praises unto Thy Name, O Most High (P salm p i : 2 ) .

The appointed exapostilarion of the Resurrection; Glory be to the

(Irmos) Attend, O heaven, and I shall speak and sing in praise of Christ, who took flesh from a Virgin and came to dwell among us. Attend, O heaven, and I shall speak; give ear, O earth, to the voice of one who repents before God and sings His praise.10 Look upon me, God my Saviour, with Thy merciful eye, and accept my fervent confession. More than all men have I sinned; I alone have sinned against Thee. But as God take pity on Thy creation, O Saviour. With my lustful desires I have formed within myself the deformity of the passions and disfigured the beauty of my mind. 1 am surrounded by the storm o f sin, O compassionate Lord. But stretch out Thine hand to me, as once Thou hast to Peter.20

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. O holy Mary, offer thy prayer o f supplication to the compassion­ ate Theotokos, and through thine intercessions open unto me the door that leads to God. Glory be to the Father. . . . O simple Unity praised in Trinity of Persons, uncreated Nature without beginning, save us who in faith worship Thy power. Both now. . . . Theotokion O Mother of God, without knowing man thou hast given birth 23 Gen. 9 : 2 6 - 7 .

Then we sing thefollowing sticheron:

Sessional Hymn

f 2 . To tell o f Thy mercy in the morning, and of Thy faithfulness every night ( i b i d . , 3 ) . G o sp el: Matthew 6 :

distress. Both now . . . . Theotokion Hail, Womb that held God I Hail, Throne of the Lord! Hail, Mother o f our L ife ! 25 Gen. 19: 24. 26 Gen. 19 : 22. 27 Deut. 4: 24; Heb. 12 : 29. 28 John 10: i i ; Luke ι ς: 4-6.

Father. . . ; and then the exapostilarion of the Cross: Seeing the Precious Cross of Christ placed this day before us, let us venerate it and rejoice in faith; with love let us greet the Lord who by His own free choice was crucified upon it, asking Him to grant us all uncondemned to adore His Holy Passion and to attain

(Irmos) Upon the unshaken rock of Thy commandments, O Christ, make firm Thy Church.

After the Creed, Holy God. . . , and the Lord’s Prayer, we sing the

Then we repeat the irmosy O L o r d , u p o n th e r o c k o f T h y co m m a n d ­ m e n ts. . . .

Com m union verse: Praise ye the Lord from the heavens.

Both now . . . . Theotokion Thou givest birth and art a virgin, and in both thou remainest by nature inviolate. He who is born makes new the laws of nature, and

Gospel: (For the day) M a rk 9 : 1 7 - 3 1 . (For the saint) M a tth e w 4 : 2 5 - 5 :

(Irmos) With my whole heart I cried to the all-compassionate God: and He heard me from the lowest depths of hell, and brought my life out of corruption. 1 offer to Thee in purity, O Saviour, the tears o f mine eyes and groanings from the depths of my heart, crying: ‘ I have sinned against Thee, O God; be merciful to m e.’ 89 Like Dathan and Abiram, O my soul, thou hast become a stranger to thy Lord; but from the lowest depth of hell cry out, ‘ Spare m e’ , that the earth may not open and swallow thee up.40 Raging as a maddened heifer, O my soul, thou art become like Ephraim. As a hart from the nets rescue then thy life, gaining wings through action and the mind’s contemplation.41 O my soul, the hand of Moses shall be our assurance, proving how

Then we repeat the irmos, W i t h m y w h o le h e a rt I c rie d to th e allcom p assion ate G o d . . . .

me in repentance.

Theotokion Thy womb bore God for us, fashioned in our shape. O Theotokos, pray to Him as the Creator o f all, that we may be justified through thine intercessions.

Communion verse: P raise y e th e L o r d fro m th e h e a v e n s : p raise H im in th e h eigh ts. A lle lu ia .

(Irmos) 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. I have sinned, O Saviour, have mercy on me. Awaken my mind and turn me back; accept me in repentance and take pity on Vne as I cry: I have sinned against Thee, save m e; I have done evil, have mercy on me. Riding in the chariot o f the virtues, Elijah was lifted up to heaven, high above earthly things. Reflect, O my soul, on his ascent.47 Elisha once took up the mantle of Elijah, and received a double portion of grace from the Lord: but in this grace, my soul, thou hast no share, by reason of thy greed and uncontrolled desires.48

Then we sing the Beatitudes with thefollowing troparia, making one bow at each:

have mercy on me. Both now. . . . Theotokion As from purple silk, O undefiled Virgin, the spiritual robe of Emmanuel, His flesh, was woven in thy womb. Therefore we honour thee as Theotokos in very truth.

And: T h e rig h te o u s shall be had in e v e rla stin g r e m e m b r a n c e : he w ill n o t be afraid o f any e v il tid in gs. A lle lu ia .

(Irmos) Conception without seed; nativity past understanding, from a Mother who never knew a man; childbearing un. defiled. For the birth o f God makes both natures new. Therefore, as Bride and Mother of God, with true worship all generations magnify thee. 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? I have put before thee, my soul, Moses* account of the creation of

Then the troparia of the Great Canon:

I have stained the garment o f my flesh, O Saviour, and defiled that which was made in Thine image and likeness. With the lusts of passion I have darkened the beauty o f my soul, and turned my whole mind entirely into dust. I have tom the first garment that the Creator wove for me in the beginning, and now I lie naked.21 I have clothed myself in the tom coat that the serpent wove for me by his counsel, and I am ashamed. I offer to Thee, O merciful Lord, the tears o f the Harlot. Take pity on me, O Saviour, in Thy compassion.22 1 looked upon the beauty of the tree and my mind was deceived; and now I lie naked and ashamed.23 All the ruling passions have ploughed upon my back, making long furrows of wickedness.24

have mercy on me. Both now. . . Theotokion As from purple silk, O undefiled Virgin, the spiritual robe of Emmanuel, His flesh, was woven in thy womb. Therefore we honour thee as Theotokos in very truth.

TONE SIX

(Irmos) Attend, O heaven, and I shall speak and sing in praise of Christ, who took flesh from a Virgin and came to dwell among us. Sin has stripped me of the robe that God once wove for me, and it has sewed for me garments o f skin.23 18 Gen, 4: 4. 10 Gen. 4: ς. 20 Gen. 2: 7; Jer. 18: 1 - 1 0; Rom. 9: 21. 21 Luke 10: 30. 22 Luke ι ς : 2o. 23 Gen. 3 : 2 1 .

Then the troparia o f the Great Canon:

19 Deut. 32: ι . 20 Matt. 14: 31. 21 Gen. 3 : 7 . 22 Luke 7: 38. 23 Gen. 3: 6-7. 24 Ps. 128: 3.

Theotokion O Theotokos undefiled, Virgin alone worthy o f all praise, inter­ cede fervently for our salvation. (Another Irmos) See now, see that I am God, who rained down manna in the days o f old, and made springs of water flow from the rock, for My people in the wilderness, by My right hand and by My power alone. ‘ See now, see that I am God’ : give ear, my soul, to the Lord as He cries to thee; forsake thy former sin, and fear Him as thy Judge and God. To whom shall I liken thee, O soul of many sins? Alas! to Cain and to Lamech. For thou hast stoned thy body to death with thine evil deeds, and killed thy mind with thy disordered longings.20 Call to mind, my soul, all who lived before the Law. Thou hast

(Irmos) O Lord, upon the rock of Thy commandments make firm my wavering heart, for Thou alone art Holy and Lord. For me Thou art the Fountain of life and the Destroyer o f death; 24 Gen. 3 : 7 . 26 Luke 15 : 8. 20 Luke 7: 37-^0. 27 Luke 18: 13.

Then the remaining tropavia o j the Great Canon:

Glory be to the Father. . . . I sing Thy praises, One in Three Persons, God of all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Both now. . . . Theotokion O Theotokos undefiled, Virgin alone worthy of all praise, inter­ cede fervently for our salvation.

Both now. . . . Theotokion Thou givest birth and art a virgin, and in both thou remainest by nature inviolate. He who is bom makes new the laws of nature, and

(Irmos) The prophet heard of Thy coming, O Lord, and he was afraid: how Thou wast to be born of a Virgin and revealed to men, and he said: T have heard the report of Thee and I was afraid.’ Glory to Thy power, O Lord. Be watchful, O my soul, be full of courage like Jacob the great Patriarch, that thou mayest acquire action with knowledge, and be 28 Ps. 3$: io ; John 4: 14; 7: 37. 29 Gen. 6: £ - 1 3 ; Matt. 24: 37-9. 30 Gen. 9: 20-7. 31 Gen. 19: 17-2$.

Both now. . . . Theotokion Thy womb bore God for us, fashioned in our shape. O Theotokos, 36 Exod. 1 7 : 8 - 1 3 ; Josh. 9 : 3 - 2 7 . 37 Josh. 3 : 15·—1 7 ; Deut. 1 : 8 . 38 Matt. 1 4 : 3 0 - 1 ; Dan. 7 : 1 1 ; Rev. 1 3 : 1.

(Irmos) From the night I seek Thee early, O lover of mankind: give me light, I pray Thee, and guide me in Thy com­ mandments, and teach me, O Saviour, to do Thy will. Thou hast heard, my soul, o f the basket of Moses: how he was borne on the waves of the river as if in a shrine; and so he avoided

The Lord once mined down fire from heaven and consumed the

Theotokion We praise thee, we bless thee, we venerate thee, O Mother of G o d : for thou hast given birth to One of the undivided Trinity, thy Son and God, and thou hast opened the heavenly places to us on earth.

(Irmos) The hosts of heaven give Him glo ry; 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. Thou hast followed Uzziah, my soul, and hast his leprosy in double form : for thy thoughts are wicked, and thine acts unlawful. Leave what thou hast, and hasten to repentance.66* O my soul, thou hast heard how the men of Nineveh repented before God in sackcloth and ashes. Yet thou hast not followed them, but art more wicked than all who sinned before the Law and after.57 Thou hast heard, my soul, how Jeremiah in the muddy pit cried out with lamentations for the city of Zion and asked to be given tears. Follow his life o f lamentation and be saved.68

land o f Sodom.25 0 my soul, flee like Lot to the mountain, and take refuge in Zoar before it is too late.26 Flee from the flames, my soul, flee from the burning heat of Sodom, flee from destruction by the fire o f G od.27 1 alone have sinned against Thee, I have sinned more than all m en; reject me not, O Christ my Saviour. Thou art the Good Shepherd: seek me, the lamb that has strayed, and do not forget m e.28 Thou art my beloved Jesus, Thou art my Creator; in Thee shall I be justified, O Saviour. I confess to Thee, O Saviour: I have sinned against Thee without measure. But in Thy compassion absolve and forgive me. Glory be to the Father . . . . O God, Trinity in Unity, save us from error and temptation and

have mercy on me. Both now............ Theotokion As from purple silk, O undefiled Virgin, the spiritual robe of Emmanuel, His flesh, was woven in thy womb. Therefore we honour thee as Theotokos in very truth. 43 Luke 2 3 : 4 2 ; Matt. 2 6 : 7 $ ; Luke 1 8 : 1 3 ; 7 : 3 7 - 8 ; Matt. ι ς : 2 2 - 8 . 44 Luke 1 0 : 34. 45 Matt. 1 ξ : 2 2 ; Luke 8 : 4 3 - 4 ; John 1 1 : 3 3 .

(Irmos) Attend, O heaven, and I shall speak and sing in praise of Christ, who took flesh from a Virgin and came to dwell among us. Like David, I have fallen into lust and I am covered with filth; but wash me clean, O Saviour, by my tears.17 I have no tears, no repentance, no compunction; but als God do Thou Thyself, O Saviour, bestow them on me. I have lost the beauty and glory with which I was first created; and now I lie naked and ashamed. Lord, Lord, at the Last Day shut not Thy door against m e; but open it to me, for I repent before Thee.18 Give ear to the groaning of my soul, and accept the tears that fall from mine eyes; O Lord, save me. O Lover of mankind, who desirest that all men shall be saved, in

gotten and the Spirit of life. Both now . . . . Theotokion A Virgin has conceived, O Lord, and given birth to Thee who art Emmanuel; for Thou art come to bring salvation to Thy people, and to save all Thine anointed in Thy love for mankind.2 Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee. O divine and honoured company of the twelve apostles, we en­ treat you, pray to Christ on our behalf, that we may pass with firm resolve through the period of the forty days. (Irmos) The works of Thy providence, O Lord, filled the Prophet Habakkuk with wonder: for Thou hast come to bring salvation to Thy people and to save all Thine anointed.

(Irmos) O Lord, upon the rock o f Thy commandments make firm my wavering heart, for Thou alone art Holy and Lord. O wretched soul, thou hast not inherited the blessing o f Shem, nor hast thou received, like Japhet, a spacious domain in the land of forgiveness.23 0 my soul, depart from sin, from the land of Haran, and come to

(Ivmos) The prophet heard of Thy coming, O Lord, and he was afraid: how Thou wast to be bom o f a Virgin and re­ vealed to men, and he said: *1 have heard the report of Thee and I was afraid.’ Glory to Thy power, O Lord. O righteous Judge, despise not Thy works; forsake not Thy crea­ tion. I have sinned as a man, I alone, more than any other man, O Thou who lovest mankind. But as Lord of all Thou hast die power to pardon sins.29

Theotokion O Virgin, thou hast borne the fire of the Godhead and yet re­ mained unconsumed. Burn up the passions of our souls, for in faith we call upon thee with the salutation of the Angel, O thou who alone dost bring us jo y .5 Second Canon (Irmos) Thy holy Children . . . . We praise the trumpets of the Spirit, the disciples of Christ, and we cry aloud: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. W e praise the disciples o f Christ who offer intercession for the world and drive away all error, and we cry aloud: O ye works o f

(Irmos) From the night I seek Thee early, O Lover of mankind: give me light, I pray Thee, and guide me in Thy command­ ments, and teach me, O Saviour, to do Thy will. In my soul and body, O Lord, I have become like Jannes and Jambres, the magicians of cruel Pharaoh; my w ill is heavy and my mind is drowned beneath the waters. But do Thou come to my aid.34 W oe is m e ! I have defiled my mind with filth. But I pray to Thee, O Master: wash me clean in the waters of my tears, and make the garment of my flesh white as snow. When I examine my actions, O Saviour, I see that I have gone beyond all men in sin ; for I knew and understood what I d id; I was not sinning in ignorance. Spare, O spare the work of Thine hands, O Lord. I have sinned,

The end draws near, my soul, the end draws near; yet thou dost

2 f8 Theotokion Most pure Lady, Mother of God, the hope of those who run to thee and the haven of the storm-tossed: pray to the merciful God, thy Creator and thy Son, that He may grant His mercy even to me.

(Irmos) With my whole heart I cried to the all-compassionate God: and He heard me from the lowest depths of hell, and brought my life out o f corruption. Rise up and make war upon the passions of the flesh, as Joshua against Amalek, ever gaining the victory over the Gibeonites, thy deceitful thoughts.36378 0 my soul, pass through the flowing waters o f time like the Ark of old, and take possession o f the land o f prom ise: for God com­ mands thee.87 As Thou hast saved Peter when he cried out, ‘ Save m e’ , come quickly, O Saviour, before it is too late, and save me from the beast. Stretch out Thine hand and lead me up from the deep o f sin.88 1 know Thee as a calm haven, O Lord, Lord Christ: come

not care or make ready. The time grows short, rise up: the Judge is at the door. The days of our life pass swiftly, as a dream, as a flower. Why do we trouble ourselves in vain?3031 Awake, my soul, consider the actions which thou hast done; set them before thine eyes, and let the drops of thy tears fall. With bold­ ness tell Christ of thy deeds and thoughts, and so be justified. No sin has there been in life, no evil deed, no wickedness, that I have not committed, O Saviour. I have sinned as no one ever before, in mind, word and intent, in disposition, thought and act. For this I am condemned in my misery, for this I am convicted by

Both now. . . . Theotokion O Mother of God, without knowing man thou hast given birth within time to the Son, who was begotten outside time from the 19 Gen, 1 6: 3, ις, 20 Gen. 28 : 12. 21 Gen. 14: 18 ; Heb. 7: 1-3 . 22 Matt. 2$: 10. 23 Gen. 19: 23, 26.

