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THE PEOPLE'S HANDBOOK

 

HOLY AND GREAT WEDNESDAY
AT MATINS

(SUNG ON HOLY TUESDAY EVENING
)

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PRIEST

Blessed is our God always, now and for ever: world without end.`         

READER: Amen.

PRIEST: Glory be to Thee, O our God, glory be to Thee.

O heavenly King and Comforter, Spirit of truth, which art in all places and fillest all things; Treasure of goodness and Giver of life: Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from all that defileth. And save our souls, O Thou who art good.

READER

O Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us. (3)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us; O Lord, cleanse us from our sins; O Master, pardon our transgressions; O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy Name’s sake.

Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. [3]

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

READER: Amen.

Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. [12]

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

O come, let us worship and bow down before our King and our God.

O come, let us worship and bow down before Christ our King and our God.

O come, let us worship and bow down before the very Christ our King and our God.

And the Royal service “The Lord hear thee” is recited slowly with a monotone chant while the Priest censes the temple with a katsiou (a small hand held censer).

PSALM 19 [20]

The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee. Send thee help from the sanctuary, and support thee out of Zion. Remember all thy sacrifices; and let thy whole burnt offering be made fat. The Lord grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsels. We will rejoice in Thy salvation, and in the name of the Lord our God shall we be magnified. The Lord fulfil all thy petitions. Now have I known that the Lord hath saved His anointed: He will hear him from His holy heaven; the salvation of His right hand is with power. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will call upon the name of the Lord our God. They are fettered, and have fallen; but we are risen, and are set upright. O Lord, save the king, and hear us in the day wherein we call upon Thee.

PSALM 20 [21]

The king shall be glad in Thy strength, O Lord, and in Thy salvation shall he rejoice exceedingly. Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not witholden the request of his lips. For Thou hast prevented him with the blessings of sweetness: Thou hast set a crown of precious stone upon his head. He asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest him length of days for ever and ever. His glory is great in Thy salvation; glory and majesty shalt Thou lay upon him. For Thou shalt give him blessing for ever; Thou shalt make him glad with joy with Thy countenance. For the king hopeth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved. Let Thine hand be found on all Thine enemies; let Thy right hand find out all those that hate Thee. Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of Thy presence; the Lord shall trouble them in His wrath, and the fire shall devour them. Their fruit shalt Thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the sons of men. For they intended evil against Thee; they imagined devices, which they shall not be able to establish. For Thou shalt make them turn their back; Thou shalt make ready their countenance among them that are Thy remnant. Be Thou exalted, O Lord, in Thine own strength; we will sing and praise Thy power.

O Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us. (3)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us; O Lord, cleanse us from our sins; O Master, pardon our transgressions; O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy Name’s sake.

Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. [3]

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST: For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

READER: Amen.

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance,     granting them victory over their enemies; And by Thy Cross, do Thou, protect Thy commonwealth.

Glory…

Lifted up of Thine own will upon the Cross, do Thou bestow Thy compassions upon the new commonwealth, that bears Thy name, O Christ our God, Make glad with Thy strength, our pious rulers, granting them victory over their enemies; may they have as an alliance, that invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.

Now and for ever… Theotokion

O formidable and unashamed protector, O good and all praiseworthy Mother of God, despise not our prayers: sustain the Orthodox people: save those whom thou hast charged to rule over us, granting them victory from heaven: for thou didst give birth to God, thou who alone art blessed.

PRIEST

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. (3) [And after each petition]

PRIEST

Again we pray for all pious Orthodox Christians.

Again we pray for our Archbishop [name] and for all our brethren in Christ.

For Thou art a merciful God and a lover of mankind, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

READER Amen. Bless, father, in the name of the Lord.

PRIEST

Glory be to the Holy, Consubstantial, life-giving and undivided Trinity: always, now and for ever: world without end.

READER Amen.

THE SIX PSALMS

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. [3]

Lord, open Thou my lips and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise. [2]

PSALM 3

Lord, why are they increased that trouble me? many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no salvation for him in his God. But Thou, O Lord, art my support, my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy mount. I laid me down and slept; I rose up, for the Lord will support me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for Thou hast smitten all them that are mine enemies without a cause; Thou hast broken the teeth of sinners. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord, and Thy blessing is upon Thy people.

