at the Aposticha); then three stichera from the Menaion to the saint

Most glorious and beyond our understanding . . . ; and the Litany, Have mercy upon us, O God . . . . After the blessing by the priest, Blessed be He who is . . . , and the Prayer fo r Orthodox Christians we proceed (without the Dismissal) to the First Hour.

Then It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord. . . , and the rest of Mattins, as on days outside Lent.

Triodion for Lord, I have cried, and sing this tw ice; then the sticheron to the Martyrs from the Triodion, if such is provided (but if none is provided in the Triodion, we take the sticheron to the Martyrs from

of the day; Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . ; and the Theotokion from the Menaion.

o f the week, from the Octoechosy and then: Glory be to the Father. . . .

After the Psalm of' Introduction (Psalm 103) end the Great Litany, we read Blessed is the man (the first kathisma oj the Psalter). To Lord, I have cried, ten stickera are sung, six of the Resurrection in

the Octoechos, in the same Tone as the sticheron that has just been

Glory be to the Father . . . . Both now . . . . Theotokion

TONE SIX

At the end of'Mattins, the Prayer o f St. Ephraim is said once only, with three prostrations.

sung from the Triodion); Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . ; Theotokion in the same Tone.

Theotokion Thou art the joy o f the heavenly hosts, the strong protection o f men upon earth: save us, O Virgin undefiled, who turn to thee for refuge; for next to God, O Theotokos, we have set our hope in thee. And the rest of Vespers as on the preceding Sundays. 23 Luke j (>: 19-31.

(For the dead, by St. John of Damascus) In days o f old in Eden the eating of the fruit brought grief to Adam, through the poison of the serpent; for in this way death entered, devouring the whole race of man. But the Master by His coming has destroyed the dragon and bestowed upon us rest. To Him, therefore, let us cry aloud: Spare, O Saviour, those whom Thou hast taken, and give them rest with Thine elect. Both now. . . Theotokion Thou art our God, that in wisdom createst and fillest all things. Thou hast sent prophets, O Christ, to foretell Thine advent, and apostles to proclaim Thy majesty; the first prophesied o f Thy

TONE FOUR

Thy grace has shone forth, O Lord, it has shone forth and given light to our souls. Behold, now is the accepted tim e: behold, now is

coming, and the second illumined the nations by baptism, while the martyrs through their sufferings received what they desired. With Thy Mother they all intercede before T h ee: Give rest, O Lord, to

the season of repentance. Let us cast off the works of darkness and

the souls that Thou hast taken; and, O my Deliverer and my God,

put on the armour of light, that having sailed across the great sea of

who hast endured the Cross for me that am condemned, count us worthy of Thy Kingdom. Then It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord. . . , and the vest of Mattinsy with the troparion O Thou who with wisdom profound. . . and the Theotokion In thee we have a wall. . . ; and the usual Litany, Have mercy upon us, O God. . . .

the Fast, we may reach the third-day Resurrection o f our Lord

TONE THREE™

Jesus Christ, the Saviour of our souls.14 ψ . Unto Thee have I lifted up mine eyes . . . . Repeat the sticheron Thy grace has shone forth, O Lord . . . . y . Have mercy upon us, O Lord . . . . To the Martyrs

Now the company of martyrs rejoices at thy shrine, O victorious martyr Theodore, and the ranks of angels extol thy fortitude in suffering. Christ Himself, the Giver of crowns, is present and with His own right hand He grants rich gifts o f grace to those who sing thy praises. Thou hast sought and found Him whom thy heart de­ sired, and now thou dwellest in His presence, conversing always with Him. Pray to Him, that light and salvation may be granted to our souls.

Thou art glorified in the memorials of Thy saints, O Christ our G o d : at their intercessions send down upon us Thy great mercy. Glory be to the Father . . . . Both now . . . . Theotokion

The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in Him

The ranks of angels glorify thee, O Mother of God, for thou hast

(Psalm 63: 1 1 ) .

given birth to Him that is God, who dwells ever with the Father and

The pure and undefiled Fast has now begun, and brings us to the

the Spirit, who created the angelic hosts out o f nothing by an act o f

celebration of the martyr’s miracles. Through the Fast our souls are cleansed from filth and defilement, and through the martyr’s suffer­ ings and miracles we are given strength to fight bravely against the passions. Illumined, therefore, by the grace o f holy abstinence and by the wonders worked by Theodore the martyr, strengthened by our faith in Christ, we pray Him to bestow salvation on our souls. y . The righteous shall flourish like a palm tre e : and shall spread abroad like a cedar in Lebanon (Psalm 9 1: 13 ). Possessing, O Theodore, a martyr’s boldness before God, thou hast brought to nothing the plot devised by the apostate against the faith of Christ. Fighting as a champion in defence of God’s people,