31 Luke 23 : 42-3. 32Judg. 13: 2-24. 33Judg. 16: 19-21. 34 Judg. i j : i j . 35 Judg. 4: 4-6; 1 1 : 1 . 30 Judg. 4 : 2 1 . 87 Judg. 1 1 : j i , 39-

(Irmos) We have sinned, we have transgressed, we have done evil in Thy sight; we have not kept or followed Thy commandments. But reject us not utterly, O God of our fathers. By deliberate choice, my soul, thou hast incurred the guilt of Manasseh, setting up the passions as idols and multiplying abomina­ tions. But with fervent heart emulate his repentance and acquire compunction.50 Alas, my soul! Thou hast rivalled Ahab in guilt. Thou hast be­ come a dwelling-place of fleshly defilements and a shameful vessel o f the passions. But groan from the depths of thy heart, and confess thy sins to God.40 Heaven is closed to thee, my soul, and a famine from God has seized thee: for thou hast been disobedient, as Ahab was to the

the verdict of my own conscience, which is more compelling than

Both now. . . . Theotokion Thou givest birth and art a virgin, and in both thou remainest by nature inviolate. He who is born makes new the laws of nature, and

(Irmos) Conception without seed; nativity past understanding, from a Mother who never knew a man; childbearing undefiled. For the birth of God makes both natures new. Therefore, as Bride and Mother of God, with true w or­ ship all generations magnify thee. Healing sickness, Christ the W ord preached the good tidings to

all else in the world. O my Judge and Redeemer, who knowest my heart, spare and deliver and save me in my wretchedness.

Both now. . . . Theotokion Thy womb bore God for us, fashioned in our shape. O Theotokos, 31 Luke i $ : 8; John $: 3 32 Exod. 17: 8 - 1 3 ; Josh. 9: 3-27.

(Irmos) The three holy Children were not obedient to the decree of the tyrant . . . . Let us abstain from every pleasure; through fasting let us enrich our powers o f perception, and gladly let us drink the cup of com­ punction, as we sing: O ye works o f the Lord, bless ye the Lord. O ye apostles, when ye sit with Christ to judge mortal men, though I deserve condemnation for my many sins, do ye intercede for me, that I may be granted a place at His right hand.3 Cleansed by the Fast, let us go up into the chariot o f the divine virtues, and let us make our mind ascend on wings to the height of heaven, as we sing: O ye works o f the Lord, bless ye the Lord.4 2 Isa. 7: 14; Ps. 19: 7; Hab. 3: 13.

The ladder which the great Patriarch Jacob saw o f old is an

have mercy on me. Both now. . . . Theotokion As from purple silk, O undefiled Virgin, the spiritual robe of Emmanuel, His flesh, was woven in thy womb. Therefore we honour thee as Theotokos in very triith.

(Irmos) Thou hast enclosed within thy womb . . . . Cast into the yawning deep of sensual pleasure, upon the abyss of Thy tender mercies do I call: O Helmsman, save me. O Fountain of compassion, give me compunction and cries of sorrow, that I may lament the endless ocean of my evil deeds. 5 Exod. 3 : 2 ; Luke 1 : 28.

example, O my soul, of approach through action and of ascent in knowledge. If then thou dost wish to live rightly in action and knowledge and contemplation, be thou made new .81 In privation Jacob the Patriarch endured the burning heat by day and the frost by night, making daily gains o f sheep and cattle, shepherding, wrestling and serving, to win his two wives.32 By the two wives, understand action and knowledge in contem­ plation. Leah is action, for she had many children; and Rachel is knowledge, for she endured great toil. For without toil, O my soul, neither action nor contemplation w ill succeed. 29 Mark 2 : io . 30 Matt. 24: 33; Ps. 38: 7. 31 Gen. 28: 12. 82 Gen. 29: 16-30; 30: 3 1 - 3 ; 31 : 38-4*·

Both now. . . . Theotokion All-hallowed Lady, with true devotion now we venerate the Wood on which thy Son stretched out His most pure hands and for our sakes was nailed. Give us peace and grant that we may come to

light-giving Fast. (Irmos) O Christ, we magnify Thine all-blameless and pure M other: for in ways past nature she bore according to the flesh Thee who hast delivered us from all error and cor­ ruption.

Glory be to the Father. . . . Undivided in Essence, unconfused in Persons, I confess Thee as G o d : Triune Deity, one in kingship and throne; and to Thee I raise

Theotokion O T h e o to k o s u n d efiled , V ir g in alone w o r t h y o f all p raise, in te r­ cede fe rv e n tly fo r o u r salvatio n .

(irmos) O Lord, upon the rock of Thy commandments make firm my wavering heart, for Thou alone art Holy and Lord. O my soul, thou hast become like Ilagar the Egyptian: thy free choice has been enslaved, and thou hast borne as thy child a new Ishmael, stubborn wilfulness.10 Thou knowest, my soul, the ladder that was shown to Jacob, reaching up from earth to heaven. Why hast thou not provided a firm foundation for it through thy godly actions?120

the great thrice-holy hymn that is sung on high.33

44 1 Kgs. [1 Sam.] 16 : 13·

(Irmos) The prophet heard of Thy coming, O Lord, and he was afraid : how Thou wast to be born of a Virgin and revealed to men, and he said : ‘I have heard the report of Thee and I was afraid.’ Glory to Thy power, O Lord.

the womb brings forth without travail. When God so wills, the

(Irmos) With my whole heart I cried to the all-compassionate God: and He heard me from the lowest depths of hell, and brought my life out o f corruption. O Saviour, I am the coin marked with the King’s likeness, which Thou hast lost of old. But, O Word, light Thy lamp, Thy Fore­ runner, and seek and find again Thine image.31 Rise up and make war upon the passions of the flesh, as Joshua against Amalek, ever gaining the victory over the Gibeonites, thy deceitful thoughts.32 Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. Thy soul on fire, O Mary, thou hast ever shed streams of tears, to quench the burning o f the passions. Grant the grace o f these thy tears to me also, thy servant. Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

natural order is overcome; for He does whatever He wishes.

(Irmos) We have sinned, we have transgressed, we have done evil in Thy sight; we have not kept or followed Thy command­ ments. But reject us not utterly, O God of our fathers. My days have vanished as a dream of one awaking; and so, like Hezekiah, I weep upon my bed, that years may be added to my life. But what Isaiah will come to me, O my soul, except the God o f all ?33 I fall before Thee, and as tears I offer Thee my words. I have sinned as the Harlot never sinned, and I have transgressed as no other man on earth. But take pity on Thy creature, O Master, and call me back.34 I have discoloured Thine image and broken Thy commandment. All my beauty is destroyed and my lamp is quenched by the passions,

(Irmos) 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. As precious ointment, O Saviour, I empty on Thine head the alabaster box of my tears. Like the Harlot, I cry out to Thee, seeking Thy m ercy: I bring my prayer and ask to receive forgive­ ness.87 No one has sinned against Thee as I have; yet accept even me, compassionate Saviour, for I repent in fear and cry with longing: Against Thee alone have I sinned; I have transgressed, have mercy on m e.38 Spare the work of Thine own hands, O Saviour, and as shepherd seek the lost sheep that has gone astray. Snatch me from the wolf

(Innos) From the night I seek Thee early, O Lover of mankind: give me light, 1pray Thee, and guide me in Thy command­ ments, and teach me, O Saviour, to do Thy will. In night have I passed all my life : for the night of sin has covered me with darkness and thick mist. But make me, O Saviour, a son of

Theotokion T h y w o m b b o r e G o d fo r us, fash io n ed in o u r shape. O T h e o to k o s , p ra y to H im as th e C r e a to r o f all, th at w e m a y b e ju stifie d th ro u g h thine in tercessio n s.

TONE SIX

(Irmos) Conception without seed; nativity past understanding, from a Mother who never knew a m an; childbearing un­ defiled. For the birth of God makes both natures new. Therefore, as Bride and Mother o f God, with true worship all generations magnify thee. O Son of David, with Thy word Thou hast healed the possessed: take pity on me, save me and have mercy. Let me hear Thy com­ passionate voice speak to me as to the thief: ‘ Verily, I say unto thee, thou shalt be with Me in Paradise, when I come in My glo ry.’ 41 A thief accused Thee, a thief confessed Thy Godhead: for both were hanging beside Thee on the Cross. Open to me also, O Lord of 40 Dan. 7: 9-10; John 22; Matt. 24: 30. 41 Matt. 1 £: 2 2-8 ; Luke 9: 38-42 ; 23: 43 .

In my misery I have followed Reuben’s example, and have de­ vised a wicked and unlawful plan against the most high God, defiling my bed as he defiled his father’s.35 I confess to Thee, O Christ my King: I have sinned, I have sinned like the brethren o f Joseph, who once sold the fruit of purity and chastity.36 As a figure of the Lord, O my soul, the righteous and gentle Joseph was sold into bondage by his brethren; but thou hast sold thyself entirely to thy sins. O miserable and wicked soul, imitate the righteous and pure mind of Joseph; and do not live in wantonness, sinfully indulging thy disordered desires.37 Once Joseph was cast into a pit, O Lord and Master, as a figure of 33 Isa. 6 : 3 ; Rev. 4 : 8 .

Theotokion W e p raise th ee, w e bless th e e , w e ve n e rate th e e , O M o t h e r o f G o d : f o r th o u hast g iv e n b ir th to O n e o f th e u n d iv id e d T r in it y , th y So n and G o d , and th o u hast o p e n e d th e h e a v e n ly p laces to us on earth .

(Irmos) Attend, O heaven, and I shall speak and sing in praise of Christ, who took flesh from a Virgin and came to dwell among us. Attend, O heaven, and I shall speak; give ear, O earth, to the voice of one who repents before God and sings His praise.86 Look upon me in compassion, O God, with Thy merciful eye, and accept my fervent confession. More than all men have I sinned; I alone have sinned against Thee. But as God take pity on Thy creation, O Saviour. I am surrounded by the storm of sin, O compassionate Lord. But stretch out Thine hand to me, as once Thou hast to Peter.37 I offer to Thee, O merciful Lord, the tears of the Harlot. Take pity on me, O Saviour, in Thy compassion.88 With the lusts of passion I have darkened the beauty of my soul,

34Eph. ς: 8; i Thess. $: $. 35 Gen. 3 ς: 22; 49: 4. 36 Gen. 37: 27-8. 37 Gen. 39: 7-20.

Thy Burial and Resurrection. But what offering such as this shall 1 ever make to Thee?38 Glory be to the Father. . . . W e glorify Thee, O Trinity, the one God. Holy, holy, holy, art T hou: Father, Son and Spirit, simple Essence and Unity, worshipped for ever. Both now. . . . Theotokion 0 Virgin inviolate and Mother who hast not known man, from thee has God, the Creator of the ages, taken human flesh, uniting to Himself the nature of men.

have mercy on me. Both now. . . . Theotokion As from purple silk, O undefiled Virgin, the spiritual robe of Emmanuel, His flesh, was woven in thy womb. Therefore we honour thee as Theotokos in very truth. W e praise, bless and worship the Lord. . . . Then we repeat the irmosy The hosts o f heaven give Him glory. . . .82 Next we sing the Magnificat and Greater in honour than the cheru­ bim. . . , followed by the three-canticled Canons:

45 i Kgs. [i Sam.] 9: 3; 10: 1-2. 45 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.] 11: 2-17. 47 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.] 1 2 : 13.

(Another Irmos) O

God can cleanse a life full of leprosy and make it white as snow. So do not despair of thyself, though thou art leprous.42 Glory be to the Father. . . . T am the Trinity, simple and undivided, yet divided in Persons, and I am the Unity, by Nature one’ , says the Father and the Son and

the divine Spirit.

(by Theodore) (Irmos)

Both now. . . . 88 Gen. 37: 24. 89 Luke 18: 13. 40 Num. 16: 32. 41 IIos. 10 : 1 1 . 42Exod. 4: 6-8.

(Irmos) The prophet heard o f Thy coming, O Lord, and he was afraid: how Thou wast to be born of a Virgin and re­ vealed to men, and he said: T have heard the report of Thee and I was afraid.’ Glory to Thy power, O Lord. O righteous Judge, despise not Thy w orks; forsake not Thy creation, I have sinned as a man, I alone, more than any other man, O Thou who lovest mankind. But as Lord o f all Thou hast the power to pardon sins.80

TONE SIX

(Irmos) From the night I seek Thee early, O Lover of mankind: give me light, I pray Thee, and guide me in Thy command­ ments, and teach me, O Saviour, to do Thy will. In night have I passed all my life : for the night o f sin has covered me with darkness and thick mist. But make me, O Saviour, a son of

My soul, O my soul, rise up I Why art thou sleeping? The end draws near and soon thou shalt be troubled. Watch, then, that Christ thy God may spare thee, for He is everywhere present and fills all things.

(Irmos) With my whole heart I cried to the all-compassionate God: and He heard me from the lowest depths o f hell, and brought my life out o f corruption. 1 offer to Thee in purity, O Saviour, the tears of mine eyes and groanings from the depths of my heart, crying: T have sinned against Thee, O God; be merciful to m e.’17 Like Dathan and Abiram, O my soul, thou hast become a stranger to Thy Lord; but with all thy heart cry out, ‘ Spare m e’ , that the earth may not open and swallow thee up.18 Raging as a maddened heifer, O my soul, thou art become like Ephraim. As a hart from the nets rescue then thy life, gaining wings through action and the mind’s contemplation.19 O my soul, the hand o f Moses shall be our assurance, proving that

(Itmos) We have sinned, we have transgressed, we have done evil in Thy sight; we have not kept or followed Thy command­ ments. But reject us not utterly, O God o f our fathers. I have sinned, I have offended, and I have set aside Thy command­ ments, for in sins have I progressed, and to my sores I have added wounds. But in Thy compassion have mercy upon me, O God of our fathers.

The secrets of my heart have I confessed to Thee, my Judge. See

o f flesh ly

Second Canon, Same Irmos

my abasement, see my affliction, and attend to my judgement n ow ; and in Thy compassion have mercy upon me, O God o f our fathers. When Saul once lost his father’ s asses, in searching for them he found himself proclaimed as king. But watch, my soul, lest unknown to thyself thou prefer thine animal appetites to the Kingdom of Christ.43 David, the forefather of God, once sinned doubly, pierced with

defilem en ts

the arrow of adultery and the spear of murder. But thou, my soul,

and a sham eful

(Irmos) Saved through thee, pure Virgin, we confess thee to be truly Theotokos, and with the choirs of angels we mag­ nify thee. Apostles of Christ, pray to God for us. 82 The Slav books prescribe the irmos to the three-canticled Canons, The eternal

art more gravely sick than he, for worse than any acts are the im­ pulses of thy w ill.444

vessel o f th e passions. B u t g ro an fro m th e depth s o f th y h e a rt, and confess th y sins to G o d .55 E lija h o n c e d e stro y e d w it h fire t w ic e fifty o f J e z e b e l’ s servan ts,

(Irmos) With all generations we magnify thee, mediatrix between heaven and earth. For in thee, O Virgin, the fullness of

David once joined sin to sin, adding murder to fornication; yet then he showed at once a twofold repentance. But thou, my soul, hast done worse things than he, yet thou hast not repented before God.46 43 i Kgs. [i Sam.) 9: 3; 10: 1-2. 44 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.j 1 1 : 2-17. 45 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.I 12: 13.

48Ps. so: 3, 6, 1 1 . 49 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.] 6: 6-7. 50 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.] 16 : 21-2. 51 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.] 16 : 23. 62 3 [*] Kgs. 1 1 : 1-10 . 53 3 [1] Kgs. 3: 12 ; 1 1 : 1. 64 3 [ij Kgs. 1 1 : 26-40; 12 : 1-33. 55 3 [1] Kgs. 16: 30.

(Irmos) Conception without seed; nativity past understanding, from a Mother who never knew a man; childbearing un­ defiled. For the birth of God makes both natures new. Therefore, as Bride and Mother of God, with true w or­ ship all generations magnify thee. 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? I have put before thee, my soul, Moses’ account of the creation of

David once composed a hymn, setting forth, as in an ikon, the action he had done; and he condemned it, crying: ‘ Have mercy upon me, for against Thee only have I sinned, O God of all. Do Thou cleanse m e / 46 Glory be to the Father. . . . O simple and undivided Trinity, O holy and consubstantial U nity: Thou art praised as Light and Lights, one Holy and three Holies. Sing, O my soul, and glorify Life and Lives, the God of all. Both now. . . . Theotokion W e praise thee, we bless thee, we venerate thee, O Mother of G o d : for thou hast given birth to One of the undivided Trinity, thy Son and God; and thou hast opened the heavenly places to us on earth.

(Irmos) The whole world was amazed at thy divine glory: for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, hast held in thy womb the God of all and hast given birth to an eternal Son, who rewards with salvation all who sing thy

(Irmos) Give us Thy peace, O Son o f God, for we know no other God save Thee. We call upon Thy Name, for Thou art God of the living and the dead. Since, Lord, Thou art Life and true Light, Thou hast called dead Lazarus and raised him up. For in Thy power Thou hast shown to all that Thou art God of the living and the dead.6 Hell, that had received so many, was unable to resist Thy sover4 a l l ] Kgs. 17 : 23; 4 [2] Kgs. 4: 3 i . 5 John 14: 6; 1 : 9; Rom. 14: 9.

With the mantle of Elijah, Elisha made the stream of Jordan stand still on either side: but in this grace, my soul, thou hast no share, by reason of thy greed and uncontrolled desires.49 46 Ps. ς ο : 3, 6, i i . 47 4 [2] Kgs. 2 : i i . 48 4 l1 ) Kgs. 2 : 9 , 13. m 4 [J| Kgs. 2: .4.