I  laid me down and slept; I rose up, for the Lord will support me.

PSALM 37 [38]

O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, neither chasten me in Thy wrath. For Thine arrows are stuck fast in me, and Thou hast laid Thy hand heavily upon me. There is no soundness in my flesh because of Thine anger, neither is there any peace in my bones because of my sins. For mine iniquities are gone over my head; as an heavy burden have they pressed heavily upon me. My wounds are become noisome and corrupt, because of my foolishness. I have been wretched and bowed down greatly; I went with mourning countenance all the day long. For my loins are filled with mockings, and there is no healing in my flesh. I am troubled and brought down greatly; I have roared by reason of the groaning of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before Thee, and my groaning is not hid from Thee. My heart is troubled, my strength hath failed me; as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. My friends and my neighbours drew near and stood over against me, and my kinsmen stood afar off. They also that sought after my life used violence, and they that sought my hurt spake vanities, and imagined deceits all the day long. But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. And I became as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. For in Thee, O Lord, have I hoped; Thou wilt hear me, O Lord my God. For I said, Let never mine enemies rejoice over me; for when my feet slipped, they magnified themselves against me. For I am ready for scourges, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare mine iniquity, and be sorry for my sin. But mine enemies live, and are stronger than I, and they that hated me wrongfully are multiplied. They that render me evils for good have slandered me, because I followed the thing that good is. Forsake me not, O Lord my God; depart not from me. Attend to helping me, O Lord of my salvation.

Forsake me not, O Lord my God; depart not from me.

Attend to helping me, O Lord of my salvation.

PSALM 62 [63]

O God my God, early do I watch to Thee: my soul hath thirsted for Thee, how many ways my flesh hath longed for Thee, in a barren and untrodden land, where no water is. Thus have I appeared before Thee in the sanctuary, to see Thy power and glory. Because Thy mercy is better than lives; my lips shall praise Thee. Thus will I bless Thee while I live, and I will lift up my hands in Thy name. Let my soul be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips. If I remembered Thee upon my bed, I meditated on Thee in the morning watches. Because Thou hast been my help; and in the shelter of Thy wings will I rejoice. My soul hath cleaved unto Thee; Thy right hand hath upholden me. But they have sought my soul in vain; they shall go into the lower parts of the earth: they shall be given over to the power of the sword, they shall be portions for foxes. But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by Him shall be praised, for the mouth of them that speak unjustly hath been stopped.

I meditated on Thee in the morning watches. Because Thou hast been my help; and in the shelter of Thy wings will I rejoice.

My soul hath cleaved unto Thee; Thy right hand hath upholden me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory be to Thee, O God. [3]

Kyrie eleison. [3]

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

PSALM 87 [88]

O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before Thee. Let my prayer come before Thee; incline thine ear unto my supplication. For my soul is full of evils, and my life hath drawn nigh unto Hades. I am counted with them that go down into the pit; I am become as a man without help, free among the dead. Like the bodies of the slain that sleep in the grave, whom Thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from Thy hand. They have laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, and in the shadow of death. Thy wrath is made strong over me, and Thou hast brought all Thy waves upon me.  Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; they have made me an abomination unto them; I am delivered up, and I cannot come forth. Mine eyes are grown weak by reason of poverty. Lord, I have called daily upon Thee, I have stretched out my hands unto Thee. Wilt thou work wonders for the dead? or shall physicians raise them up to praise Thee? Shall any in the grave tell of Thy mercy, and of Thy truth in that destruction? Shall Thy wonders be known in that darkness, and Thy righteousness in the land of that is forgotten? But unto Thee have I cried, O Lord, and in the morning shall my prayer prevent Thee. Lord, why castest Thou off my soul, and turnest Thou Thy face from me? I am poor and in troubles from my youth up; yea, having been exalted, I was bowed down, and brought low unto distress. Thy fierce wrath hath gone over me, and Thy terrors have troubled me. They came round about me like water; all the day long they compassed me about together. Friend and neighbour hast Thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance, because of misery.

