the Aposticha:

Glory. Both now.

Tone 6

Then the Superior says:

Come, believers, let us work eagerly for the Master; for he gives his servants wealth. Let each of us, according to their measure, multiply the talent of grace; let one bring wisdom through good deeds; another perform the ministry of splendour; let a believer share the word with the uninitiated; and another distribute his wealth to the poor. So let us make the loan increase, and, as faithful stewards of grace, become worthy of the Master’s joy. Make us worthy of this joy, Christ our God, as you love humankind.

Then the prayer of St Ephrem with 4 full and 12 small metanias

We were filled in the morning with your mercy, O Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad. In all our days, let us be glad, for all the days you have afflicted us, for the years we have suffered adversity. Look upon your servants and your works, and guide their children.

Then at once

When you come in glory with the angelic Powers and take your seat, O Jesu, on the throne of judgement, do not separate me from you, good Shepherd; for you know the right hand ways, while those on the left are twisted. So do not destroy me, hardened in sin, with the goats, but, numbering me with the sheep on the right, save me, as you love humankind.

And may the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us. Direct the work of our hands, O direct the work of our hands.

Bridegroom, lovelier in beauty beyond all humankind, who have invited us to the spiritual banquet of your bridal chamber, by participation in your sufferings strip my ill-clad form of faults, and adorning me with the robe of glory of your beauty, show me to be a radiant guest of your kingdom, as you are compassionate.

See, my soul, the Master entrusts you with a talent. Accept it with fear, gain interest for the giver by distributing it to beggars, and gain the Lord as friend, so that you may stand on his right hand when he comes in glory, and hear his blessed voice, ‘Enter, my servant, into the joy of your Lord’. Make me, who have gone astray, worthy of this, O Saviour, because of your great mercy.

How good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High. To declare your love in the morning, and your truth every night.

Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (**three times**).

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed, your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. ****

Our Father**, we say the following Apolytikion:**

Standing in the temple of your glory, we think we stand in heaven, O Mother of God. O gate of heaven, open to us the door of your mercy.

Lord have mercy (**x40**). Greater in honour than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word, truly the Mother of God we magnify you. In the name of the Lord, bless, Father. ****

Blessed be He Who Is, Christ our true God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. ****

The Superior:

Heavenly King, establish our rulers: strengthen the faith: calm the nations: make the world peaceful: guard well this holy church : assign our fathers and brothers who have gone before us to the tents of the just, and accept us in repentance and confession, as you are good and love humankind. ****

Lord and Master of my life, do not give me a spirit of sloth, idle curiosity, love of power and useless chatter. (

**Prostration**)

Rather accord to me, your servant, a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love. (

**Prostration**)

Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults, and not to condemn my brother; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen. (

**Prostration**) ****

We then make 12 small metanias, then one further great metania as we repeat the last line of the prayer.

Come let us worship**, and the First Hour, during which we do not add a Kathisma of the Psalter, nor at the Ninth Hour.**