(Irmos) The fire, O Saviour, did not touch or trouble Thy children in the furnace. Then with one voice the three sang Thy praise and blessed Thee, saying: ‘ O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.’ O Saviour who lovest mankind, Thou hast wept over the dead, in this way showing to all the peoples that, being God, Thou hast become man for our sakes; and, shedding tears by Thine own choice, Thou hast given us proof o f Thy heartfelt love. When Lazarus, four days dead, heard Thy voice below, O Saviour, he rose up and sang Thy praises, crying joyfu lly: ‘Thou art my God and M aker; I glorify and worship Thee, for Thou hast raised me up.’ ‘Though I lie in bonds, O Saviour/ Lazarus cried from below to

The Shunammite woman gladly entertained the righteous

(Irmos) He has showed strength with His arm ; He has put down

Prophet: but in thy house, my soul, thou hast not welcomed stranger or traveller; and so thou shalt be cast out weeping from the bridal chamber.80 O wretched soul, always thou hast imitated the Unclean thoughts o f Gehazi. Cast from thee, at least in thine old age, his love of money. Flee from the fire of hell, turning away from thy wicked­ ness.81 W e bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Father without beginning, coeternal Son, and loving Comforter,

the Spirit of righteousness; Begetter of the Word o f God, Word of

the eternal Father, Spirit living and creative: O Trinity in Unity,

56 4 [2] Kgs. ι: ιο -ις ; 3 M Kgs. 18: 40. 67 3 t1! Kgs. 17 : 1 ; Luke 4: 2£. 68 4 [2] Kgs. 2 1: i— *16; 2 Chr. 33: 1 1 - 1 3 ; Prayer of Manasses. 60 Luke 7 :3 7 . 60 Ps. 50: 14. 61 Ps. £0: 3. 02 Ps. 72: 20; 4 [2] Kgs. 20: 1-6 ; Isa. 38: 1-8.

the world, and after that all the recognized Scriptures that tell thee

the story of the righteous and the wicked. But thou, my soul, hast

followed the second of these, not the first, and hast sinned against God.

The three-canticled Canons:

The Law is powerless, the Gospel of no effect, and the whole of

80 4 121 Kgs. 4 : 8 ; Matt. 22: 1 1 - 1 3. 51 4 I2! Kgs. S ' 21-7·

TONE EIGHT

Scripture is ignored by thee; the prophets and all the words of the righteous are useless. Thy wounds, my soul, have been multiplied, and there is no physician to heal thee. I bring thee, O my soul, examples from the New Testament, to lead thee to compunction. Follow the example of the righteous, turn away from the sinful, and through prayers and fasting, through chastity and reverence, win back Christ’s mercy. Christ became man, calling to repentance thieves and harlots. Repent, my soul: the door of the Kingdom is already open, and pharisees and publicans and adulterers pass through it before thee, changing their life.52 Christ became man and shared in my flesh; and willingly He per­ formed all that belongs to my nature, only without sin. He set

before thee, my soul, an example and image of His condescension.6 263 Christ saved the Wise Men and called the Shepherds; He re­ vealed as martyrs a multitude of young children; He glorified the Elder and the aged Widow. But thou, my soul, hast not followed their lives and actions. W oe to thee when thou art judged I64

The Lord fasted forty days in the wilderness, and at the end of

them He was hungry, thus showing that He is man. Do not be dis­ mayed, my soul! If the enemy attacks thee, through prayer and fasting drive him away.55 Glory be to the Father, . . . Let us glorify the Father, let us exalt the Son, and with faith let us worship the Spirit of God, undivided Trinity and Unity in essence. Let us adore Light and Lights, Life and Lives, giving light and life to the ends o f the earth. Both now. . . . Theotokion Watch over thy City, all-pure Mother of God. For by thee she reigns in faith, by thee she is made strong; by thee she is victorious, putting to flight every temptation, despoiling the enemy and ruling her subjects. Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us. 62Matt. 9: 13 ; 2 1 : 3 1; Luke ι ς: 1.

58 Heb. 4 : 1 5 . 54 Matt. 2: 12; Luke 2: 9-1 2; Matt. 2: 16; Luke 2: 25-38. 55 Matt. 4: 2; 17: 21.

Venerable Andrew, father thrice-blessed, shepherd of Crete, cease not to offer prayer for us who sing thy praises; that we may be delivered from all danger and distress, from corruption and sin, who honour thy memory with faith. And then again the irmos, Conception without seed. . . . We continue with Psalm 4 and the rest o f Great Compline.

After thefirst reading from the Psalter, the sessional hymns of repentance in the Tone of the week. After the second reading from the Psalter, thefollowing sessional hymns:

TONE SIX

TONE TWO

66 4 [2] Kgs. 2 : 1 1 .

Most blessed is the grace of the holy Fast. For through fasting Moses was glorified, and he received the Law written upon tablets; and through fasting the three Children were made stronger than the fire. Through fasting, then, let us quench the burning passions of the flesh, and let us cry to Christ the Saviour: Grant conversion to us all and deliver us from Gehenna.1 Glory be to the Father . . . .

The season of repentance is at hand: O my soul, show fruits of

abstinence. Consider those who repented in the past, and cry aloud to Christ: I have sinned, O save me, loving Master, as Thou hast saved the Publican who sighed with sorrow from his heart, for Thou alone art rich in m ercy.2 Both now . . . . Theotokion Fervent advocate of Christians, ever entreat thy Son, O Theo­ tokos, to deliver us from all the malice and cunning of the enemy, and to grant us in His tender mercy the forgiveness of our sins, at thine intercessions, O Mother and Virgin. After the third reading from the Psalter, thefollowing sessional hymns:

TONE FIVE

As we begin the second day of saving abstinence, we cry to Thee, 1 Exod. 24: 18; 32: 1 ς ; 34: 29; Dan. 1 : 8-1 6; 3: 21-7. 2 Luke 18: 13.

O L ord : Pierce the hearts of us Thy servants with compunction and accept the prayers we offer Thee in fear. Grant us without stum­ bling to complete the course o f the Fast, and bestow upon us cleansing and great mercy. Glory be to the Father . . . . Repeat. Both now . . . . Theotokion O Root that has put forth the divine Flower, Tabernacle and Candlestick and golden vessel of Manna, holy Table bearing the Bread o f life : with John the Forerunner do thou intercede before Him, since He is thy Son and God, that He may grant mercy and salvation unto all of us, who acknowledge thee as Theotokos.8

me in repentance.

fu rn a c e .74

I am clothed with the raiment of shame as with fig leaves, in condemnation o f my self-willed passions.24* I am clad in a garment that is defiled and shamefully bloodstained by a life of passion and self-indulgence. I have fallen beneath the painful burden of the passions and

66 4 [2] Kgs. 2: 14. 07 4 [2] Kgs. 2: 9, 13. 68 4 [2] Kgs, 4 : 8; Matt. 22: 1 1 - 1 3 . 69 4 [2] Kgs. ςι 21-7 . 70 2 Chr. 26: 19. 71 Jonah 3: ς. 72 Jer. 4 s [3*l· 6; 9 ί i. 78 Jonah 1 : 3 . 74 Dan. 6: 16 -2 2; 3: 23-3·.

the corruption of material things; and I am hard pressed by the

All the names of the Old Testament have I set before thee, my soul, as an example. Imitate the holy acts of the righteous and flee from the sins of the wicked. O righteous Judge and Saviour, have mercy on me and deliver me from the fire that threatens me, and from the punishment that I deserve to suffer at the Judgement. Before the end comes, grant me remission through virtue and repentance. Like the Thief I cry to Thee, ‘ Remember m e’ ; like Peter I weep bitterly; like the Publican I call out, ‘ Forgive me, Saviour’ ; like

enemy. Instead of freedom from possessions, O Saviour, I have pursued a life in love with material things, and now I wear a heavy yoke. I have adorned the idol of my flesh with a many-coloured coat of shameful thoughts, and I am condemned. I have cared only for the outward adornment, and neglected that which is within - the tabernacle fashioned by God. I have discoloured with the passions the first beauty o f the image, O Saviour. But seek me, as once Thou hast sought the lost coin, and find m e.26 Like the Harlot I cry to T h ee: I have sinned, I alone have sinned against Thee. Accept my tears also as sweet ointment, O Saviour.20 Like the Publican I cry to Thee: Be merciful, O Saviour, be merciful to me. For no child of Adam has ever sinned against Thee

the Harlot I shed tears. Accept my lamentation, as once Thou hast

as I have sinned.27 Glory be to the Father. . . . I sing Thy praises, One in Three Persons, God of all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Both now. . . . Theotokion O Theotokos undefilcd, Virgin alone worthy of all praise, inter­ cede fervently for our salvation.

accepted the entreaties o f die woman of Canaan.75* O Saviour, heal the putrefaction o f my humbled soul, for Thou art the one Physician; apply plaster, and pour in oil and wine works of repentance, and compunction with tears.70 Like the woman o f Canaan, I cry to Thee, ‘ Have mercy on me, Son o f David.’ Like the woman with an issue o f blood, I touch the hem of Thy garment. I weep as Martha and Mary wept for Lazarus.77 As precious ointment, O Saviour, I empty on Thine head the alabaster box of my tears. Like the Harlot, I cry out to Thee, seeking m ercy: I bring my prayer and ask to receive forgiveness.78 No one has sinned against Thee as I have; yet accept even me, compassionate Saviour, for I repent in fear and cry with longing:

Against Thee alone have I sinned; I have transgressed, have mercy on m e.79 Spare the w ork of Thine own hands, O Saviour, and as shepherd oeek the lost sheep that has gone astray. Snatch me from the w olf and make me a nursling in the pasture of Thine own flock.80 When Thou sittest upon Thy throne, O merciful Judge, and revealest Thy dread glory, O Christ, what fear there w ill be dicnl When the furnace bums with fire, and all shrink back in terror before Thy judgement-seat.81 Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

and from my heart I cry to Thee before the end: I have sinned, be merciful to me and save m e.28 I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against Thee; be merciful to me. For there is no sinner whom I have not surpassed in my offences. I have followed the example, O Saviour, of those who lived in wantonness in the days of Noah; and like them I am condemned to drown in the Flood.29 O my soul, thou hast followed Ham, who mocked his father. Thou hast not covered thy neighbour’ s shame, walking backwards with averted face.3031 Flee, my soul, like Lot from the burning of sin; flee from Sodom and Gomorrah; flee from the flame of every brutish desire.81 Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on me, I cry to Thee, when

The Mother o f the Light that never sets illumined thee and

Thou comest with Thine angels to give to every man due return for his deeds. Glory be to the Father. . . . O simple Unity praised in Trinity of Persons, uncreated Nature without beginning, save us who in faith worship Thy power. Both now. . . . Theotokion O Mother of God, without knowing man thou hast given birth within time to the Son, who was begotten outside time from the Father; and, strange wonder! thou givest suck while still remaining Virgin.

75 Luke 23: 42; Matt. 26: 7$; Luke 18: 13; 7: 37-8; Matt. χς: 22-8. 70 Luke 1 o: 34. 77 Mattr i £ : 22; Luke 8: 43-4; John 11: 33. 78 Matt. 26: 7; Luke 7: 37-8.

79 Ps. ςοι 6. 80 Ps. 118: 176; Luke i$: 4; John 10: 11-12. 81 Dan. 7: 9-10; John ς\ 22; Matt. 24: 30.

named Israel, ‘ the mind that sees God’ ; so shalt thou reach by contemplation the innermost darkness and gain great merchandise.32

freed thee from the darkness of the passions. O Mary, who hast received the grace of the Spirit, give light to those who praise thee with faith. Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

The great Patriarch had the twelve Patriarchs as children, and so

The holy Zosimas was struck with amazement, O Mother, be­

he mystically established for thee, my soul, a ladder of ascent through action, in his wisdom setting his children as steps, by which thou canst mount upwards.38 Thou hast rivalled Esau the hated, O my soul, and given the birthright of thy first beauty to the supplanter; thou hast lost thy father’s blessing and in thy wretchedness been twice supplanted, in action and in knowledge. Therefore repent now .8 2*84* Esau was called Edom because of his raging love for women; burning always with unrestrained desires and stained with sensual pleasure, he was named ‘Edom’ , which means the red heat of a soul that loves sin.35 Thou hast heard, O my soul, of Job justified on a dung-hill, but thou hast not imitated his fortitude. In all thine experiences and

holding in thee a wonder truly strange and new. For he saw an angel in the body and was filled with astonishment, praising Christ unto all ages. Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us. Since thou hast boldness before the Lord, O Andrew, honoured renown o f Crete, I beseech thee, intercede that I may find deliver­ ance from the bonds of iniquity through thy prayers, O teacher, glory of holy monks. W e bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Father without beginning, coeternal Son, and loving Comforter,

trials and temptations, thou hast not kept firmly to thy purpose but hast proved inconstant.86 Once he sat upon a throne, but now he sits upon a dung-hill, naked and covered with sores. Once he was blessed with many children and admired by all, but suddenly he is childless and home­ less. Yet he counted the dung-hill as a palace and his sores as pearls. Glory be to the Father. . . . Undivided in Essence, unconfused in Persons, I confess Thee as God: Triune Deity, one in kingship and throne; and to Thee I raise the great thrice-holy hymn that is sung on high.37 Both now. . . . Theotokion Thou givest birth and art a virgin, and in both thou remainest by nature inviolate. He who is born makes new the laws of nature, and

the Spirit of righteousness; Begetter of the W ord o f God, W ord o f

the womb brings forth without travail. When God so wills, the

the Eternal Father, Spirit living and creative: O Trinity in Unity,

natural order is overcome; for He does whatever He wishes. 82 Gen. 32 : 28-30. 38 Gen. 28: 12 -14 ; 3$: 22. 34 Gen. 2$: 3 1 - 3 ; 27: 36. 35 Gen. 25: 30. 36 Job 2: 8-10. 37 Isa. 6 : 3 ; Rev. 4 : 8 .

°J 91οΨ ' · · ·

the bitter execution of Pharaoh’ s decree.38

Ye were revealed, O apostles, as fountains of the water o f salva­ tion : bring refreshment to my soul that faints from the thirst of sin. I am swimming in the deep waters of destruction and have come near to drowning: with Thy right hand, O Lord, save me as Thou hast saved Peter.83 Ye are the salt that gives savour to the teachings of salvation: dry up the rottemiess of my mind and dispel the darkness o f my ignor­ ance.84 Theotokion O Lady, thou hast brought forth our J o y : grant me the spirit o f mourning that in the coming Day of Judgement I may be comforted by God.85 Second Canon

Thou hast heard, wretched soul, o f the midwives who once killed in its infancy the manly action o f self-control: like great Moses, then, be suckled on wisdom.39 O miserable soul, thou hast not struck and killed the Egyptian mind, as did Moses the great. Tell me, then, how wilt thou go to dwell through repentance in the wilderness empty of passions?40 Moses the great went to dwell in the desert. Come, seek to follow his way of life, my soul, that in contemplation thou mayest attain the vision o f God in the bush.41 Picture to thyself, my soul, the rod of Moses striking the sea and making hard the deep by the sign of the Holy Cross. Through the Cross thou also canst do great things.42 Aaron offered to God fire that was blameless and undefiled, but

the Godhead came to dwell bodily.86

Hophni and Phinehas brought to Him, as thou hast done, my soul, strange fire and a polluted life.43 Glory be to the Father. . . . We glorify Thee, O Trinity, the one God. Holy, holy, holy, art Thou: Father, Son and Spirit, simple Essence and Unity, worshipped for ever. Both now. . . . Theotokion O Virgin inviolate and Mother who hast not known man, from thee has God, the Creator o f the ages, taken human flesh, uniting to Himself the nature of men. 88 Exod. 1 : 22-2 : 3. 39 Exod. 1 : 16; 2: 9. 40 Exod. 2: 12. 41 Exod. 3: 1-6. 42 Exod. 14: 16. 43 Num. 16: 1-40; 1 Kgs. [1 Sam.] 2: 12-34,

We magnify you in our hymns, O glorious company of the apostles: for ye have been revealed as shining lights of the inhabited earth, driving out error. 0 blessed apostles, catching rational fish with the net of the Gospel, bring them always as an offering to Christ. In your prayers to God remember us, we entreat you, O apostles. May we be delivered from all temptation, for lovingly we sing your

Glory be to the Father. . . . 1 sing Thy praises, Unity in three Persons, Father, Son and Spirit, one God, consubstantial Trinity, equal in power and without beginning. Both now. . . . Theotokion With all generations we call thee blessed, O Mother and Virgin: 83 Matt. 14: 31. 84 Matt, ς : 13. 85 Matt, ς : 4. 86 Col. 2 : 9.