His will. Entreat Him, all-pure Lady, to save and illumine the souls of those who with true worship sing thy praises. 13 At tliis point the priest removes his phelonion and changes his epitrachelion to one of dark colour; and the covers on the ikon-stands and the other hangings in

through a fearful visitation thou hast delivered them from the food defiled by sacrifice to idols. So we honour thee as destroyer o f idols, as saviour and guardian o f Christ’s flock, as protector ever ready to hearken to our prayers; and in our hymns o f praise we ask that, through thine intercessions, forgiveness and illumination may be granted to our souls. Glory be to the Father . . . . 31 13 In the Slav books, Tone Four.

the church are also changed.

TONE EIGHT

14 2 Cor. 6: 2; Rom. 13: 12.

Armed with good courage through thy sufferings, O victorious martyr of Christ, by His power thou hast invisibly defended the true spiritual worship. The impious idols and the cruel tyrant thou hast rendered powerless, scorning torments and the fire that burns for but a moment. Alike in name and in reality thou art a gift from God : by thine intercessions save those that celebrate thy memory. Both now . . . . Theotokion Accept, O Lady, the prayers o f thy servants, and deliver us from all necessity and affliction. Then It is a good thing to give thanks . . . ; Holy God . . . , etc., and the Lord’s Prayer; the troparion o f St. Theodore, Great are the achievements . . . ; Glory be to the Father . . . . Both now . . . ;

Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant . . . , Holy God . . . , e t c . , a n d the L o rd 's P ra yer. Then the tro p a ria :1β

TONE EIGHT

Into the ambushes of thieves thou hast fallen, O my soul, and thou art sorely wounded, delivered through thine own sins into the hands o f enemies without reason. But while thou still hast time, cry out with compunction: O hope of the hopeless, life o f the despair­ ing, raise me up, O Saviour, and save me (twice). To the Martyrs Putting on the breastplate o f the Faith and armed with the Sign of

Hail, Theotokos Virgin, Mary full of grace . . . (prostration ). Glory be to the Father . . . . O Baptist of Christ . . . (prostration ). Both now . . . . Pray for us, holy apostles . . . (prostration ). Beneath thy tender mercy . . . (no p rostration ). Kyrie eleison ( f o r t y tim es); Glory be to the Father . . . . Both now . . . ; Greater in honour than the cherubim . . . ; In the'Name of the Lord, give the blessing, father. P riest: Blessed be He who is, Christ our God . . . . Then we say, O heavenly King, uphold our rulers . . . .

the Cross, ye showed yourselves courageous fighters. Bravely ye

The P ra yer o f S t. E p h ra im , once o n ly , w ith three p rostration s.

resisted tyrants and cast down the delusions of the devil; and ye were rewarded with a victor’ s crown. Ever intercede on our behalf, for the salvation o f our souls.8 Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Theotokion O all-pure Virgin Theotokos, accept the supplications o f thy servants, aiid pray without ceasing that we may be given peace and

P riest: Glory to Thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to Thee, a n d the D ism issa l. Then fo llo w s the ceremony o f m u tu a l fo r g iv e n e s s .19

the l'emission o f our sins.

The p riest stands

Another troparion:

beside the a n a lo g io n , a n d t h e f a i t l f u l come up one b y one a n d venerate the ik o n , after which each m akes a prostration btfo re the p rie s t, s a y in g : Forgive

TONE SIX

me, a sinner. The p riest also m akes a prostration before each , sa yin g the same w ords; a n d then the other receives h is blessing a n d kisses h is h a n d . M ea n w h ile the choir sings q u ie tly the irm o i o f the C anon a t E aster M a ttin s or else the E aster a p o stic h a .1516 17 A fter r e c e iv in g ' the p rie s t's b lessin g , the f a i t l f u l m ay also ask fo rg iv e n e s s o f one an oth er.

Today Christ comes to the house of the Pharisee, and the sinful woman draws near and falls down at His feet, crying: ‘Behold me sunk in sin, filled with despair by reason of my deeds, yet not re­ jected by Thy love. Grant me, Lord, remission of my sins and save m e.’ y . We were filled in the morning with Thy mercy, O Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad.

The harlot spread out her hair before Thee, O Master, while

fo r g iv e n e s s , the p riest says At the prayers o f our holy fathers . . . , a n d so the service ends.