O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before Thee.

Let my prayer come before Thee; incline thine ear unto my supplication.

PSALM 102 [103]

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, Who healeth all thine infirmities. Who redeemeth thy life from corruption, Who crowneth thee with mercy and loving kindness. Who satisfieth thy desire with good things; thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executeth mercy and judgment for all that are wronged. He made known His ways unto Moses, His will unto the sons of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, longsuffering and plenteous in mercy. He will not always be angry, neither will He be wrathful for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, the Lord hath made His mercy to prevail over them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our iniquities from us. Like as a father hath compassion upon his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear Him; for He knoweth whereof we are made, He remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as the grass; as a flower of the field, so shall he flourish. For when the wind hath passed over it, it shall be gone, and it will know the place thereof no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness upon children's children, upon such as keep His testament, and remember His commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared His throne in heaven, and His kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, all ye His angels, mighty in strength, that perform His word, to hearken unto the voice of His words. Bless ye the Lord, all ye His hosts, ye ministers of His that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all ye works of His, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

In all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

PSALM 142 [143]

Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hear me in Thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant; for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life to the ground; he hath sat me in darkness, as those that have been long dead; and my spirit hath fainted within me, my heart within me is troubled. I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all Thy works, I considered the works of Thy hands. I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after Thee as a thirsty land. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away; turn not Thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning, for in Thee have I put my trust; cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk, for I have lifted up my soul unto Thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies; I have fled unto Thee for refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God; Thy good Spirit shall lead me into the land of uprightness. Thou shalt quicken me, O Lord, for Thy name’s sake; in Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of trouble; and of Thy mercy shalt Thou cut off mine enemies. And Thou shalt destroy all them that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.

Hear me in Thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant. (2)

Thy good Spirit shall lead me into the land of uprightness.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory be to Thee, O God. [3]

Our hope, glory be to Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST

In peace let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. [And after each petition]

For the peace from on high, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray unto the Lord.

For the peace and union of the whole world, and for the good estate of the holy churches of God, let us pray unto the Lord.

For this holy temple and for them that enter therein with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray unto the Lord.

For our father and Archbishop [name], for the honourable order of priesthood, and for the diaconate which is in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray unto the Lord.

For this city [village, monastery]; for every city and land, and for them that dwell therein with faith, let us pray unto the Lord.

For fair seasons and the abundance of the fruits of the earth, let us pray unto the Lord.

For them that travel by land, by water, by air; for the sick and the suffering, For those in captivity, And for their salvation, let us pray unto the Lord.

That we may be deliver from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray unto the Lord.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace.

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and of all the saints; Let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.                            

PRIEST

For unto Thee belong all glory, honour and worship, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit; now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

The Alleluia in tone 8 with the following verses.

Verse 1) From the night my spirit rises early towards thee, O God, for thy commandments are a light upon the earth.

Alleluia (3)

Verse 2) Learn righteousness, ye that dwell on earth.

Alleluia (3)

Verse 3) Jealousy shall seize upon an untaught nation and now fire shall devour the adversaries.

Alleluia (3)

Verse 4) Bring more evils upon them, O Lord, bring more evils upon them that are glorious on earth.

Alleluia (3)

The Priest chanting the hymn "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night" shall exit the sanctuary by the north side holding the Icon of the Bridegroom, preceded by lighted candles, the six-winged seraphim and the Deacon censing, and shall make a procession inside the Church. On reaching the centre of the Church, where there has been placed an Icon stand the procession shall go around it three times and then the Priest shall place the Icon on the stand and censer it from all sides. He will then make three great prostrations and kiss the Icon. The people also will do the same.

Tone 8

Behold, the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night,* and blessed is that servant whom he shall find watching,* unworthy however, is he whom he shall find slothful.* Thus beware, O my soul, be not overcome by sleep,* lest thou be* given over to death and find the door of the Kingdom shut against thee.* But arouse thyself and cry aloud:* Holy, holy, holy art thou, O God,* through the power of thy Cross, save us.

