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Event Information:
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Wed28Feb2024
Our Venerable Father and Confessor Basil, Ascetical Companion of Procopius (716-40)
Great Fast Day 17. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
WEDNESDAY MORNING MATINS
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 6
Today the words of the Prophet are fulfilled:* for see, we worship at the place on which Your feet have stood, O Lord,* and tasting from the Tree of salvation,* we have been delivered from our sinful passions* at the intercessions of the Theotokos,* O You who alone love mankind.
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool for He is holy.
Your Cross, O Lord, is holy,* and brings healing to those who are in sickness through their sins.* Venerating it, we fall before You: have mercy on us.
God is wonderful in His saints, the God of Israel.
Persecuted by tyrants, the martyrs endured and suffered bravely in the arena;* and near them stood the choirs of angels, holding prizes of victory.* In their wisdom they astonished rulers and sovereigns,* and by confessing Christ they overthrew the devil.* Glory be to You, O Lord, who made them strong.
Glory… Now…
When the Ever-Virgin Maid who gave birth to You* saw You raised for our sake on the Cross,* a sword pierced her soul and with a mother’s grief she wept.* Through her intercessions have mercy on us, Lord of mercy.
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 3
Raised upon the Cross, O Master,* You have quenched the flame of transgression by its Wood;* willingly suffering death, You have slain the enemy.* Wherefore I beseech You:* put to death the desires of my flesh and enliven my wretched heart,* cleansing me of every defilement by the passion-killing Fast,* in so far as You are lovingly compassionate.
Glory… Now…
You willingly endured a violent death in crucifixion, O Compassionate One.* And she who gave birth to You was wounded, beholding You.* By her supplications, take pity and save the world, O supremely good Lord and only Lover of mankind,* who takes away the sins of the world.
Sessional Hymn III, Tone 2
As we pass through the radiant celebration of the Fast, we cry aloud:* Keep us all in peace, O Lord, delivering us from every snare of the enemy,* and since You are supremely good,* count us worthy to venerate Your precious Cross with love,* by which You have granted Your mercy to all the inhabited earth,* O You who alone are plenteous in mercy.
Glory… Now…
Beholding You, O Christ, stretched dead upon the tree,* Your virgin Mother cried out with bitter tears:* O my son, what is this fearful mystery?* How do You give eternal life to all,* and yet suffer willingly a shameful death upon the Cross?
Canon
Ode 3
Irmos: O Lord, the firm foundation of those who put their trust in You,* establish the Church,* which You have purchased with Your precious blood.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Crucified with Him who was crucified for our sake, let us put to death all the members of the flesh by fasting, prayer, and supplication.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Lord, who by Your Crucifixion have plucked out the thorn of sin, pluck from my mind all noetic thorns.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Arming our mind with fasting and walled about by the power of the Cross, let us overthrow the hostile hordes of demons.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Taking flesh from you, the Word came forth incarnate, O most pure one, and by His compassionate mercy, has set aright the fall of our first parents.
Irmos: O Lord, who slew sin upon the tree, firmly establish us in You,* and in the hearts of us who hymn You plant the fear of You.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.
Your life-creating Cross, O Lord, is my seal of salvation: for by it I overthrow the adversary and praise You as God, mighty in power.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.
The Tree of the Cross has borne a fruit that gives eternal life to the world; and eating of it, O Christ, we have been delivered from death.
Glory…
I glorify three Hypostases in one Nature, the Father, Son, and Spirit, one Power of the Divinity that alone rules and reigns as God.
Now…
Your childbearing, O pure one, is fearful. For it is God who has become a man, begotten outside time from the Father and in the last days born from you without a man.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
The grace of the Cross shines upon the world, O merciful Lord, preparing all for the coming celebration of Your divine Passion. Count us worthy to venerate it with faith.
Katavasia: O Lord, who slew sin upon the tree, firmly establish us in You,* and in the hearts of us who hymn You plant the fear of You.
Ode 8
Irmos: United together in the unbearable fire yet not harmed by the flame,* the children, champions of godliness, sang a divine hymn:* O all you works of the Lord,* bless the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
By the Cross You have triumphed over the principalities and dominions of darkness, O Giver of Light, and when You shall come in power to judge the whole world, denounce not my hidden sins, O Word, that I may glorify Your loving-kindness.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O just and longsuffering Lord, You, the Judge, stood before the judgment seat of Pilate as a prisoner; but by Your Cross You have condemned the enmity that separated man from God. Deliver, then, from eternal condemnation those who cry to You in fear and glorify Your love for mankind.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Of old the pious Children, strengthened by the fire of fasting, in truth extinguished the raging fire with dew from God. By fasting let us also extinguish the furnace of the passions, that we may escape the flames of Gehenna.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
In you, O unwedded Maiden, has the Wisdom of God built for Himself a dwelling and in His indescribable condescension, taken flesh. For you alone out of all generations have been chosen to be the dwelling-place of the incorrupt Word.
