hour, in hardening our hearts towards others and in failing to re­

bitterly. Antiphon Seven

The appointed exapostilarion o f the Resurrection, and then:

(Irmos) Conception without seed. . . .

spond to the opportunities we are given of helping them, we are al­ ready passing judgement on ourselves. (f) On Saturday in the week btfore Lent (‘ Cheese W eek’), there is a general commemoration o f all the ascetic saints of the Church, both men and women. As we set out on the journey of the Lenten fast, we are reminded that we do not travel alone but as members of a family, supported by the intercessions of many invisible helpers. (g) The Sunday before Lent. The last of the preparatory Sundays has two themes: it commemorates Adam’s expulsion from Paradise, and it is also the Sunday of Forgiveness. There are obvious reasons why these two things should be brought to our attention as we stand on the

closing prayer at the Liturgy of the Presanctified: ‘ . . . may we come uncondemned to worship at the Holy Resurrection’ . Throughout

Then Psalm £ o , and immediately afterwards:

Sessional Hymn

When Thou, O God, shalt judge all things, who among us earthborn men shall dare to stand before Thee, for we are all beset by

all the Hours the Lenten verses are not sung but read, and they are accom­ panied by bows, not prostrations. After the Trisagion, at all the Hours we read the kontakionjrom the Great Canon, My soul, O my soul. . . . The Prayer o f St. Ephraim is said once only, with three prostrations.

Antiphon Nine

threshold of the Great Fast. One of the primary images in the Triodion is that of the return to Paradise. Lent is a time when we weep with Adam and Eve before the closed gate of Eden, repenting with them for the sins that have deprived us of our free communion with God. But Lent is also a time when we are preparing to celebrate the saving event of Christ’s death and rising, which has reopened Para­ dise to us once more (Luke 23 : 43). So sorrow for our exile in sin is tempered by hope of our re-entry into Paradise: O precious Paradise, unsurpassed in beauty, Tabernacle built by God, unending gladness and delight, Glory of the righteous, joy o f the prophets, and dwelling of the saints, With the sound of thy leaves pray to the Maker o f a ll:

Repeat. Small Litany, with the exclamation: Blessed and g lo rifie d is th e p o w e r o f T h y K in g d o m , o f th e F a th e r, th e So n and th e H o ly S p ir it, n o w and e v e r, and to th e ages o f ages. A m e n .

H e said, F ath er, into T h y hands

Sessional Hymn

the passions? Then the unquenchable fire and the destroying worm

sing the troparion, O Lord, who at the third hour. . . , with three prostrations as usual. Then we say, O Theotokos, thou art the true vine. . . . Meanwhile the priest, wearing his phelonion, opens the Royal Doors and* brings the Book of the Gospels to the centre of the church, placing it on an analogion; and one or more processional candlesticks with lighted candles are set beside it. The priest then censes the Book o f the Gospels, and the whole church and people; and the Gospel reading follows. At the end o f the Gospel reading, we continue with the Third Flour, saying Blessed be the Lord God. . . , and the rest, with the usual bows and prostrations. We say the kontakion of the day, Jacob lamented. . . .

Antiphon Ten

May He open unto me the gates which I closed by my trans­ gression, And may He count me worthy to partake of the Tree of Life And of the joy which was mine when I dwelt in thee before.54 Note how the Triodion speaks here not of ‘ Adam’ but of ‘m e’ : ‘May He open unto me the gates which / closed’ . Here, as through­ out the Triodion, the events of sacred history are not treated as happenings in the distant past or future, but as experiences under­ gone by me here and now within the dimension of sacred time. 54 Vespers for Saturday evening (Sunday of forgiveness),

Repeat. Small Litany, witA iAe exclamation: F o r b lessed is T h y N a m e and g lo rifie d is T h y K in g d o m , o f th e F a th e r,

Sessional Hymn

shall seize the condemned and hold them fast for ever. All that has breath, O Christ, Thou shalt assemble to be judged together. Then great shall be the fear, and great the anguish; and only our good actions shall help us for ever. Judge of all, my God and Lord, on that day may I hear Thy words of blessing, may I see Thy mighty light, may I look upon Thy taber­ nacles, may I behold Thy glory and rejoice for ever.23 0 righteous Judge and Saviour, have mercy on me and deliver me from the fire that threatens me, and from die punishment that I deserve to suffer at die Judgement. Before the end comes, grant me remission through virtue and repentance. When Thou sittest on Thy throne, O merciful Judge, and revealest Thy dread glory, O Christ, what fear there w ill be then! When

that 1 may suffer the Passion/41 O false kiss! ‘ Hail, Master’ , said Judas to Christ, and with this word betrayed Him to the slaughter. For he gave this as a sign to the transgressors: ‘The man that 1 shall kiss, he it is that I have promised to betray to y o u /42 Thou, our God, wast taken captive by the lawless people, yet Thou hast not resisted or cried out, O Lamb of God. Thou hast endured all things: questioned, condemned, struck on the face, led a prisoner before Caiaphas with swords and staves.43 ‘Let Jesus Christ be crucified’ , cried the Hebrew people to­ gether with the priests and scribes. O faithless people! What evil has He done, He who raised up Lazarus from the tomb and wondrously has brought to pass the salvation of all ?

