GREAT VESPERS ON TUESDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
As assigned for the day
At Psalm 140
In Tone 1
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
You stretched out your most pure hands upon the Cross, Lord,* gathering the ends of the earth.* Therefore, I cry to You:* Gather together my scattered reasoning,* enslaved and beguiled by passions.* Show me to be a partaker of Your sufferings,* by being purified through abstinence.
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Of old, the fast strengthened the holy youths,* and as it is written,* showed them to be stronger than the burning fire!* Fast, therefore, my humble soul!* Kindle in yourself love towards the Master!* So will you be able to avoid the future Gehenna,* and burn up the wicked passions.
In Tone 3
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
The time of Lent is a time of gladness!* With radiant purity and pure charity* filled with resplendent prayer and all good deeds,* let us sing with joy:* Most holy Cross of Christ that blossomed the sweetness of life,* enable us all to bow down before you with pure hearts,* granting us purification and great mercy!
In Tone 5
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Rejoice, holy and light-bearing head, venerated by the angels!* Of old, you were cut off by the sword,* for you had cut through the shame of impurity with incisive reproofs!* Like a fountain refreshing the faithful with wonders,* you declared the saving coming of the Saviour,* and perceived the coming of the Spirit, which took up his abode in you,* as you stood between the grace of the Old and New Covenants.* Entreat Christ God to grant our souls great mercy!
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The head of the Forerunner is made manifest.* Once it was concealed in an earthen vessel;* now it is openly given up from the depths of the earth,* pouring forth streams of healing.* For he washed in the waters the Head of the One* who even now covers the chambers of the firmament with waters* and rains down divine forgiveness for all peoples!* Then let us bless this truly praiseworthy head* and joyfully celebrate its finding,* entreating Christ to grant our souls great mercy!
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
The head which proclaimed the Lamb of God who appeared in the flesh* declared to all the ways of saving repentance with divine precepts,* before it had denounced the transgression of Herod* and therefore was severed from its body.* It was concealed for a time and has risen to us as a shining sun,* crying out: repent and with compunction of soul submit to the Lord* who grants the world great mercy!
In Tone 6
Glory…
A treasury of divine gifts, your head, O Forerunner,* guarded by God, has risen from the depths of the earth!* As we faithfully receive it and venerate it, glorious one,* we are made rich through you, Baptist of Christ,* with marvellous wonders and remission of sins!
Now…
Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He Who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man.* He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may have mercy on our souls.
Prokeimenon I, Tone 6
Lord, save Your people* and bless Your inheritance.
verse: To You, Lord, will I call, my God!
Reading I
Genesis 4: 8-15
Prokeimenon II, Tone 7
The Lord shall give strength to His people,* the Lord shall bless His people with peace!
verse: Offer to the Lord, you mighty; offer young rams to the Lord!
Reading II
Proverbs 5: 1-15
Readings for the Saint
(1) Isaiah 40:1-11; (2) Malachi 3; (3) Wisdom 4:7-15
Aposticha
In Tone 3
You were crucified in the flesh, Lord,* crucifying our old man with Yourself.* Your side was pierced with a spear,* and the serpent that enticed man was speared to death.* Nail my flesh to the fear of You,* wound my soul with Your love,* that fully understanding Your Passion,* I may strictly fulfill the order of Lent,* closing not only my mouth, the entrance of food,* but also the doors of any other sins!* For my past transgressions I will offer You* a contrite soul and a broken heart!* Deliver me from them, 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.
You were crucified in the flesh, Lord,* crucifying our old man with Yourself.* Your side was pierced with a spear,* and the serpent that enticed man was speared to death.* Nail my flesh to the fear of You,* wound my soul with Your love,* that fully understanding Your Passion,* I may strictly fulfill the order of Lent,* closing not only my mouth, the entrance of food,* but also the doors of any other sins!* For my past transgressions I will offer You* a contrite soul and a broken heart!* Deliver me from them, 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.
The prophets, apostles, and martyrs of Christ* taught us to praise the consubstantial Trinity!* Having enlightened the nations that had gone astray,* they made sons of men companions of the angels!
In Tone 2
Glory…
Your head, O all-praised John,* the all-revered shrine of divine thoughts,* has shone forth today from the secret places of the earth.* From your mother’s womb it clearly foresaw the mystery of Ineffable Being* and has made the whole earth fragrant,* pouring forth the sweet oil of sanctification,* spiritually preaching the way of repentance,* and entreating the Saviour of all on behalf of our souls.
