New Texts arriving in the evening of April 17, 2024!
Event Information:
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Wed13Mar2024
Transfer of the Relics of Our Holy Father Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople (847).
Great Fast Day 31. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
MATINS ON WEDNESDAY MORNING
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 8
When the thief beheld the Author of life hanging upon the Cross, he said:* ‘If it were not God made flesh that is crucified with us,* the sun would not have hid its rays nor would the earth have quaked and trembled.* But, all-foreboding Lord, remember me in Your Kingdom.
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool for He is holy.
In the midst, between two thieves, Your Cross became a balance-beam of righteousness.* For the one was carried down to hell by the burden of blasphemy;* the other was lightened of his sins and brought to the knowledge of God.* O Christ our God, glory to You.
God is wonderful in His saints, the God of Israel.
Steadfastly you have trod, O holy martyrs, the narrow way of sorrow* and endured the troubled waters of temptation.* Now you have received a dwelling-place with the ministering angels,* having proved yourselves a rock of patient fortitude, a firm foundation of the Faith.* Pray to Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.
Glory… Now…
When she who bore Him saw upon the Cross* the Lamb and Shepherd and Saviour of the world, she said weeping:* ‘The world rejoices, for it receives deliverance;* but inwardly I burn, seeing Your Crucifixion which You suffer for all men,* O my Son and God.’
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 8
Ungraciously Adam ate from the tree,* and reaped the bitter fruits of his lack of abstinence;* but You, O merciful One, lifted up upon the Tree,* delivered him from his grievous condemnation,* wherefore we cry to You:* Grant us, O Master, temperance that we may abstain from corrupting fruit, and do Your will,* and thereby receive Your mercy.
Glory… Now…
Christ took flesh from your pure blood and was born from you, O pure one,* in a manner beyond understanding;* upon seeing Him hung on the Cross between two malefactors,* your soul was filled with anguish,* and with a mother’s lamentation you cried aloud:* “Woe is me, my Child! What is this divine and ineffable condescension,* whereby You have restored to life Your creature?* I sing the praises of Your compassionate goodness.”
Sessional Hymn III, Tone 2
Singing the praises of the all-holy Tree of the Cross,* we ever venerate Your boundless love, O Christ God.* For upon it You have put to shame the hosts of the enemy,* and given it as a sign to those that believe in You.* Therefore, in thanksgiving we cry aloud to You:* Grant that in good faith and in peace* we may complete the time of the Fast.
Glory… Now…
Upon seeing the innocent Shepherd hanging upon the Tree,* the Ewe-Lamb cried aloud with a mother’s lamentation:* “O my Son, Your ungrateful people have condemned to death,* You who covered them with a cloud as they journeyed through the wilderness;* Woe is me! I have no husband, nor Child.* But, arise, O Sun, and let Your light shine forth;* and I shall be glorified among the sons of mortal men.”
Canon
Ode 3
Irmos: O Lord, who covered the dome of the heavens* and who built up your Church in three days,* make me firm in the love of You, O only Lover of mankind,* the summit of our desires and the fortress of believers.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
With Your hands stretched out upon the Cross, O just Judge, You have condemned enmity; and now save me the prodigal who are condemned by my sins, for I have provoked You, O long-suffering Saviour.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Like a wild beast I have desired a life that inflames passions; I have departed far from Your commandments, O Good One, and become the servant of strange and unclean citizens. But accept me who has now turned back to You, and save me.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
As of old You opened the ear and tongue of him who had an impediment in his speech, open now the ears of my soul which have grown deaf in comprehension, and grant them to worthily hear Your saving words, O Jesus, who alone loves mankind.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Gate of salvation, and Bridge to God, Protector of Christians, O Most holy Lady, I am beset by many troubles and tempest-tossed on the sea of life, O Maiden, pilot me.
Irmos: My mind has not brought forth good fruit,* but show me to be fruitful* in Your compassion, O God,* husbandman of all good things.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.
For the sake of Your compassionate mercy, You ascended the Cross, O Christ, and lift me up from the pit of the passions, raising me to heaven.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.
Stretching out Your hands upon the Cross, O Christ, You have embraced nations that were far from You, drawing them near Your dominion.
Glory…
Unity in three Hypostases, Trinity supreme in Essence, one Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit of righteousness, save those who honour You.
Now…
Who among those born on earth can praise you as is meet, O Virgin Mother? For you, O all-blessed one, alone have been revealed as chosen among women.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
You were lifted up upon the Cross, Your side pierced, and tasting gall, for my sake, who have provoked You, O Jesus, through disobedience.
Katavasia: My mind has not brought forth good fruit,* but show me to be fruitful* in Your compassion, O God,* husbandman of all good things.
