New Texts arriving in the evening of April 17, 2024!
Event Information:
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Wed20Mar2024
Our Venerable Fathers Martyred by the Saracens at the Monastery of St. Sabbas (580-97).
Great Fast Day 38. 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 1
Beholding You, O Christ, stretched dead upon the Cross,* Your all-blameless Mother cried out:* ‘O my Son, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* what is this ineffable act of love, whereby in Your compassion, O Master,* You have saved the work of Your own hands?’
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool for He is holy.
O Lord, who loves mankind, we venerate the wood of Your Cross,* for You, the Life of all, were nailed upon it.* O Saviour, You have opened Paradise to the thief who turned to You with faith,* and You counted him worthy of Your joy when he confessed to You, ‘O Lord, remember me.’* Accept us also as You have accepted him, for we cry aloud:* ‘We have all sinned, but in Your compassion reject us not.’
God is wonderful in His saints, the God of Israel.
Accept in supplication, O Lord who loves mankind,* the sufferings that the saints endured for You;* and, we beseech You, heal all our distress.
Glory… Now…
When the Ewe saw You her Lamb,* crucified upon the Tree between two thieves, O long-suffering Word,* Your side pierced by a spear, with a mother’s grief she cried:* ‘O my Son, what is this strange and fearful mystery?* How is God, whom nothing can contain, confined within a tomb?* What words have power to describe these things?* Forsake not Your Mother, my beloved Child.’
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 2
Weighed down by many sins as if by a stone,* I lie in the tomb of negligence O compassionate One:* but lead me up from there, O lovingly compassionate Lord.
Glory… Now…
Guarded by the precious Cross of your son, O pure Sovereign Lady Theotokos,* we easily turn away all the assaults of the enemy!* Therefore we rightly call you blessed, for you are the mother of light* and the only hope of our souls!
Sessional Hymn III, Tone 2
Today Lazarus has died and been buried, and his sisters chant lamentations:* but You, as God foreseeing all, foretold their suffering saying;* “Lazarus has fallen sleep,”* prophesying to Your disciples, “but I hasten to raise up him whom I created.”* Wherefore we all cry to You: Glory to Your mighty power.
Glory… Now…
Your pure unwedded Mother, O Christ,* upon seeing You hanging dead upon the Cross,* said, weeping maternally: “How has the iniquitous and thankless council of the Jews* repaid Your many and great wonders, O my Son,* You who filled them with Your gifts?* I hymn Your divine condescension!”
Canon
Ode 3
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.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
By the power of the Cross strengthen my mind, weakened by the wiles of the evil One, and guide me, O Lord, that I may carry out Your will.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Sunk in the drowsiness of sloth, I lay sleeping on the bed of pleasure. Raise me up, O Christ, and make me a worshipper at Your Passion.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
With our souls cleansed and illumined by fasting, let us make haste to meet Christ as He comes incarnate to Jerusalem.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O pure Virgin, who remained unconsumed by the fire of the Godhead, burn up the material urgings of my passions, that with faith I may glorify you.
Irmos: O barren and infertile soul,* bring forth a crop of glorious fruit and joyously cry aloud:* I have been firmly established by You, O God;* there is none holy and none righteous save You, O Lord.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
The death of Lazarus on this day could not escape the all-seeing eye of Jesus, wherefore He spoke of it to His disciples, saying: “My friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to raise him.”
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
“Let us go into Judaea again,” You said, O Lord, and Your words filled the disciples with great trepidation, but Thomas boldly cried aloud: “He is the Life, let us go also; for if we die we shall return to life again.”
Glory…
O Trinity one in Essence, Almighty Father, co-beginningless Son, and co-enthroned Spirit of God, uncreated Godhead worshipped in a single Unity: with all mankind we hymn Your praises.
Now…
O most pure Mother, you are the root of Jesse from which has sprung forth Christ the Flower that renews life in all mortal mankind. Through you we have been delivered from corruption, wherefore we all hymn you, O pure one.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Rejoice, O Sion! Your King comes now, as the Prophet has proclaimed: meek, and carried in the flesh upon the foal of an ass; let us hymn the power of Him who holds all creation in the hollow of His hand.
Katavasia: O barren and infertile soul,* bring forth a crop of glorious fruit and joyously cry aloud:* I have been firmly established by You, O God;* there is none holy and none righteous save You, O Lord.
Ode 8
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.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Roll back from my humble soul, O Christ, the heavy stone of grievous despair, and raise me up from the tomb of insensitivity, that I may glorify You, O Word.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
You foretold to Your friends the death of Your friend, for the sake of Your compassionate mercy, O all-foreseeing God, raising him on the fourth day, to Your glorification.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
You came again O Christ, to Judaea, which seeks to murder You the Tree of Life, upon the Tree; for it is Your will to render immortal those who had been slain by eating from the tree.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
In you, pure Virgin, the ways of God have been clearly made manifest: for He kept your virginity intact after childbirth throughout all ages.