Repeat. Antiphon Eleven

The second theme, that of forgiveness, is emphasized in the Gos­

Small Litany, with the exclamation: F o r all th e p o w e rs o f h eaven p raise T h e e , and to T h e e th e y a scrib e g lo ry , to th e F a th e r, So n and H o ly S p irit, n o w and e v e r, and to th e ages o f ages. A m e n .

Sessional Hymn

the furnace burns with fire, and all shrink back in terror before Thy

The lawless people cried aloud before the judgement-seat of

Repeat. Antiphon Twelve

pel reading for this Sunday (Matthew 6: 14 - 2 1) and in the special ceremony of mutual forgiveness at the end of Vespers on Sunday evening. Before we enter the Lenten fast, we are reminded that there can be no true fast, no genuine repentance, no reconciliation with God, unless we are at the same time reconciled with one an­ other. A fast without mutual love is the fast of demons. As the commemoration of the ascetic saints on the previous Saturday }ias just made clear to us, we do not travel the road of Lent as isolated individuals but as members of a family. Our asceticism and fasting should not separate us from our fellow men but link us to them with ever stronger bonds. The Lenten ascetic is called to be a man fo r others.

judgement-seat. W e bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 1 honour God one in Essence, I sing the praises o f the three Persons, distinct from one another yet not differing in Nature, for there is one Godhead in the three, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Both now. . . . Theotokion From thy womb filled with radiance, Christ has come forth as a bridegroom from his chamber, and as a great light He has illumined 23 Matt. 2 $ : 34.

Pilate: ‘ Crucify Him, and set free for us Barabbas the murderer who lies bound. Scourge Christ and take, O take Him and crucify Him with the evildoers/44 W e bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. O ineffable self-abasement! O secret counsel! Thou who art fire 80 John 13: 12-1 s; Matt. 20: 26-7. 40 John 13: 10-11, 21-6. 41 Matt. 26: 30, 36-46; John 12: 27. 48 Matt. 26: 48-9. 48 Isa. £3: 7 » huke 22: £2-4. 44 Matt. 2 7 : 1 $-2 6 .

Antiphon Thirteen

(2) The Forty Days. The two preceding Sundays, o f the Last

those in darkness. As lightning has the Sun o f righteousness shone out, O pure Virgin, and given light to the w orld .24* W e praise, bless and worship the Lord. . . . (Katavasia) The hosts of heaven give Him glory; before Him tremble cherubim and seraphim; let everything that has breath and all creation praise Him, bless Him, and exalt Him above all for ever.

disciple who shall betray Me comes with the whole band o f soldiers, to deliver Me to the murderers of the prophets.’ 46 ‘Thy kiss is false and thine embrace is bitter. To whom, O liar, dost thou say, “ Hail, Master” ?’ said Christ to Judas. ‘ Friend, why art thou here? For if thou hast come to kiss Me, why dost thou bring a sword anointed with honey?’ O Christ the Judge, by Thine own free choice Thou earnest innocent before the judgement-seat of Pilate, so as to deliver us from our debts; and in Thy love Thou hast accepted to suffer in the flesh that we might all receive freedom. O depth of compassion! How can it be that Christ, the Fire un­ approachable, stands before Pilate and yet does not consume him in

Repeat. Antiphon Fourteen

Judgement and o f Forgiveness, together constitute - albeit in re­ verse order —a recapitulation of the whole range of sacred history, from its beginning-point, Adam in Paradise, to its end-point, the Second Coming of Christ, when all time and history are taken up into eternity. During the forty days that now follow, although this wider perspective is never forgotten, there is an increasing concen­ tration upon the central moment in sacred history, upon the saving event of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection, which makes possible man’s return to Paradise and inaugurates the End. Lent is, from this point of view, a journey with a precise direction; it is the journey to Pascha,55 The goal of our journey is concisely expressed in the

the flames, though Pilate is but grass and reeds and earth? Yet,

Repeat. During the singing of Antiphon Fifteen, in most Greek churches there takes place the entry with the Crucifix: the priest carries the Cross from

the forty days we are reminded that we are on the move, travelling on

The Lord comes to punish sinners and to save the righteous. Let

since He is longsuffering by nature, patiently He endures all Pilate’s insolence. 45 Luke 1 : 68 -9, 78-9. 46 Matt. 2 6 : 40-6; 2 3 : 31 .

Antiphon Fifteen

a path that leads straight to Golgotha and the Empty Tomb. So we say at the start of the first week : Let us set out with joy. . . . Having sailed across the great sea of the Fast, May we reach the third-day Resurrection of our Lord. Let us hasten to the Holy Resurrection on the third day. . . . While our journey proceeds, as travellers we regularly call to mind how far we have progressed: 55 The phrase is taken from Schmemann, Great Lent, p. 1 1 .

us tremble and lament, and call to mind that day when our hidden secrets w ill be disclosed and He w ill pay us what is due. Moses was filled with fear and trembling when he saw Thee from behind. How then in my wretchedness shall I endure to behold Thy face, when Thou shalt come from heaven? But spare me, O com­ passionate Lord, and look on me in m ercy.26 Daniel was afraid o f the hour of trial. And what shall I feel, un­ happy that I am, when I come to that terrible day, O Lord? But grant me before the end to worship Thee acceptably and to gain Thy Kingdom.26