(hmos) W ith my whole heart I cried to the all-compassionate God: and He heard me from the lowest depths of hell, and brought my life out of corruption.

ill through thee we are delivered from the curse, for thou hast borne

The waves o f my sins, O Saviour, have returned and suddenly

the Lord our Joy.

engulfed me, as the waters of the Red Sea engulfed the Egyptians of old and their charioteers.44 Like Israel before thee, thou hast made a foolish choice, my soul; instead of the divine manna thou hast senselessly preferred the pleasure-loving gluttony of the passions.45* O my soul, thou hast valued the wells o f Canaanite thoughts more than the veined Rock, Jesus, the Fountain of Wisdom from which flow the rivers of divine knowledge.40

TONE SIX

The swine’s meat, the flesh-pots and the food of Egypt thou hast

the world, and after that all the recognized Scriptures that tell thee

preferred, my soul, to the food of heaven, as the ungrateful people did of old in the wilderness.47 When Thy servant Moses struck the rock with his rod, he pre­ figured Thy life-giving side, O Saviour, from which we all draw the water of life.48 Like Joshua, the son o f Nun, search and spy out, my soul, the land of thine inheritance and take up thy dwelling within it, through obedience to the Law.49 Glory be to the Father. . . . ‘ I am the Trinity, simple and undivided, yet divided in Persons, and I am the Unity, by Nature one’ , says the Father and the Son and the divine Spirit. Both now. . . . Theotokion Thy womb bore God for us, fashioned in our shape. O Theotokos, pray to Him as the Creator of all, that we may be justified through

the story o f the righteous and the wicked. But thou, my soul, hast

thine intercessions. 44Exod. 14 : 21-8. 46Exod. 16 : i $ ; Num. 2 1: £. 40 Exod. 17 : 6; Num. 20: 8; 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.] 22: 2; 1 Cor. 10: 4. 47 Exod. 16: 3; Num. 1 1 : 4-7. 48 Exod. 17 : 6; Num. 20: 8; John 19: 34; 1 Cor. 10: 4. 49 Num. 13 : 2 1 - ς ; 14: 30; Josh. 2 : 1 .

followed the second of these, not the first, and hast sinned against God.

TONE SIX

The Law is powerless, the Gospel o f no effect, and the whole of

My soul, O my soul, rise up! Why art thou sleeping? The end draws near, and soon thou shalt be troubled. Watch, then, that Christ thy God may spare thee, for He is everywhere present and fills all things.

Scripture is ignored by thee; the prophets and all the words o f the righteous are useless. Thy wounds, my soul, have been multiplied, and there is no physician to heal thee. I bring thee, O my soul, examples from the New Testament, to lead thee to compunction. Follow the example o f the righteous, turn away from the sinful; and through prayers and fasting, through chastity and reverence, win back Christ’s mercy. Christ became a child and shared in my flesh; and willingly He performed all that belongs to my nature, only without sin. lie set before thee, my soul, an example and image of His condescension.87 Christ became man, calling to repentance thieves and harlots. Repent, my soul: the door o f the Kingdom is already open, and

pharisees and publicans and adulterers pass through it before thee, changing their life.88 Christ saved the Wise Men and called the Shepherds; He revealed as martyrs a multitude of young children; He glorified the Elder and 87 Heb. 4: 15·. 88 Matt. 9: 13; 21: 31; Luke 13*: 1.

(hrnos) We have sinned, we have transgressed, we have done evil in Thy sight; we have not kept or followed Thy command­ ments. But reject us not utterly, O God of our fathers. When the Ark was being carried in a cart and the ox stumbled, Uzzah did no more than touch it, but the wrath o f God smote him. O my soul, flee from his presumption and respect with reverence

the aged W idow. But thou, my soul, hast not followed their lives

the things of God.60

and actions. W oe to thee when thou art judged !89

Thou hast heard of Absalom, and how he rebelled against nature; thou knowest of the unholy deeds by which he defiled his father David’s bed. Yet thou hast followed him in his passionate and sensual desires.61 Thy free dignity, O my soul, thou hast subjected to thy body; for thou hast found in the enemy another Ahitophel, and hast agreed to all his counsels. But Christ Himself has brought them to nothing and saved thee from them all.62* Solomon the wonderful, who was full of the grace of wis­ dom, once did evil in the sight of heaven and turned away from God. Thou hast become like him, my soul, by thine accursed life.68 Carried away by sensual passions, he defiled himself. A las! The lover o f wisdom became a lover of harlots and a stranger to God.

The Lord fasted forty days in the wilderness, and at the end of

And thou, my soul, in mind hast imitated him through thy shameful desires.64 O my soul, thou hast rivalled Rchoboam, who paid no attention to his father’s counsellors, and Jeroboam, that evil servant and 60 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.] 6: 6- y . 51 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.] 16: 2r-2. 62 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.] 16: 23. 68 3 [1] Kgs. 1 1 : 1—10. 64 3 (1] Kgs. 3: 12 ; i ! : 1.

them He was hungry, thus showing that He is man. Do not be dis­ mayed, my soul: if the enemy attacks thee, through prayer and fasting drive him away.90*9

renegade of old. But flee from their example and cry to G o d : I have sinned, take pity on m e.55 Glory be to the Father. . . . O simple and undivided Trinity, O holy and consubstantial Unity: Thou art praised as Light and Lights, one Holy and three Holies. Sing, O my soul, and glorify Life and Lives, the God o f all, Both now. . . . Theotokion W e praise thee, we bless thee, we venerate thee, O Mother of God: for thou hast given birth to One of the undivided Trinity, thy Son and God, and thou hast opened the heavenly places to us on earth.

Christ was being tempted; the devil tempted Him, showing Him

the stones that they might be made bread. He led Him up into a

Jonah fled to Tarshish, foreseeing the conversion of the men of Nineveh; for as a prophet he knew the loving-kindness of God, but he was jealous that his prophecy should not be proved false.69 My soul, thou hast heard how Daniel stopped the mouths o f the 66 3 [i] Kgs. 1 1 : 26-40; 12: 1-33. 66 2 Chr. 26: 19. 57 Jonah 3 : ς. 68 Jer. 4 S [381· 6 J 9: 1 .

mountain, to see in an instant all the kingdoms o f the world. O my soul, look with fear on what happened; watch and pray every hour to G od.01

69 Jonah 1 : 3 .

The Dove who loved the wilderness, the Lamp of Christ, the

wild beasts in die lions’ den; and diou knowcst how the Children with Azarias quenched through their faith the flames o f the fiery furnace.00 All the names of the Old Testament have I set before thee, my soul, as an example. Imitate the holy acts of the righteous and flee from the sins o f the wicked. W e bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Father without beginning, coeternal Son, and loving Comforter,

voice o f one crying aloud, was heard preaching repentance; but Herod sinned with Herodias. O my soul, see that thou art not trapped in the snares o f the transgressors, but embrace repentance."

the Spirit of righteousness; Begetter of the W ord o f God, W ord of

The Forerunner o f grace went to dwell in the wilderness, and

the eternal Father, Spirit living and creative: O Trinity in Unity,

Judaea and all Samaria ran to hear h im ; they confessed their sins and were baptized eagerly. But thou, my soul, hast not imitated them.08 Marriage is honourable, and the marriage-bed undefiled. For on both Christ has given His blessing, eating in the flesh at the wedding in Cana, turning water into wine and revealing His first miracle, to bring thee, my soul, to a change of life.04 Christ gave strength to the paralysed man, and he took up his bed; He raised from the dead the young man, the son of the widow, and

the centurion’s servant; He appeared to the woman of Samaria, and

(Ivmos) Conception without seed; nativity past understanding, from a Mother who never knew a man; childbearing undefiled. For the birth of God makes both natures new. Therefore, as Bride and Mother o f God, with true . worship all generations magnify thee. Christ was being tempted; the devil tempted Him, showing Him

spoke to thee, my soul, o f worship in spirit.06 By the touch of the hem of His garment, the Lord healed the woman with an issue of blood; He cleansed lepers and gave sight to

the stones that they might be made bread. He led Him up into a

the blind and made the lame walk upright; He cured by His word

mountain, to see in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. O my soul, look with fear on what happened; watch and pray every hour to God.01

the deaf and the dumb and the woman bowed to the ground, to

The Dove who loved the wilderness, the Lamp of Christ, the

bring thee, wretched soul, to salvation.06 Healing sickness, Christ the W ord preached the good tidings to 89 Matt. 2 : 1 2 ; Luke 2 : 9—12 ; Matt. 2 : 1 6 ; Luke 2 : 2$-3 8. 00 Matt. 4: 2 ; 17 : 21. 01 Matt. 4: 3-9; 26: 41. 02 Ps. $4: 7; John ς: 3 ς; Isa. 40: 3; Matt. 3: 2-3; 14: 3; Ps. 123: 7. 03 Matt. 3: ς~6. 04 Iieb, 1 3 : 4 ; John 2 : 1-11. 95 Matt. 9: 2-7; Luke 7: 11-15; Matt. 8 : 6-13; John 4: 24. 06 Matt. 9: 20—2; 11:5*; Luke 13: 11-13.

voice of one crying aloud, was heard preaching repentance; but Herod sinned with Herodias. O my soul, see that thou art not trapped in the snares of the lawless, but embrace repentance.02

the poor. He cured the crippled, ate with publicans, and conversed

The Forerunner o f Grace went to dwell in the wilderness, and

with sinners. W ith the touch of His hand, He brought back the departed soul o f Jairus’ daughter.07

Judaea and all Samaria ran to hear him ; they confessed their sins 00 Dan. 6: 16-22; 3: 23-5. 01 Matt. 4: 3-9 ; 26: 41. 02 Ps. 54: 7; John s: 3$; Isa. 40: 3 ; Matt. 3: 2-3; 14: 3 ; Ps. 123: 7.

The Publican was saved and the Harlot turned to chastity, but

and were baptized eagerly. But thou, my soul, hast not imitated them.63 Marriage is honourable, and the marriage-bed undefiled. For on both Christ has given His blessing, eating in the flesh at the wedding in Cana, turning the water into wine and revealing His first miracle, to bring thee, my soul, to a change of life.64 Christ gave strength to the paralysed man, and he took up his bed; He raised from the dead the young man, the son of the widow, and the centurion’ s servant; He appeared to the woman of Samaria and spoke to thee, my soul, of worship in spirit.65 By the touch o f the hem of His garment, the Lord healed the woman with an issue of blood; He cleansed lepers and gave sight to

the Pharisee with his boasting was condemned. For the first cried,

the blind and made the lame walk upright; He cured by His word

‘Be m erciful’ , and the second, ‘Have mercy on m e’ ; but the third said, boasting, ‘I thank Thee, O God’ , and the other words o f madness.08 Zacchaeus was a publican, yet he was saved; but Simon the Pharisee went astray, while the Harlot received remission and re­ lease from Him who has the power to forgive sins. O my soul, gain His m ercy.00 O wretched soul, thou hast not acted like the Harlot, who took

the deaf and the dumb and the woman bowed to the ground, to

the alabaster box of precious ointment, and anointed with tears and

bring thee, wretched soul, to salvation.66 Glory be to the Father. . . . Let us glorify the Father, let us exalt the Son, and with faith let us worship the Spirit of God, undivided Trinity and Unity in essence. Let us adore Light and Lights, Life and Lives, giving light and life to the ends of the earth. Both now . . . . Theotokion Watch over thy City, all-pure Mother of God. For by thee she reigns in faith, by thee she is made strong; by thee she is victorious, putting to flight every temptation, despoiling the enemy and ruling her subjects. Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us. Venerable Andrew, father thrice-blessed, shepherd of Crete, cease not to offer prayer for us who sing thy praises; that we may be

wiped with her hair the feet o f the Lord. And He tore in pieces the record o f her previous sins.1 Thou knowest, O my soul, how the cities were cursed to which Christ preached the Gospel. Fear their example, lest thou suffer

delivered from all danger and distress, from corruption and sin, who honour thy memory with faith. And then again the irmos, Conception without seed. . . . And the rest of'Great Compline.6

the same punishment. For the Master likened them to Sodom and

68 Matt. 3: $—6, 64 Heb. 13 : 4; John 2: 1 - 1 1 . 65 Matt. 9: 2-7 ; Luke 7: 1 1 - 1 5 ; Matt. 8: 6 -13 ; John 4 : 24. 66 Matt. 9: 20-2 ; 1 1 : 5 ; Luke 13 : 1 1 —13.

condemned them to hell.2 Be not overcome by despair, O my soul; for thou hast heard o f the faith o f the woman of Canaan, and how through it her daughter was healed by the word o f God. Cry out from the depth of thy heart, ‘Save me also, Son of David’ , as she once cried to Christ.3 O Son o f David, with Thy word Thou hast healed the possessed: take pity on me, save me and have mercy. Let me hear Thy com­ passionate voice speak to me as to the thief: ‘ Verily, I say unto thee, thou shalt be with Me in Paradise, when I come in My glo ry.’4 A thief accused Thee, a thief confessed Thy Godhead: for both were hanging with Thee on the Cross. Open to me also, O Lord of many mercies, the door o f Thy glorious Kingdom, as once it was

me in repentance.

opened to Thy thief who acknowledged Thee with faith as God.5 07 Luke 4: 17-19; ς : 27-30; Matt. 11 : ς ; Mark 5: 41-2. 08 Luke 7: 36-50; 18: 9--1 3. 00 Luke 19: x— *1 o; 7: 36-50. 1 Luke 7 : 37-8; Col. 2 : 14. 2 Luke 10: 13-1$. 3 Matt, 15: 22. 4 Matt. 1 5 : 22— 8; Luke 9: 38-42; 23 : 43. 6 Luke 23: 32, 39-43·

The creation was in anguish, seeing Thee crucified. Mountains

Thy goodness call me back and accept me in repentance.19 Most Holy Theotokos, save us. 18 Luke to: 3 1 - 3 . 17 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.] 1 1 : 2 - 4 . 18 Matt. ι ς i i . 19 1 Tim. 2 : 4.

and rocks were split from fear, the earth quaked, and hell was de­ spoiled ; the light grew dark in daytime, beholding Thee, O Jesus, nailed in the flesh.6 Do not demand from me worthy fruits o f repentance, for my strength has failed within me. Give me an ever-contrite heart and poverty of spirit, that I may offer these to Thee as an acceptable sacrifice, O only Saviour.7 O my Judge who dost know me, when Thou comest again with

not been like Seth, or followed Enos or Enoch, who was translated to heaven, or Noah; but thou art found destitute, without a share in

the angels to judge the whole world, look upon me then with Thine

the life of the righteous.21

eye of mercy, and spare m e ; take pity on me, Jesus, for I have sinned more than any other man. Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. By thy strange way of life thou hast struck all with wonder, both

Thou alone, O my soul, hast opened the windows o f the wrath of thy God, and thou hast flooded, as the earth, all thy flesh and deeds and life; and thou hast remained outside the Ark o f salvation.22 Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. With all eagerness and love hast thou run to Christ, turning from thy former path o f sin, finding thy food in the trackless wilderness, and fulfilling in purity the commandments of God. Glory be to the Father. . . . O Trinity uncreated and without beginning, O undivided U nity: accept me in repentance and save me, a sinner. I am Thy creation, reject me not; but spare me and deliver me from the fire o f con­ demnation. Both now. . . . Theotokion Most pure Lady, Mother of God, the hope of those who run to

the hosts o f angels and the gatherings o f mortal m en; for thou hast

thee and the haven of the storm-tossed: pray to the merciful God, thy Creator and thy Son, that He may grant His mercy even to me. 20 Gen. 4: 8, 23. 21 Gen. £: 3,6, 21-4; 6: 9. 22 Gen. 7: 11-13.

surpassed nature and lived as though no longer in the body. Like a bodiless angel thou hast walked upon the Jordan with thy feet, O Mary, and crossed over it. Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. O holy Mother, call down the gracious mercy of the Creator upon us who sing thy praises, that we may be set free from the sufferings and afflictions that assail u s; so without ceasing, delivered from temptations, we shall magnify the Lord who has glorified thee. Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us. Venerable Andrew, father thrice-blessed, shepherd of Crete, cease not to offer prayer for us who sing thy praises; that we may be delivered from all danger and distress, from corruption and in­ numerable sins, who honour thy memory with faith.

Glory be to the Father. . . . Trinity one in Essence, Unity in three Persons, we sing Thy

the land that Abraham inherited, which flows with incorruption

Spirit, truly one God by nature, Life and Lives, Kingdom without end. Both now. . . . Theotokion Watch over thy City, all-pure Mother of God. For by thee she 6 Matt. 27: s i - 3 ; Luke 23: 44-$. 7 Matt. 3: 8; ς: 3; Ps. $o: 19.

and eternal life.24* Thou hast heard, my soul, how Abraham in days of old left the land of his fathers and became a wanderer: follow him in his choice.26 At the oak of Mamre the Patriarch gave hospitality to the angels, and in his old age he inherited the reward of the promise.26 Thou knowest, O my miserable soul, how Isaac was offered mystically as a new and unwonted sacrifice to the L ord : follow him in his choice.27 Thou hast heard - O my soul be watchful! - how Ishmael was driven out as the child of a bondwoman. Take heed, lest the same thing happen to thee because of thy lust.28 Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. 1 am held fast, O Mother, by the tempest and billows o f sin: but do thou keep me safe and lead me to the haven o f divine repentance.

reigns in faith, by thee she is made strong; by thee she is victorious, putting to flight every temptation, despoiling the enemy and ruling her subjects. And then again the ivinos, Conception without seed. . . . Then the Hymn o f Light in the Tone of the week; and we continue with

24 Gen. 11: 31 - 1 2: 1; Exoci. 3 : 8. 26 Gen. 1 2 : t . 26 Gen. 1 8 : 1 - 1 3 . 27 Gen. 22 : 1 - 1 4 . 28 Gen. 2 1 : 10.

the rest o f Mattins, as usual on weekdays in Lent.

within time to the Son, who was begotten outside time from the Father; and, strange wonder! thou givest suck while still remaining Virgin.

