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Event Information:
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Mon18Mar2024
Our Holy Father Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem (386).
Great Fast Day 36. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
MATINS ON MONDAY MORNING
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 1
I am the prodigal: conceived in sin, I dare not look up to the height of heaven.* But trusting in Your love for man, I cry:* God be merciful to me and save me.
O Lord, rebuke me not in Your anger, neither chasten me in Your wrath.
If the righteous scarcely shall be saved, how will it be with me a sinner?* I have not borne the heat and the burden of the day:* yet, O God, number me with those who came at the eleventh hour,* and save me.
God is wonderful in His saints, the God of Israel.
The victorious martyrs clothed themselves in You, O Lord:* You were their glory in their sufferings, their crown, and their reward.* Steadfastly enduring torment, they overthrew the wicked;* and through the power of God they were granted victory from heaven.* Through their prayers, O God, give us Your great mercy.
Glory… Now…
O full of grace, creation rejoices beholding in you the wonder of all wonders.* For without seed you have conceived* and have borne ineffably as a child Him* upon whom the leaders of the angelic hosts dare not gaze.* O Theotokos, pray to Him for the salvation of our souls.
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 1
Having rolled away the stone of hardness from my heart,* raise up my soul deadened by passions, O good One,* and grant me to bring palms of virtues to You the Victor over Hades,* that I may obtain eternal life,* chanting the praises of Your power and Your loving-kindness,* O only Lover of mankind.
Glory… Now…
Beholding within you, O full of grace, the wonder of wonders,* creation rejoices for you conceived without seed and ineffably give birth* to Him whom the ranks of angels cannot behold.* Entreat Him on behalf of our souls!
Sessional Hymn III, Tone 1
The sixth week of the Fast is before us,* let us sing a preparatory hymn for the Feast of Palms to Christ,* who has come for our sake, seated on the foal of an ass,* that as King He may subdue the nations to His Father.* Let us all prepare for Him palm branches of virtues,* that with rejoicing we may behold His Resurrection.
Glory… Now…
Stretching forth your arms, wherewith you bore the divine Creator* who in His goodness has become incarnate,* O most pure Virgin, beseech Him to deliver from temptations, sufferings, and tribulations* those 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 birthgiving!
Canon
Ode 1
Irmos: Let us all chant a triumphant hymn to God* who wrought wondrous miracles with His upraised arm,* and saved Israel,* for He has been glorified.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Through abstinence let us put to death the passions, and through noetic activity let us enliven the spirit, that with pure minds we may behold the holy Passion of Christ.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O compassionate Lover of mankind, I have followed the ways of the rich man who lacked all compassion; but I pray You, number me with the beggar Lazarus, and deliver me from the flames of the unquenchable fire.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Lord, I have abstained from every act of virtue, and filled myself with sin. and now insofar as I hunger: feed me with the precious food of salvation.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O undefiled Lady, as an outcast I am condemned because of my actions: save me and have compassion upon me, for you have given birth to God the all-compassionate One.
Irmos: Let us sing a triumphant hymn to God,* who came to Moses’ aid in Egypt,* and drowned Pharaoh with all his host:* for He has been glorified.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
O you faithful, let us prepare to greet the bright feast of Palms, joyfully celebrating the days leading up to it, that we may be deemed worthy to behold the life-giving Passion.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Christ draws near and comes to Jerusalem, seated as a King upon the foal of an ass, that He may subdue the nations beneath the Father’s yoke.
Glory…
One in Godhead, a Unity in three Hypostases, God and Father unbegotten, the only-begotten Son, and one Holy Spirit, a single Sovereignty and power, save us all.
Now…
Most wondrous things have been spoken of you throughout all the world, for you gave birth in the flesh to the Maker of all, O Theotokos, Mary, who are unwedded and has not known a man.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Behold, Christ comes to the city of Bethphage, rejoice Bethany, home of Lazarus, for a great miracle shall be revealed to you, the raising of Lazarus from the dead.
Katavasia: Let us sing a triumphant hymn to God,* who came to Moses’ aid in Egypt,* and drowned Pharaoh with all his host:* for He has been glorified.