‘Take Him away, take Him away and crucify Him whom they call Christ', cried the Jews repeatedly to Pilate. And he washed his hands, and with a pen he wrote the act of condemnation against Him who grants to all men immortality.47 Why, lawless men, do ye make such a tumult, crying aloud, ‘Take Christ, take Him and crucify Him', asking for the thief that is condemned? Is not this He who raised the dead and cleansed the lepers, who healed the woman with an issue of blood and made the paralysed to stand upright? ‘ What evil has He done?', cried Pilate to the ungrateful people. ‘ Why do ye shout so vehemently, “ Take Him away, take Him and crucify^Him'' ? I find no guilt in H im .' But they cried in bitter hatred:

As we begin the second day. . . . Let us now set out with joy upon the second week of the Fast. . . . As we start upon the third week of the Fast, O ye faithful, Let us glorify the Holy Trinity, And joyfully pass through the time that still remains. . . Weaving garlands for the queen of days - the day, that is, of the Lord’s Resurrection. So we continue: Now that we have passed beyond the middle point in the time of

The fire is prepared, the worm is ready; yet ready also is the

‘Take Him away, take Him and crucify the Saviour o f us all.' O lawless Jew s! O people without understanding! Do ye not remember how many miracles of healing Christ performed for you? Do ye not comprehend His divine power, just as your fathers before you understood it not? Glory be to the Father. . . . O my Maker, Thou wast scourged and given up to Crucifixion for ► my sake, that Thou mightest bring to pass my salvation in the midst of the earth and pour out Thy life for the world, granting by Thy precious Blood immortality to those that worship Thee.48 Both now. . . . Theotokion Ewe that bore the Lamb, Thy Mother stood, O Master, by the Cross and wept for Thee, O Creator o f all things, as she looked

Let us hasten eagerly towards our journey’s end. . . . So may we be counted worthy to venerate the divine Passion of Christ our God, And to attain His dread and holy Resurrection. During each week of Lent, our faces are set towards the objective of our journeying: the Saviour’s suffering and triumphant Passover.

glory o f rejoicing, the eternal rest, the light without evening, the gladness o f the righteous. And who is he that shall be blessed to escape from the torment and inherit the joy? O Lord, reject me not from Thy presence in anger; let me not hear Thee send me away accursed to the fire. But let me enter then into the joy of Thine eternal bridal-chamber with Thy saints.27 My mind is wounded, my body has grown feeble, my spirit is sick, my speech has lost its power, my life is dead, the end is at the door. What shalt thou do, then, miserable soul, when the Judge comes to examine thy deeds? Glory be to the Father. . . . O Father, single only-Begetter of the only-begotten Son; O only 24 Ps. 1 8 : 6 ; Isa. 9 : 2 ; Mai. 4 : 2.

upon Thy great longsuffering. For by Thine own will Thou wast born incarnate, and hast suffered in the flesh all Thy Passion that Thou mightest save the world. 47 Matt. 27: 22-4. 48 Ps. 73: 12.

The forty days’ journey of Lent recalls in particular the forty years

2BExod. 3 3 : 2 0 - 3 .

of you deny Me when ye see Me on the Cross between two thieves. For as man I suffer, but as Lover of mankind I save those who believe in M e.’ 18 Glory be to the Father. . . . Theotokion O Virgin who in the last days hast ineffably conceived and borne thine own Creator, save those who magnify thee. Both now. . . . Repeat. Antiphon Six

in which the Chosen People journeyed through the wilderness. For us, as for the children of Israel, Lent is a time of pilgrimage. It is a time for our liberation from the bondage of Egypt, from domination by sinful passions; a time for progress by faith through a barren and waterless desert; a time for unexpected reassurance, when in our hunger we are fed with manna from heaven; a time whe&i God speaks to us out of the darkness of Sinai; a time in which we draw near to the Promised Land, to our true home in Paradise whose door

26 Dan. 7 ·. 9-10. 27 Matt. ΐ ς\ 4 1; 2 ς: io.

TONE SEVEN

the crucified and risen Christ has reopened for us.

l £3 Light and Brightness from the one and only Light; and Thou, one and only Holy Spirit from the one God, true Lord from the L o rd : O holy Three in One, save me as I tell of Thy divinity. Both now. . . . Theotokion The marvel of thy childbearing fills me with wonder, O allblameless Lady. How hast thou conceived without seed Him whom none can comprehend? How hast thou remained a Virgin and yet become a Mother? ‘ Accept the miracle with faith, and worship the Child that is born: for all that He wills, He has the power to d o.’ (Katavasia) Conception without seed; nativity past under­ standing, from a Mother who never knew a man; childbearing undefiled. For the birth o f God makes both natures new. Therefore, as the Mother o f our

Today Judas watches how he may deliver up the Lord, the pre­ eternal Saviour of the world, who with five loaves satisfied the multitude. Today the transgressor denies his Teacher; though a disciple he betrays the Master. He sells for money the Lord who fed His people with manna in the wilderness.14 11 rT h ess. 4 : 9 ; Matt. 1 8 : 2 4 - 3 4 ; 2 7*· 3· 12 Ps. 8 6 : 3. 13 Matt. 2 6 : 4 5 . 14 Matt. 1 4 : 1 5 - 2 0 ; Exod. 1 6 : 15 .

