AT MATINS

Prokeimenon in Tone 4.

Glory. **Tone 1**

**The Six Psalms,** The Lord is God**, and the Apolytikia as above at Vespers.**

Glory. Both now.

After the 1st reading from the Psalter, the following Kathisma.

Then the 1st Antiphon of the Anavathmi in Tone 4, and after

Tone 4. Joseph was amazed.

Then the Gospel according to Matthew.

Cleansed in soul, let us, like the Children, with branches spiritually praise Christ with faith, as we cry with a loud voice to the Master, ‘Blessed are you, O Saviour, who came into the world to save Adam from the ancient curse, becoming spiritually a new Adam, O Lover of mankind, as you were well pleased. O Word, who have disposed all things for our good, glory to you!’

Then we sing the Canon, the Irmi twice and the Troparia 4, or 6 times when there are only two, and at the end the Irmi again as Katavasias by both Choirs.

Another Kathisma.

Tone 4. Today you have appeared.

By raising Lazarus, dead for four days, from the grave, Lord, you taught all to cry out to you with Palms and branches, ‘Blessed are you who come’.

After the 2nd reading from the Psalter, other Kathismata.

Tone 4. Joseph was amazed.

Over your friend, O Christ, you mystically shed tears and raise from the dead Lazarus who had died. By this you showed your compassion in your love for mankind. When they learned of your coming, the multitudes of infants went out today, holding Palms in their hands, crying out to you, ‘Hosanna! Blessed are you, for you have come to save the world’.

Tone 1. When the stone had been sealed.

Peoples and nations, give praise with one accord. For the King of the Angels has now mounted the colt and is coming willingly to smite his foes by the Cross as all-powerful. Therefore the Children too with Palms shout the hymn, ‘Glory to you who have come as Conqueror! Glory to you, Christ Saviour! Glory to you, our God, alone blessed!’

At the Polyeleos, the Selection.

In all the earth. Alleluia.

Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is your name in all the earth.

For your majesty has been raised up above the heavens.

From the mouth of infants you have made sure of praise.

Because of your enemies, to destroy the enemy and avenger.

You rebuked the nations, and the impious perished.

A stone which the builders rejected, this has become the head of the corner.

This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.

The Lord is great in Sion, and high over all the peoples.

Here he smashed the might of their bows.

Weapon and sword and war.

Sion heard and was glad, the daughters of Judea rejoiced.

Jerusalem, praise the Lord; Sion, praise your God.

The God of gods will appear in Sion.

Go round Sion and encompass her.

Observe her towers.

To proclaim the Lord’s name in Sion, and his praise in Jerusalem.

For God is king of all the earth.

Sing with understanding. God reigns over the nations.

Sing to the Lord, who dwells in Sion.

For God will save Sion, and the cities of Judea will be rebuilt.

A song is due to you, O God, in Sion.

And a vow will be paid to you in Jerusalem.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

The Lord is God and has appeared to us.

Celebrate a feast with thick branches, as far as the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will give you thanks. You are my God and I will exalt you.

I will give you thanks, for you have heard me and become my salvation.

That I may declare all your praise in the gates of the daughter of Sion.

Who will give salvation to Israel out of Sion?

In the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, Jerusalem.

The Lord will be king for ever.

Your God, O Sion, to generation and generation.

Your praise abides for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Let us worship the Father and glorify the Son, and let us together all sing the praise of the all-holy Spirit, as we cry and say: All-holy Trinity, save us all.

Your people, O Christ, brings you your Mother in supplication; at her prayers grant us your pity, O Good One, that we may glorify you, who dawned from the tomb.

After the Polyeleos, the following Kathisma.

Tone 8. Taking knowledge.

He who sits on the throne of the Cherubim and on the colt for our sake, and has come to his voluntary Passion, hears today the Children crying out, ‘Hosanna!’ and the crowds replying, ‘Son of David, hasten to save those whom you fashioned, blessed Jesus. For for this you have come, that we may know your glory’.

**The same again.**

We have a reading from the Homilies on the Gospel according to John about the feast, numbers and

Let everything that has breath: ****

From the mouth of babes and sucklings you have made sure of praise.

Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is your name in all the earth! ****

We do not say,

Having seen the Resurrection of Christ**, but immediately after Psalm 50 we sing the following.**

Today Christ enters the Holy City seated on a colt, abolishing the wicked folly of the nations, that had been left dry and barren of old.

**The same again.**

Today Christ enters the Holy City seated on a colt, abolishing the wicked folly of the nations, that had been left dry and barren of old.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy. According to the fullness of your compassion blot out my offences. ****

Tone 6.

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together, and taking up the Cross we all say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!’

While the Brothers kiss the Gospel the Superior distributes the Palms.