisoner by my sins,* sighing from the depths of my heart I cry to you,* O all-immaculate Theotokos:* I have sinned greatly; accept me,* that with boldness I may call upon you:* Rejoice, O dwelling-place of God.
Canon
Ode 2
Irmos: Behold now, and see that I am God,* who saved the people of Israel when they were in bondage,* and commanded Moses to lead them in the wilderness,* for I am mighty in My power.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The supremely good Father has adopted me as His son, through the washing of Baptism He has bestowed upon me the riches of His many blessings. But I have become enslaved to vain thoughts, and so have become a pauper.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Be merciful, be merciful, O Lord; pass not judgment upon me, O righteous Judge, but, for the sake of Your great mercy, accept my feeble sighs and reject me not, O Christ.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Putting off the loathsome garment of self-indulgence, let us put on the radiant robe of abstinence, and joyously approach the Redeemer’s bright Resurrection.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Save me, O Mother of the Saviour, save me, look upon my distress, O pure one, for from despair, the countless number of my sins grieve my wretched soul every day.
Irmos: Behold now, and see, that I am the Saviour of the world,* the true Light, the Fount of life, the Son of God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
See now, see, that I am your God, the wellspring that has sent salvation to you: through abstinence, let every mortal draw forth water from this fount.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
See now, see, that I have appointed for you the holy season of the Fast as a spiritual banquet.
Glory…
Let us glorify the Trinity and worship the Unity: the only-begotten beginningless Son from the beginningless Father, and the Spirit co-enthroned with the Son and coeternal with the Father.
Now…
O all-immaculate one, ceaselessly intercede before the Saviour on behalf of those who from their heart confess you to be the Theotokos, that they may be delivered from all distress.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Great are You, O Lord, and marvellous are Your works: for in the den of old You delivered Daniel who protected himself from the lions by fasting.
Katavasia: Behold now, and see, that I am the Saviour of the world,* the true Light, the Fount of life, the Son of God.
Ode 8
Irmos: Him of whom the angels and all the hosts of heaven are in awe* as their Lord and Creator,* O priests hymn, O children praise, O peoples bless and supremely exalt* throughout all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I weep and lament when I contemplate the hour at which I shall stand before the fearful throne, called to give account for the many evil deeds I have done, whether in ignorance or in knowledge.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Moses, having found purification in fasting, spoke with God who alone is pure. O my soul, be purified by fasting, and draw near to God, the Lover of mankind.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us love fasting, the mother of virtues, and hate opulent foods, the begetter of passions; rather let us cry: O Father who are in heaven, save us, O save us, by the prayers of Your saints.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O pure Virgin Mary, at the hour of judgment pray to the Judge whom you bore, that He take pity on me and save me from condemnation; for you alone are the protection of the race of mankind.
Irmos: In His divine power the Lord descended into the flames* and was seen walking with the Children of the Hebrews:* O priests, bless and supremely exalt Him* throughout all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Embracing the most joyful grace of the Fast, let us be radiant with the virtues, and by our peaceful faces and way of life, display the peaceful disposition of our souls.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Having fasted, Elisha returned the dead child alive to the Shunammite woman. From this let us understand, O brethren, how great and good the Fast is, and how God has given it grace.
We bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord.
With the Father we worship the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity one in essence, and with mouths of clay we cry with the angels: Glory to the Triune God in the highest.
Now…
You alone, O divinely joyous one, gave birth while remaining a virgin. O great mystery, dread and marvellous! For you bore God in the flesh, the Saviour of the world.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
O brethren, let not one of us be overcome with idleness and sloth. Now is the time for activity, the hour of solemn festivity. Those, then, who are wise will thus quickly inherit eternity.
We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!
Katavasia: In His divine power the Lord descended into the flames* and was seen walking with the Children of the Hebrews:* O priests, bless and supremely exalt Him* throughout all ages.
Ode 9
Irmos: The light-bearing cloud upon whom the beginningless Master of all descended from heaven,* like the dew upon the fleece,* and of whom He was incarnate, becoming a man for our sake,* let us all magnify as the pure Mother of God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Having fallen into a sea of sin, a deep of despair, a tempest of thoughts and a storm of passions, I raise my cry to You: O abyss of mercy, help me and according to Your loving-kindness send down rain upon me, and cleanse me of my sins.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O faithful, let us cleanse the body through fasting, the spirit through abstinence, and the soul through tears, that in purity we may behold the saving Passion of the Redeemer, which He endured for our sake.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Like the Publican I groan; like the Harlot I weep; and like the Thief I cry out, “Remember me, O compassionate One.” With the blind man I call to You: “O Son of God, open the eyes of my soul, for they are blinded by the wickedness of the deceitful enemy who makes me stumble.”
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The Mountain uncut by hand, the impassable Gate; she who is higher than the heavens and all creation, the beauty of Jacob, the golden Vessel of manna, the Bridge, and the Mother of the Creator, let us the faithful bless her, the Virgin.
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.
Having understood that the present days are sacred above all others, let us offer up prayers to God with a pure conscience, kneeling often upon the ground, and saying: “O Lord, ever accept the petitions and entreaties of Thy servants.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The people, so it is written, sat down to eat and drink, and then rose up to dance and worship the carved image of Belphegor. Behold the grievous fruits of gluttony! But let us fast, and we shall be glorified like the great Moses.
Glory…
The Trinity supreme in Godhead is by Essence an undivided Unity; though single in Nature, it is distinguished in Hypostases; though indivisible, it is divided in characteristics; though one, it is three: the Father, the Son, and the Spirit of Life, together watching over all things.
