Daily texts will return after June 20, 2024!
Event Information:
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Fri22Mar2024
Holy Priest-Martyr Basil, Presbyter of Ancyra (363). Passing into eternal life (1924) of Fr. Isidore Dolnytsky, hymnographer, professor and spiritual father of L’viv and the Greek College in Rome.
Great Fast Day 40. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
MATINS FOR FRIDAY MORNING
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 1
When You were crucified, O Christ, the tyranny of the devil was destroyed,* the power of the enemy was trampled underfoot.* For it was not an angel or a man that saved us, but You Yourself, O Lord:* glory be to You.
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool for He is holy.
Putting his trust in the weapon of the Cross,* the pious Emperor Constantine was victorious in battle over his enemies.* This weapon makes the powers of hell tremble;* it is the salvation of the faithful and the glory of St. Paul.
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…
Gaining your protection, O Most Pure,* by your intercessions we are released from danger.* Guarded always by the Cross of your Son,* we all magnify you with the reverence that is your due.
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 4
Two of the disciples have been sent to fetch the foal of an ass, as it is written;* and, seated upon it, Christ shall come in His comeliness,* accepting the sacred praise of the children,* let us eagerly hasten to meet Him,* bearing as palms our virtuous deeds.
Glory… Now…
O all-immaculate Virgin,Mother of Christ God,* a sword pierced your most holy soul* when you beheld your Son and God crucified of His own will.* Never cease to entreat Him, O blessed one,* that He grant us the forgiveness of our transgressions.
Sessional Hymn III, Tone 8
Two of the disciples are sent today to bring the foal of an ass to the Master of all;* who comes seated thereon, He who is borne on high by the hosts of the seraphim.* The all-devouring death and ruler of this world,* has begun to quake in fear,* for by Lazarus, the first of the imprisoned race of mankind has been freed from him.
Glory… Now…
Standing before the Passion of her Son,* the pure one lamented bitterly, crying out in hymns:* “How have the Hebrew children brought You* who are glorified by the angels with never-silent hymns,* before the judgment seat of Pilate?* Woe is me, O my Child!* Wherefore O Word I sing the praises of Your boundless and ineffable loving-kindness.
Canon
Ode 5
Irmos: Shine upon me, O Lord, the light of Your commandments,* for my soul rises early to You and hymn You:* For You are our God,* and to You do I flee, O King of peace.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Falling asleep upon Your Cross, O Lord, You have put death to sleep O Master. For You cried out: “My friend Lazarus sleeps, but I shall go now to awake him.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Fulfilling the preaching of the prophets, You have come to the city that killed the prophets, O compassionate Christ; and there You shall willingly be slain, saving me who am dead from corruption.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Having brought your rebellious body into submission to the Word through abstinence and prayer, both monks and laity, go out to meet Christ who comes to His Passion riding upon a foal.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O most-pure one, with the drops of your mercy water my mind dried out by the flame of sin, and kindle the extinguished lamp of my heart, O Gate of Light.
Irmos: Disperse, O Word, the darkness from my soul, O Christ God, the Light-Giver,* Having driven out the primordial darkness of the abyss,* grant to me the light of Your commandments,* that early in the morning I may glorify You.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Approaching Bethany, O Christ, You sent two of Your disciples to fetch You a foal upon which never a man sat. For none but You, O Saviour, have brought into subjection the spiritually unlearned gentiles.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Today a great multitude of the Jews have come from Jerusalem to Bethany to grieve with the sisters of Lazarus; but on the next morn, upon learning that Lazarus had come forth from the tomb, they sought after Christ to kill Him.
Glory…
O Most Holy Trinity, the Father, Son, and the all-creative Spirit, sacred Godhead, beginningless Essence, threefold Light, all-seeing Power, protect Your servants.
Now…
Upon beholding You affixed to the Cross with nails, O Christ, and the blood and water pouring forth from Your lifegiving side, Your mother, in her loving maternal compassion suffered with You, for she knew You as her Son.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Behold, Christ makes ready to enter into Jerusalem; let all the monastics dwelling in the mountains and the desert places, assemble together and come to joyously meet Him, along with all who are under the heavens.
Katavasia: Disperse, O Word, the darkness from my soul, O Christ God, the Light-Giver,* Having driven out the primordial darkness of the abyss,* grant to me the light of Your commandments,* that early in the morning I may glorify You.
Ode 8
Irmos: The earth and all that is therein, the seas and all wellsprings,* the heaven of heavens, light and darkness,* frost and heat, sons of men, and priests,* bless the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout the ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Why, O beloved women, do you weep bitterly for your brother, when you have the Resurrection and the Life with you? He who is the Giver of all good things has come to restore life to His close friend, that through Lazarus’ resurrection He may foretell the resurrection of all.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Monks, gather together from your dwellings, as the rational sheep, and with branches in your hands meet Christ the Chief Shepherd: For the Lord comes willingly as a lamb to the slaughter, that He may deliver us from the tyranny of the wolf.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
As You were approaching Bethphage, the enemy, upon hearing Your footsteps in Hades, touched the feet of Lazarus, saying: “If Life calls you, delay not, but go out: for I know that destruction shall shortly befall me.”