Ode 8
Irmos: In his fury, the tyrant of the Chaldeans had the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual* for the faithful servants of the Lord;* but when he saw them saved by a more powerful force, he cried out* O youths, bless your Creator and Redeemer;* praise Him, you priests;* and all you people, exalt Him for all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
With Your unsleeping eye look upon me and have compassion: for I am held fast in the sleep of melancholy and lay upon the bed of passions. You bowed Your head upon the Cross, O Christ, and willingly awakened from sleep, You have banished the darkness of sin; for You are the Light of righteousness.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I was richly adorned with Your gifts at Baptism; but wretched as I am, I have loved the poverty of evil, and become a stranger to virtue, and wandered into the far country of sin: but turn me back, O Saviour, and embrace me, and surround me with Your Cross throughout the ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Cast aside, O my soul, the drunkenness of the passions, and by fasting seek the cleansing wine of tears which makes glad the heart of man, withering lust and extinguishing the burning of the flesh. Make haste, therefore, to be crucified with Christ, who for your sake was nailed upon the Tree, that you may live with Him throughout all ages.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O all-pure Birthgiver of God, cleanse the wounds of my soul and the scars of my many sins, bathing them in the fountain that ever flows from the side of Him whom you bore, that I may cry to you, and flee to you for refuge, and call upon you, O grace-filled Mother.
Irmos: Unto God who is glorified in heaven by the voices of angels;* let us sing, and with every mortal born on earth, let us praise Him throughout all ages.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.
To You who has been crucified in the flesh, yet did not suffer in Your divine nature, O Jesus, do we the race of mortals, and the angels, ever hymn throughout all ages.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.
By Your Crucifixion, O Christ, and by choosing an accursed and shameful death, You have delivered us from corruption and saved us.
We bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord.
With the cherubim, O Trinity, I praise You, singing: Holy, Holy, Holy, one Godhead, simple, beginningless, and transcending all understanding.
Now…
In songs of praise, O pure one, all generations honour you with gladness, for you have given birth to the Creator, O strange wonder and all-blessed deed!
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Solely for the sake of my salvation, O Christ, You have consented to suffer all things. I hymn Your Crucifixion, the nails, and death throughout all ages.
We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!
Katavasia: Unto God who is glorified in heaven by the voices of angels;* let us sing, and with every mortal born on earth, let us praise Him throughout all ages.
Ode 9
Irmos: Heaven was seized with wonder and the ends of the earth struck with astonishment* when God revealed himself to humanity clothed in our flesh.* And your womb has become more spacious than the heavens;* O Mother of God, the assembly of angels and people extol you.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Upon seeing You nailed upon the Cross, the sun hid its rays, and the whole of the earth was seized with trembling, O King of all, beholding You willingly suffering, even though by nature You are impassible. Wherefore I beseech You, heal the passions of my soul, O Christ, physician of souls.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Having forsaken the paths of salvation, I have traversed the path that leads to Hades, and am surrounded by the deep darkness of lust, the slipperiness of passions, and the tempest of temptation; Wherefore I entreat You: Save me by Your Cross, O Christ, for You alone are plenteous in mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Beset by the wintery storm of temptation, I am drowning amidst the waves of passion, assailed by the tempest of lust; but now that I have reached the sea of the Fast, I find mildness and calm. Pilot me as I traverse it by Your Cross, O compassionate One, and bring me to the safe harbour of salvation.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Without seed, O Virgin, and without carnal desire, you have conceived the Word of God who has fashioned all things; and without corruption and the pangs of travail you have given birth to Him. Wherefore with both tongue and heart we confess you to be the very Theotokos and we magnify you.
Irmos: Your virginity, O undefiled Theotokos, was not burned by the fire of the Divinity,* wherefore we magnify you.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.
Willingly, O our Saviour, You endured endure Crucifixion, to deliver us all from death and grant us life.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.
By a tree did I perish, and by the Tree of the Cross I have returned to life: for my Christ was nailed upon it and has thereby slain the enemy.
Glory…
Let us with one mind worship the Son who coexists with the Father, and the Holy Spirit who is ever present with them.
Now…
O marvellous wonder! O strange tidings! How did you give birth as a mother, O pure one, and as a virgin not know corruption?
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
I sing of Your lance, I praise Your nails, the sponge, the reed, and the Cross: for through them I have been saved, O Jesus my God.
Katavasia: Your virginity, O undefiled Theotokos, was not burned by the fire of the Divinity,* wherefore we magnify you.
Aposticha
Tone 3
Having Forsaken the height of the virtues, O my soul,* you have descended into the depths of sin, and fallen among evil thieves;* wherefore you are covered with festering sores* laying prostrate and helpless.* But cry aloud to Christ God,* who, of His own will, has been crucified and wounded for your sake, saying:* “Take care of me, O Lord, and save me.”
