AT MATINS

After the 1st Psalter Reading, Kathismata of Compunction.

Glory. Both now.

**Theotokion.**

Tone 8.

After the 2nd Psalter reading others.

**Theotokion.

With your compassionate eye, O Lord, see my humiliation, for little by little my life is being squandered, and there is no salvation for me from works; therefore I ask this: with your compassionate eye, Lord, see my humiliation and save me.

Glory. Both now.

**Theotokion.**

Lord, do not rebuke me your anger; nor chastise me in your rage. ****

After the 3rd reading other Kathismata.

The Wisdom and Word.

Glory. Both now.

Reflecting on that dread day, my soul, watch, lighting your lamp and shining with the oil of mercy; for you do not know when the voice will come to you which says: Behold the Bridegroom. See then, my soul, that you do not doze and remain outside knocking like the five virgins; but persevere unsleeping, that you may meet Christ God with rich oil and the he may give you the divine bridal chamber of his glory.

**To the same melody.**

The Master and Maker of all things, taking flesh from your immaculate womb, made you guardian of humankind, O All-unblemished; therefore we all take refuge in you, Sovereign Lady, asking forgiveness of offences, and we beg that we may be redeemed from eternal torture and from every punishment in the other world, that with faith we may cry out to you: Intercede with Christ God, O Maiden, that to all who come to your protection in faith may be granted forgiveness.

As though the Judge were present, be anxious, my soul, and think on the moment of the dread day; for the judgement is merciless for those who have not acted with mercy; therefore before the end cry out: Spare me, O Saviour, for you alone love humankind.

Lord, do not rebuke me your anger; nor chastise me in your rage.

As the harlot I fall down before you that I may receive forgiveness, and instead of precious ointment I offer you the tears from my heart, Christ God, that you may take pity on me as on her, O Saviour, and grant me pardon of my sins; for like her I cry to you: Deliver me from the mire of my deeds.

Taking knowledge.**

O pure and blessed, filled with God’s grace, together with the Powers on high, the Archangels and all the Bodiless ones, implore without ceasing him who through the compassion of his pity was born from you to grant us before the end amendment, pardon of sins and correction of life, that we may find mercy.

The Wisdom and Word.

Just how long, my soul, will you live in heedlessness? Just how long will spend your time in idleness? Arise from the sleep of idleness, O wretch; when you consider your deeds, groan and shudder at the sentence of the righteous Judge; what defence will you have in that hour? Or how can you be delivered from the burning to come, set as you are in incorrigibility. Cry out before the end to the Judge: Saviour, grant me forgiveness of offences; for you alone are long-suffering.

God is wonderful in his saints; the God of Israel. ****

Of the Martyrs.

This tabernacle to-day is flooded with heavenly light; for in it the armies of Angels rejoice, and with them the choirs of the Righteous are glad, at the commemoration of the Victors. At their entreaties, O Christ, send down upon your world peace and great mercy.

Taking knowledge of the secret command, the bodiless Archangel came with haste to Joseph’s dwelling, and said to her who knew not wedlock, ‘He who in his self-abasement bowed the heavens is housed wholly and unchanged in you. As I see him take the form of a servant in your womb I am amazed and cry to you: Hail, Bride without bridegroom!’