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The sacred voices of the prophets proclaimed you in symbols, O Virgin, calling you the Gate and Mountain, the sacred Ark and light Cloud, from whom the Sun, the only Giver of Light, has shone forth upon those in the darkness and shadow of death.
Irmos: Seated upon the throne of glory, and unceasingly glorified as God,* O angels and heavens bless, hymn and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Two of the disciples were sent to fetch an ass for Him who rides upon the clouds, and whom all things praise and supremely exalt throughout all ages.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Christ is at the door: be not sad in countenance, O Bethany; for He will change your sorrow into joy by raising your offspring Lazarus from the tomb, who hymns and supremely exalts Christ throughout the ages.
We bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord
The Trinity is one God: the Father is not begotten like the Son, nor does the Son proceed like the Spirit, but each preserves its own distinctive characteristics; I glorify the Three as Light and God throughout the ages.
Now…
You alone have conceived without corruption; you alone have given suck to a child without enduring the pain of childbirth; you alone have given birth to Your Maker and Master, being both His handmaiden and His mother; we hymn you, O Virgin Mother, throughout the ages.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
With the noetic branches of our virtues, and with the material branches of the palms, let us prepare to receive Christ Who is twofold in nature, for He that comes riding upon a colt, do we supremely exalt throughout all ages.
We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!
Katavasia: Seated upon the throne of glory, and unceasingly glorified as God,* O angels and heavens bless, hymn and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!.
Ode 9
Irmos: For the Mighty One has done great things to me,* and holy is His name;* and His mercy is upon them that fear Him* unto generation and generation.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
You foretold to Your disciples, O Jesus: “Behold, we go up to the Holy City, and by the hands of murderers I shall surely be delivered to Crucifixion, and slain in the flesh.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Wishing to deliver Your friend from death, and for our sake, You hastened to suffer death in the flesh by crucifixion, granting immortality to the faithful, O Word who alone are immortal.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us bring to Christ the palm branches of our chastity, for humbly does He draw near in the flesh seated upon a foal, wherefore let us say to Him: “O Saviour who have come to Your Passion, blessed are You.”
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Awesome is your childbearing, O Theotokos and Mother of Christ; wherefore in faith we and all generations call you blessed, and reverently glorify you throughout the ages, amen.
Irmos: The prophetic vision of the lawgiver on the mountain,* in the fire of the burning bush,* prefigured your birthgiving O Ever-Virgin, the salvation of us the faithful,* wherefore with never silent hymns we magnify you.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Sending out His disciples, Christ said: “Loose the colt and bring it to me, that I may be seated upon it, and free the nations from their spiritual ignorance, and as the Son, bring them into subjection to the Father.”
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
The Lord draws near: open your gates, Bethany, and receive the Master with faith, for He has come to raise Lazarus from the tomb, as alone all-powerful.
Glory…
O Lord, the threefold brightness of Your singular Power illumines our minds with the brightness of revelation; turning us from the delusion that divides, and bringing us to the divine life that unites.
Now…
Rejoice, Palace of the King of all. For by you, O Virgin Theotokos, the Kingdom of Heaven has been opened to us on earth, and we have become dwellers with the angels.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
All you who dwell in the deserts, in the mountains and caves, draw near and assemble with us, to meet the King and Master bearing palms in your hands; for He comes to save our souls.
Katavasia: The prophetic vision of the lawgiver on the mountain,* in the fire of the burning bush,* prefigured your birthgiving O Ever-Virgin, the salvation of us the faithful,* wherefore with never silent hymns we magnify you.
Aposticha
Tone 4
Despising the sacred injunctions, O my soul,* you have become easy prey for the wiles of the enemy;* and willingly giving yourself over to corruption.* you have fallen into the sleep of indifference on account of your many sins,* defiling the garment that God has woven for you,* rendering yourself unfit for the wedding of the King;* and on account of your sins you shall be turned away.* For should you sit at the wedding feast clothed in the passions,* He will ask of you how came hither,* and you shall be cast out from the bridal chamber;* but cry out to the Saviour:* “O frightful eye of God,* since You have become what I am,* without ceasing to be who You were before,* You who, ahead of Your Cross* was clothed in the robe of derision for my sake:* tear in pieces my pauper’s clothing* and adorn me with gladness;* delivering me from the outer darkness and eternal weeping,* 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.
Despising the sacred injunctions, O my soul,* you have become easy prey for the wiles of the enemy;* and willingly giving yourself over to corruption.* you have fallen into the sleep of indifference on account of your many sins,* defiling the garment that God has woven for you,* rendering yourself unfit for the wedding of the King;* and on account of your sins you shall be turned away.* For should you sit at the wedding feast clothed in the passions,* He will ask of you how came hither,* and you shall be cast out from the bridal chamber;* but cry out to the Saviour:* “O frightful eye of God,* since You have become what I am,* without ceasing to be who You were before,* You who, ahead of Your Cross* was clothed in the robe of derision for my sake:* tear in pieces my pauper’s clothing* and adorn me with gladness;* delivering me from the outer darkness and eternal weeping,* 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.