Judas stretched out his hands to the transgressors: she, to receive forgiveness; and he, to receive money. Therefore we cry aloud to Thee who wast sold and hast set us free: O Lord, glory to Thee. ψ . In all our days, let us be glad: for the days wherein Thou hast humbled us, for the years wherein we have seen evil. And look upon Thy servants, and upon Thy works, and do Thou guide their sons. Evil-smelling and defiled, the woman drew near to Thee, shedding tears upon Thy feet, O Saviour, and proclaiming Thy Passion. ‘ How Can I Took upon Thee, O Master? Yet Thou hast come to save the harlot. I am dead: raise me from the depths, as Thou hast raised Lazarus on the fourth day from the tomb. Accept me in my

The same order o f Vespers , w ith the exception o f the ceremony o f m u tu a l

wretchedness, O Lord, and save m e / 8 y . And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us: prosper Thou the work of our hands, O prosper Thou our handywork. Full of despair on account of her life, her evil ways well known, she came to Thee, bearing oil of myrrh, and cried aloud: ‘ Harlot though I am, cast me not out, O Son of the V irgin ; despise not my tears, O Joy of the angels; but receive me in repentance, O Lord, and in Thy great mercy reject me not, a sinner.’ Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . .

fo r g iv e n e s s , is used on each S u n d a y even in g up to the f i f t h week o f L en t.

TONE EIGHT

15 For the full text of these, see p. 90. 16 Often a sermon is preached before the exchange of forgiveness. 17 In the Greek use the choir sings the troparion, Thou dost protect us a ll , 0 good Virgin . . . .

(bf Kassiani the Nun)

The woman who had fallen into many sins, perceiving Thy

divinity, O Lord, fulfilled the part of a myrrh-bearer; and with lamentations she brought sweet-smelling oil of myrrh to Thee before Thy burial. ‘ Woe is m e’ , she said, ‘ for night surrounds me, dark and moonless, and stings my lustful passion with the love of sin. Accept

the fountain of my tears, O Thou who drawest down from the clouds

TONE THREE

the waters of the sea. Incline to the groanings of my heart, O Thou

Let us observe a fast acceptable and pleasing to the Lord. True fasting is to put away all evil, to control the tongue, to forbear from anger, to abstain from lust, slander, falsehood and perjury. If we renounce these things, then is our fasting true and acceptable to God. y . Unto Thee have I lifted up mine eyes . . . . Repeat the sticheron Let us observe a fast acceptable . . . . y . Have mercy upon us, O Lord . . . . To the Martyrs

who in Thine ineffable self-emptying hast bowed down the heavens. I shall kiss Thy most pure feet and wipe them with the hairs of my head, those feet whose sound Eve heard at dusk in Paradise, and hid herself for fear. Who can search out the multitude of my sins and the 3 John 1 2 : 7 .

Great is the power of Thy martyrs, O Christ 1 Though they lie in their tombs, they drive out evil spirits and fight in the defence of true devotion, subduing the dominion of the enemy through faith in

TONE EIGHT

the Trinity.

Today the evil Sanhedrin has assembled against Christ and devised vain things against Him, plotting to deliver Him, though innocent, to Pilate to be put to death. Today Judas places round his neck the noose of money, and deprives himself of life both temporal and divine. Today Caiaphas prophesies against his will, saying: Tt is expedient that one man should perish for the people.’ He came to suffer for our sins, that He might set us free from the bondage o f the enemy: for He is good and loves mankind.26 y . He who ate My bread has lifted up his heel against Me (Psalm 40: 10 ). Today Judas lays aside his outward pretence of love for the poor, and openly displays his greed for money. No longer does he take

O Theotokos, the protection of all who ask thy prayers, in thee we trust, in thee we boast, in thee is all our hope: pray to thy Son for thine unprofitable servants.13

thought for the needy. He offers now for sale, not the oil of myrrh brought by the sinful woman, but the Myrrh from heaven, and he takes the pieces of silver. He runs to the Jews and says to the trans­ gressors: ‘What will ye give me if I deliver Him up to you?’ O avarice of the traitor 1 He reckons the sale profitable, and, agreeing with the wishes of the purchasers, he concludes the transaction. He 24 Isa. s o : 6; 53: 7. 26 Ps. 2 : 1; John 11: jfo.

