Ode 3. Tone 2. Irmos.

After the small litany the Kontakion.

‘Establishing me on the rock of the faith, you have broadened my mouth against my foes; for my spirit has rejoiced to sing: None is holy as our God, and none is just but you, O Lord.’

In vain is the Sanhedrin of the lawless being assembled with evil intent, O Christ, to pass sentence of condemnation on you the Deliverer, to whom we sing: You are our God, and there is none holy but you, O Lord.

The dread council of the lawless, their souls making war on God, plans how to slay as a malefactor Christ, the just, to whom we sing: You are our God, and there is none holy but you, O Lord.

Establishing me on the rock of the faith, you have broadened my mouth against my foes; for my spirit has rejoiced to sing: None is holy as our God, and none is just but you, O Lord.

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 the King of peace and the Saviour of our souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and to the ages of ages. ****

Tone 4. Lifted up on the Cross

I have transgressed far more than the harlot, O Good One, yet have never brought you showers of tears; but entreating in silence, I fall before you, as I kiss your immaculate feet with love, that as Master you may grant me forgiveness of offences, as I cry out, O Saviour: deliver me from the filth of my works.

The woman, who before was dissolute, suddenly appeared temperate, hating the works of shameful sin and the pleasures of the body, as she thought on the great shame and the judgement of punishment, to which harlots and the dissolute bring themselves. Of them I am first, and I tremble, but I continue in my evil way, fool that I am; while the harlot, trembling and hastening with zeal, came crying to the Redeemer, ‘Merciful Lover of humankind, deliver me from the filth of my works’.

The Menologion of the day and then the following notice:

On holy and great Wednesday the most godly fathers ordered that the commemoration be kept of the harlot who anointed the Lord with sweet myrrh, because this occurred shortly before the saving passion.

A woman casting myrrh upon Christ’s body.

Anticipates Nikódemos’ anointing.

But, Christ our God, anointed with the spiritual myrrh, free us from the flowing passions, and have mercy on us, as you alone are good and love mankind. Amen.