Irmos: To Him who of old prefigured the miracle of the Virgin,* to Moses in the burning-bush on Mount Sinai,* let us sing, bless, and supremely exult* throughout all ages.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.
O Christ, whose word upholds the universe, You endured all things for my sake; the buffeting and spitting, and crucifixion. I praise the greatness of Your love for mankind throughout all ages.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.
Your side pierced by a lance O Christ, You offered Yourself in sacrifice as a lamb, enabling me, the lost sheep, to be saved from the snares of the devil, and preserving me in Your good fold throughout all ages.
We bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord.
O Godhead, one in Trinity, undivided in Nature yet divided in Hypostases, ever existing Power, the Father, Son, and Spirit, we sing Your praises throughout all ages.
Now…
O pure Birth-giver of God, Gate of heaven, Door of salvation, accept the supplications of all orthodox Christians who bless you throughout all ages.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Your Cross, O Christ, is the glory of priests, the strengthening of children, and the enlightenment of all the faithful. Count me worthy to behold and worship it, and to sing in praise of it throughout the ages.
We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!
Katavasia: To Him who of old prefigured the miracle of the Virgin,* to Moses in the burning-bush on Mount Sinai,* let us sing, bless, and supremely exult* throughout all ages.
Ode 9
Irmos: In the shadow and the letter of the Law, let us, the faithful, discern a figure:* every male child that opens the womb shall be sanctified to God.* Therefore, we magnify the firstborn Word and Son of the beginningless Father,* the firstborn Child of a Mother who has not known a man.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The serpent that Moses raised upon his staff prefigured You, O Christ, who was willingly raised up upon the Cross; healing us from the poison of the evil one, and in Your love drawing all mankind to Yourself.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Cleanse me by the fire of reverent fear of You, O Christ; kindle Your divine love in my soul, and wall me about with Your Cross: for the deceiver who of old caused mankind’s fall has craftily beguiled me and darkened my understanding with disordered desires.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O brethren, let us fast from shameful thoughts and evil actions; let us purify our hearts and through the divine virtues let us ascend with wings to heaven, turning away from evil and earthly desires; that we may behold the great Pascha.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
He who is rich by nature hath chosen to be clothed in our poverty, O Virgin; and He who is invisible, whom the choirs of angels praise on high, has become visible, and in His compassionate goodness formed anew our sullied image.
Irmos: The noetic living ladder, upon which our God has descended,* and by which we have found a way to ascend into heaven, we magnify you with hymns.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.
You stretched forth Your arms upon the Cross and thereby make Your own the four corners of the world; by which we have access to the Father, O Son of God, wherefore we all magnify You.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.
The transgressors placed a crown of thorns upon Your head, O Christ; they struck You and crucified You. Seeing these things, all that is under the heavens were shaken; but we, having been saved, magnify You.
Glory…
Holy and threefold Light of the Godhead, ever upholding and protecting all things, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit of Life, with never-silent hymns we magnify You.
Now…
You are the effulgent cloud of the Spirit, O Theotokos, from which has shone upon us the unapproachable Light, Christ the great Sun of righteousness; wherefore with hymns we magnify you.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
O Cross of Christ, you are our light, our holy symbol and sign of victory. Make abstinence sweet for us and count us worthy to venerate you.
Katavasia: The noetic living ladder, upon which our God has descended,* and by which we have found a way to ascend into heaven, we magnify you with hymns.
Aposticha
Tone 2
Though honoured as a son by the loving Father,* in my foolishness I understood it not,* depriving myself of glory,* by wickedly wasting the wealth of grace,* and unworthily rendering honour to the divine food,* I have become the servant of an unclean citizen,* who has sent me into his soul-destroying field,* and living like the Prodigal I ate with wild beasts;* enslaved to pleasures I could not eat my fill.* But now that I have turned back,* I shall cry to the compassionately loving and merciful Father:* I have sinned against heaven and before You;* 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.
Though honoured as a son by the loving Father,* in my foolishness I understood it not,* depriving myself of glory,* by wickedly wasting the wealth of grace,* and unworthily rendering honour to the divine food,* I have become the servant of an unclean citizen,* who has sent me into his soul-destroying field,* and living like the Prodigal I ate with wild beasts;* enslaved to pleasures I could not eat my fill.* But now that I have turned back,* I shall cry to the compassionately loving and merciful Father:* I have sinned against heaven and before You;* have mercy on me.
Tone 8
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.
The multitude of Your saints intercede before You, O Christ:* Have mercy on us as You are the Lover of mankind.