TONE THREE

does not dispute about; the price but sells the Lord like a runaway slave; for it is the custom of thieves to throw away what is precious. So the disciple casts that which is holy to the dogs, and the madness of avarice fills him with fury against his own Master. Let us flee from such folly, and cry: O longsuffering Lord, glory to Thee.26 y . His heart gathered iniquity to itself: he went out and spoke of it (Psalm 40: 7). Deceitful are thy ways, lawless Judas; Sick with the love of money, thou hast come to hate mankind. If thou lovest riches, why become disciple of Him who teaches poverty? But if thy love is for Him, why sell the Lord that is above all price and hand Him over to be mur­ dered? Tremble, O sun; groan, earth, and quaking cry aloud: O

Let us begin, O ye peoples, the pure Fast that is our soul’s salvation. Let us serve the Lord with fear: let us anoint our heads with the oil of almsgiving, and let us wash our faces in the waters of purity; let us not use vain repetitions in our prayers, but as we have been taught, so let us c r y : Our Father, who art in heaven, forgive us our trespasses in Thy love for mankind (twice) .1δ 11 2 Cor. 6 : 2 ; Rom. 13: 12. 12 Matt. 4: 1 - 1 1; 16: 23. 13 Exod. 32: ι ς ; 33: 18-23; 34: 2$. 14 Isa. 7: 14; Matt. 1 : 2 3 ; Luke 1 : 7 8 .

longsuifering Lord, glory to Thee. y . They spoke lawless words against Me (Psalm 40: 9). O ye faithful, let none who is uninstructed in the Mystery draw near to the table of the Lord’ s Supper; let none approach deceit­ fully as Judas. For he received his portion, yet he betrayed the Bread. In outward appearance he was a disciple, yet in reality he was present as a murderer. He rejoiced with the Jews, though he sat at supper with the apostles. He kissed in hatred, and with his kiss he sold the God and Saviour of our souls, who has redeemed us from

16 Ps. 2: 11; Matt. 6: 7, 9, 12, 16-17.

Glory be to the Father. . . . Repeat Deceitful are thy ways. . . . Both now. . . .

To the Martyrs

TONE FIVE

The soldiers of Christ cast aside the fear of kings and tyrants;

Instructing Thy disciples in the Mystery, O Lord, Thou hast taught them, saying: ‘ My friends, take care that fear does not separate you from Me. For though I suffer, yet it is for the sake of the world. Do not be scandalized because of M e ; for I have come not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give My life as a ransom for the world. If then ye are My friends, ye will do as I do. He who will be first, let him be the last; let the master be as the servant. Abide in Me, that ye may bear fruit: for I am the vine of L ife.’ 27 26 Matt. 7 : 6. 27 Matt. 20: 26-8; 26: 31; John 15: 1 , 4, 14; 16: 1.

boldly and with courage they confessed Him as the Lord of all, their King and God; and now they intercede for our souls. Glory be to the Father . . . . Both now . . . . Theotokion Theotokos, the protection of all who ask thy prayers, in thee we trust, in thee we boast, in thee is all our hope: pray to thy Son for thine unprofitable servants.

TONE EIGHT

Let us keep the Fast not only by refraining from food, but by becoming strangers to all the bodily passions; that we who are

enslaved to the tyranny of the flesh may become worthy to partake of

the Lamb, the Son of God, slain of His own will for the sake of the

world, and spiritually may celebrate the feast o f the Saviour’s Resurrection from the dead. So shall we be raised on high in the glory of the virtues, and through our righteous actions we shall give joy to the Lord who loves mankind (twice). To the Martyrs Thy martyrs, O Lord, forgetting the things of the present life, and despising torture in their longing for the life to come, were granted this eternal life as their inheritance, and now they rejoice with the angels. At their supplications bestow upon Thy people Thy great mercy. Glory be to the Father . . . . Both now . . . . Stavrotheotokion Ό marvellous wonder! O strange mystery! O fearful enter­ prise ! ’ said the Virgin as she looked on Thee, and saw Thee hanging

between two evil-doers on the Cross, the Child whom she had borne without travail, yet in fear and trembling. Weeping she said: ‘Woe is me, beloved Child: how has this wicked and ungrateful people nailed Thee to the Cross?’