The Weekdays of Lent. A characteristic ethos is given to the week­

God, with true worship all generations magnify thee.

Ull Today the Jews nailed to the Cross the Lord who divided the sea with a rod and led them through the wilderness. Today they pierced with a lance the side of Him who for their sake smote Egypt with plagues. They gave Him gall to drink, who rained down manna on them for food. O Lord, as Thou earnest to Thy voluntary Passion, Thou hast­ ened aloud to Thy disciples: ‘ If ye could not even watch with Me one hour, why then did ye promise to die for My sake? See ye how Judas sleeps not, but makes haste to deliver Me to the transgressors? Awake, rise and pray, and let none deny Me when he sees Me on the Cross.’ O longsuffering Lord, glory to Thee.15 GIory.be to the Father. . . . Theotokion Hail, Theotokos, who hast contained within thy womb Him whom

days of Lent by the frequently repeated prostrations, used especially in conjunction with the Prayer of St. Ephraim, Ό Lord and Master of my life. . . ’ .5C Brief, sober, yet remarkably complete, this prayer takes us to the very heart of what Lent means. Another distinctive feature of Lenten weekdays is the Liturgy of

As I ponder the fearful day o f Thy judgement and ineffable glory, I am altogether full of fear, O Lord, and trembling in terror I c r y : When Thou comest in glory upon earth, O Christ our God, to judge all things, then deliver me in my wretchedness from every punishment and count me worthy, O Master, of a place at Thy right hand. Glory be to the Father. . . . Another exapostilarion Behold there comes the day o f the Lord almighty, and who shall endure the fear o f His presence? For it is a day of wrath; the furnace shall burn, and the Judge shall sit and give to each the due return for his w orks.28 Both now. . . . Theotokion As I call to mind the hour o f trial and the fearful coming o f the

the heavens cannot contain. Hail, Virgin whom the prophets

the Presanctified, celebrated according to present practice on each

Master who loves mankind, I tremble in every part and with sad face I cry to Thee: O my Judge most righteous, alone rich in mercy, at

preached: through thee Emmanuel has shone forth upon us. Hail, Mother of Christ our God. Both now. . . . Repeat. Small Litany, with the exclamation: For blessed and glorified is Thy most honoured and majestic Name, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

the intercessions of the Theotokos accept me in repentance.

TONE SEVEN

28 Mai. 4 : 1.

What reason led thee, Judas, to betray the Saviour? Did He expel thee from the company of the apostles? Did He deprive thee of the gift of healing? When thou wast at supper with the others, did He drive thee from the table? When He washed the others’ feet, did He pass thee by? How many arc the blessings that thou hast forgotten! Thou art condemned for thine ingratitude, but His measureless longsuflering and great mercy are proclaimed to all. TH E T H IR D G O SP E L (Matthew 26: 5 7 ~7 5 ) At that time the soldiers that had laid hold on Jesus led Him away 15 Matt. 26: 40; John 13: 38.

Lauds. Five stichera of the Resurrection in the Tone o f the week, from the OctoechoSy ancl then the following four stichera from the Triodion:

to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed Him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Now

TONE SIX

the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness

I think upon that day and hour when we shall all stand naked, like men condemned, before the Judge who accepts no man’ s person. Then shall the trumpet sound aloud and the foundations of the earth shall quake, die dead shall rise from the tombs and all shall be gathered together from every generation. Then each man’s secrets w ill be manifest before T h ee: and those that have never repented shall weep and lament, departing to the outer fire ; but with gladness and rejoicing the company o f the righteous shall enter into the heavenly bridal chamber. y . I w ill praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will speak of all Thy marvellous works (Psalm 9: 2).

against Jesus, to put Him to death; but found none; yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy

How shall it be in that hour and fearful day, when the Judge shall sit on His dread throne 1 The books shall be opened and men’s actions shall be examined, and the secrets o f darkness shall be made public. Angels shall hasten to and fro, gathering all the nations. Come ye and hearken, kings and princes, slaves and free, sinners and righteous, rich and poor: for the Judge comes to pass sentence on

the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest

the whole inhabited earth. And who shall bear to stand before His

arose, and said unto Him, Answercst Thou nothing? What is it which these witness against Thee? But Jesus held His peace. And the high priest answered and said unto Him, I adjure thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard His blas­ phemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in His face, and buffeted Him, and others

face in the presence of the angels, as they call us to account for our actions and our thoughts, whether by night or by day? How shall it be then in that hour! But before the end is here, make haste, my soul, and cry: O God who only art compassionate, turn me back and save me. y . I will be glad and rejoice in Thee, I w ill sing to Thy Name, O Most High (Psalm 9: 3)·

smote Him with the palms of their hands, saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, who is he that smote Thee? Now Peter sat without in

TONE EIGHT

the palace: and a damsel came unto him saying, Thou also wast with

Daniel the prophet, a man greatly beloved, when he saw the power of God, cried o u t: ‘The court sat for judgement, and the books were opened.’ Consider well, my soul: dost thou fast? Then despise not thy neighbour. Dost thou abstain from food? Condemn not thy brother, lest thou be sent away into the fire, there to burn

Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them, for thy speech betrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before

the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And he went out and wept

TONE EIGHT

Suffering the transgressors to lay hold on Thee, O Lord, Thou hast cried aloud: ‘ Although ye smite the Shepherd and scatter abroad the twelve sheep, My disciples, yet could I call to Mine aid more than twelve legions of angels. But in My patience I forbear,