Irmos: He who was begotten of God the Father before all ages,* and in these later times assumed flesh from the Theotokos,* as both perfect man and truly God,* praise, bless, and exalt Him above all throughout all ages.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Lazarus, the friend of Christ having died today, is carried forth, and all those with Mary and Martha sorrowfully lament for their brother. But Christ shall joyously come to him, showing the people that He Himself is the Life of all.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Raised on high by acts of compassion, as though upon the Mount of Olives, let us make ready for the noetic coming of Christ, praising, blessing, and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.
We bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord.
O Unity in three Hypostases, the Father, Son, and living Spirit, one Godhead and one Kingdom, the hosts of angels glorify You as the never-waning Light; and we on earth praise, bless, and supremely exalt You throughout all ages.
Now…
Behold, with all generations we call you blessed, O most pure one, beholding your excellence. For in a manner transcending nature, you have given birth to the Maker of all, who is both God and man. Wherefore we bless and supremely exalt you throughout all ages.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
With the children let us also hasten to meet Christ God, bearing works of compassion instead of palms, and with prayer of the heart instead of branches; let us cry aloud: Hosanna! Bless and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!
Katavasia: He who was begotten of God the Father before all ages,* and in these later times assumed flesh from the Theotokos,* as both perfect man and truly God,* praise, bless, and exalt Him above all throughout all ages.
Ode 9
Irmos: Who born on Earth has ever heard of, or beheld,* a Virgin miraculously conceiving in her womb,* and painlessly giving birth to a child,* wherefore we magnify you, O pure Virgin.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
With fasting as his rampart, Daniel stopped the mouths of the wild beasts. Emulate him, O my soul, and by the Cross drive away the serpent who ever goes about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour souls.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Word of God, my soul has been slain by sin and imprisoned in the tomb of transgression; by Your life-giving word raise me up and deem me worthy to offer to You, the Conqueror of death, palms of virtue.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The Word of God the Father, whose throne is heaven and His footstool the earth, now enters the Holy City riding upon a foal; and, as King of all, He has appointed perfect praise from the mouths of babes.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O pure and most wondrous one, you alone are fair among women, for you have conceived the Word who is more comely than all mankind. Entreat Him, then, to cleanse the filth of my heart.
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.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
The sisters of Lazarus shed copious tears of mourning upon beholding their brother beneath the bitter tombstone. Perceiving this from afar, my Christ, You spoke of it to Your apostles, saying: “I am glad for your sakes, that I was not there in the flesh.”
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
O murderous Judaea, Christ, whom you have sought to stone, comes to you again, wishing to fulfil as God His saving Passion. Willingly shall He accept a violent death at your hands that He may save us.
Glory…
The Godhead is both Unity and Trinity, wondrous to contemplate, mingled in Essence, yet distinguished in Hypostases; though indivisible, it is divided; though one, it is three; the Father, Son, and the Spirit of Life, together watching over all things.
Now…
Who has ever heard of a virgin that gave 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? “Do not enquire into the mystery of my divine childbearing: it is altogether true yet transcends the understanding of man.”
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Weaving noetic and material branches of palms, let us make ready to meet the Master who comes to us: for blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord and Father, as the true Son.
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 1
Israel was clothed in purple and fine linen,* arrayed in the radiance of priestly and royal garments;* rich in the Law and the Prophets, it rejoiced in the services of the Law.* But it crucified You outside the gates, O Benefactor, who made Yourself poor,* and rejected You who are ever in the bosom of God the Father* who was seen alive after the Crucifixion,* and now thirsting for but a single drop of grace,* Israel, like the rich man clothed in purple and fine linen,* who was unmerciful to the beggar Lazarus,* and was therefore punished in the unquenchable flames,* is filled with anguish* beholding the Gentile peoples who once lacked even a crumb of the truth,* but are now warmed in the bosom of the faith of Abraham,* wearing the purple of Your blood and the fine linen of Baptism;* and they make glad and rejoice in Your gifts of grace, saying:* O Christ our God, glory be to You.
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.
Israel was clothed in purple and fine linen,* arrayed in the radiance of priestly and royal garments;* rich in the Law and the Prophets, it rejoiced in the services of the Law.* But it crucified You outside the gates, O Benefactor, who made Yourself poor,* and rejected You who are ever in the bosom of God the Father* Who was seen alive after the Crucifixion,* and now thirsting for but a single drop of grace,* Israel, like the rich man clothed in purple and fine linen,* who was unmerciful to the beggar Lazarus,* and was therefore punished in the unquenchable flames,* is filled with anguish* beholding the Gentile peoples who once lacked even a crumb of the truth,* but are now warmed in the bosom of the faith of Abraham,* wearing the purple of Your blood and the fine linen of Baptism;* and they make glad and rejoice in Your gifts of grace, saying:* O Christ our God, glory be to You.
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 all-praised martyrs, neither tribulation nor distress nor hunger nor persecution,* neither scourging nor the fury of wild beasts* nor the sword nor threat of fire, could separate you from God.* But suffering out of love for Him, as though your bodies were no longer yours,* you forgot your mortal nature and despised death.* Having received the reward due you for your sufferings and travail,* you have become heirs of the heavenly Kingdom;* intercede on behalf of our souls.