Glory… Now…
Having endured many pangs during the crucifixion of your Son and God, O most pure one,* you groaned, weeping and crying aloud:* “Woe is me, O my sweet Child!* How is it that You suffer unjustly,* desiring to deliver the mortal descendants of Adam?”* Wherefore, O all-pure Virgin, we entreat you with faith:* Render Him merciful to us!
PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY ON WEDNESDAY EVENING
At Psalm 140
Tone 4
- Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Having wasted the riches which the Father has given me through prodigal living;* I am now a pauper and dwell in a land of wicked citizenry;* and in my thoughtlessness have become like the dumb beasts,* completely stripped of God’s grace.* But turning back I cry to You,* O compassionately loving and merciful Father:* “I have sinned, receive me in repentance O God,* and have mercy on me.”
- The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Having wasted the riches which the Father has given me through prodigal living;* I am now a pauper and dwell in a land of wicked citizenry;* and in my thoughtlessness have become like the dumb beasts,* completely stripped of God’s grace.* But turning back I cry to You,* O compassionately loving and merciful Father:* “I have sinned, receive me in repentance O God,* 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 living oblations, spiritual burnt-offerings,* and perfect sacrifices to God,* sheep that know God and are known by Him,* whose fold no wolf can enter within:* pray that we may be led with you* to feed beside the waters of rest.
Tone 6
- Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
O apostles, eye-witnesses of God,* beams of light from the noetic Sun,* pray that our souls may be enlightened,* and deliver us from the gloomy darkness of the passions,* and pray that we may see the day of salvation,* that our hearts which the evil one has wounded* may be cleansed by prayer and fasting,* that saved then by faith, we shall ever honour you,* who have saved the world through your all-wise preaching of the truth.
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Squandering in evil the wealth which You gave me,* O compassionately loving Father.* I am starved of good deeds* and clothed in the shame of my transgressions,* having been stripped of God’s grace;* I cry to You: “I have sinned,* yet I know of Your loving-kindness;* accept me as one of Your hired servants, O merciful Christ,* by the prayers of the apostles who loved You.
- 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 the Lord, you are celestial beacons illumining the inhabited earth,* benefactors and saviours;* like the heavens you declare the glory of God,* adorned with the stars of your miracles and signs of healing;* intercede fervently for us before the Lord,* that our prayers may be accepted as an odour of spiritual fragrance,* that we may all be deemed worthy to worship the life-giving Cross* and to gaze upon it with reverent fear;* that worshiping Your Cross O Saviour,* Your mercy may be sent down upon us as You are the Lover of mankind.
Tone 6
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
You wisely perceived transitory deception, O all-glorious one,* and even after your departure from hence to the Lord* you have hindered those who demand to have it,* though it is in nowise abiding,* and this fleeting and temporal life and social order.* Wherefore, as a wise overseer,* you have passed over to a better life,* having pleased Christ, O Cassian, by your life and works.
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
You wisely perceived transitory deception, O all-glorious one,* and even after your departure from hence to the Lord* you have hindered those who demand to have it,* though it is in nowise abiding,* and this fleeting and temporal life and social order.* Wherefore, as a wise overseer,* you have passed over to a better life,* having pleased Christ, O Cassian, by your life and works.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Taking up your cross in childhood, O glorious father,* with alacrity you trod the path which is hard and narrow,* yet of surpassing honour, submitting to the commandments of Him who called you.* Wherefore, for your labours you have obtained as twofold recompense and fitting reward:* the heavenly kingdom of Christ* and a place to dance in the light with all the saints, O Cassian.* With them unceasingly pray in behalf of our souls.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
A thing of wonder was every virtue, O divinely wise one,* wherewith, at first on earth in the flesh,* you watchfully observed silence, O venerable one,* and later spoke in words and material things, being humble, meek and innocent,* a prophetic and right goodly herald.* And now, when you have hastened to God,* you have marvelled all the more,* and have received the grace of healing.
Glory… Now…
Having stumbled because of my evil disposition,* and been enslaved to wicked deception, O Bride of God,* wretch that I am, I flee to your all wondrous loving-kindness* and your fervent aid, O all-holy Maiden.* Deliver me from the bonds of temptations and grief, O all-immaculate one,* and save me from the assaults of the demons,* that I may glorify you, may hymn and bow down before you with love,* and may magnify you, O Mistress, as ever-blessed.
Prokeimenon I, Tone 4
My trust is in the tender mercy of God* for ever and ever.
verse: Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man, and in iniquity all the day long?
Reading I
Genesis 7:6-9
Prokeimenon II, Tone 4
When God shall bring back His people from captivity,* Jacob shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad.
verse: The fool has said in his heart: there is no God.
Reading II
Proverbs 9:12-18