TONE ONE

that the hidden secrets I made known to you through My prophets may be fulfilled.’ () Lord, glory to Thee.16 Peter denied Thee three times, and straightway he understood Thy words; but he offered Thee tears of repentance. O God, be merciful to me and save m e.17 Glory be to the Father. . . . Theotokion

Let us cleanse ourselves, brethren, with the Queen of the virtues: for behold, she is come, blunging us a wealth of blessings. She quells

The holy Virgin is a gateway of salvation, a fair Paradise, and a

the uprising o f the passions, and reconciles sinners to the Master.

cloud of everlasting light: let us all sing in praise of her and say to her, ‘ R ejo ice!’ 18 Both now. . . . Repeat. Antiphon Eight

Therefore let us welcome her with gladness, and cry aloud to Christ our G od: O risen from the dead, who alone art free from sin, guard us uncondemned as we give Thee glory. Glory be to the Father. . . . Repeat Let us cleanse ourselves. . . . Both now. . . . Most blessed art thou, O Virgin Theotokos. . . . Great Doxology, the two Litanies, and the Dismissal.

TONE TWO

Like the Prodigal Son, I have sinned against Thee, O Saviour. Receive me as I repent, O Father, and have mercy upon me, O God.8 1 Matt. 14: 30-1. 2 Matt. 20: 9. 8 Luke 1 ς : 1 1-3 2.

O ye transgressors, tell us what ye heard from our Saviour? Did He not expound the Law and the teaching of the prophets? How then have ye taken counsel to deliver up to Pilate Him who is God

W ith the voice o f the Publican I cry unto Thee, O Christ my Saviour. Take pity on me as Thou hast on him, and have mercy upon me, O God.4 When I think upon the wicked things that I have done, I flee for refuge to Thy tender mercy, like the Publican, and the Harlot with her tears, and the Prodigal Son. Therefore I fall down before Thee, merciful Lord. Condemn me not, O God, but spare me and have mercy upon m e.5 Turn Thine eyes from my transgressions, O Lord born of the Virgin, and cleanse my heart, making it a temple o f Thy Holy Spirit. Cast me not away from before Thy face, for measureless is Thy great mercy.

the Word that came from God, and the Deliverer of our souls?

TONE TH R EE

‘ Let Him be crucified P they cried, though they had always taken pleasure in Thy gifts of grace; and the murderers of the righteous asked for the release o f an evildoer in place of their Benefactor. But Thou, O Christ, wast silent and hast endured their impudence, wishing to suffer and to save us in Thy love for mankind.19 Glory be to the Father. . . . Theotokion As there is no boldness in us because of the multitude of our sins, do thou, O Virgin Theotokos, intercede with the Son whom thou hast borne, for the entreaty of His Mother has great power to win

W ith incense and with spiritual songs, we offer unto Thee, O Christ, our evening hymn. Have mercy upon our souls, O Saviour. Save me, O Lord my God, for Thou art the salvation o f all. The billows o f my passions sorely trouble me, and the burden o f my transgressions drags me down. Stretch out Thine hand in help and lead me up to the light o f compunction, for Thou only art com­ passionate and lovest mankind. Gather together my scattered mind, O Lord, and purify my dry and barren heart, giving me like Peter repentance, like the Publican sighs o f sorrow, and like the Harlot tears, that I may cry with a loud voice unto T h ee: Save me, O God, for Thou only art compassionate and lovest mankind.6

the favour of the Master. Despise not, O all-honoured Lady, the

Often when I offer praise to God, I am found to be committing sin; for while I sing the hymns with my tongue, in my soul I ponder evil thoughts. But through repentance, Christ my God, set right my tongue and soul, and have mercy upon me.

prayers of sinners, for He who took upon Himself to suffer for our sake is merciful and strong to save. Both now. . . . Repeat. 10 Zech. 13 : 7; Matt. 26: 31, 53-4. 17 Matt. 26: 7£. 18 Ezek. 44: 1 - 3 ; 28: 13 ; Isa. 19: 1 ; Exod. 13 : 21-2, 10 Matt. 23: 3 s i 27: 2 1 ~2·

I want to wash away with tears the record o f my sins, O Lord, and through the rest of my life to please Thee by repentance; but the 4 Luke 1 8 : j 3 . 5 Luke 18: 13; 7: 37- 9 ; 14 : n - 32. 6 Matt. 26: 7£j Luke 18: 13; 7: 37-9.