Tone 8
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 the wretched one, have been wounded by thieving thoughts* and left almost dead, O Lord.* The company of the prophets have passed me by, beholding me as one almost dead,* incurable by the hands of man.* Wherefore, in my grievous suffering,* with humble heart I cry to You, O Christ God,* since You are compassionate,* pour upon me Your great mercy.
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.
O invincible martyrs of Christ,* you triumphed over delusion by the power of the Cross,* and received the grace of eternal life as your reward.* You did not fear the threatening of the tyrants,* and when you suffered torments you rejoiced;* and now your blood has become for us the healing of our souls.* Intercede for us, that we be saved.
Glory… Now…
Upon seeing You hanging upon the Cross in the flesh* the all-pure one was wounded in the depths of her soul,* and she cried aloud with tears:* “O Word, to where has You gone,* O most beloved Jesus, my Son and my Lord?* Leave me not alone who has given birth to You, O Christ.”
VESPERS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING
At Psalm 140
Tone 8
The wicked shall fall into their own nets,* while I remain alone until I can escape.
By my thoughts I have fallen among thieves,* and in my wretchedness my mind has been taken captive, and cruelly beaten;* my soul is entirely wounded, and stripped of virtues,* and I lie naked on the path of life.* Seeing me in pain with unhealable wounds,* the priest was unable to even glance at me.* The Levite upon seeing me passed by on the other side.* But You, O Christ God, were well-pleased to come, not from Samaria* but incarnate from Mary:* and in Your love for mankind, grant me healing* pouring upon me Your great mercy.
With my voice I cried to the Lord;* with all my voice I implored the Lord.
By my thoughts I have fallen among thieves,* and in my wretchedness my mind has been taken captive, and cruelly beaten;* my soul is entirely wounded, and stripped of virtues,* and I lie naked on the path of life.* Seeing me in pain with unhealable wounds,* the priest was unable to even glance at me.* The Levite upon seeing me passed by on the other side.* But You, O Christ God, were well-pleased to come, not from Samaria* but incarnate from Mary:* and in Your love for mankind, grant me healing* pouring upon me Your great mercy.
Before Him I pour out my supplications;* before Him I declare my distress.
If there be any virtue and if there be any praise,* rightly are these things ascribed to the saints.* They bowed their necks beneath the sword,* for the sake of You who have bowed the heavens and descended.* They shed their blood for You, who has emptied Yourself and taken the form of a servant;* they humbled themselves even to death,* following the example of Your poverty.* By their prayers have mercy on us, O God,* according to the multitude of Your great mercy.
When my breath was escaping me,* then You knew my paths;
O Lord, You have shown Your holy disciples to be living heavens.* By their intercessions deliver me from earthly wickedness,* and through abstinence always raise my thoughts on high* that I may comprehend Your Passion:* for You are merciful and the Lover of mankind.
On the road upon which I was walking,* they set up snares for me.
Having the season of the Fast as an aid in the performance of divine deeds.* Let us weep with our whole heart and cry to the Saviour:* Through Your disciples, O most merciful Lord,* save us who praise You with love * for You are compassionate and the Lover of mankind.
I looked to my right and observed* there was no one friendly to me;
O all-praised apostles, intercessors for the whole world,* physicians of the ailing, guardians of the healthy,* in both do you watch over us during the passing of the Fast;* may we remain in blessed peace with one another;* preserving our mind untroubled by the passions,* that all of us may sing a hymn of praise* to the risen Christ the Conqueror.
Tone 4
Even flight was denied me;* there was no one to take care of my life.
I have wasted all my life with harlots and publicans:* how shall I repent, even in my old age, of the sins that I have committed?* But, O Fashioner of all that is and Healer of the sick,* before I utterly perish O Lord, save me.
I cried out to You, O Lord, and said:* You are my hope, my share in the land of the living.
Weighed down by the burden of negligence,* I wallow in the mire, pierced by the arrows of forbidden things,* and have defiled my nature created according to Your image.* O You who converts the negligent and deliver those who have sinned,* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Listen to my supplication,* for I am laid very low.
I have become a stumbling-block to men;* born of the earth, I have cultivated earthly things.* By Your command I was joined in marriage,* and having transgressed I have defiled my bed.* O You who have formed me from the dust of the earth, despise not Your creature;* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Deliver me from my oppressors,* for they have overwhelmed me.