The hymn is repeated by both choirs.

At the end of the second hymn:

*Through the prayers of St. (the saint to whom the church is dedicated) save us.

At the end of the third hymn:

*Through the Mother of God, have mercy upon us.

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.

After each petition, the choir shall sing: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace.

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and of all the saints; Let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST

For Thine is the might, and Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

Kathisma Tone 3

Seeing the comeliness

The harlot came to thee, O lover of mankind, and poured out on thy feet, the myrrh mingled with her tears, and was delivered at thy command, from the foul stench of her evil deeds. But though he breathed thy grace, the ungrateful disciple, cast it far from him, and defiled himself in filth, selling thee for love of money Glory, O Christ, to thy compassion.   

Kathisma Tone 4

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε

Deceitful Judas, in his love for wealth, sought out cunningly, how to betray thee, O Lord, the treasure of life. Therefore with drunken folly, he makes haste to the Jews, and says to the transgressors: what will you give me, and I will deliver him to you, that he may be crucified? 

Kathisma Tone 1

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτὴρ

To thee, O Merciful, the harlot cried out in grief, while wiping ardently, thine immaculate feet, and with the hairs of her head, and with groans from the depths of her heart: Cast me not from thee, neither abhor me, O my God, but receive me in repentance and save me, for thou alone art loving-kind. (2)

DEACON:

That we may be accounted worthy to hear the Holy Gospel, let us beseech the Lord our God.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison (3)

DEACON: Wisdom. Stand steadfast. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.

PRIEST: Peace unto all.

CHOIR: And unto thy spirit.

PRIEST:

The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John.

DEACON: Let us give heed.

CHOIR: Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

PRIEST

John 12:17-50

At that time, the people that was with Jesus when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers   also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

CHOIR: Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

Psalm 50 [51]

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgression, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight; that Thou mightest be justified in Thy sayings, and mightest overcome when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou revealed to me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that are humbled shall rejoice. Turn away Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and stablish me with Thy sovereign spirit. I will teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn again to Thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise. For hadst Thou desired sacrifice, I would have given it; Thou wilt not delight in whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, oblation and whole burnt offerings: then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

 

Canon by Kosmas the Monk

Ode 3, Tone 2

Eirmos

Thou hast established me on the rock of faith, thou hast opened wide my mouth against mine enemies, for my spirit has rejoiced in singing: there is none holy as our God, and none is righteous, save thee, O Lord.

Glory to thee, O God, glory to thee.

In vain the council of the transgressors, assembles with evil intent, to pronounce condemnation upon thee, O Christ our deliverer, to whom we sing: thou art our God and none is holy save thee, O Lord.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.   

The wicked council of the transgressors, with souls making war on God, considers how to kill as a malefactor, the righteous Christ, to whom we sing: thou art our God and none is holy save thee, O Lord.

Now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

Katavasia

Thou hast established me on the rock of faith, thou hast opened wide my mouth against mine enemies, for my spirit has rejoiced in singing: there is none holy as our God, and none is righteous, save thee, O Lord.

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. And after each petition

DEACON

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace.

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and of all the saints; Let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST

For Thou art the King of peace and the Saviour of our souls, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

Kontakion Tone 4.

Lifted up upon the Cross

O Good one, I have transgressed far more than the harlot, yet I have never offered thee floods of tears, but in silence I fall before thee, and with love I embrace and kiss thy pure feet, beseeching thee as Master, to grant me remission of sins, as I cry out, O Saviour, deliver me from the filth of my works.  

Oikos

The former prodigal woman, suddenly appeared chaste, despising the works of shameful sin, and the pleasures of the body, and reflected upon her great disgrace and the judgement of hell to which harlots and prodigals shall be condemned. Of them I am the first and I am afraid, yet foolishly I continue in my evil habits. But the woman, who was a harlot, filled with fear, made haste and came to the Deliverer, crying: O merciful Lover of mankind, deliver me from the filth of my works. 