TONE THREE

enemy deceives me and fights against my soul. Before I perish utterly, save me, O Lord.7 If a man takes refuge from the tempest in this harbour, w ill he not be saved? If in his agony he kneels before this house of healing, w ill he not be cured? O Maker of all and Physician o f the sick, before I perish utterly, save me, O Lord. Wash me with my tears, O Saviour, for I am defiled by many sins. Therefore I fall down before T h ee: I have sinned, have mercy upon me, O God. I am a sheep of Thy spiritual flock, and to Thee I flee for refuge, O Good Shepherd. I have gone astray, O G o d : seek me and have mercy upon m e.8

They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him that was valued, on whom the children of Israel had set a price. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Therefore watch!20 They gave Me gall to eat, and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink. But do Thou raise Me up, O Lord, and I shall grant them their reward.21 Glory be to the Father. . . . Theotokion We Gentiles sing of thee, O pure Theotokos, for thou hast borne Christ our God, who through thee delivered mankind from the curse. Both now. . . . Repeat. Small Litany with the exclamation: For Thou art our God and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now

TONE FIVE

and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

I cease not from sin, O Lord, nor do I perceive the love Thou showest me. Vanquish my blindness, for Thou alone art good, and have mercy upon me. O Lord, from fear of Thee I tremble, yet I cease not from doing evil. When called to trial, who does not fear the judge? What man, desiring to be healed, angers the physician, as I do? Take pity on my weakness, O forbearing Lord, and have mercy upon me. W oe is me, for I am like the barren fig tree, and I fear that I also shall be cursed and cut down. But, heavenly Husbandman, Christ my God, make my dry and barren soul bear fruit. Receive me as the Prodigal Son, and have mercy upon m e.9 0 Lord born o f the Virgin, pass over my manifold transgressions

TONE EIGHT

and wipe out all my sins. Grant me the firm intent to turn back unto Thee, for Thou alone lovest mankind, and have mercy upon me.

O how could Judas, who was once Thy disciple, plot to betray Thee! In his treachery and wickedness he ate with Thee at the supper, and then he went to the priests and said: ‘What will ye give me, and I will deliver to you Him who set the Law at naught and defiled the Sabbath?’ O longsulfering Lord, glory to Thee. TH E FO U R T H G O SP E L (John t8: 2 8 - 1 9 : 16) At that time they led Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judge­ ment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgement hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat

TONE SIX

the passover. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accu­

1 have no repentance and no tears. Therefore I entreat Thee, Saviour: before the end comes cause me to turn back and grant me compunction, that I may be delivered from torment. At Thy fearful Coming, O Christ, may we not hear the w ords: ‘ I 7 Col. 2 : 14. 8 John 10: 1 1; Ps. 118 : 176; Matt. 18: 12. 9Matt 21: 19; John 15: 1-6; Luke 15-: 11-32.

sation bring ye against this man? They answered and said unto him, 20 Zech. 1 1: 13; Matt. 27: 9; 26: 41. 21 Ps. 68: 22; Matt. 27: 34.

know you not.’ For we have put our trust in Thee, O Saviour, though in our negligence we keep not Thy commandments; yet we entreat Thee, spare our souls.10 Heal the wounds o f my heart, inflicted on me through my many sins, O Saviour and Physician o f our souls and bodies; for Thou dost always grant forgiveness o f transgressions unto those that ask. Give me tears of repentance and remission of my debts, O Lord, and have mercy on me. Finding me naked, stripped o f virtues, the enemy wounded me with the arrow o f sin; but, O God, Physician of our souls and bodies, heal the wounds of my soul and have mercy on me.

If He were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered Him up unto thee. Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye Him, and judge Him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which He spake, signifying what death He should die. Then Pilate entered into the judgement hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto Him, Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of Me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew ? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered Thee unto m e: what hast Thou done? Jesus answered, My Kingdom is not of this w o rld : if My Kingdom were

TONE SEVEN

of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jew s: but now is My Kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto

As the Prodigal Son, I also come to Thee, O compassionate Lord, and I fall down before Thee. Accept me as one of Thy hired servants, and have mercy on m e.11 As the man who fell among thieves and was wounded, I too have fallen through my sins and my soul is wounded. To whom shall I flee for refuge, guilty that I am, if not to Thee, the merciful Physician of our souls? Pour on me, O God, the oil o f Thy great m ercy.12 Sinner though I be, O Saviour, cut me not down as the barren fig tree. Grant me forgiveness for my many years o f sin, and water my soul with tears of repentance, that as fruit I may offer Thee acts of mercy and compassion.13 Thou art the Sun o f righteousness; illumine the hearts of those

the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice. Pilate

who praise Thee, singing: Glory be to Thee, O Lord.14

saith unto Him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in Him no fault at all. But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at

TONE EIGHT

the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of

The angels praise Thee without ceasing, O King and Master, and

the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but

I fall before Thee crying like the Publican: God be merciful to me and save m e.15 Since thou art immortal, O my soul, be not overwhelmed by the 10Matt. 2$: 12. II Luke 1 ς : 1 8-2 1.

Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jew s! And they smote Him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring Him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in Him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, Crucify Him, crucify Him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye Him, and crucify Him: for I find no fault in Him. The Jews

12 Luke 10: 30-4. 13 Matt. 21: 19.

answered him, We have a law, and by our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; and went again into the judgement hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art Thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto Him, Speakest Thou not unto me? Knowest Thou not that I have power to crucify Thee, and

14 Mai. 4: 2. 15 Luke 18: 13.

waves of this life ; but return to soberness and cry to Thy Benefactor: God be merciful to me and save me. Give me tears, O God, as once Thou gavest them to the woman that had sinned, and count me worthy to wash Thy feet that have delivered me from the way o f error. As sweet-smelling ointment let me offer Thee a pure life, created in me by repentance; and may I also hear those words for which I long: ‘Thy faith has saved thee, go in p e a ce /10 When I call to mind the many evils I have done, and I think upon

the fearful day o f judgement, seized with trembling I flee to Thee for

TONE SIX

refuge, O God who lovest mankind. Turn not away from me, I beseech Thee, who alone art free from sin ; but before the end comes grant compunction to my humbled soul and save me. 16 Luke 7: 37-9, s o.