Ode 8
Irmos: The angels and all the hosts of heaven are in awe of Him 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.
Wretched as I am, I have grown rich in unprofitable thoughts; having defiled my soul with lawless pleasures, the darkness of despair have encompassed me. O my God, illumine me with the light of repentance.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
As once You gave light to the man blind from birth, illumine my soul blinded by Your Light, O merciful One, for it has been buried in the darkness of sinful neglect, and the cares of this life.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Through fasting Elijah opened the heavens and watered the thirsty earth with rain. Let us also fast, that we may draw forth streams of tears from our soul and be granted mercy.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
As a living vine, O pure Virgin, you have borne for us the ripe Cluster of grapes, from which flows the wine of forgiveness, drying up the drunkenness of sin.
Irmos: We offer to You the hymn of the bodiless hosts,* as did the children in the furnace,* and we sing Your praises, saying:* “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.”
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
The door of the forecourt leading to the raising of Lazarus has been opened to us: for lo! Christ has come to awaken the dead man as if from sleep, overthrowing death by life.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Great is your glory, O Bethany! For you have been deemed worthy to receive the Creator as your guest, wherefore cry aloud: “O you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.”
We bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord.
Let us glorify You, O Thrice Hypostatic Unity, one in Essence yet distinct in Hypostases, the Father, Son, and divine Spirit.
Now…
With the angel we cry to you “Rejoice!”, for from you has sprung forth the Joy and Saviour of the world. Entreat Him on behalf of us all, O all-hymned Virgin.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
We offer to You a hymn O Christ; for you who ride upon the foal, and sit upon the cherubim in the highest, have brought all mankind into subjection by Your sovereign power.
We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!
Katavasia: We offer to You the hymn of the bodiless hosts,* as did the children in the furnace,* and we sing Your praises, saying:* “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.”
Ode 9
Irmos: The ever-flowing well-spring of life, light-bearing candlestick of grace,* the animate temple, and most pure cloud,* wider than the heavens and the earth,* we the faithful magnify you the Theotokos.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have been slain by my many sins, and am imprisoned in the tomb of negligence, laying beneath the stone of despair. Remove it in Your mercy, O Christ, and raise me up as once You did Lazarus.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us flee the example of the rich man, who was condemned to everlasting fire, and let us love the example of Lazarus who was patient in his sufferings, that we may find a place in the bosom of Abraham when we pass from this life.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us with gladness observe the Fast which slays our passions; let us steadfastly devote ourselves to prayer; fervently weeping, mourning, and lamenting, that we may be comforted by Jesus and be made heirs of His kingdom.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The Divine treasury of virginity, the only restoration of our forefathers, the fountain flowing with the deep waters of loving-kindness, the beauty of Jacob: let us hymn the praises of the Theotokos, for through her we have been saved.
Irmos: You are the gate seen by Ezekiel the Prophet of old,* through which none has passed save God alone;* wherefore with hymns, O Virgin Theotokos, we honour you.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Today Christ has made manifest the illness of Lazarus, while staying beyond the regions of the Jordan, as one who knows all that will come to pass, saying: “This sickness is not unto death.”
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Make ready, O Bethany, adorn your godly gates, open wide your courts; for behold, the Master with the apostles shall enter therein, to bring life to your offspring.
Glory…
The host of six-winged seraphim glorifies You, the tri-hypostatic Unity, undivided Essence; and with all mankind we magnify You with hymns.
Now…
In ways transcending expression, You were begotten outside time from the Father, and born within time from Your Mother for the salvation of all; wherefore in our hymns, as Creator and Master, we magnify You.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
With branches of benevolence and palms of purity, let us all make ready to meet Christ who comes to Jerusalem as our God.
Katavasia: You are the gate seen by Ezekiel the Prophet of old,* through which none has passed save God alone;* wherefore with hymns, O Virgin Theotokos, we honour you.
Aposticha
Tone 5
Condemn me not, O Christ, to the flames of Gehenna,* as was the rich man through his neglect of Lazarus;* but grant even to me, who asks with tears,* a drop of Your love for mankind, O God,* 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.
