At Vespers

Glory..., Now and ever..., Theotokion, in the same tone and melody—

At “Lord, I have cried...,” these stichera of the prophet, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: “Called from on high...”—

Troparion, in Tone II—

As a divine prophet, a proclaimer and herald of the words of God, having received the radiance of the splendor of the Godhead through the purity of thy mind, thou wast shown to be the divinely inspired mouth of the Spirit. Proclaiming the things shown to thee by Him and relating to all the nations the salvation bestowed upon men and the kingdom of Christ, O most honored one, entreat Him to save and enlighten our souls.

O divinely inspired one, who art resplendent, as is meet, in the vision of God, honored with an eminent place among the prophets and with grace, and vouchsafed divine blessedness, possessed now of thy boldness toward the All-good One and compassion, cease thou never to pray in behalf of those who praise thee with faith and honor thee as one of godly eloquence, honorable and pleasing to God, that He deliver us from misfortunes and save our souls.

O Immortal One, Thou hast shown forth Thy prophet as an animate cloud, pouring forth water unto life which is truly everlasting, having sent him forth and richly bestowed upon him the all-holy Spirit, Who is consubstantial with Thee, the ­Almighty Father, and Thy Son, Who shone forth from Thine Essence, whereby he prophesied the saving advent of Christ our God and proclaimed salvation to all the nations.

And three stichera of the Theotokos, in the same tone and melody—

[These stichera are only chanted on weekdays during the Nativity Fast, if the pastor elect to serve the services in lenten fashion, with the chanting of “Alleluia” at Matins instead of “God is the Lord.” In such a case, at Vespers the stichera of the Theotokos are chanted first on “Lord, I have cried...,” followed by the stichera of the saint.]

As the intercessor for our whole race, O most immaculate Theotokos, from every assault of the enemy save those who piously worship thine ­Offspring; for we have all now acquired thee as a help, refuge and confirmation, and a mediatress before Christ, the Lord and Master. Him do thou entreat, we pray thee, that He grant the world peace and remission of sins unto those who have recourse to thy protection.

Behold, I lay bare for thee the sores of my soul and show thee the grievous stripes which the robbers, my wicked thoughts and the tumults of the demons, have inflicted upon me. O most immaculate Mistress, who gavest birth unto the Healer of men’s souls and bodies, grant me healing thereof, pouring forth the oil of thy loving-kindness and goodness, unto the good disposition of salvation and health.

I do not conceal my wicked deeds, for, wretch that I am, I have acquired all things which God hateth: I have defiled my flesh, spirit and mind with impious thoughts, vile deeds and words; with my tongue I condemn sinners, while I myself commit worse things, O Theotokos. Grant me correction of all these things, that, having rid myself of mine evil habits, I may fall down and weep over what I have wickedly done in the course of my life.

In that I have fallen into the abyss of many offenses, wretch that I am, because of my slothfulness, despondency and ignorance, I am now stuck fast in despair. Be thou my help and purification and my salvation, O all-pure one, readily granting me consolation; and I beseech thee, implore and fall down before thee, and with faith cry out to thee, that I not utterly appear to be the delight of the deceiver.

Or this Stavrotheotokion, in the same tone and melody—

Lament Me not, O Mother, beholding thy Son and God hanging upon the Tree, Who suspended the earth freely upon the waters and fashioned all creation; for I shall arise and glorify Myself, and shall break the might of the kingdom of hell, destroy its power, and deliver those who have been bound by its villainy, in that I am compassionate; and I shall lead them to my Father, in that I love mankind.

Celebrating the memory of Thy prophet Zephaniah, O Lord, through him do we entreat Thee: Save Thou our souls!