Now…
A new miracle surpasses all ancient miracles!* Who knows of a Mother who gave birth without a man,* who carried in her arms her Creator?* This birth is the will of God!* Since you carried Him as an infant in your arms, O most pure one,* and since you possess motherly boldness before Him,* do not cease praying for us who honour you,* that He may be bountiful and save our souls!
Troparia
In Tone 4
The head of the Forerunner has dawned from the earth* shedding rays of incorruption and healing on those who believe;* from on high it assembles the multitude of angels,* from below it summons the human race* to glorify Christ God with one voice.
Glory… Now…
O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created man,* and saved our souls from death.
Then, the Ektenia followed by 3 prostrations in silence and the festal dismissal.
LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING
At Psalm 140
In Tone 1
- Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
O faithful, to undertake a spiritual fast,* we must speak no deceit with our tongues* nor place obstacles in the path of each other.* But by repentance let us brighten the lamp of our souls,* that with tears we may call out to Christ:* Forgive our trespasses, for You love humankind.
- The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O faithful, to undertake a spiritual fast,* we must speak no deceit with our tongues* nor place obstacles in the path of each other.* But by repentance let us brighten the lamp of our souls,* that with tears we may call out to Christ:* Forgive our trespasses, for You love humankind.
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
O martyrs, worthy of praise,* though the earth may not have covered you, heaven received you,* opening to you the gates of Paradise, where you dwell,* delighting in the Tree of Life.* Beseech Christ to grant our souls peace and great mercy.
In Tone 3
- Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Through the prayers of the divine apostles, O righteous Lord,* grant that this time of the Fast may be well spent.* In Your kindness grant repentance to our hearts,* that we all may be saved and give glory to You.
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Your coming will be great and fearful, O Lord,* when You shall sit in just judgment.* Do not pass sentence on me,* for I am already condemned;* but show Your divine favour toward me,* through the intercession of Your apostles.
In Tone 6
- 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 Christ who shine your light on all mortals,* you are the treasuries of the holy knowledge of God.* Through your prayers deliver from temptation those who praise you.* Guide us successfully through the course of this Fast;* direct our lives in peace,* so that with our eyes lifted up to the Passion of Christ,* we may with courage give praise to our God.
In Tone 2
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
You that love the things of God, honouring those of the Spirit,* come today and let us behold the banquet* of the sweet savour of abstinence* which Tarasius, the godly host, by his immaterial virtues,* has prepared for us in spirit.* Let us all cry out eagerly:* We entreat you, pray that we may obtain forgiveness of our sins!
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
You that love the things of God, honouring those of the Spirit,* come today and let us behold the banquet* of the sweet savour of abstinence* which Tarasius, the godly host, by his immaterial virtues,* has prepared for us in spirit.* Let us all cry out eagerly:* We entreat you, pray that we may obtain forgiveness of our sins!
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
You revealed the faith to the whole world in truth,* wise and eminent father,* you wrote it in stone, shaking off the dirt of heresy,* establishing the beauty of the Church,* as you followed the teachings of the apostles of Christ.* Together with them we all cry out to you:* Rightly-praised father, pray that our souls may be saved!
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
You received everything of Christ* and the blessedness of giving alms in love for the poor.* Pouring forth alms upon them richly,* you received the mercy of the promise,* for mercy will cry out to be praised at the judgment.* Therefore you departed to life!* We beseech you, pray that we may obtain forgiveness of our sins!
In Tone 5
Glory… Now…
Come, all faithful, and rejoice in the Holy Scriptures!* Rejoice in the preaching of the apostles!* Rejoice in the Virgin who gave birth to God!* She is the Queen of Heaven.* In her we exult with hymns and songs,* for she is our fervent intercessor before God.
Prokeimenon I, Tone 8
Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord,* exult, O you just!
verse: Blessed are those whose offence is forgiven, whose sin is remitted.
Reading I
Genesis 4:16-26
Prokeimenon II, Tone 1
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us* as we have hoped in You.
verse: Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just; for praise is fitting for loyal hearts.
Reading II
Proverbs 5:15-6:3
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The just man shall be glad in the Lord and shall hope in Him.
verse: Hear, O God, my voice when I make my petition to You. (Psalm 63:11,2)
Epistle
2 Corinthians 4:6-15
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: The just man shall flourish like the palm tree; and he shall grow like the cedar in Lebanon.
verse: They who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish the courts of our God. (Psalm 91:13,14)
Gospel
Matthew 11:2-15
Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)