Come, all you peoples,* and with by hymns and spiritual songs* let us honour the passion-bearers of Christ.* They are lights in the world and preachers of the faith,* everlasting fountains from whence flows healing for the faithful.* By their prayers grant peace to Your world, O Christ God,* and to our souls great mercy.
Glory…
Having profitably completed the forty day fast,* we beseech You, O Lover of mankind;* Grant that we may also behold the Holy Week of Your Passion,* and in it glorify Your mighty acts* and Your ineffable dispensation for our sakes,* chanting with one accord: O Lord, glory be to You.
Now…
Having profitably completed the forty day fast,* we beseech You, O Lover of mankind;* Grant that we may also behold the Holy Week of Your Passion,* and in it glorify Your mighty acts* and Your ineffable dispensation for our sakes,* chanting with one accord: O Lord, glory be to You.
LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS ON FRIDAY EVENING
At Psalm 140
Tone 8
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Having completed the spiritually profitable forty days,* we entreat You, O Lover of mankind:* Grant us also to behold the Holy Week of Your Passion,* that in it we may glorify Your mighty acts* and Your ineffable dispensation for our sakes,* so that with one mind we may chant:* “O Lord, glory be to You.”
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Having completed the spiritually profitable forty days,* we entreat You, O Lover of mankind:* Grant us also to behold the Holy Week of Your Passion,* that in it we may glorify Your mighty acts* and Your ineffable dispensation for our sakes,* so that with one mind we may chant:* “O Lord, glory be to You.”
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
O martyrs of the Lord, pray on our behalf to God,* beseech Him to grant abundant mercy to our souls* and the forgiveness of our many transgressions.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
O Lord, wishing to see the tomb of Lazarus,* You who willed to be placed in a tomb, asked:* “Where have you laid him?”* And, learning that which was not unknown to You,* You cried aloud to him whom You loved:* “Lazarus, come forth.”* And he who was without breath obeyed the One who gave him breath,* even You, the Saviour of our souls
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O Lord, wishing to see the tomb of Lazarus,* You who willed to be placed in a tomb, asked:* “Where have you laid him?”* And, learning that which was not unknown to You,* You cried aloud to him whom You loved:* “Lazarus, come forth.”* And he who was without breath obeyed the One who gave him breath,* even You, the Saviour of our souls
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
O Lord, after four days You came to the tomb of Lazarus,* and shedding tears over the tomb* You raised up him who was four days dead, O Wheat of life,* wherefore death was bound by Your voice,* and the grave-clothes were loosed by Your hands.* Then the multitude of Your disciples were filled with joy,* and with one voice cried aloud:* “Blessed are You, O Saviour, have mercy on us.”
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
O Lord, after four days You came to the tomb of Lazarus,* and shedding tears over the tomb* You raised up him who was four days dead, O Wheat of life,* wherefore death was bound by Your voice,* and the grave-clothes were loosed by Your hands.* Then the multitude of Your disciples were filled with joy,* and with one voice cried aloud:* “Blessed are You, O Saviour, have mercy on us.”
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O Lord, Your voice has destroyed the dominion of Hades,* and the Word of Your power has raised from the tomb,* him that had been four days dead;* whereby Lazarus became the first-fruit of the saving transformation of the world.* All things are possible to You, O Lord and King of all.* Bestow upon Your servants forgiveness and great mercy.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O Lord, wishing to grant Your disciples* an assurance of Your Resurrection from the dead,* You came to the tomb of Lazarus* and having called him by name, Hades was despoiled,* and released the one that had been four days dead,* as he called out to You:* “O blessed Lord, glory be to You.”
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
O Lord, taking Your disciples,* Youcame to Bethany to awaken Lazarus:* and You wept for him in accordance with the law of human nature,* but as God You raised up the four-day corpse,* and he cried out to You, O Saviour:* “O blessed Lord, glory be to You.”
Glory…
Standing before the tomb of Lazarus, O our Saviour,* and having called out to the dead man,* You raised him as if from sleep.* He shook off corruption through the Spirit of incorruption,* and at Your word he came out bound with grave-clothes.* All things are possible to You, all things work for You, O Lover of mankind,* all things submit to You:* O our Saviour, glory be to You.
Now…
Having completed the spiritually profitable forty days,* let us cry: Rejoice, town of Bethany, home of Lazarus.* Rejoice, Martha and Mary, his sisters.* Tomorrow Christ will come, to bring your dead brother to life by His word.* Hearing His voice, the bitter and unsatiated Hades will tremble with fear and groan aloud,* and release Lazarus bound in his grave-clothes.* Amazed by this miracle, a multitude of Jews will come to meet Him with palms and branches;* though their fathers shall look on Him with contempt,* the children shall sing in praise of Him:* “Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel.”
Prokeimenon I, Tone 6
Our help is in the name of the Lord,* who made heaven and earth.
verse: If the Lord had not been on our side— this is the song of Israel.
Reading I
Genesis 49:33-50:26
Prokeimenon II, Tone 4
Those who put their trust in the Lord* are like Mount Sion.
verse: They cannot be shaken, for it stands unmoved forever.
Reading II
Proverbs 31:8-31