Glory… Now…
When Your pure Mother beheld You Who has suspended the earth upon the Waters* hanging upon the Cross, O Christ, Lover of mankind,* she cried aloud saying: “Woe is me!* What is this strange sight? O my beloved Son,* where has Your surpassing comeliness gone?* I magnify Your mercy,* for You have willingly suffered on behalf of all mankind.”
LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING
At Psalm 140
Tone 5
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
I am rich in the passions* and have clothed myself in the robe of hypocrisy,* and I rejoice in the wicked deeds of self-indulgence,* endlessly unmerciful, I have neglected my noetic mind,* which has been cast out by the gates of repentance,* starved of all good things, sickened through my lack of care.* O Lord, make me like the beggar Lazarus, but poor in sin,* that I be not tormented in the unquenchable flames,* and pray in vain for a finger to be dipped in water* and laid upon my tongue,* grant me to dwell with the Patriarch Abraham,* since You are the Lover of mankind.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
I am rich in the passions* and have clothed myself in the robe of hypocrisy,* and I rejoice in the wicked deeds of self-indulgence,* endlessly unmerciful, I have neglected my noetic mind,* which has been cast out by the gates of repentance,* starved of all good things, sickened through my lack of care.* O Lord, make me like the beggar Lazarus, but poor in sin,* that I be not tormented in the unquenchable flames,* and pray in vain for a finger to be dipped in water* and laid upon my tongue,* grant me to dwell with the Patriarch Abraham,* since You are the Lover of mankind.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Possessing an insatiable love in your souls, O holy martyrs,* you did not deny Christ, for whose sake you endured great sufferings and torments,* casting down the pride of the tyrant.* Having kept the faith unblemished and unharmed,* you have gone to dwell in the heavens.* Wherefore having gained great boldness before Christ,* pray that our souls be granted great mercy.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Journeying in the flesh, O Jesus, on the far side of the Jordan,* You said to those who were with you:* “My friend Lazarus has already died, and has been placed in a tomb.* Wherefore I rejoice for your sakes, my friends,* for by this you shall know that I know all things,* since I am God, inseparable from the Father,* though I appear as a man.* Let us hasten then, to bring him back to life,* that death may know defeat and utter destruction which I shall bring upon it,* bestowing My great mercy upon the world.”
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O faithful, let us follow the example of Martha and Mary,* and let us send our acts of righteousness to the Lord as an offering of prayer,* that He may come to resurrect our noetic understanding,* which lies insensible within the tomb of slothful negligence,* lacking all sense of the reverent fear of God,* void of the activity of the irascible energy,* wherefore let us cry aloud:* Behold O Lord, as once by Your divine authority,* You raised up Your friend Lazarus,* so now, O compassionate One, confer life upon us all,* and grant us Your great mercy.
Tone 4
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
For two days has Lazarus laid in the tomb,* beholding the dead from all ages.* Seeing there strange and terrible things,* a countless multitude of the prisoners of Hades.* Wherefore his sisters bitterly lament,* beholding his tomb before them.* But Christ comes to restore His friend to life,* that with one voice a single hymn of praise may made by all:* Blessed are You, O Saviour, have mercy upon us.
Tone 4
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Desiring good repute which is eternal* and in no wise passes away,* you disdained glory which is transitory and perishable;* and, taking up your cross, you followed after the Crucified* and made your flesh submit by feats of fasting.* Wherefore, we celebrate your memory, O James.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Desiring good repute which is eternal* and in no wise passes away,* you disdained glory which is transitory and perishable;* and, taking up your cross, you followed after the Crucified* and made your flesh submit by feats of fasting.* Wherefore, we celebrate your memory, O James.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Crucified to the world and the passions, O father James,* you preserved your soul*undefiled and pure,* untainted by base traits, taking wing to the heavens in mystic visions.* Therein, as a true friend of Christ,* as a most faithful favourite, you set forth your life, O venerable one.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Innocent, guileless, merciful and full of brotherly love,* humble-minded and meek, full of love,* adorned with almsgiving, gifted with patience,* adorned with faith and hope, ornamented with prayer,* and shining sacredly with divine splendours,* you were shown to be, O ever all-memorable one.
Glory… Now…
Take away the defilement of my passionate heart, O most hymned Theotokos;* cleanse all the wounds and befoulment thereof*which cometh from sin, O pure one,* and halt the wavering of my mind;* that I, your wretched and unprofitable servant,* may magnify your power and your great assistance.
Prokeimenon I, Tone 4
I walk in the presence of the Lord* in the land of the living.
verse: I love the Lord, for He has heard the cry of my appeal.
Reading I
Genesis 43:26-31 and 45:1-16
Prokeimenon II, Tone 4
I will pay my vows to the Lord,* in the presence of all His people.
verse: I trusted, even when I said: I am sorely afflicted.
Reading II
Proverbs 21:23-22:4