Condemn me not, O Christ, to the flames of Gehenna,* as was the rich man through his neglect of Lazarus;* but grant even to me, who asks with tears,* a drop of Your love for mankind, O God,* and 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.
Blessed is the army of the heavenly King:* for though the passion-bearers were born of this earth,* they despised their bodies and hastened to attain to the angelic state;* and by their sufferings were deemed worthy of the honour of the bodiless ones.* By their prayers, O Lord, save our souls.
Glory… Now…
We entreat you, O you who are full of grace,* intercede by your supplications,* and beg that a multitude of compassions be granted to our souls* and the cleansing of our many sins.
VESPERS ON MONDAY EVENING
At Psalm 140
Tone 6
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
My wretched soul has been weakened by my many sins* and by the pleasures of this life,* and I lay upon the bed of slothfulness,* O Master, I cry to You:* O merciful One, come and visit me,* and grant me health and mercy.* Forsake me not, lest I sleep unto death* and the enemy rejoices over my downfall:* for he ever seeks me, O Saviour,* to lead me into the depths of Hades.
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 rivalled in foolishness the unmerciful rich man,* overwhelmed by sensuality and passions, I rejoice in pleasures.* Like Lazarus my mind ever lays at the gates of penitence, O Lord,* but with indifference I pass it by,* leaving it hungry, sick, and wounded by the passions.* Wherefore I am deserving of the flames of Gehenna:* but deliver me from them, O Master,* for You alone are rich in mercy.
Tone 5
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
O Lord, while dwelling in the flesh on the far side of the Jordan,* You foretold that the sickness of Lazarus would not be unto death,* but rather it would be to Your glory, O our God.* Glory to Your mighty acts and Your all-sovereign power,* for You have destroyed death* in You great mercy, O 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.
Having received the effulgence of the knowledge of God,* you illumined your heart, O all-wise father,* expelling the gloom of the mind’s deception,* and confessed Christ, the Lord of all who assumed our flesh.* Hence, O most lauded Chrysanthus,* made strong by the power of the Spirit,* you were shown to be stronger than your tortures.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
You reckoned the deceits of the enemy* and the burning of pleasures to be like a spider’s web.* And standing in your gloomy dungeon* you were illumined with divine effulgence* and were filled with noetic fragrance while surrounded by the fetid stench;* and as a most excellent escort* you brought to Christ as an undefiled bride* the woman who sought to defile you.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Wounded by the most sweet love of the Creator,* you utterly spurned all ungodliness;* and having betrothed yourself to Christ by the many torments of your body,* you found within yourself a divine bridal chamber,* Daria of great renown, divine receptacle of the Spirit,* adornment of athletes and ornament of virgins.
Glory… Now…
O most immaculate Virgin Mother,* transform the infirmity and impotence of my soul* into might and power,* that with fear and love I may keep and observe the statutes of Christ,* that I may avoid the unbearable fire,* and, ever rejoicing, may inherit through you* the legacy of heaven and life unsurpassed.
Prokeimenon I, Tone 4
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good:* for His mercy endures for ever.
verse: So let them say that have been redeemed by the Lord.
Reading I
Genesis 27:1-14
Prokeimenon II, Tone 7
Be exalted above the heavens, O God:* and Your glory above all the earth.
verse: Ready is my heart, O God, ready is my heart.
Reading II
Proverbs 19:16-25
Aposticha
Tone 4
Deliver us from soul-destructive greed, O Saviour,* and grant us a place with Lazarus the beggar in the bosom of Abraham.* For You who are rich in mercy* willingly becoming poor for our sakes,* leading us up from corruption to incorruption,* as You are a merciful God and the 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.
Deliver us from soul-destructive greed, O Saviour,* and grant us a place with Lazarus the beggar in the bosom of Abraham.* For You who are rich in mercy* willingly becoming poor for our sakes,* leading us up from corruption to incorruption,* as You are a merciful God and the 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.
You have accepted the patience of the holy martyrs:* in Your love accept also our hymns of praise,* and by their intercessions grant us Your great mercy.
Glory… Now…
Deliver us from our needs, O Mother of Christ God,* you who have given birth to the Creator of all,* that we all may cry out to you:* Rejoice, O who alone are the intercessor for our souls!