TONE EIGHT

By fasting let us bring into bondage the passions of the mind, and

234 let us gain for ourselves spiritual wings. Passing lightly through the storm raised against us by the enemy, may we be counted worthy to venerate the Cross of the Son of God, slain of His own w ill for the sake of the w o rld ; may we spiritually keep the feast o f the Saviour’s Resurrection from the dead; going up into the mountain,6 with the disciples may we glorify the Son who loves mankind, for He has re­ ceived all power and dominion from the Father (twice).7 To the Martyrs Invincible martyrs of Christ, ye triumphed over falsehood by the power o f the Cross, and gained as your reward the grace of life eternal. Ye felt no terror at the threats o f tyrants, and when ye suffered torment ye rejoiced; and now your blood has become the

healing o f our souls. Intercede for our salvation. Glory be to the Father . . . . Both now . . . . Stavrotheotokion ‘ What is this dread sight before mine eyes, O Master? How art Thou nailed upon the Wood, who upholdest all creation? How art Thou killed, who givest life to all?’ cried the most pure Theotokos weeping, when she beheld upon the Cross the Child that she had borne in ways surpassing speech, who is both God and man.

O Lord, Thou hast appointed repentance for me a sinner, wishing in Thy boundless mercy to save me though unworthy. I fall

down before Thee and I pray: Humble my soul through fasting, for I flee to Thee for refuge, who alone art rich in mercy (twice) , e To the Martyrs O holy martyrs who have fought the good fight, ye shine even after death as lights in the w o rld : with boldness pray to Christ for mercy on our souls. Glory be to the Father . . . . Both now . . . . Theotokion O Theotokos, the protection of all who ask thy prayers, in thee we trust, in thee we boast, in thee is all our hope: pray to thy Son for thine unprofitable servants.

TONE FOUR

If we desire to partake of the divine Passover that comes not from Egypt but from Zion, let us through repentance put away the leaven of sin. Let us gird our loins through the mortification of sensual pleasure; let us make our feet beautiful with shoes that keep us from straying into evil paths; and let us take as our support the staff of faith. Let us not emulate the enemies of the Master’s Cross, whose god is their belly, but let us follow the Saviour of our souls, who by fasting showed us how to gain the victory against the devil (twice),10 To the Martyrs Thou art glorified in the memorials o f Thy saints, O Christ our G od: at their intercessions send down upon us Thy great mercy. Glory be to the Father . . . . Both now . . . .

Stavrotheotokion When the Ewe-Lamb, Thy Mother, saw Thee nailed to the Cross, O Lord, in dismay she said: ‘ O my beloved Son, what is this I see? Though they delighted in Thy many miracles, such is the reward that

the lawless and disobedient people has given Thee in return! But

glory be to Thine ineffable self-abasement, O Master.’

TONE EIGHT

W ith great gladness let us accept the proclamation of the Fast: for if Adam our forefather had fasted, we should not have suffered banishment from Eden. The fruit that brought death upon me was pleasant to the eyes and good for food. Then let us not be taken prisoner by our eyes; let not our tongue delight in costly foods, for once they have been eaten they are worthless. Let 11s shun all greed: then we shall not become slaves to the passions which follow an excess of food and drink. Let us sign ourselves with the blood of Him who for our sakes willingly was led to death, and the destroying angel w ill not touch u s; and may we eat the Holy Passover o f Christ for die salvation of our souls (twice) .e

To the Martyrs What shall we call you, O saints? Cherubim, for Christ rested upon you? Seraphim, for ye glorified Him without ceasing? Angels, for ye have renounced the body? Powers, for ye perform miracles? Manifold arc your names, but greater are your gifts of grace: pray for the salvation of our souls. Glory be to the Father . . . . Both now . . . . Stavrotheotokion Unable to endure the sight, the whole creation was changed, and it quaked and trembled, when it beheld Thee, O Saviour, crucified in the place of the skull. The Virgin, Thy pure Mother, cried out to Thee lamenting: ‘ Woe is me, my Child, my sweetest Saviour! What is this strange and marvellous sight?’

TONE EIGHT

Come, let us cleanse ourselves by almsgiving and acts of mercy to

the poor, not sounding a trumpet or making a show o f our charity.

Let not our left hand know what our right hand is doing; let not vainglory scatter the fruit o f our almsgiving; but in secret let us call on Him that knows all secrets: Father, forgive us our trespasses, for Thou lovest mankind (twice) .23 21 Exodus 2 4 : 18, 22 4 [2] Kgs. 2 : 1 1 ; Isa. $ 2 : 7 ; Rom. 10 : 1 ς. Some editions omit the words and our hands . . . preaching o f the Gospel. 23 Matt. 6 : 1 - 4 , 6, 9, 12 .

To the Martyrs martyrs of the Lord, ye hallow every place and heal every ill; and now we entreat you to pray that our souls may be delivered from

the snares o f the enemy.

Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . .

The heavenly powers praise thee, O Virgin Mother full of grace,

and we also glorify thy childbearing that none can understand. O Theotokos, pray for the salvation o f our souls. And the rest o f Vespers as on the preceding Sunday.

on which we celebrate the memory of

ARCH BISH O P OF T H E S S A L O N IC A 1

the Tone o f the weekfrom the Octoechos, and thefollowing three in honour

of' the saint, the first of them being repeated:

What hymns of praise shall we sing in honour of the holy bishop? He is the trumpet of theology, the herald of the fire of grace, the honoured vessel of the Spirit, the unshaken pillar of the Church, the great joy of the inhabited earth, the river o f wisdom, the candle­ stick of the light, the shining star that makes glorious the whole creation (twice). What words o f song shall we weave as a garland, to crown the holy bishop? He is the champion of true devotion and the adversary of ungodliness, the fervent protector of the Faith, the great guide and teacher, the well-tuned harp of the Spirit, the golden tongue,

the fountain that flows with waters of healing for the faithful,

Gregory the great and marvellous. With what words shall we who dwell on earth praise the holy bishop? He is the teacher of the Church, the herald o f the light o f God, the initiate of the heavenly mysteries of the Trinity, the chief adornment of the monastic life, renowned alike in action and in 1 The texts for this office, except for the two Canons, were written by Patriarch Philothcos o f Constantinople in the year 1 3 68, when the feast o f St. Gregory Paiamas was appointee) to be celebrated on this day.

!!i contemplation, the glory of Thessalonica ; and now he dwells in heaven with the great and glorious martyr Demetrius, whose relics flow with holy oil. Glory be to the Father . . . .

TONE SIX

Thrice-blessed saint, most holy father, good shepherd and dis­ ciple o f Christ the Chief Shepherd, thou hast laid down thy life for thy sheep. And now in thine intercessions, O God-bearing Gregory our father, pray that great mercy may be granted to our souls.23 Both now . . . . Then the Thcotokion (Dogmatikon) in the Tone of the week from the Octoechos, followed by the Entrance, O joyful Light, and the Prokimenon of’the dayy The Lord is King. At the Lity we sing the stichera o f the patron saint of' the church or monastery, and then:9 Glory be to the Father . . . .

TONE SIX

Full of grace are thy lips, holy father; thou hast become shepherd of the Church of Christ, teaching thy spiritual flock to believe in the Trinity, consubstantial in one Godhead.4 Both now . . . . Theotokion Christ the Lord, my Maker . . . (sec p . l i j ) . We sing the Aposticha in the Tone of the week from the Octoechos, and then: Glory be to the Father . . . .

TONE EIGHT

Thy tongue, watchful in teaching, rings in the cars of our heart and awakens the souls o f the slothful. Thy words, inspired by God, are a ladder leading us from earth to heaven. O Gregory, wonder of 2 John i ο : 1 1 . 3 The printed books do not provide any texts for the Lity. W e follow here the usage of the Monastery of St. John the Theologian, Patinos.

3 16 Thessaly, pray to Christ without ceasing, that we who honour thee may be illumined with the divine light. Both now . . . . Theotokion Virgin who hast not known a man, Mother of the most high God, thou hast ineffably conceived God in the flesh. O Undefiled, accept the supplications of thy servants, for to all thou grantest cleansing from their sins. Receive our prayers and intercede for the salvation of us all.

The apolytikion Hail, Theotokos Virgin, Mary full of grace (three

times), find the rest of Vespers.

TONE SEVEN

U n to T h e e have I lifted up m in e eyes . . . .

TONE SIX

To the Martyrs

And the rest of Vespers as on the preceding Sundays. 19 Matt. 20: ϊ - 1 6 ; Luke 20: 9. 20 Luke 10: 30-^. 21 Ps. 1 8 : 6 ; Ezek. 44: 1-3 .

on which we celebrate the service of

Marvellous is the Saviour’s loving providence towards us: for possessing knowledge of the things to come as though they were already present, He has set before us the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Reflecting, then, upon the end o f both of them, let us avoid the cruelty of the one and his hatred o f mankind; and let us emulate the fortitude and longsuffering of the other, that with him we may enjoy rest in Abraham’s bosom, crying aloud: O Lord and righteous Judge, glory to Thee (twice).23 To the Martyrs At the prayers, () Lord, of all Thy saints and of the Theotokos, grant us Thy peace and have mercy upon 11s, for Thou only art compassionate. Glory be to the Father . . . . Both now . . . .