Hail, O Undefined, higher dian the heavens, who without birthpangs hast held within thy womb the Foundation of die earth. Hail, sea-shell that with thy blood hast dyed a robe of divine purple for

the Lord of Hosts.

(Ivmos) The prophet heard of Thy coming, O Lord, and he was afraid: how Thou wast to be bom of a Virgin and revealed to men, and he said: T have heard the report of Thee and I was afraid.’ Glory to Thy power, O Lord. 1 have defiled my body, I have stained my spirit, and I am all covered with wounds: but as physician, Christ, heal both body and spirit for me through repentance. Wash, purify and cleanse me, O my Saviour, and make me whiter than snow. Thy Body and Thy Blood, O W ord, Thou hast offered at Thy Crucifixion for the sake of all: Thy Body to refashion me, Thy Blood to wash me clean; and Thou hast given up Thy spirit, O Christ, to bring me to Thy Father. 0 compassionate Lord, Thou hast worked salvation in the midst

Hail, Lady that in truth hast borne the Lawgiver, who freely washes clean the transgressions of all. O Maiden who hast not known wedlock, depth unsearchable, height above all speech, through thee we are made godlike. Thou hast woven for the world a crown not made by hand of man, and we sing thy praises, saying: Hail to thee, O Virgin, the guardian of all men, fortress and stronghold and sacred refuge. 18 Isa. 19: 1. 10 Ps. by: 16; Exoil. 2 3 1 ; 16: 33. 20Heb. 9 : ς ; Gen. 2 8 : 12 .

of the earth, that we might be saved. Thou wast crucified of Thine own will upon the T ree; and Eden, closed till then, was opened. Things above and things below, the creation and all the peoples have been saved and worship Thee.29 May the Blood from Thy side be to me a cleansing fount, and may

the Water that flows with it be a drink of forgiveness. May I be

From thee was bom the Way that leads to life. Hail, All-blame­ less, who hast saved the world from drowning in the flood of sin; hail, Bride o f God, tidings fearful to tell and hear; hail, dwellingplace of the Master of Creation.21 Hail, O Undefiled, the strength and fortress of mankind, sanctu­ ary o f the G lory; hail, slayer of hell, bridal chamber full of light; hail, jo y o f the angels; hail, succour o f those who call on thee with faith. Fiery chariot of the Word, hail, Lady, living Paradise, holding in thy midst the Lord, the Tree o f Life. His sweetness quickens all who eat with faith, although they were enslaved to corruption.22 Strengthened by thy might, we raise our cry to thee with faith:

purified by both, O Word, anointed and refreshed, having as chrism and drink Thy words of life.30 As a chalice, O my Saviour, the Church has been granted Thy life-giving side, from which there flows down to us a twofold stream o f forgiveness and knowledge, representing the twp Coven­ ants, the Old and the N ew .31 1 am deprived of the bridal chamber, of the wedding and the supper; for want of oil my lamp has gone out; while I slept the door was closed; the supper has been eaten; I am bound hand and foot, and cast out.82 Glory be to the Father. . . . 29 Ps, 73: 12. 80 John 1 9 : 3 4 ; 6 :

Hail, city of the King of a ll! Glorious things, worthy to be heard throughout the world, are plainly spoken o f thee. Hail, mountain not cut by hand of man, depth that none can fathom.28 Hail, O Undefiled, spacious tabernacle o f the W ord, shell from which has come the divine Pearl. Hail, Theotokos full of wonders, who dost reconcile with God all those in every age that call thee blessed.24 We now begin to use the two four-cantlcled Canons; the Canon x f the patron saint o f the church or monastery is omitted, and we first read the

31 Exod. 2 4 : 8; Matt. 2 6 : 28; John 19: 34. 32 Matt. 2 $ : i—x 3 ; 2 2 : 1 1 - 1 3 .

Thou hast worked a miracle; and the other Thou hast as man accepted willingly for our salvation. Thou art God and man, proving by Thine actions the true, reality of both Thy natures. In the flesh Thou hast come to the tomb, O Word, and as God Thou hast raised up the man four days dead.

242 Undivided in Essence, unconfused in Persons, I confess Thee as God: Triune Deity, one in kingship and throne; and to Thee I raise

The Jews were amazed, O Master, when they saw dead Lazarus

the great thrice-holy hymn that is sung on high.33

rising from the tomb at Thy voice; yet still they believed not in Thy miracles. Glory be to the Father. . . . Without beginning hast Thou shone forth from Thy Father as one of the Trinity, O Saviour; and within time Thou hast come forth from the Spirit, taking flesh in the Virgin's womb, O transcendent God. Both now. . . . Theotokion

the womb brings forth without travail. When God so wills, the

The Theotokos conceived without seed and gave birth without

natural order is overcome; for He does whatever He wishes.

suffering corruption. For, bringing both these wonders to pass, God emptied Himself that He might be united to us.

forgive m e : for Thou alone art pure by nature, and none save Thee is free from defilement. Thou who art God, O Saviour, wast for my sake fashioned as I am. Thou hast performed miracles, healing lepers, giving strength to the paralysed, stopping die issue of blood when the woman touched the hem of Thy garment.35 Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. Crossing the stream of Jordan, thou hast found peace, escaping from the deadening pleasures of the flesh. Deliver us also from them, holy Mary, by thine intercessions. 33 Isa. 6 : 3 ; Key. 4 : 8 . 34 Exod. 7 : 11 ; 2 Tim. 3 : 8. 36 Phil. 2 : 6 - 7 ; Matt. 4 : 2 4 ; Luke 1 7 : 1 2 - 1 4 ; ς : 1 8 ; 8 : 4 3 - 4 .

eign command, O Jesus, but trembling it surrendered Lazarus, four days dead yet brought to life by Thy voice. Joining dust to spirit, O W ord, by Thy word in the beginning Thou hast breathed into the clay a living soul. And now by Thy word Thou hast raised up Thy friend from corruption and from the depths of the earth.6 None can withstand Thy behest, O Lord. For when Thou hast called dead Lazarus, though lifeless he arose at once, and though his feet were bound he walked. O folly of the Je w s ! O blindness of the enem y! Who has ever known a corpse raised from the grave? Once Elijah raised the dead, yet not from the tomb or four days after death.7 There is none like Thee, O forbearing Lord. Thou doest all

Glory be to the Father. . . . W e glorify Thee, O Trinity, the one God. Holy, holy, holy, art Thou: Father, Son and Spirit, simple Essence and Unity, worshipped for ever. Both now. . . . Theotokion O Virgin inviolate and Mother who hast not known man, from thee has God, the Creator of the ages, taken human flesh, uniting to Himself the nature of men.

things for our sake as God, and Thou suff crest as man. Make us all partakers of Thy Kingdom, at the prayers of Lazarus. Glory be to the Father. . . . O Trinity who wast before all things began, Father Almighty, Son and Holy Spirit, coeternal and equal in honour, Holy Unity in three Persons: save us children of Adam who with faith sing Thy praises. Both now. . . . Theotokion Thine undefiled womb was sanctified, pure Virgin, by the trans­ cendent God who took flesh from it: He is adored as one o f the Trinity, the Word from the Father, one God with the Spirit.

quickly, before it is too late, and deliver me from the lowest depths of sin and despair. Glory be to the Father. . . . CI am the Trinity, simple and undivided, yet divided in Persons, and I am the Unity, by Nature one*, says the Father and the Son and

(laws) Thou hast cast me, O Saviour, into the deep waters o f the sea; yet Thou hast saved me from the servitude o f death, and loosed the bonds o f my transgressions. ‘Thou knowest all things, yet hast asked where I was buried. As man by nature, Thou hast wept for me, O Saviour, and Thou hast raised me from the dead by Thy command.’ ‘Thou hast called me from the lowest depths of hell, O Saviour,’ cried Lazarus to Thee when Thou hast set him free from hell; ‘and Thou hast raised me from the dead by Thy command.’ 0 Gen. 2: 7.

the divine Spirit.

7 3 10 Kgs· '7 : 23·

pray to Him as the Creator o f all, that we may be justified through thine intercessions.

Thou hast clothed me in a body of clay, O Saviour, and breathed life into me, and I beheld Thy light; and Thou hast raised me from

TONE SIX

the dead by Thy command.

My soul, O my soul, rise up! Why art thou sleeping? The end draws near, and soon thou shalt be troubled. Watch, then, that Christ our God may spare thee, for He is everywhere present and fills all things.

Thou hast breathed life into my flesh, O Saviour, when there was no breath within i t ; Thou hast bound it fast with bones and sinews, and Thou hast raised me from the dead by Thy command. Thou hast broken open the all-aevouring belly of hell and snatched me out, O Saviour, by Thy power; and Thou hast raised me from

the dead by Thy command.

words of Elijah the Tishbite. But imitate the widow of Zarephath, and feed the Prophet’s soul.41 Elijah once destroyed with fire twice fifty of Jezebel’s servants, and he slew the prophets of shame, as a rebuke to Ahab. But flee from the example of both of them, my soul, and be strong.42 Glory be to the Father. . . . O simple and undivided Trinity, O holy and consubstantial Unity: Thou art praised as Light and Lights, one Holy and three Holies. Sing, O my soul, and glorify Life and Lives, the God of all. Both now. . . . 30 4 [2] Kgs. 2i : i —1 6; 2 Chr. 3 3 : 1 1 - 1 3 ; the Prayer of Manasscs.

Thou hast clothed Thyself in all my human nature, O Saviour, and hast kept pure in childbirth the undeiiled womb from which Thou earnest forth incarnate, being one of the Trinity. Glory be to the Father. . . . O Holy Trinity, I glorify Thy compassion, and with the angels I sing the thrice-holy hymn: have mercy on the souls of us who praise Thee. Both n ow ......... Theotokion O marvellous wonder! The Word entered thine undefiled womb, pure Virgin Mother, yet preserved it virgin after childbirth.

40 3 [1] Kgs. 16: 30. 41 3 l 1 ) Kgs· * 7 ' i, 9 ; Luke 4 :

42 4 [2J Kgs. i : 1 o—1 y ; 3 [i| Kgs. 18: 40.

Thee his Deliverer, ‘yet shall I not remain for ever in the depths of hell, if Thou wilt only call to me, “ Lazarus, come out” ; for Thou art my Light and my Life/

‘ I implore thee, Lazarus,’ said hell, ‘ rise up, depart quickly from my bonds and be gone. It is better for me to lament bitterly for the loss o f one, rather than of all those whom I swallowed in my hunger. ’ ‘Why dost thou delay, Lazarus?’ cried hell. ‘Thy friend stands calling to thee: “ Come out’ ’ . Go, then, and I too shall feel relief. For since I swallowed thee, all other food is loathsome to m e.’ Ό Lazarus, why dost thou not rise up swiftly?’ cried hell below lamenting. ‘ Why dost thou not run straightway from this place? Lest Christ take prisoner the others, after raising thee.’ Thou art magnified, O Master Christ, through the many miracles Thou hast performed. For Thou hast given light to the blind and

(Irinos) The hosts of heaven give Him glo ry; 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. O righteous Judge and Saviour, have mercy on me and deliver me from the fire that threatens me and from the punishment that I deserve to suffer at the Judgement. Before the end comes, grant me remission through virtue and repentance. Like the Thief I cry to Thee, ‘ Remember me>; like Peter I weep bitterly; like the Publican I call out, ‘Forgive me, Saviour*; like the Harlot I shed tears. Accept my lamentation, as once Thou hast accepted the entreaties of the woman of Canaan.48 O Saviour, heal the putrefaction of my humbled soul, for Thou

opened the ears of the deaf by a w ord; and, calling Thy friend Lazarus, as God Thou hast raised him from the dead. Glory be to the Father. . . . Let us sing praises to the Trinity, glorifying the eternal Father,

art the one Physician; apply plaster and pour in oil and wine works of repentance, and compunction with tears.44 Like the woman of Canaan I cry to Thee, ‘ Have mercy on me, Son of David.* Like the woman with an issue of blood, I touch the hem of Thy garment. I weep as Martha and Mary wept for Lazarus.45 W e bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Father without beginning, coeternal Son, and loving Comforter,

the Son and the Spirit of righteousness, one single Essence that we

the Spirit of righteousness; Begetter of the Word of God, W ord of

magnify in threefold song: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O Trinity. Both now. . . . Theotokion We glorify Thee, O Christ, as one o f the Trinity. Without changing Thou wast made flesh from the Virgin, and hast endured all things as man, O Jesus; but, though united with us, Thou wast not divided from the Father’s nature.

the eternal Father, Spirit living and creative: O Trinity in Unity,

(Innos) O heaven of heavens and the waters that are above the heavens, bless and praise the Lord.

the poor. He cured the crippled, ate with publicans, and conversed

The Maker, who upholds all things, came to Bethany in His

with sinners. W ith the touch of His hand, He brought back the departed soul of Jairus’ daughter.46

compassion, to raise Lazarus. Four days dead, already stinking, bound in grave-clothes, lacking

The Publican was saved and the Harlot turned to chastity, but the

the breath of life, at Thy call, O Lord, he leapt up endued with life.

Pharisee with his boasting was condemned. For the first cried ‘Be merciful’ , and the second, ‘ Have mercy on m e’ ; but the third said, boasting, ‘I thank Thee, O God’ , and other words of madness.47 Zacchaeus was a publican, yet he was saved; but Simon the Pharisee went astray, while the Harlot received remission and re­ lease from Him who has the power to forgive sins. Make haste, O my soul, to follow her example.48 O wretched soul, thou hast not acted like the Harlot, who took

The Jewish people, seeing the dead man rise at Thy command, O

the alabaster box of precious ointment, and anointed with tears and

Christ, gnashed their teeth in fury. O Jews, the Light shines round you, but ye still remain in dark­ ness. Why do ye doubt the resurrection of Lazarus? It is the work of Christ.

wiped with her hair the feet of the Lord. And He tore in pieces the record of her previous sins.49* Thou knowest, O my soul, how the cities were cursed to which Christ preached the Gospel. Fear their example, lest thou suffer the same punishment. For the Master likened them to Sodom and con­ demned them to hell.60 Be not overcome by despair, my soul; for thou hast heard of the faith of the woman of Canaan, and how through it her daughter was healed by the word of God. Cry out from the depth of thy heart, ‘ Save me also, Son o f David’ , as she once cried to Christ.51 Glory be to the Father. . . . Let us glorify the Father, let us exalt the Son, and with faith let us worship the Spirit of God, undivided Trinity and Unity in

Rejoice, Zion, and sing praises to the Giver of life, who by His word has raised Lazarus from the tomb.

46 Luke 4 : 1 7 - 1 9 ; 5 : 2 7 - 3 0 ; Matt. 1 1 : 5 ; Mark 5 : 4 1 - 2 .

The heavenly hosts and men on earth sang Thy praises, O my

47 Luke 7: 36-50; 18: 9 -1 3 . 48 Luke 19: 1 - 1 0 ; 7: 36-50. 49 Luke 7 : 3 7 - 8 ; Col. 2 : 14. 60 Luke 1 0 : 1 3 - 1 5 . 81 Matt. 1 5 : 22.

Saviour, for Thou hast raised Lazarus. Glory be to the Father. . . . I glorify and praise Father, Son and Spirit, and with never-silent voice I cry: O Thrice-Holy, glory be to Thee. Both now. . . . Theotokion I bless and worship Thee, born from the Virgin yet never parted from the throne of Thy holy glory.

essence. Let us adore Light and Lights, Life and Lives, giving light and life to the ends o f the earth. Both now. . . . Theotokion Watch over thy City, all-pure Mother o f God. For by thee she reigns in faith, by thee she is made strong; by thee she is victorious, putting to flight every temptation, despoiling the enemy and ruling her subjects. Holy Father Andrew, pray for us. Venerable Andrew, father thrice-blessed, shepherd o f Crete, cease not to offer prayer for us who sing thy praises; that we may be delivered from all danger and distress, from corruption and sin, who honour thy memory with faith. And then again the irmos, Conception without seed. . . . And the rest o f Great Compline.

the mighty from their seats and exalted the humble, for

3 Matt. 19: 28; 2£: 33. 4 4 [2] Kgs. 2 : 1 1 .

He is the God of Israel. The Dayspring from on high has visited us and guided us into the way of peace.8 Let Bethany sing with us in praise of the miracle, for there the Creator wept for Lazarus in accordance with the law of nature and

the Lord, bless ye the Lord.

the flesh. Then, making Martha’s tears to cease and changing Mary’s

We bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We praise the all-holy Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit, and we sing: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. Both now . . . . Theotokion With all mankind we sing the praises of thine ineffable child­ bearing, and with true devotion we cry aloud, pure Virgin: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee. O ye apostles, pray for us that we may complete in peace these days of propitiation, as we cry aloud: O ye works o f the Lord, bless ye the Lord. We praise, bless and worship the Lord . . . . (Irmos) Thy holy Children sang Thy praises, O Christ, in the furnace, and they said: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye

grief to joy, Christ raised him from the dead. To confirm men’s faith in Thy Resurrection, O Word, Thou hast called Lazarus from the tomb and as God hast raised him up, to show the peoples that Thou art both God and man in very truth, who dost raise up the temple of Thy body.0 Shaking the gates and iron bars, Thou hast made hell tremble at Thy voice. Hell and death were filled with fear, O Saviour, seeing Lazarus their prisoner brought to life by Thy word and rising from

All were dismayed to see Thee, Saviour, weeping over dead Lazarus, and in their misery they said: ‘ Behold how He loves him .’ Then Thou hast straightway called him and at Thy command the dead man xose, delivered from coiTuption.