Synaxarion

On holy and great Wednesday, the holy fathers appointed that commemoration be made of the woman who anointed the Lord with myrrh, because this event took place shortly before the saving Passion. 

Verses

The woman pouring out myrrh on the Body of Christ,

Anticipated the myrrh and aloes of Nicodemus.

But thou, O Christ our God, who art anointed with spiritual myrrh, set us free from the manifold passions, and have mercy upon us, for thou alone art holy and loving-kind. Amen. 

 Ode 8. Eirmos

The word of the tyrant prevailed, and the furnace was heated sevenfold, yet the children who trampled underfoot the decree of the king were not harmed by the flames, but cried aloud: O all ye works of the Lord, praise ye the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.  

Glory to thee, O God, glory to thee.

The woman poured the precious myrrh, upon thy royal, divine and awesome head, and she touched thy pure feet, O Christ, with impure hands and cried aloud: O all ye works of the Lord, praise ye the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.  

We bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Guilty of sins, she washed with tears the feet of the Creator, and wiped them with her hair, wherefore she received forgiveness for all that she had done in life, and she cried aloud: O all ye works of the Lord, praise ye the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.  

 

Now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

Redemption was complete for the grateful woman, through the saving compassion of Christ, and the fountain of her tears. Washed clean through her confession, by which she was not ashamed but cried aloud: O all ye works of the Lord, praise ye the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.  

We praise, bless and worship the Lord.

Katavasia

The word of the tyrant prevailed, and the furnace was heated sevenfold, yet the children who trampled underfoot the decree of the king were not harmed by the flames, but cried aloud: O all ye works of the Lord, praise ye the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.  

DEACON

Let us honour in hymns and magnify the Theotokos and Mother of the Light.

CHOIR

Ode 9. Eirmos

With pure souls and unpolluted lips, come and let us magnify the undefiled and most pure Mother of Emmanuel, and through her let us offer our prayer to him born of her, Spare our souls, O Christ our God and save us.

Glory to thee, O God, glory to thee.

Revealed as ungrateful, evil and envious, wretched Judas calculates the value of the gift of myrrh offered to God, through which the harlot was released from the debt of her sins, and haggled for the woman's pious offering. Spare our souls, O Christ our God and save us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.  

Having gone to the lawless rulers, Judas did say: what will ye give me, and I will deliver him, whom ye seek, to you who want him. So preferring gold he distanced himself from Christ's love. Spare our souls, O Christ our God and save us.

Now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

O unholy one, how blinding is thy love for money! That is why thou hast forgotten that not even the whole world is equal value to the soul, as thou wast taught. For in despair, O traitor, thou hast choked thyself by hanging. Spare our souls, O Christ our God and save us.

 

Katavasia

With pure souls and unpolluted lips, come and let us magnify the undefiled and most pure Mother of Emmanuel, and through her let us offer our prayer to him born of her, Spare our souls, O Christ our God and save us.

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. And after each petition

DEACON

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace.

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and of all the saints; Let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST

For all the powers of heaven praise Thee, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

Exapostilarion

Tone 3

I see Thy bridal chamber all adorned, O my Saviour, but I have no wedding garment so that I may enter in. Make bright the vesture of my soul, O Giver of light, and save me.

At the Praises (Lauds) Tone 1

Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens: praise Him in the heights. To Thee belongeth the hymn, O God.

Praise the Lord from the heavens: praise Him in the heights. To thee belongeth the hymn, O God.

And the following Stichera

Tone 1

Verse 1: Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness.

O Son of the Virgin, the harlot knowing thee to be God, besought thee weeping, for she had committed acts worthy of tears, crying: Loose my debt, as I unloose my plaited hair, love her who loves thee, though she be justly despised, and with the publicans I shall proclaim thee, O Benefactor who lovest mankind.  

Verse 2: Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp.

The harlot mingled the precious myrrh with tears and poured it upon thy most pure feet as she kissed them. Straightway thou didst justify her. Grant forgiveness also unto us, O thou who for our sakes hast suffered and save us. 

Verse 3: Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.