TONE EIGHT

Rejoice and be glad, O city of Zion; exult and be exceeding joy­ ful, O Church of God. For behold, thy King has come in righteous­ ness, seated on a foal, and the children sing His praises: Hosanna in 7 Matt, s : 17; 21 · 4 ί Luke 18: 31; 24: 2$-6. 8 John 11: 2i, 2s , 32, 34, 43.

the highest! Blessed art Thou who showest great compassion: have

mercy upon us. ψ . Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou appointed praise (Psalm 8: 3).

The Saviour has come today to the city of Jerusalem, to fulfil the

Scriptures; and all have taken palms into their hands and spread their garments before Him, knowing that Me is our God, to whom

the cherubim sing without ceasing: Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed art Thou who showest great compassion: have mercy upon us. y . O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is Thy Name in all the earth (Psalm 8:2). O Thou who ridest on the cherubim and art praised by the sera­ phim, Thou hast sat, O gracious Lord, like David on a foal, and the children honoured Thee with praise fitting for God; but the Jews blasphemed unlawfully against Thee. Thy riding on a foal prefigured how the Gentiles, as yet untamed and uninstructed, were to pass from unbelief to faith. Glory be to Thee, O Christ, who alone art merciful and lovest mankind.0 Glory be to the Father. . . .

TONE SIX

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together, and we all take up Thy Cross and say: Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the L o rd ; Hosanna in the highest. Both now. . . . Repeat Today the grace. . . . Apolytikion (troparion) of the feast:

TONE ONE

Giving us before Thy Passion an assurance of the general resur­ rection, Thou hast raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ our God. Therefore, like the children, we also carry tokens of victory, and cry to Thee, the Conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord (twice). 9 Ps. 17: 1 1 ; Isa. 6: 3; 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.] 1 6 :1 .

TONE FOUR

Buried with Thee through Baptism, O Christ our God, we have been granted immortal life by Thy Resurrection, and we sing Thy

TONE TWO

branches let us n o w

m ake haste, y e faith fu l, to th e so le m n and

41 Ps. 17: 1 1 ; Isa. 6: 3 ; 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.] 1 6: 1 .

v o lu n ta ry su fferin g fo r o u r sake, and le t us sing to H im w it h thank­ fulness a fittin g h y m n :

Fo u n tain o f te n d e r m e rc y and h aven o f

salvatio n , O L o r d , g lo ry to T h e e ! y . O sing un to th e L o r d a n e w s o n g : fo r H e has d o n e m arvello u s things (Psalm 9 7 ;

TONE THREE

A ll th e ends o f th e earth h ave seen the salvation o f o u r G o d

(ibid., 3 ) .

TONE SEVEN

Repeat P assing fro m o n e d iv in e Feast. . . B o th n o w . . . .

Repeat It is a fearfu l th in g to fall into th e hands. . . And the rest of Vespers with prostrations, as on the preceding Sundays in Lent. Dismissal: M a y th e L o r d w h o co m es to H is v o lu n ta ry Passion fo r o u r salvatio n , C h ris t o u r tru e G o d . . . . This is said at the end of all services until Compline on Great Wednesday.

TONE FIVE

O Lord, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, not understanding the hidden mystery of Thy dispensation, asked Thee to give the honours of a temporal kingdom to her sons. But instead of this Thou hast promised to Thy friends that they should drink the cup of death; and Thou hast said that Thou wouldest drink this cup before them, to cleanse men from their sins. Therefore we cry aloud to Thee: O salvation of our souls, glory to Thee.14 y . W e were filled in the morning with Thy mercy. . . . O Lord, teaching Thy disciples to think perfect thoughts, Thou hast said to them: ‘Be not like the Gentiles, who exercise dominion over those who are less strong. But it shall not be so among you, My disciples, for I of mine own will am poor. Let him, then, who is

first among you be the minister of all. Let the ruler be as the ruled, and let the first be as the last. For I Myself have come to minister to 13 Luke 13: 33; Matt. 20: 18; 26: 45. 14 Matt. 20: 20-3.

Adam in his poverty, and to give my life as a ransom for the many who cry aloud to M e: Glory to Thee.’ 15 y . And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us. . . .

TONE EIGHT

O brethren, let us fear the punishment of the fig tree, withered because it was unfruitful; and let us bring worthy fruits of repen­ tance unto Christ, who grants us His great m ercy.16 Glory be to the Father, . . . Both now. . . .

'The serpent found a second Eve in the Egyptian woman, and with words of flattery he sought to make Joseph fall. But, leaving his garment behind him, Joseph fled from sin; and like die first man before his disobedience, diough naked he was not ashamed. At his prayers, O Christ, have mercy upon us.17 And the rest of Mattins according to the Lenten order, with the usual prostrations.