At the holy prayers o f Thy disciples, O Jesus, grant me to vener­ ate Thy divine Passion and Thy dread Resurrection. Theotokion O Virgin undefiled, thou hast made our earthly nature heavenly, for God took up His dwelling in thy womb: deliver us all from danger. Second Canon (Ivmos) O Christ, we magnify . . . . From the fountain of the Saviour, the apostles prophetically drew

The gates were shaken and the bars were shattered, and the bonds

the water of immortality, and they always give the thirsty drink

which held the dead man were loosed. When Christ spoke in power, 8 Luke l : 51-2, 78-9. 0 John 2 : 19-21.

from the teachings of life. O ye apostles, princes of the King of heaven, ye have subdued the whole inhabited earth, so that it honours Him alone, and glorifies and worships Him as God. Glory be to the Father . . . . O Trinity, undivided Unity, all-creative and all-powerful, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Thou art my God and Lord and Light; 1 sing Thy praises and I worship Thee. Both now . . . . Theotokion We and every generation shall call thee blessed, O pure Virgin Mother, for thou art the mercy-seat of the world, who ineffably hast borne the Saviour and Creator. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee. O choir of the apostles, keep safe those that praise you, and grant that they may pass with contrite heart through all the days o f the

hell groaned bitterly and cried aloud: ‘ Woe is m e ! What and whence is this voice that brings the dead to life?’ Rise up, obedient to the voice: thy friend outside is calling thee. This is He who raised the dead of o ld : for when Elijah and Elisha brought the dead to life, He it was that spoke and acted through them .101 O Word and Saviour, we sing the praises of Thy surpassing power. For by Thy word, as Creator of all things, Thou hast raised from the depths dead Lazarus with his bones and sinews, as Thou hast raised

me in repentance.

the w idow ’s son from the bier .11

Glory be to the Father . . . . Most Holy Trinity, O God the eternal Father, O coeternal Son and W ord o f God, O Holy Spirit of God, loving Com forter; one Light of the threefold Sun, consubstantial Essence, one God and Lord, take pity on the world. Both now . . . . Theotokion O Jesus, who hast made all things in wisdom, Thou hast clothed Thyself in my whole nature, taken from the Virgin, yet for ever Thou remainest wholly in the bosom of the Father; and Thou hast as God sent down Thy Holy Spirit on Thy flock: cover us with Thy shadow.

(Jrmos) See now, see that I am God, who rained down manna in 1 1 John i : 29.

MIDNIGHT OFFICE

12 Ps. 142: 2. 18 Luke 1 ς : 1 1-20.

troparion o f the day, Giving us before Thy Passion . . . (see below>

the days of old, and made springs o f water flow from the

After the second reading from the Psalter (Psalms 12 0 and 1 3 3 ) y Holy God. . . , and the Lord’s Prayer, we sing the kontakion o f the dayy Christ, the joy of all. . . (see p. 4^5), and then Kyrie eleison (twelve times) and the Dismissal. We omit the prayer Remember, O Lord. . . , and the prayers immediately following. 10 3 [1] Kgs. 17: 23; 4 M Kgs. 4:

rock, for My people in the wilderness, by My right hand and by My power alone. ‘ I have slain a man to my grief and wounding’ , said Lamcch, ‘and a young man to my hurt’ ; and he cried aloud lamenting. Dost thou not tremble then, my soul, for thou hast defiled thy flesh and polluted thy mind?14* Skilfully hast thou planned to build a tower, O my soul, and to establish a stronghold for thy lusts; but the Creator confounded thy designs and dashed thy devices to the ground.16 Ah, how I have emulated Lamech, the murderer of old, slaying my soul as if it were a man, and my mind as if it were a young man. With sensual longings I have killed my body, as Cain the murderer killed his brother.10 Roused to anger by their transgressions, the Lord once rained

11 Luke 7 : 14.

down fire from heaven and burnt up the men of Sodom. And thou, my soul, hast kindled the fire of Gehenna, and there to thy bitter sorrow thou shalt burn.17 I am wounded and smitten: see the enemy’s arrows which have pierced my soul and body. See the wounds, the open sores and the injuries, that cry out to God against the blows inflicted by my freelychosen passions. Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. Sunk in the abyss o f wickedness, O Mary, thou hast lifted up thine hands to the merciful God. And, as to Peter, in His loving­ kindness He stretched out His hand to thee in help, seeking in every way thy conversion.18 Glory be to the bather. . . . O Trinity uncreated and without beginning, O undivided Unity,

1 In parish churches the service is usually held on Friday evening.

accept me in repentance and save me, a sinner. I am Thy creation, reject me not; but spare me and deliver me from the fire of con­ demnation. Both now. . . .

FIR ST STASIS

14 Gen. 4 : 2 3 . 16 Gen. 1 1 : 3-8. 10 Gen. 4 : 23; 4: 6-8, 17 Gen. 19 : 24; Matt, ς: 22. 18 Matt. 14: 31.

TONE FIVE

Blessed art Thou, O Lord: teach me Thy statutes. y . Blessed art those that are blameless in the way, who walk in

Follow the example of Melchizcdek, the priest o f God, the king set apart, who was an image of the life of Christ among men in the w orld.21 Turn back, wretched soul, and lament, before the fair-ground 01 life comes to an end, before the Lord shuts the door of the bridai chamber.22 Do not look back, my soul, and so be turned into a pillar o f salt. Fear the example of the people o f Sodom, and take refuge in Zoar.23 Reject not, O Master, the prayer of those who sing Thy praises, but in Thy loving-kindness be merciful and grant forgiveness to them that ask with faith. Glory be to the Father. . . . O simple Unity praised in Trinity of Persons, uncreated Nature without beginning, save us who in faith worship Thy power.

the law of the Lord.

Father; and, strange wonder! thou givest suck while still remaining Virgin.

Thou who art the Life wast laid in a tomb, O Christ; and the hosts of angels were amazed and glorified Thy self-abasement. y . Blessed are they that search out His testimonies, and seek Him with their whole heart. O Life, how canst Thou die? How canst Thou dwell in a tomb? Yet Thou dost destroy death’s kingdom and raise the dead from hell. y . For they that work wickedness have not walked in His ways. We magnify Thee, Jesus our King: we honour Thy burial and Thy sufferings, whereby Thou hast saved us from corruption. y . Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy precepts diligently. O Jesus, King of all, who hast set measures to the earth, Thou dost go this day to dwell in a narrow grave, raising up the dead from their

CANTICLE FOUR

tombs. y . O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes! O Jesus, my Christ and King of all, why hast Thou come to those in hell? Is it to set free the race of mortal men? y . Then shall I not be ashamed, when I give heed unto all Thy commandments.

The time of my life is short, filled with trouble and evil. But

The Master of all is seen lying dead, and in a new tomb He is laid,

accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food o f the enemy; but do Thou, O Saviour, take pity on me. A man o f great wealth and righteous, abounding in riches and cattle, clothed in royal dignity, in crown and purple robe, Job became suddenly a beggar, stripped of wealth, glory and kingship.24 If he who was righteous and blameless above all men did not escape the snares and pits o f the deceiver, what wilt thou do, wretched and sin-loving soul, when some sudden misfortune befalls thee?26 Now I speak boastfully, with boldness of heart; yet all to no purpose and in vain. O righteous Judge, who alone art compassion­ ate, do not condemn me with the Pharisee; but grant me the abase­

who empties the tombs of the dead. y . I w ill praise Thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned the judgements of Thy righteousness. Thou who art Life wast laid in a tomb, O Christ: by Thy death Thou hast destroyed death and art become a fountain of life for the world. y . I will keep Thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. Numbered with the transgressors, O Christ, Thou dost free us all from the guilt brought upon us of old by the deceiver.2 y . Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By keeping Thy words.

ment of the Publican and number me with him .26 I know, O compassionate Lord, that I have sinned and violated the vessel o f my flesh. But accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food of the enemy; but do Thou, O Saviour, take pity on me. I have become mine own idol, utterly defiling my soul with the passions. But accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food of the enemy; but do Thou, O Saviour, take pity on me. I have not hearkened to Thy voice, I have not heeded Thy Scripture, O Giver o f the Law. But accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and

Fairer in His beauty than all mortal men, He appears now as a corpse without form or comeliness, He who has made beautiful the nature of all things.3 ψ . With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments. How could hell endure Thy coming, O Saviour? Was it not shattered and struck blind by the dazzling radiance of Thy light? y . Thy words have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee. O Jesus, my sweetness and light of salvation, how art Thou hidden in a dark tomb? O forbearance ineffable, beyond all words! y . Blessed art Thou, O Lord: teach me Thy statutes.

food of the enemy; but do Thou, O Saviour, take pity on me. Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. 24 Job i : 1 - 2 2 . 25 Job 2: 3 - 6 .

The spiritual powers and die angelic hosts are amazed, O Christ,

26 Luke 18: 9-14.

at the mystery of Thy burial past utterance and speech. y . With my lips have I declared all die judgements of Thy mouth. O strange wonder, new to m an! He who granted me the breath of life is carried lifeless in Joseph’s hands to burial. y . I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. Thou hast gone down into the tomb, O Christ, yet wast Thou never parted from Thy Father’s side. O marvellous wonder! y . I will meditate on Thy precepts, and I will understand Thy ways. Though Thou wast shut within the narrowest of sepulchres, O Jesus, all creation knew Thee as true King of heaven and earth. y . My study shall be in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy words. When Thou wast laid in a tomb, O Christ the Creator, the

Thou wast brought down into an abyss of great iniquity, yet not held fast within it: but with better intent thou hast mounted through action to the height of virtue, past all expectation: and the angels, O Mary, were amazed at thee. Glory be to the Father. . . . Undivided in Essence, unconfused in Persons, I confess Thee as God: Triune Deity, one in kingship and throne; and to Thee I raise

foundations of hell were shaken and the graves of mortal men were opened. y . O reward Thy servant: give me life, and I shall keep Thy words. He who holds die earth in die hollow of His hand is held fast by

the great thrice-holy hymn that is sung on high.27

the earth; put to death according to the flesh, He delivers the dead

the womb brings forth without travail. When God so wills, the

from the grasping hand of hell.4 y . Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold the wondrous things of Thy law. 3 Ps. 44: 3; Isa. £3 : 2. 4 Isa. 40: 12.

natural order is overcome: for He does whatever He wishes.

death put to death; we who were dead have risen and been granted life, receiving the joy o f Paradise that was ours at the beginning. Therefore with thanksgiving we glorify Christ our God, for He is strong and alone rich in mercy. To the Martyrs Founded on the Rock that cannot be shaken, the saints resisted tyrants bravely, and through torment they obtained their crowns. At their prayers save us, O God.

TONE THREE

From the night I seek Thee early, O Lover o f mankind: give me light, I pray Thee, and guide me in Thy com­ mandments, and teach me, O Saviour, to do Thy will. O my soul, do as the woman who was bowed down to the ground. Fall at the feet of Jesus, that He may make thee straight again; and thou shalt walk upright upon the paths of the Lord.28 Thou art a deep w ell, O Master: make springs gush forth for me from Thy pure veins, that like the woman o f Samaria I may drink and thirst no m ore; for from Thee flow the streams of life.2930 O Master and Lord, may my tears be unto me as Siloam: that I also may wash clean the eyes of my heart, and with my mind behold Thee, the pre-eternal Light.80 Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

30 Matt. 2ς : i - i 3. 31 Col. 2 : 1 4 .

O blessed saint, with a love beyond compare thou hast longed to venerate the wood of the Cross, and thy desire was granted. Make me also worthy to attain the glory on high. Glory be to the Father. . . . (Irmos)

power o f Thy Cross. O Christ who art compassionate and lovest man, we glorify Thee as Giver of Life and Lord. Glory he to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Stavrotheotokion Standing beside the Cross of the Lord, the Theotokos cried aloud lamenting: ‘ Woe is me, my Son! W oe is me, light of mine eyes! How art Thou stretched upon a Cross, who hast in Thy divine power stretched out the heaven as a curtain, and at Thy command called up the fountains of water from the sea?’ 32 To the Martyrs O Lord arid Saviour, Thou hast made Thy victorious martyrs mighty defenders o f the inhabited earth, putting the passions to flight. At their intercessions save our souls.

27 Isa. 6 : 3 ; Rev. 4 : 8 . 28 Luke 13 : 11-13. 29 John 4: 1 3-1 ς, 30 John 9: 7.

To the Martyrs Through their self-restraint the martyrs of Christ put to death the fiery impulses of passion. They received the grace to drive out diseases from the sick, and to work miracles both when alive and after they were dead. O marvellous wonder! For their bare bones are a source of healing. Glory be to God, the only wise Creator.

We glorify Thee, O Trinity, the one God. Holy, holy, holy, art Thou, Father, Son and Spirit, simple Essence and Unity, worshipped for ever. Both now. . . . Theotokion O Virgin inviolate and Mother who hast not known man, from thee has God, the Creator of the ages, taken human flesh, uniting to Himself the nature of men.

Through the perfection o f thine earthly life, O Mother, thou hast gained a heavenly freedom from the sinfulness of passion. In thine intercessions pray that this same freedom may be given to those who sing thy praises. Glory be to the Father. . . . T am the Trinity, simple and undivided, yet divided in Persons, and I am the Unity, by Nature one’ , says the Father and the Son and

the divine Spirit.

pray to Him as the Creator of all, that we may be justified through thine intercessions.

TONE SIX

My soul, O my soul, rise up! Why art thou sleeping? The end draws near, and soon thou shalt be troubled. Watch, then, that Christ our God may spare thee, for He is everywhere present and fills all things.

O Saviour. But.take pity on me, as David sings, and ‘ restore to me Thy jo y ’ .35 Turn back, repent, uncover all that thou hast hidden. Say unto God, to whom all things are known: Thou alone knowest my secrets, O Saviour; ‘ have mercy on me’ , as David sings, ‘ according to Thy m ercy’ .36 Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. Raising thy cry to the pure Mother of God, thou hast driven back

the fury of the passions that violently assailed thee, and put to shame

the enemy who sought to make thee stumble. But give thy help in

trouble now to me also, thy servant. 33 Ps. 72: 20; 4 [2] Kgs. 20: 1-6; Isa. 38: 1-8. 34 Luke 7 : 3 7 . 36 Ps. ς ο : 14.

36 Ps. £0: 3.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. Pray to Him whom thou hast loved, O holy Mary, whom thou hast desired, for whose sake thou hast worn out thy flesh: pray to Christ for us thy servants, that He may show mercy to us all, and grant a peaceful life to those who worship Him. Glory be to the Father. . . . O simple and undivided Trinity, O holy and consubstantial Unity: Thou art praised as Light and Lights, one Holy and three Holies. Sing, O my soul, and glorify Life and Lives, the God of all. Both now. . . . Theotokion

We praise thee, we bless thee, we venerate thee, O Mother of G o d : for thou hast given birth to One of the undivided Trinity, thy Son and God, and thou hast opened the heavenly places to us on earth.

and make me a nursling in the pasture of Thine own flock.39 When Thou sittest upon Thy throne, O merciful Judge, and revealest Thy dread glory, O Christ, what fear there will be then! 37 Matt. 26: 7; Luke 7: 37-8. 38 Rs. ςο : 6.