When the sinful woman offered the myrrh, then the disciple came to an agreement with the transgressors. She rejoiced to pour out what was precious, he make haste to sell the One who is beyond price priceless. She acknowledged the Master, he severed himself from the Master. She was set free, and Judas became the slave of the enemy. How dreadful is slothfulness! How great is repentance! Grant it me, O Saviour, thou who for our sakes hast suffered and save us.     

Verse 4: Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.

Oh wretchedness of Judas! He saw the harlot kissing the feet, and with deceit he pondered on the betrayal with a kiss. She unloosed her plaited hair, and he was bound with fury, offering instead of myrrh, the stench of evil, for envy knows not how to choose its own advantage. Oh wretchedness of Judas! From this, O God, deliver our souls.

Glory be to the Father…

Tone 2

The sinful woman hastened to purchase myrrh, that precious myrrh, to anoint the Benefactor, and she cried aloud to the merchant: Give me the myrrh, that I may anoint him who has erased all my sins.

Now and for ever…

Tone 6

Sunken in sin, she found thee the haven of salvation, and pouring out the myrrh with tears, she cried to thee: Lo, thou art he who bears the repentance of sinners. O Master, save me, in thy great mercy, from the turbulent waves of my sin.  

PRIEST

To Thee is due glory, O Lord our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

READER

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee, for Thy great mercy. Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty; O Lord the Only-  begotten Son Jesus Christ, and Thou O Holy Spirit. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the    world, have mercy upon us, Thou that takest away the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, Thou that sittest on the right hand of the Father, and have mercy upon us. For Thou only art Holy, Thou only art the Lord, O Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Everyday I will bless Thee and praise Thy name for ever and ever. O Lord, Thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation. I said,   Lord have mercy upon me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. O Lord, unto Thee have I fled for refuge, teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. For with Thee is the fountain of life, and in Thy light shall we see light. Continue Thy mercy upon those that know Thee. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name for evermore. Amen. O Lord, let Thy mercy lighten upon us as our trust is in Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord: teach me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Master: make me to understand Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One: enlighten me with Thy statutes. O Lord, Thy mercy is for ever: despise not the works of Thine hands. To Thee belongeth praise, to Thee belongeth hymns, to Thee belongeth glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

DEACON

Let us complete our supplication unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison

DEACON

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us O God, by Thy grace.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison

That this whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us entreat the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant us O Lord. [And after each petition]

DEACON

For an angel of peace, faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us entreat the Lord.

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgression, let us entreat the Lord.

For things good and profitable to our souls, and peace for the world, let us entreat the Lord.

That we may pass the remainder of our lives in peace and repentance, let us entreat the Lord.

For a Christian ending to our life, painless, without shame and peaceful, and a good defence before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us entreat the Lord.

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary; and of all the saints; Let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST

For Thou art the God of mercies, compassions and loving-kindness, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace unto all.

CHOIR: And unto thy spirit.

DEACON: Let us bow down our heads before the Lord.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST

O Holy Lord, who dwellest in the highest, and dost observe what is humble, and Thine all observing eye dost look upon all Thy creation, to Thee have we bowed the neck of our soul and body, and beseech Thee, Holy of Holies, stretch forth Thine invisible hand from Thy holy habitation, and bless everyone of us: and whatsoever sins we have committed, voluntary or involuntary, do Thou forgive, for Thou art, O God, good and lovest mankind, and grant unto us Thy worldly and heavenly riches.

For Thine it is to have mercy, and to save, O Christ our God, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

Aposticha

Tone 6

Today Christ comes to the house of the Pharisee, and a sinful woman approaches and fall down at his feet, crying: Behold her who is sunken in sin, filled with despair because of her deeds, whom in thy goodness thou didst not abhor. Grant me, O Lord, forgiveness from my evil deeds and save me.  

Verse: We were filled in the morning with Thy mercy, O Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad. In all our days, let us be glad.

The harlot spread out her hair before thee, O Master, Judas spread out his hands to the transgressors, she to receive forgiveness, he to receive silver. Therefore we cry aloud to thee who wast sold and hast set us free, O Lord, glory to thee.