A s th e L o r d w e n t to H is v o lu n ta ry Passion . . . (twice). W e h ave c o m e , O faith fu l, to th e savin g Passion o f C h ris t. . .

Entrance with the Gospel, O jo y fu l L ig h t. . . . Prokimenon (Psalm 1 2 j ) \

TONE SIX

Prokimenon (Psalm 12 8):

TONE EIGHT 18

le t Israel n o w say.

Lesson: Jo b i : i - i 2 . Then L e t m y p ra y e r b e set fo rth in T h y sigh t. . . . Gospel: M a tth e w 2 4 : 3 - 3 5. And the rest of the Liturgy of the Presanctified. On thefirst three days ofi Holy Week no oil is used in the rfectory.

TONE SIX

C o m e , y e faithful, and le t us se rv e th e M a ste r e a g e rly , fo r H e gives rich e s to H is servants. E a ch o f us a cc o rd in g to th e m easu re that w e h ave re c e iv e d , let us in crease th e talent o f g ra c e . L e t o n e gain w isd o m th ro u gh go o d d e e d s ; let an o th e r c e le b ra te th e L itu rg y w ith b e a u ty ; let an o th er share his faith b y p re a ch in g to th e u n in stru c te d ; u Matt. 2 2 : 1 1 - 1 3 . 10 Matt. 2 5 : 14- 28.

TONE SEVEN

B e h o ld , m y so ul, the M aste r entrusts th ee w ith a talen t. R e c e iv e H is g ift w ith fe a r ; m ak e it gain in te re st f o r H im ; d istrib u te to the n e e d y , and m ak e th e L o rd th y frie n d . So shalt th o u stand on H is righ t hand w h e n H e co m e s in g lo ry , and th o u shalt h ear H is blessed w o r d s : ‘ F ilte r, servan t, into th e jo y o f th y L o r d / I have g o n e astray, O Sa v io u r, b u t in T h y g re a t m e rc y c o u n t m e w o r t h y o f this j o y . 13

And the rest of Mattins, as yesterday. At. the Hours we read the appointed portions of the Psalter and of the Gospel. 11 Matt. 2 ς : 3 1 - 4 6 . 12 Matt. 22 : 9 - 1 1 . 13 Matt. 2 $ : 1 4 - 2 8 .

Entrance with the Gospel, O jo y fu l L ig h t. . . .

5 30 Prokimenon (Psalm 1 3 1 ) :

TONE SIX

Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest: Thou and the Ark of Thy holiness, y . Lord, remember David and all his meekness. Lesson: Exodus 2 : £ -10 . Prokimenon (Psalm 1 3 2 ) : TONE FOUR Behold, how good and joyful it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! y . It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard. Lesson: Job 1 : 13 -2 2 . Then Let my prayer be set forth in Thy sight. . . . Gospel: Matthew 24: 36 -26 : 2. And the rest of the Liturgy of the Presanctified.

4 Mark 1 6 : 1 ; John 12 : 7 ; Ps. 17 : 10; Gen. 3 : 8 . 5 Ps. 2 : 1 ; Matt. 26: 3, 15; John 1 1 : 47-50.

O Son of the Virgin, the harlot knew Thee to be God. . . .

The harlot mingled precious oil of myrrh. . . .

While the sinful woman brought oil of myrrh. . . . O misery of Judas. . . .

The sinful woman hastened to buy precious oil of myrrh. . . .

Drowning in sin, she found in Thee a haven. . . . Today Christ comes to the house of the Pharisee. . . .

The harlot spread out her hair before Thee, O Master. . . .

Evil-smelling and defiled, the woman drew near. . . . Full of despair on account of her life. . . . Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . .

The woman who had fallen into many sins. . . .

Entrance with the Gospel, O joyful Light. . . . Prokimenon (Psalm 1 3 5): TONE FOUR O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for His mercy endures for ever. y . O give thanks unto the God of gods: for His mercy endures for ever. Lesson: Exodus 2 : 1 1 —2 2. Prokimenon (Psalm 1 3 7 ): T0 NE FO U R Thy mercy, O Lord, endures for ever: forsake not the works of Thine own hands. y . I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: before the angels will 1 sing praise unto Thee. Lesson: Job 2 : 1 - 1 0 . Then Let my prayer be set forth in Thy sight. . . . Gospel: Matthew 26: 6 -16 . And the rest o f the Liturgy of the Presanctified. After Blessed be the Name o f the Lord, the Prayer of St. Ephraim (once, with three prostrations).