39 Rs. 118: 176; Luke 1 5: 4; John 10: 1 1--1 2.

When the furnace bums with fire, and all shrink back in terror before Thy judgement-seat.40 Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

The Mother of the Light that never sets illumined thee and freed

thee from the darkness o f the passions. O Mary, who hast received

the grace of the Spirit, give light to those who praise thee with

faith. Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

The holy Zosimas was struck with amazement, O Mother, be­

holding in thee a wonder truly strange and new. For he saw an angel in the body and was filled with astonishment, praising Christ unto all ages. W e bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Father without beginning, coeternal Son, and loving Comforter,

the Spirit of righteousness; Begetter of the W ord of God, Word of

the eternal Father, Spirit living and creative: Ο Trinity in Unity,

many mercies, the door o f Thy glorious Kingdom, as once it was opened to Thy thief who acknowledged Thee with faith as God.42

The creation was in anguish, seeing Thee crucified. Mountains

and rocks were split from fear, the earth quaked, and hell was des­ poiled; the light grew dark in daytime, beholding Thee, O Jesus, nailed in the flesh.43 Do not demand from me worthy fruits of repentance, for my strength has failed within me. Give me an ever-contrite heart and poverty of spirit, that I may offer these to Thee as an acceptable sacrifice, O only Saviour.44 O my Judge who dost know me, when Thou comest again with

the angels to judge the whole world, look upon me then with Thine

eye of mercy and spare m e; take pity on me, Jesus, for I have sinned more than any other man. Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. By thy strange way o f life thou hast struck all with wonder, both

the hosts o f angels and the gatherings of mortal m en; for thou hast

surpassed nature and lived as though no longer in the body. Like a bodiless angel thou hast walked upon the Jordan with thy feet, O Mary, and crossed over it. Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. O holy Mother, call down the gracious mercy of the Creator upon us who sing thy praises, that we may be set free from the sufferings and afflictions that assail us; so without ceasing, delivered from temptations, we shall magnify the Lord who has glorified thee. Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us. Venerable Andrew, father thrice-blessed, shepherd o f Crete, cease not to offer prayer for us who sing thy praises; that we may be delivered from all danger and distress, from corruption and sin, who honour thy memory with faith.

Glory be to the Father. . . . Let us glorify the Father, let us exalt the Son, and with faith let us worship the Spirit of God, undivided Trinity and Unity in essence. Let us adore Light and Lights, Life and Lives, giving light and life to the ends o f the earth. Both now. . . . 42 Luke 23: 32, 3 9 - 4 3 · 43 Matt. 27: g 1-3 ; Luke 23 : 44-^.

44Matt. 3: 8; ς: 3; Ps. ςο: 19.

Thcotokion Watch over thy City, all-pure Mother of God. For by thee she reigns in faith, by thee she is made strong; by thee she is victorious, putting to flight every temptation, despoiling the enemy and ruling her subjects. And then again the irmos, Conception without seed. . . . And the rest o f Great Compline.

After t h e f r s t reading fro m the Psalter , the sessional hymns o f the Cross in the Tone o f the week . After the second reading from the Psalter , the fo llo w in g sessional hymns:

(by Joseph )

Thou hast put to death the passions of my flesh by Thy divine Cross, and by Thy Passion Thou hast given all men freedom from the passions. Count me worthy also, Lord, to see Thy holy Resurrec­ tion, that I may receive Thy great and abundant mercy. Glory be to the Father . . . . Repeat .

Both now . . . . Stavrotheotokion

Guarded by the precious Cross of thy Son, O pure Lady and Theotokos, easily we turn aside all the assaults of the adversary. Therefore, as is right, we ever call thee blessed, for thou art the Mother of God and the only hope of our souls. After the third reading fro m the Psalter , the sessional hymns:

(by Theodore )

O merciful Lord, who art the source and fountain of purity, pre­ serve us in the Fast. Look upon us as we fall before Thee: be atten­ tive to the lifting up of our hands, O Thou who hast stretched out Thine hands upon the Tree and wast crucified for the sake of all those born on earth, the only Lord o f the angelic powers. Glory be to the Father . . . . R epeat .

Both now . . . .

Stavrotheotokion Beholding Thee, O Christ, stretched dead upon the Tree, Thy Virgin Mother cried aloud with bitter tears: Ό my Son, what is this fearful mystery? How dost Thou who givest life eternal unto all, suffer willingly a shameful death upon the Cross?’

( K a t a v a s i a ) Jonah in the belly o f the whale foreshadowed with his outstretched hands die figure o f the Cross; and he leapt out from the monster, saved by Thy power, O W ord. K o n t a k io n

The fiery sword no longer guards the gate o f Eden, for in a

strange and glorious way the wood of the Cross has quenched its flames. The sting o f death and the victory of hell are now destroyed, 11 Ps. 98: 12 Jer. 1 1 : 1 9 (Sept.), 13 John 1: 29.

for Thou art come, my Saviour, crying unto those in hell: ‘Return again to Paradise/14 Ik o s

Pilate set up three crosses in the place of the Skull, two for the thieves and one for the Giver of Life. Seeing Him, hell cried to those below: Ό my ministers and powers! Who is this that has fixed a nail in my heart? A wooden spear has pierced me suddenly, and I am torn apart. Inwardly I suffer; anguish has seized my belly and my senses. My spirit trembles, and I am constrained to cast out Adam and his posterity. A tree brought them to my realm, but now

the Tree o f the Cross brings them back again to Paradise/

(.I r m o s ) He who delivered the Children from the furnace. . . . Thou hast risen on the third day from the tomb as one awakening from sleep, O Lord, and by Thy divine power Thou hast struck down the gatekeepers o f hell; Thou hast raised up all our ancestors from the beginning, O God of our fathers, who alone art blessed and greatly glorified. This day, ye peoples, let us dance and sing to the music of the harp, and greatly rejoice at the veneration of the Cross, giving glory to Christ who was nailed upon it, the God of our fathers, who alone is blessed and greatly glorified. Thy Cross, O Lord all-merciful, is honoured by the whole world, for Thou hast made the instrument o f death into a source of life.

Sanctify those who venerate it, O God of our fathers, who alone art blessed and greatly glorified. Thou alone, O only Jesus, art merciful and tenderhearted: illumine and sanctify those who venerate with faith Thy Cross and Thy divine Passion, O God of our fathers, who alone art blessed and greatly glorified. Glory be to the Father. . . . I praise the Godhead, Unity in three Persons: for the Father is Light, the Son is Light, and the Spirit is Light, but the Light re­ mains undivided, shining forth in oneness of Nature, yet in the three rays of the Persons. Both now. . . . 14 Gen. 3 : 2 4 ; 1 Cor. ι ς : ς ς ; i Pet. 3 : 19.

Under many different names thou wast proclaimed by all the prophets: for thou hast been revealed as the gateway of God, the golden vessel o f manna, the holy land, O Virgin Bride of God who hast conceived in the flesh Jesus Christ, the God o f our fathers who is greatly glorified.16 ( K a t a v a s i a ) The Lord who delivered the Children from the flames took flesh and came upon the earth: nailed to the Cross, He has granted us salvation, the God of our fathers, who alone is blessed and greatly glorified,

( I r m o s ) This is the chosen and holy day. . . . ‘Why do ye hold sweet-smelling spices in your hands? Whom are ye seeking?>, cries the young man at the tomb. ‘ Christ our God is risen, raising up the nature o f mortal men from the hidden depths of hell.’ 18 Rejoice, O Cross, thrice-blessed and divine Wood, a light to those in darkness. Shining on the four corners o f the earth, thou dost prepare us for the dawn of Christ’s Resurrection. O grant to all the faithful that they may come to the festival of Easter. On this day the Wood anointed with life, the Cross o f Christ, fills all things with the perfume o f divine grace. Let us smell its God-given fragrance, venerating it with faith for ever.

Come, Elisha the prophet, and tell us plainly: What was the wood that thou hast cast into the water? ‘It was the Cross o f Christ, which draws us up from the depths o f corruption: and we venerate it with faith for ever.’ 17 Jacob prefigured Thy Cross in days o f old, O Christ, when he venerated the top o f Joseph’s holy staff, in which he saw fore­ shadowed the dread sceptre o f Thy Kingdom; and now we venerate Thy Cross in faith for ever.18 W e bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I glorify one Substance in three beings: Father, Son and Spirit, 16 Geiu 28: 17 ; Ezek. 44: 1-3 ; Exod. 1 6: 33; 3: £; Heb. 9: 4. 16 Mark 16: £ .

17 4 [*1 Kgs· 6*· J - 7. 18 Gen. 47: 31 (Sept.); Heb. u : 21.

neither confused in Persons nor divided in Essence; for there is one God in Trinity, ruling over all for ever. Both now. . . . T h e o t o k io n

Alone among mothers, Mary Bride of God, thou hast remained a virgin. Without knowing man thou hast given birth to the Saviour Christ, yet kept the seal of thy purity unbroken; and with all the faithful we shall call thee blessed for ever. We praise, bless and worship the Lord. . . . ( K a t a v a s i a ) Daniel, great among the prophets, was cast into the lions’ den; but, stretching out his hands in the form of the Cross, he was delivered from their mouths and kept unharmed, blessing Christ our God for ever.19

( I r m o s ) Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem. . . . Thou hast gone down into the tomb, O God the Giver of Life, and Thou hast broken all the bolts and bars, raising up the dead who cry aloud: Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ, the Saviour allpowerful. Thy tomb, O Christ, has brought me life: for Thou, the Lord of life, hast come and cried to those who were dwelling in the grave: ‘ O all who are in bonds, be loosed: for I am come, the Ransom o f the w orld.’ 20 Let all the trees of the forest dance and sing, as they behold their fellow-tree, the Cross, today receiving veneration: for Christ, as holy David prophesied, has exalted it on high.21 I died through a tree, but I have found in thee a Tree of Life, O

Cross o f Christ. Thou art my invincible protector, my strong de­ fence against the demons. Venerating thee this day, I cry aloud: Sanctify me by thy glory. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, O Church of God, as thou dost venerate today the thrice-blessed wood o f the most holy Cross of 19 Dan, 6 : 2 2 . 20 Mark 10 : 4$. 21 Ps. 98 : ς .

Christ, that is attended by the ranks o f angels, and with fear they stand before it. Glory be to the Father. . . . I worship Thee, O holy God, as Trinity of Persons in Unity of Essence, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one Power and Kingdom, sovereign over all. Both now. . . . Theotokion Thou art the great mountain, O Virgin, wherein Christ dwelt, as holy David says. By thee we are raised up to heaven, all-blessed Lady, regaining through the Spirit the adoption o f sons.22 (Katavasia) O Virgin Mother and true Theotokos, without seed thou hast borne Christ our God, who was lifted in the flesh upon the Cross. W e and all the faithful, as is right, magnify thee with thy Son.

the Resurrection.

the Holy Passion that has saved the w orld; and may we worship at

the radiant Festival of Easter, the Lord’s Day that brings light and joy to all creation.

Lauds. Four stichera of the Resurrection in the Tone of the weekfrom the Octoechos, and then the following three stichera of the Cross, repeating the first: 22 Ps. 67: 17; Gal. 4: $-6.

TONE FOUR

With our voices let us shout and magnify in songs the Precious Cross; let us kiss it and cry out: O honoured Cross, sanctify our souls and bodies by thy power, and keep unharmed from all malice of the enemy those who venerate thee with true reverence. Approach and draw waters that shall never fail, flowing from the grace o f the Cross. See now set before you the holy Wood, source of divine gifts, on which there fell blood and water from the wounded side of the Lord of all. O f His own will He was raised upon the Cross, and with Himself He has raised up mortal man. Exalt ye the Lord our G o d : and worship at His footstool, for He is holy (Psalm 98: 5). y .

O honoured Cross, thou art the firm foundation o f the Church,

the strength of kings, the glory and defence of monks. Venerating

thee today, we are filled with light in heart and soul, through the divine grace o f the Lord who was nailed upon thee and overthrew

the power of our deceitful enemy, bringing the curse to naught.

ψ . God is our King before the ages: He has worked salvation in

the midst of the earth (Psalm 7 3 : I 2 ) t

Repeat thefrst sticheron, With our voices let us shout. . . . y . Arise, O Lord my God, lift up Thine hand: forget not Thy poor for ever (Psalm 9: 33).

TONE EIGHT

The Lord of ail has taught us in a parable to shun the boastful

thoughts of the evil Pharisees; and He has instructed all of us not to think more highly than we should. He Himself became our pattern and example, for He emptied Himself even unto death upon the Cross. Let us therefore render thanks with the Publican and say: O God who hast suffered for us and yet remained impassible, deliver us from the passions and save our souls.23 Glory be to the Father. . . . Repeat The Lord of all has taught us. . . . 28 Luke 18: 10-14; Rom. 12: 3; John 13: i$; Phil. 2: $-8.

h e cen ses th e

C ro ss fr o m

he p ro ceed s

sa n ctu a ry

p rep a red fo r

C ro ss fr o m

a ll t h e fa it lfu ly

C ro ss a n d

been counted worthy to crush the heads o f our invisible enemies. Come, all ye kindred of the nations, and let us honour in hymns the Cross o f the Lord. Rejoice, O Cross, perfect redemption o f fallen Adam. Glorying in thee, our faithful kings laid low by thy might the people o f Ishmael. We Christians kiss thee now with awe, and glorifying God who was nailed on thee, we cry aloud: O Lord, who on the Cross wast crucified, have mercy upon us, for Thou art good and lovest mankind.

TONE EIGHT

Today the Master o f the creation and the Lord o f Glory is nailed to the Cross and His side is pierced; and He who is the sweetness o f

the Church tastes gall and vinegar. A crown of thorns is put upon

Him who covers the heaven with clouds. He is clothed in a cloak o f mockery, and He who formed man with His hands is struck by a hand of clay. He who wraps the heaven in clouds is smitten upon His back. He accepts spitting and scourging, reproach and buffeting; and all these things my Deliverer and God endures for me that am condemned, that in His compassion He may save the world from error. Glory be to the Father. . . .

Today He who is in essence unapproachable, becomes approach­ able for me and suffers His Passion, delivering me from passions. He who grants light unto the blind is spat upon by the mouths of the transgressors, and He gives His back to scourging for the sake of those that are held captive. When the pure Virgin His Mother saw Him on the Cross, she cried aloud in pain: ‘Woe is me, my C hild! What is this that Thou hast done? Thou who wast in beauty fairer than all mortal men, dost now appear without life and form, having neither shape nor comeliness. W oe is me, my Light I I cannot bear to look upon Thee sleeping, and I am wounded inwardly, a harsh sword has pierced my heart. I sing the praises o f Thy Passion, 1

venerate Thy merciful kindness: O longsuffering Lord, glory to T hee!’ 24 Both now. . . . 24 Isa. $ 3 : 2; Luke 2: 3$.

TONE SIX

Today the words o f the Prophet are fulfilled: for see, we worship at the place on which Thy feet have stood, O L o rd ; and tasting from

the Tree of salvation, we have been delivered from our sinful

passions at the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Thou who alone lovest mankind.25 Then the two Litanies, as usual, and the Dismissal.

me in repentance.

and turned my whole mind entirely into dust. I have torn the first garment that the Creator wove for me in the beginning, and now I lie naked.80 I have clothed myself in the torn coat that the serpent wove for me by his counsel, and I am ashamed. 80 Deut. 3 2 : 1 . 87 Matt. 14: 31. 38 Luke 7: 38. 39 Gen. 3 : 7 .

I looked upon the beauty of the tree and my mind was deceived; and now I lie naked and ashamed.40 All the ruling passions have ploughed upon my back, making long furrows of wickedness.41 I have lost the beauty and glory with which I was first created; and now I lie naked and ashamed. Sin has stripped me of the robe that God once wove for me, and it has sewed for me garments of skin.42 I am clothed with the raiment of shame as with fig leaves, in condemnation of my self-willed passions.43 I am clad in a garment that is defiled and shamefully blood­ stained by a life of passion and self-indulgence. I have stained the garment o f my flesh, O Saviour, and defiled that which was made in Thine image and likeness.

I have fallen beneath the painful burden of the passions and

the corruption o f material things; and I am hard pressed by the

enemy. Instead of freedom from possessions, O Saviour, I have pursued a life in love with material things; and now I wear a heavy yoke. I have adorned the idol of my flesh with a many-coloured coat of shameful thoughts, and I am condemned. I have cared only for the outward adornment, and neglected that which is within - the tabernacle fashioned by God. With my lustful desires I have formed within myself the deformity of the passions and disfigured the beauty of my mind. I have discoloured with the passions the first beauty of the image, O Saviour. But seek me, as once Thou hast sought the lost coin, and find m e.444

Like the Harlot I cry to T h ee: I have sinned, I alone have sinned against Thee. Accept my tears also as sweet ointment, O Saviour.46 Like Davijl, I have fallen into lust and I am covered with filth; but wash me clean, O Saviour, by my tears.46 Like the Publican I cry to Thee: Be merciful, O Saviour, be 40 Gen. 3: 6-7. 41 Ps. 1 a8: 3. 42 Gen. 3 : 2 1 . 43 Gen. 3: 7. 44 Luke i$: 8. 45 Luke 7: 37-4*0.

46 2 Kgs. [2 Sam.] 11: 2-4.

47 Luke 18: 13. 48 Matt. 1$ : 11.

49 1 Tim. 2: 4. 50 Gen. 4: 8, 23. 51 Gen. ς : 3, 6, 21-4; 6: 9. 52 Gen, 7: 11-13.

53 Gen. 4: 23. 54 Gen. 4: 23; 4: 6-8. 55 Gen. 1 1 : 3-8. 68 Gen. 19: 24; Matt, ς : 22. 67 Deut. 10: 18; Ps. 67: 6. , 58 Matt. 14: 31.