Now…
Who has ever heard of a virgin giving birth to a child and a mother that knew not a man? O Mary, this miracle has been wrought in you, but pray-tell how? “Enquire not into the mystery of my childbearing: it is altogether true yet transcends the comprehension of man.”
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
O Lord, since Your wrath against sinners is unendurable, who shall stand unafraid when it threatens him? Boundless is Your mercy; save me according to YOur tender compassion, and not according to my many sinful and wretched deeds.
Katavasia: 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.
Aposticha
Tone 7
I have sinned O Lord, I confess to You, Prodigal that I am.* I dare not raise my eyes to heaven, from whence I have fallen in my wretchedness.* I have sinned against heaven and before You,* and am not worthy to be called Your son.* I openly proclaim my guilt; I need no accusers to bear witness against me;* for my prodigality condemns me;* my wicked life accuses me;* my nakedness shames me,* and the rags which clothe me bring disgrace upon me.* O lovingly-compassionate Father, only-begotten Son, and Holy Spirit,* receive me who repent and have mercy on me.
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.
I have sinned O Lord, I confess to You, Prodigal that I am.* I dare not raise my eyes to heaven, from whence I have fallen in my wretchedness.* I have sinned against heaven and before You,* and am not worthy to be called Your son.* I openly proclaim my guilt; I need no accusers to bear witness against me;* for my prodigality condemns me;* my wicked life accuses me;* my nakedness shames me,* and the rags which clothe me bring disgrace upon me.* O lovingly-compassionate Father, only-begotten Son, and Holy Spirit,* receive me who repent and have mercy on me.
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.
In the midst of the arena of the lawless ones,* the passion-bearers cried aloud rejoicing:* “O Lord, glory be to You.”
Glory… Now…
Ineffably were You born of the Virgin, O Christ,* and You have enlightened those who are in darkness and cry aloud:* O Lord, glory be to You!
TUESDAY EVENING VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
The appointed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 3
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O Lord, who by Your Cross slew the deceiver,* deliver me who have sinned and been beguiled, by his delusions.* Cleanse me by the Fast and grant me to do Your will,* that rejoicing O Master, I may behold Your venerable Passion.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
I have been wounded by the sword of sensual pleasure, O Lord,* and a shameful death has befallen me.* O Master, having been pierced by a spear,* heal those wounded by the arrows of the enemy,* and since You are compassionate,* grant me to share in Your Holy Passion.
Tone 2
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Having enlightened our souls by fasting, O Lord,* deem us worthy and without condemnation to behold Your Cross with rejoicing,* and to worship it with fear and love;* for You enlightened all by Your voluntary Passion,* grant that we also may thereby be enlightened,* since You are the Lover of mankind.
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.
Desiring a blessedness which is past understanding,* you reckoned abstinence to be food, poverty to be wealth,* lack of acquisitiveness to be abundant possessions,* and humility to be glory, O wondrous one.* Wherefore, you also received your desire in accordance with your understanding,* abiding in the tabernacles of the saints, O Basil.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
You completed the immutable course of abstinence, and kept the Faith.* Wherefore, you have been adorned with a crown of righteousness, O father,* which Christ has prepared for you,* awarding you recompense in accordance with your merits,* and bestowing upon you honours and rewards for your pangs.* Beseech Him, O divinely inspired one, that He save our souls.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
You cast off all love of pleasure which enslaved your body, O divinely wise one,* harrowing your senses with the pangs of abstinence,* with terrible living conditions, the endurance of temptations,* and the withstanding of evil circumstances;* and thereby you have received never-ending delight,* everlasting sweetness and ineffable joy.
Glory… Now…
Beholding Christ, who loves mankind, crucified, His side pierced by a spear,* the all-pure one cried out, weeping:* “What is this, O my Son?* What have the thankless people done to You in return for the good You have done for them?* You make haste to leave me childless, O most Loving One.* I marvel at Your voluntary crucifixion, O Compassionate One!”
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Great is the Lord,* and greatly to be praised in the city of our God.
verse: In the city of our God and in His holy mountain.
Reading I
Genesis 7:1-5
Prokeimenon, Tone 2
My mouth shall speak of wisdom:* and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
verse: O hear this, all people: ponder it with your ears, all that dwell in the world.
Reading II
Proverbs 8:32-9:11
Aposticha
Tone 2
Though I am a creature born on earth,* created in Your image, O Lord,* I dare to call upon You, the Creator, as Father,* for I have lost the grace of sonship living as did the Prodigal,* forgetful of Your gifts I have wasted my inheritance.* Yet reject me not, for You were well-pleased to send Your only-begotten Son,* to suffer crucifixion in the flesh and death for my sake:* but bless me and make me Your own, O Lover of mankind.
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.
Though I am a creature born on earth,* created in Your image, O Lord,* I dare to call upon You, the Creator, as Father,* for I have lost the grace of sonship living as did the Prodigal,* forgetful of Your gifts I have wasted my inheritance.* Yet reject me not, for You were well-pleased to send Your only-begotten Son,* to suffer crucifixion in the flesh and death for my sake:* but bless me and make me Your own, O Lover of mankind.
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.
The company of martyrs resisted the tyrants, saying:* “We are soldiers of the King of the powers on high;* though you give us up to fire and torment,* we shall not deny the power of the Trinity.”
Glory… Now…
When the lawless people O Saviour,* nailed You who are the Life of all upon the Tree,* Your all-pure Ewe-lamb and Mother, standing beside You, lamented weeping:* “Woe is me, O my beloved Child, the light of my eyes!* You who suspended the earth upon the waters:* how can You endure to be nailed upon the Tree* between two malefactors!”