TONE SIX

G reek use: the service beg in s som ewhat la te r than u su a l, a n d the M id ­ n ig h t O ffice is o m itted . S la v use: the M id n ig h t Office is re a d as u su a l , except that the P ra yer off S t. E p h ra im is s a id once o n ly , w ith three p ro stra tio n s.1

In re tu rn fo r th e blessings w h ic h T h o u hast g ra n te d , O C h ris t, to 22 Ps. 1 0 3 : 2 ; Matt. 2 7 : 2 8 - 3 0 ; 1 Cor. 2 : 8 ; Matt. 2 7 : 5 1 , 4 $ . 23 Luke 2 3 : 42 .

15 Matt. 20: 2.£-8; 1 Cor. 8: 9. 16 Matt. 2 1 : 19; 3 : 8. 17 Gen. 39: 12 ; 2: 25.

dead p ersu ad ed the J e w s . B ut re n d e r unto th e m , O L o rd , a c c o rd in g to th e ir w o rk s , fo r th ey have d evised vain things against T h e e .2526 G lo r y b e to th e F a th e r. . . .

alo ne a rt p u re and alo ne blessed,

un to th e e ? O r w h e re in have I w e a rie d th e e ? I g a v e ligh t to th y blin d and clean sed th y le p e rs, I raised up th e m an w h o lay u p o n h is b ed . O M y p e o p le , w h a t h ave I d o n e un to th ee, and h o w hast th o u rep aid M e ? Instead o f m anna th o u hast g iv e n M e gall, instead o f w a te r v in e g a r ; instead o f lo v in g M e , th o u hast nailed M e to d ie C ro ss. I can en d u re no m o re . I shall call M y G e n tile s and th ey shall g lo rify M e w ith th e F a th e r and th e S p ir it ; and I shall b e s t o w o n th em eternal l i f e . >2G T o d a y th e v e il o f th e te m p le is re n t in tw a in , as a r e p r o o f against th e tra n sg re sso rs; and th e sun h ides its o w n rays, seein g th e M aste r

cru c ifie d .

24 Matt. 27: 3 9 ; Ps. 2 : 1 . 25 Matt. 27: £1-3. 26 Mic. 6 : 3 ; Matt. 9: 2.

W h e n T h o u th e Ju d g e , O G o d , w a st standing b e fo re Caiaphas and w a st d e liv e re d u n to P ilate, th en th e p o w e rs o f h eaven q u ak ed w ith fear. T h o u w a st raised upon th e C ro ss b e t w e e n t w o th ie ve s, and th o u gh sinless T h o u w a st n u m b e re d w it h tran sgresso rs, fo r th e sal­ vatio n o f m an kin d. O lo n g su fferin g L o r d , g lo r y to T h e e . 29

(Matthew 2 7 : 3 -3 2 )

A t that tim e Ju d as, w h e n he saw th at Jesu s w as c o n d e m n e d , re­ p e n te d h im se lf, and b ro u g h t again th e th ir ty p ie c e s o f s ilv e r to th e c h ie f p riests and eld e rs, saying, I h ave sinned in that I have b etrayed th e in n o cen t b lo o d . A n d th e y said, W h a t is th at to u s? Se e thou to th at. A n d he cast d o w n th e p ie ce s o f silv e r in th e te m p le , and d e ­ p a rte d , and w e n t and hanged h im self. A n d th e c h ie f priests to o k the silv e r p ie ce s, and said, It is n o t law ful fo r to p u t th em into the tre a su ry, because it is th e p ric e o f b lo o d . A n d th ey to o k co u n sel,

27 John 2 : 19-22; 1 : 29. 28 f:zek. 44: 1 - 3 . 29 Isa. 53 : 1 2 ; l.ukc 22: 37.

to b u ry strangers

T h e r e fo r e that field w as c alle d , T h e field o f b lo o d , unto this day. T h e n w as fulfilled that w h ic h w as spoken b y J e r e m y the p ro p h e t, saying, A n d th ey to o k th e th irty p ie ce s o f silv e r, the p ric e o f him that w as valu ed , w h o m th ey o f th e c h ild re n o f Israel did v a lu e ; and gave th em fo r th e p o t t e r ’ s field, as th e L o rd ap po in ted m e. A n d Jesu s sto o d b e fo re th e g o v e r n o r : and the g o v e rn o r asked H im , sayin g, A r t T h o u th e K in g o f th e J e w s ? A n d Je su s said unto him , T h o u sayest. A n d w h e n H e w as a ccu sed o f th e c h ie f p riests and eld e rs, H e a n sw e re d n o th in g. T h e n said P ilate un to h im , H c a re st

Thou not how

calle d B arabbas. T h e r e fo r e w h e n th e y w e r e

gath ered to g e th e r, P ila te said unto th e m , W h o m w ill y e that I r e ­ lease u n to y o u ? Barabbas, o r Je su s w h ic h is called C h r is t? F o r he k n e w that fo r e n v y th e y had d e liv e re d H im . W h e n h e w as set d o w n o n th e ju d g e m e n t seat, his w ife sent unto h im , saying, H ave th o u n o th in g to do w ith th at ju s t m a n ; fo r I h ave suffered m an y things this day in a d ream b e ca u se o f H im . B u t th e c h ie f p riests and eld ers p ersu ad ed th e m u ltitu d e that th e y sh o u ld ask Barabbas, and d e stro y Je su s. T h e g o v e rn o r a n sw e re d and said unto th em , W h e t h e r o f th e tw a in w ill y e that I release u n to y o u ? T h e y

the re e d , and sm o te H im o n the head. A n d a fte r that th e y had

TONE SIX

in w a y s past sp e e ch hast

TONE EIGHT

30 i Cor. i : 24.