59 Gen. 19 : 24. 60 Gen. 19: 22. 01Deut. 4: 24; Heb. 12 : 29. 62 John 10: τ 1; Luke ι ς : 4-6.

To the Trinity

d istress. M o s t H o ly T h e o to k o s , save us.

63 Ps. 3$: io; John 4: 14; 7: 37. 64 Gen. 6: 5 -13 ; Matt. 24: 37-9. 65 Gen. 9: 20-7. 66 Gen. 9: 26-7. 67 Gen. 1 1 : 3 1-12 : 1; Exod. 3: 8. 68 Gen. 12: 1. 69 Gen. 18: i - i $ .

70 Gen. 22: 1-14. 71 Gen. 21: 10. 72 Gen. 16: 3, 15. 78 Gen. 28: i2. 74 Gen. 14: 18; Heb. 7: 1-3. 76 Gen. 19: 23, 26. 76 Gen. 19: 17-25.

TONE EIGHT

Rom. 1 3 : 13.

The second part of the Life o f St. Mary o f Egypt is now ready and then

thefourth Biblical Canticle. Next follow the two three-canticled Canons of

the Apostles, which are read without bows or prostrations.

TONE EIGHT

Another Canon

As Christ’s husbandmen, O apostles, ye have tilled the whole world with the word of God, and ye bring Him fruit at all times. Ye became a vineyard, O apostles, for Christ the well-beloved and ye have made all the world to drink from the wine of the Spirit.78 Glory be to the Father. . . . Trinity one in essence, ^without beginning and supreme in power, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: O God, Light and Life, guard Thy flock. Both now. . . . Theotokion Hail, fiery Throne! Hail, Candlestick that bears the Light 1 Hail, Mountain of sanctification, Ark of life, Tabernacle and Holy of H olies!79 Then we continue with Canticle Four of'the Great Canon:

TONE SIX

The end draws near, my soul, the end draws near; yet thou dost

not care or make ready. The time grows short, rise u p : the Judge is at the door. The days of our life pass swiftly, as a dream, as a flower. Why do we trouble ourselves in vain?81 Awake, my soul, consider the actions which thou hast done; set them before thine eyes, and let the drops of thy tears fall. With boldness tell Christ of thy deeds and thoughts, and so be justified. No sin has there been in life, no evil deed, no wickedness, that I have not committed, O Saviour. I have sinned as no one ever before, in mind, word and intent, in disposition, thought and act.

78 Isa. s : i . 79 Dan. 7 : 9 ; Exocl. 2$: 3 1 - 7; Ps. 77: $4; Exod. 2$: 10; 26: 1, 33. 80 Mark 2 : 1 0 . 81 Matt. 24: 33; Ps. 38: 7.

For this I am condemned in my misery, for this I am convicted by

the verdict of my own conscience, which is more compelling than

nll eise in the world. O my Judge and Redeemer, who knowest my heart, spare and deliver and save me Thy servant.

The ladder which the great Patriarch Jacob saw of old is an

example O my soul, o f approach through action and of ascent in knowledge. If then thou dost wish to live rightly in action and knowledge and contemplation, be thou made new .82 In privation Jacob the Patriarch endured the burning heat by day and the frost by night, making daily gains of sheep and cattle, shepherding, wrestling and serving, to win his two wives.83 By the two wives, understand action and knowledge in contem­ plation. Leah is action, for she had many children; and Rachel is knowledge, for she endured great toil. And without toil, O my soul, neither action nor contemplation will succeed.84 Be watchful, O my soul, be full o f courage like Jacob the great Patriarch, that thou mayest acquire action with knowledge, and be

named ‘Israel’ , ‘ the mind that sees God’ ; so shalt thou reach by contemplation the innermost darkness, and gain great merchan­ dise.85*

The great Patriarch had the twelve Patriarchs as children, and so

he mystically established for thee, my soul, a ladder o f ascent through action, in his wisdom setting his children as steps, by which thou canst mount upwards.88 Thou hast rivalled Esau the hated, O my soul, and given the birthright o f thy first beauty to the supplanter; thou hast lost thy father’s blessing and in thy wretchedness been twice supplanted, in action and in knowledge. Therefore repent now .87 Esau was called Edom because o f his raging lust for women; burning always with unrestrained desires and stained with sensual pleasure, he was named ‘Edom’ , which means the red heat o f a soul that loves sin.88 Thou hast heard, O my soul, o f Job justified on a dung-hill, but 82Gen. 2 8 : 12 .

83 Gen. 2 9 : 1 6 - 3 0 ; 3 0 : 3 1 - 3 ; 3 1 : 3 8 - 4 1 . 84 Gen. 2 9 : 3 1 - 5 ; 3 0 : 8. 86 Gen. 3 2 : 2 8 - 3 0 . 88 Gen. 2 8 : 1 2 - 1 4 ; 3 S · 22. 87 Gen. ι ς : 3 1 - 3 ; . 2 7 : 36. 88 Gen. ι ς ι 30.

thou hast not imitated his fortitude. In all thine experiences and trials and temptations, thou hast not kept firmly to thy purpose but hast proved inconstant.80 Once he sat upon a throne, but now he sits upon a dung-hill, naked and covered with sores. Once he was blessed with many children and admired by all, but suddenly he is childless and home­ less. Yet he counted the dung-hill as a palace and his sores as pearls. A man of great wealth and righteous, abounding in riches and cattle, clothed in royal dignity, in crown and purple robe, Job be­ came suddenly a beggar, stripped of wealth, glory and kingship.8 90

If he who was righteous and blameless above all men did not es­ cape the snares and pits of the deceiver, what w ilt thou do, wretched and sin-loving soul, when some sudden misfortune befalls thee?91 I have defiled my body, I have stained my spirit, and I am all covered with wounds: but as physician, O Christ, heal both body and spirit for me through repentance. Wash, purify and cleanse me, O my Saviour, and make me whiter than snow. Thy Body and Thy Blood, O W ord, Thou hast offered at Thy Crucifixion for the sake o f all: Thy Body to refashion me, Thy Blood to wash me clean; and Thou hast given up Thy spirit, O Christ, to bring me to Thy Father.92 0 Creator, Thou hast worked salvation in the midst of the earth,

that we might be saved. Thou wast crucified o f Thine own will upon die T ree; and Eden, closed till then, was opened. Things above and things below, the creation and all peoples have been saved and worship Thee.93 May the Blood from Thy side be to me a cleansing fount, and may

the water that flows with it be a drink of forgiveness. May I be

purified by both, O Word, anointed and refreshed, having as chrism and drink Thy words o f life.94 1 am deprived of the bridal chamber, of the wedding and the supper; for want o f oil my lamp has gone o u t; while I slept the door 89 Job 2 : 8-j o. 90 job i : 1-2 2. 91 Job 2 : 3-6. 92 Luke 23 : 46. 93 Ps. 73 : 12.

94 John 19: 34; 6: j j .

393 was closed; the supper has been eaten; I am bound hand and foot, and cast out.05 As a chalice, O my Saviour, the Church has been granted Thy life-giving side, from which there flows down to us a twofold stream of forgiveness and knowledge, representing the two covenants, the Old and the N ew .00

The time of my life is short, filled with trouble and evil. But

accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food of the enemy; but do Thou, O Saviour, take pity on me. Now I speak boastfully, with boldness o f heart; yet all to no purpose and in vain. O righteous Judge, who alone art compassion­ ate, do not condemn me with the Pharisee; but grant me the abasement o f the Publican and number me with him .0 07

I know, O compassionate Lord, that I have sinned and violated the vessel of my flesh. But accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food o f the enemy; but do Thou, O Saviour, take pity on me. I have become mine own idol, utterly defiling my soul with the passions, O compassionate Lord. But accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food o f the enemy; but do Thou, O Saviour, take pity on me. I have not hearkened to Thy voice, I have not heeded Thy Scripture, O Giver o f the Law. But accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food of the enemy; but do Thou, O Saviour, take pity on me.

Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. Thou hast lived a bodiless life in the body, O holy Mary, and thou hast received great grace from God. Protect us who honour thee with faith and, we entreat thee, deliver us by thy prayers from every trial. Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. Thou wast brought down into an abyss of great iniquity, yet not held fast within it: but with better intent thou hast mounted through action to the height of virtue, past all expectation; and the angels, O Mary, were amazed at thee. 06 Matt, ΐ ς : i—13 ; 22: 11-13. 00Exod. 24: 8; Matt. 26: 28; John 19: 34. 07 Luke 18: 9-14.

Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us. O Andrew, renowned among the fathers, glory of Crete, as thou standest before the Trinity supreme in Godhead, in thy prayers do not forget to ask that w e may be delivered from torm ent: for we call upon thee with love as our advocate in heaven. Glory be to the Father. . . . Undivided in Essence, unconfused in Persons, I confess Thee as G od: Triune Deity, one in kingship and throne; and to Thee I raise the great thrice-holy hymn that is sung on high.08 Both now. . . . Theotokion Thou givest birth and art a virgin, and in both thou remainest by nature inviolate. He who is bom makes new the laws o f nature, and thy womb brings forth without travail. When God so wills, the

natural order is overcome; for He does whatever He wishes.

the d a y ."

In my misery I have followed Reuben’ s example, and have devised a wicked and unlawful plan against the most high God, de­ filing my bed as he defiled his father’s.1 I confess to Thee, O Christ my K in g: I have sinned, I have sinned like the brethren of Joseph, who once sold the fruit o f purity and chastity.2 As a figure o f the Lord, O my soul, the righteous and gentle Joseph was sold into bondage by his brethren; but thou hast sold thyself entirely to thy sins. O miserable and wicked soul, imitate the righteous and pure 98 Isa. 6 : 3 ; Rev. 4: 8. "E p h .^ : 8; i Thess. ς ι ς. 1 Gen. 3 si 22; 49: 4.

2 Gen. 37: 27-8.

mind o f Joseph; and do not live in wantonness, sinfully indulging thy disordered desires.8 Once Joseph was cast into a pit, O Lord and Master, as a figure of Thy Burial and Resurrection. But what offering such as this shall I ever make to Thee?4 Thou hast heard, my soul, o f the basket of M oses: how he was borne on the waves of the river as if in a shrine; and so he avoided

the bitter execution of Pharaoh’s decree.6

Thou hast heard, wretched soul, o f the midwives who once killed in its infancy the manly action of self-control: like great Moses, then, be suckled on wisdom.6 O miserable soul, thou hast not struck and killed the Egyptian mind, as did Moses the great. Tell me, then, how wilt thou go to dwell through repentance in the wilderness empty of passions V Moses the great went to dwell in the desert. Come, seek to follow his way o f life, my soul, that in contemplation thou mayest attain the vision of God in the bush.8 Picture to thyself, my soul, the rod of Moses striking the sea and making hard the deep by the sign of the Holy Cross. Through the Cross thou also canst do great things.9 Aaron offered to God fire that was blameless and undefiled, but

Hophni and Phinehas brought to Ilim , as thou hast done, my soul, strange fire and a polluted life.101 In my soul and body, O Master, I have become like Jannes and Jambres the magicians of cruel Pharaoh; my w ill is heavy and my mind is drowned beneath the waters. But do Thou come to my aid.11 W oe is me 1 I have defiled my mind with filth. I pray to Thee, O Master: wash me clean in the waters of my tears and make the garment of my flesh white as snow. When I examine my actions, O Saviour, I see that I have gone 8 Gen. 39: 7-20. 4 Gen. 37: 24. 5 Exod. 1: 22-2: 3. 6 Exod. 1: 16; 2: 9. 7 Exod. 2: 12. 8 Exod. 3: i~6. 9 Exod. 14: 16. 10 Num. 16: 1-40; 1 Kgs. [1 Sam.] 2: 12-34. 11 Exod. 7: 1 1 ; 2 Tim. 3 : 8.

beyond all men in sin; for I knew and understood what I d id ; I was not sinning in ignorance. Spare, O spare the work of Thine hands, O Lord. I have sinned, forgive m e : for Thou alone art pure by nature, and none save Thee is free from defilement. Thou who art God, O Saviour, wast for my sake fashioned as I am. Thou hast performed miracles, healing lepers, giving strength to the paralysed, stopping the issue of blood when the woman touched the hem of Thy garment.12 O wretched soul, do as the woman with an issue of blood: run quickly, grasp the hem of the garment of Christ; so shalt thou be healed of thine afflictions and hear Him say, ‘Thy faith has saved thee.’ 13 O my soul, do as the woman who was bowed to the ground. Pall

at the feet of Jesus, that He may make thee straight again: and thou shalt walk upright upon the paths of the Lord.14* Thou art a deep well, O Master: make springs gush forth for me from Thy pure veins, that like the woman of Samaria I may drink and thirst no m ore; for from Thee flow the streams of life.16 O Master and Lord, may my tears be unto me as Siloam: that I also may wash clean the eyes of my soul, and with my mind behold Thee, the pre-eternal Light.16 Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. O blessed saint, with a love beyond compare thou hast longed to venerate the Wood of life, and thy desire was granted. Make me also worthy to attain the glory on high. Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Crossing the stream of Jordan, thou hast found peace, escaping from the deadening pleasures o f the flesh. Deliver us also from them, holy Mary, by thine intercessions. Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us. Best of shepherds, chosen above all others, O wise Andrew, with great love and fear I beseech thee: through thine intercessions may I receive salvation and eternal life. 12 Phil. 2: 6-7; Matt. 4: 24; Luke 7: 12 -14 ; 5: 18; 8: 43-4. 13 Matt. 9: 20-2. 14 Luke 13 : 11-13. 16 John 4: 13-15. 16 John 9 : 7 .

Glory be to the Father. . . . W e glorify Thee, O Trinity, the one God. Holy, holy, holy art Thou: Father, Son and Spirit, simple Essence and Unity, wor­ shipped for ever. Both now. . . . Theotokion 0 Virgin inviolate and Mother who hast not known man, from thee has God, the Creator of the ages, taken human flesh, uniting to Himself the nature o f men.

God can cleanse a life full o f leprosy and make it white as snow. So do not despair o f thyself, though thou art leprous.20

The waves o f my sins, O Saviour, have returned and suddenly en­

gulfed me, as the waters of the Red Sea engulfed the Egyptians of old and their charioteers.21 Like Israel before thee, thou hast made a foolish choice, my soul; instead of the divine manna thou hast senselessly preferred the pleasure-loving gluttony o f the passions.22 17 Luke 1 8: 13. 18 Num. 16: 32. 10 Hos. 10: 11.

20 Exod. 4: 6-8. 21 Exod. 14: 21-8. 22 Exod. 16: ι ς ; Num. 21: ς.

The swine’s meat, the flesh-pots and the food of Egypt thou hast

preferred, my soul, to die food of heaven, as the ungrateful people did of old in the wilderness.28 O my soul, thou hast valued the wells of Canaanite thoughts more than the veined Rock, Jesus, the Fountain of wisdom from which flow the rivers of divine knowledge.24 When Thy servant Moses struck die rock with his rod, he pre­ figured Thy life-giving side, O Saviour, from which we all draw the water of life.25 Like Joshua the son of Nun, search and spy out, my soul, die land of thine inheritance and take up thy dwelling within it, through obedience to the law .28 Rise, up and make war against the passions of the flesh, as Joshua against Amalek, ever gaining the victory over the Gibeonites, thy

deceitful thoughts.27 0 my soul, pass through the flowing waters of time like the Ark of old, and take possession of the land of prom ise: for God commands thee.28 As Thou hast saved Peter when he cried out, ‘ Save m e’ , come quickly, O Saviour, before it is too late, and save me from the beast. Stretch out Thine hand and lead me up from the deep of sin.29 1 tknow Thee as a calm haven, O Lord, Lord C hrist: come quickly, before it is too late, and deliver me from the lowest depths o f sin and despair. O Saviour, I am the coin marked with the King’s likeness, which Thou hast lost o f old. But, O Word, light Thy lamp, Thy Forerunner, and seek ancf find again Thine image.30 Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Thy soul on fire, O Mary, thou hast ever shed streams o f tears, to quench the burning of the passions. Grant the grace of these thy tears to me also, thy servant. Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us. 28Exod. 1 6: 3; Num. 1 1 : 4-7. 24Exod. 17 : 6; Num. 20: 8; 2 Kgs. [2 Sam,] 22: 2; 1 Cor. 10 : 4. 25 Exod. 17 : 6; Num. 2o: 8; John 19: 34; 1 Cor. 10: 4. 28 Num. 13 : 21—5*; 14 : 30; Josh. 2: 1. 27 Exod. 17 : 8 -13 ; Josh. 9: 3-27. 28 Josh. 3: 15*—17 ; Deut. 1 : 8 . 29 Matt. 14 : 3 0 -1; Dan. 7 : 1 1 ; Rev. 13 : 1. 80 Luke ις: 8; John ς: 3£.

o f C re te ,

the d ivin e S p irit.

TONE SIX

the Name of the Lord (once).10

And the rest o f Vespers.