Verse:  For the days wherein Thou hast humbled us, for the years wherein we have seen evil. And look upon Thy servants, and upon Thy works, and do Thou guide their sons.

A foul-smelling and defiled woman drew near to thee, shedding tears upon thy feet, O Saviour, and proclaiming thy Passion. How can I gaze upon thee, O Master, for thou hast come to save me a harlot. I am dead, however raise me from the depths as thou hast raise Lazarus from the tomb on the fourth day. Accept me who am wretched, O Lord, and save me. 

Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us: prosper Thou the work of our hands, O prosper Thou our handiwork.

She who was in despair on account of her life, and well known for her ways, drew near to thee bearing the myrrh and cried aloud: O thou who wast born of a Virgin, reject me not the harlot, despise not my tears, O Joy of the angels, but accept me in repentance, she whom thou didst not abandon when in sin, O Lord, through thy great mercy.

Glory be to the Father… Now and for ever…

By Cassiani the Nun

Tone 8

O Lord, the woman who had fallen into many sins, perceiving thy divinity, assumed the work of a myrrh-bearer, and lamenting brought myrrh to thee before thy burial. Woe is me, she said, for the night has become for me a tormenting hell, dark and moonless, full of sinful desire. Accept the fountain of my tears, O thou who carries in the clouds the waters of the sea. Incline to the groanings of my heart, O thou, who in thine ineffable self-abasement hast bowed the heavens. I shall kiss thy most pure feet and wipe them again with the hairs of my head; those feet whose sound Eve heard at dusk in Paradise and hid herself in fear. Who can search out the multitude of my sins and the depths of thy judgements, O Saviour of my soul? Despise not me thy servant, O thou whose mercy is without measure.

PRIEST

It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy Name, O Most High: to tell of Thy mercy in the morning and of Thy truth every night.

READER

O Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us. (3)

Glory…Now and for ever…

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us; O Lord, cleanse us from our sins; O Master, pardon our transgressions; O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy Name’s sake.

Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. [3]

Glory…Now and for ever…

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

Kontakion Tone 4.

Lifted up upon the Cross

O Good one, I have transgressed far more than the harlot, yet I have never offered thee floods of tears, but in silence I fall before thee, and with love I embrace and kiss thy pure feet, beseeching thee as Master, to grant me remission of sins, as I cry out, O Saviour, deliver me from the filth of my works. 

Kyrie eleison [12]. Glory be to the Father...   Now and for ever....  

More honourable than the cherubim and past compare more glorious than the seraphim, who inviolate didst bear God the Word, very Mother of God, thee we magnify.

In the name of the Lord, Father give the blessing.

PRIEST

Wisdom.

Christ our God, the Supreme Being, is blessed always, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST:  

O heavenly King, uphold our faithful rulers, strengthen the faith, calm the nations, give peace to the world. Preserve this city [village, monastery], grant to our fathers and brethren that they may dwell with the righteous, and accept us in repentance and confession: for Thou art good and lovest mankind.

And the Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian with three prostrations.

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust for power, and vain words.

But the spirit of integrity, humility, patience and love, grant unto me Thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me awareness of my own sins and let me not judge my brother: for blessed  art Thou for ever and ever. Amen.

Then 12 prostrations and again:

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me awareness of my own sins and let me not judge my brother: for blessed  art Thou for ever and ever. Amen.

PRIEST

Glory be to Thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory be to Thee.

CHOIR

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

Kyrie eleison [3], holy father give the blessing.

PRIEST

May the Lord, who cometh to the voluntary passion, for our salvation, Christ our true God, by the prayers of His most holy Mother; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protection of the heavenly bodiless hosts; through the supplications of the glorious Prophet and Forerunner, John the Baptist; of the holy and all-glorious Apostles; of the holy, glorious and triumphant martyrs; of our holy God-bearing fathers; of [Name of the saint to whom the Church is dedicated]; of the holy and righteous progenitors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints, have mercy upon us, and save our souls: For He is good and loving-kind.

By the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

CHOIR: Amen.