Thcotokion H a il, fo r th ro ugh the angel thou hast re c e iv e d th e J o y o f the w o rld ! H a il, fo r thou hast b o rn e th y M a k e r and th y L o r d ! H a il, fo r thou w a st co u n te d w o r t h y to b e c o m e M o th e r o f C h ris t o u r G o d ! B o th n o w . . . .

the sanctuary and sets it up in the centre of the church.

(three times).

7; 2 Cor. 7 : 1 ; Ps. 81:8.

the So n and th e H o ly

S p ir it, n o w and e v e r, and to th e ages o f ages. A m e n .

TONE FOUR

T H E SIX T H

(Mark 15 : 16 -3 2 )

A t that tim e th e so ld iers led Je su s a w a y into th e hall, called P ra e to riu m ;

th ie v e s ;

The Sixth Gospel is followed by the Beatitudes, with eight sticheva:

TONE FOUR

w e c r y to H im : R e m e m b e r us also, S a v io u r, in T h y K in g d o m . Blessed are th e p u re in h e a rt: fo r th ey shall see G o d . T h y life -g iv in g sid e, O C h ris t, flo w in g as a fou n tain fro m E d e n , w a te rs T h y C h u rc h as a livin g P aradise. T h e n , d iv id in g into the fo u r bran ch es o f th e G o sp e ls, w ith its stream s it refresh es th e w o r ld , m aking glad th e creatio n and teach in g th e nations to ve n e rate T h y K in g d o m w ith fa ith .32 Blessed are the p e a c e m a k e rs : fo r th ey shall be calle d the c h ild re n of God. F o r m y sake T h o u w a st c ru c ifie d , to b e c o m e fo r m e a fou n tain o f fo rgiven ess. T h y side w as p ie rc e d , that T h o u m igh test p o u r u p o n m e

stream s o f life. T h o u wast transfixed w ith nails, that th ro u g h the

32 Gen. 2: 10; John 19: 34.

th e fire o f

33 Matt. 27: 4$, $1. 34 Col. 2 : 1 4 . 35 Col. 2 : 1 4 . 36 i Tim. 6: 16.

Prokimenon (Psalm 2 1 ) : TONE FOUR T h e y p a rte d M y garm en ts am o n g th e m , and cast lots u p o n M y v e stu re .

TH E SEVEN TH

(Matthew 2J : 33 S 4 )

H im , cast the sam e in H is teeth . N o w fro m th e six th h o u r th e re w as darkness o v e r all the land unto the ninth h o u r. A n d ab o u t the ninth h o u r Jesu s crie d w ith a loud v o ic e , saying, E li, E li, lam a sabach th an i? that is to say, M y G o d , M y G o d , w h y hast T h o u forsaken M e ? So m e o f them that sto o d th e re , w h e n th ey heard that, said, T h is m an ealleth fo r Elias.

spunge, and filled it w ith vin e g ar, and p u t it on a re e d , and gave

th ey feared g re a tly , saying, T r u ly this w as th e So n o f G o d .

(Luke 23: 3 2 -4 9 )

a n sw e rin g re b u k e d h im , saying, D o st n ot thou fe a r G o d , seein g thou a rt in the sam e c o n d e m n a tio n ? A n d w e indeed ju s t ly ; fo r w e r e ­ c e iv e th e due re w a r d o f o u r d e e d s : b u t this m an hath do ne n o th in g am iss. A n d he said unto Je su s, L o r d , re m e m b e r m e w h e n T h o u c o m e st into T h y K in g d o m . A n d Je su s said unto h im , V e r ily I say u n to th ee, to d ay shalt thou b e w ith M e in P aradise. A n d it w a s ab o u t th e sixth h o u r, and th e re w as a darkness o v e r all th e earth un til th e ninth h o u r. A n d the sun was d ark en ed , and the veil o f th e tem p le w as rent in the m idst. A n d w h e n Jesu s had c rie d w ith a loud v o ice ,

the things w h ic h w e r e d o n e , sm o te th e ir breasts, and re tu rn e d . A n d

that fo llo w e d

G a lile e , sto o d afar o ff, b e h o ld in g these things.

urges me to sin. But deliver me from him, O God, and have mercy upon me. Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Theotokion Thou art our refuge and our might, O Theotokos; thou art the strong help of the world. By thine intercessions protect thy servants from all calamity, for thou alone art blessed. To the Martyrs Your brave endurance, glorious martyrs, defeated the devices of

the enemy from whom all evil comes: therefore were ye counted

worthy of eternal blessedness. Intercede, then, with the Lord for die salvation o f Christ’s faithful flock, O ye witnesses of the truth.