Taking my flesh into consideration, I have become the slayer of my soul.* I have made myself a plaything of devils* and a slave to sinful pleasures.* But in Your merciful compassion spare me,* O You, Banisher of the demons:* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
I have wilfully sinned more than all mankind, for which I have been forsaken,* I have as an adversary of my soul,* thoughts of the flesh which darken me.* O Light of those in darkness, and Guide of all who go astray,* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
My soul lives, says the Prophet, O Lord, and praises You.* Seek me, Your lost sheep, and number me among Your chosen flock.* Grant me time for repentance,* that with sorrow I may call upon You:* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
I have sinned, O Christ God, I have sinned,* having rejected Your ordinances.* But be merciful to me, O Benefactor:* that I may see with my noetic eyes,* and escape from the inner darkness,* and cry to Thee in fear:* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Wild beasts encompass me:* snatch me from them, O Master;* for it is Your will that all men should be saved* and come to the knowledge of the truth.* As Creator, save them all, and with them all save me:* before I utterly perish, save me, O Lord.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Be my healing O my Benefactor, Redeemer, and Saviour,* turn not away from me upon seeing me laying in transgressions,* but raise me up as You are all-powerful;* That I may confess my deeds and cry to You:* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
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 hidden the talent that was given me,* and like the foolish servant, buried it in the ground;* wherefore I have been condemned as of no use,* and no longer dare ask of You for anything.* But be not angered with me, rather be compassionate,* that I may cry to You:* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
You dried up the source of suffering of the woman with an issue of blood* when she touched the hem of Your garment,* grant forgiveness of sins to me also,* who approach You with unwavering faith,* accept me as You once accepted her, and heal my illness:* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Upon a throne shalt You sit,* who have created heaven and earth by Your word, O Lord,* and we all shall stand in Your presence and confess our sins to You.* Before that day cometh, accept me in repentance:* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Look upon me with a compassionate eye and be merciful to me, O only Saviour.* Grant springs of healing water to my poor and wretched soul,* wash me clean from the filth of my deeds,* that I may sing to You:* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
The adversary has prepared his weapons and hastens to ensnare my humble soul;* and has made me, O compassionate One,* a stranger to the resplendence of the contemplation of Your countenance.* But since You are mighty in strength, snatch me from his snares.* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
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.
I am utterly enslaved by the passions,* I have forsaken the Law and the Holy Scriptures.* Heal all of me, O Benefactor,* who for my sake have become as I am O Good One.* Turn me back, O Compassionate One, destroyer of the passions.* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
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 Harlot washed Your pure and precious feet with her tears,* and thereby encourages all men to approach You* and receive the remission of their sins.* Grant also to me her faith, O Saviour,* that I may cry to You:* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Cleanse the filth from my soul, O You who for my sake was made poor* and became a child according to the flesh.* I am a weak and wretched vessel, O Christ:* send down to me a drop of Your mercy;* that I may wash away the dirt and be healed of my sickness.* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Strengthen my soul, O Master, that it may flee to You and ever serve You;* for You are my guardian and protection, my defence and succor.* Count me worthy, O Word of God, to cry to You with boldness.* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Be our unshakable rampart, O Saviour, Jesus, and merciful God;* for we have fallen into deceitful ways and deeds.* Raise up, O Benefactor, Your creature,* and reconcile it to Yourself O Compassionate One.* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
I have become a Prodigal Son, and having wasted my riches I now perish from hunger.* I seek refuge beneath Your protection:* accept me as You accepted him O good Father.* Grant me a place at Your table,* that I may cry to You:* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Out of envy the author of evil drove first-formed man from Paradise.* But the thief who cried out upon the Cross “Remember me,” regained Paradise.* With faith and fear I also cry to You, “Remember me.”* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Stretch out Your hand to me, as once did to Peter, O God,* and having raised me up from the abyss, grant me grace and mercy,* by the supplications of Your most immaculate Mother* who has given birth to You seedlessly,* and by the prayers of all Your saints.* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Accept me as one who hymns Thee, O Lamb who takes away my sins,* for into Your hands have I committed my soul and body,* and as is my bound duty night and day I cry to You saying:* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Glory…
Ineffable is Your compassionate goodness, O supremely good One,* be not wrathful, O Lord,* but since You are sinless and merciful,* cast me not away from Your presence,* that with thanksgiving and rejoicing I may cry to You:* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Now…
O condescension beyond speech!* O strange and wondrous birth!* How does the Virgin carry You as a child in her arms,* for You are her Creator and her God!* O Benefactor who has thus consented to take flesh from her flesh,* O Lord, before I utterly perish, save me.
Prokeimenon I, Tone 4
O Lord, God of vengeance,* show Yourself.
verse: Rise up, O Judge of the earth; give the proud what they deserve!
Reading I
Genesis 17:1-9
Prokeimenon II, Tone 6
O sing to the Lord a new song,* sing to the Lord all the earth!
verse: O sing to the Lord; bless His name.
Reading II
Proverbs 15:20-16:9