at the liturgy

**Theotokion.**

** Beatitudes **

Through a tree Adam became an exile from Paradise; but through the Tree of the Cross the Thief made Paradise his home. For the one through tasting set aside his Master’s commandment, while the other, crucified with him, confessed the hidden God, as he cried: Remember me in your Kingdom.

O Christ the Word, who accepted Peter’s weeping and the Harlot’s tears and the Publican when he only sighed, take pity too on me, as you are compassionate, as I fall down and beg that I be granted pardon of offences. Supremely loving Lord, ransom me from Hell in the other world as you are compassionate.

Great Forerunner, who loosed the bonds of sterility, loose the barrenness of my wretched heart and by your mediation help it on the way to bear deeds of virtue; through which I shall receive inexhaustible life, as I cry: Remember me, Saviour, in your Kingdom.

Of the Martyrs

Though crushed by torments and given as fodder to wild beasts, fearfully maimed and cast into the depth of the sea, wasted by fire and flogged by savage decree, you did not deny God, all-praised Martyrs. Ever implore him to save our souls.

Having purified our minds let us cry out to the Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, identical in honour, guard your servants, who worship you with sincere love, as we cry to the one God: Remember us also in your Kingdom.

You received in your womb the One who with the Father is without beginning and equal in majesty with the holy Spirit and you bore him beyond understanding and reason when he became man for the welfare of mankind, Mary Bride of God, spacious place of our God. Beg him insistently that your servants may be saved.