Ode 3. Irmos

After the small litany, Kathisma.

‘Though Lord and creator of all, O God, you, the impassible, becoming poor, united the created to yourself; and being the Passover, you offered yourself to those for whom you were about to die, crying, ‘Eat my body, and you will be established by faith’.’

Filling your own cup of gladness, pledge of all the mortal race, you gave it to your disciples to drink, loving Lord; for you offer yourself in sacrifice, crying, ‘Drink my blood, and you will be established by faith’.

‘Foolish the man who is the traitor among you’, you declared, forbearing Lord, to your own disciples, ‘He will not know, and being without understanding, will not understand these things; but abide in me, and you will be established by faith’.

Though Lord and creator of all, O God, you, the impassible, becoming poor, united the created to yourself; and being the Passover, you offered yourself to those for whom you were about to die, crying, ‘Eat my body, and you will be established by faith.’

Again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord. ****

Lord, have mercy. ****

Help us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace. ****

Lord, have mercy. ****

Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God. ****

To you, O Lord. ****

For you are our God, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and to the ages of ages. ****

Tone 1. The soldiers watching.

The One who made lakes and springs and seas, instructing us in surpassing humility, girding himself with a towel, washed his disciples’ feet, humbling himself in the abundance of his compassion and exalting us from the depths of wickedness, he who alone loves humankind.

Another. Tone 3.

Humbling yourself through compassion, you washed your disciples’ feet, set them straight on the course of God. Peter, though he refused to be washed, submitted in turn to the divine command, was washed and begged you insistently to grant us your great mercy.

Another. Tone 4. Today you have appeared.

As you ate with your disciples, Master, you mystically revealed your all-holy slaughter, through which we, who honour your revered sufferings, were rescued from corruption.