(4) On weekdays (Monday to Friday inclusive) during the seven

h y m n o f l i g h t (Exapostilarion) in the Tone of the week (three times).

Canticle One. We use fourteen troparia, six (including the irmos) from the Canon to the saint of the day in the Menaion, and four from each of the two three-canticled Canons in the Triodion. We begin by singing the verses of the first Biblical Canticle, Let us sing to

weeks of Lent, there are restrictions both on the number of meals taken daily and on the types of food permitted; but when a meal is allowed, there is no fixed limitation on the quantity of food to be eaten. (a) On weekdays in the fr s t week, fasting is particularly severe. According to the strict observance, in the course of the five initial days of Lent, only two meals are eaten, one on Wednesday and the other on Friday, in both cases after the Liturgy of the Presanctified. On the other three days, those who have the strength are encouraged to keep an absolute fast; those for whom this proves impracticable may eat on Tuesday and Thursday (but not, if possible, on Monday), in the evening after Vespers, when they may take bread and water, or

ceded by Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee) after which, as katavasia, we sing the irmos of the second three-canticled Canon. Canticle Three. We do not sing the whole of the Biblical Canticle but only the last two verses, as follow s: The Lord has gone up into the heavens. . . , and then the first troparion of the Canon in the Menaion (note that we do not sing the irmos at this point, because we shall use it later as katavasia); then the verse, And He will give strength to our kings. . . , followed by the second troparion in the Menaion; Glory be to the Father. . . ; third troparion; Both now . . . ; fourth

0 heavenly King. . . . Holy God. . . , etc., and the Lord's Prayer.

Priest: Blessed is our God. . . .

(9) Lauds (Psalms 14 8 -1^ 0 ) read, without stichera.

s e s s i o n a l h y m n for the saint of the day and Theotokion (from the Menaion). (b) Canticles Four, Five and Six.

troparion, ‘ Behold, the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the

waves in the midst o f the sea. Then we sing the irmos of the Canon 12 In the second, third and fourth weeks. On the other Saturdays in Lent the Canon in the Triodion has eight canticles. 13 For the text of the nine Biblical Canticles, set out for liturgical use, see The Psalter According to the Seventy, translated by the Holy Transfiguration Monastery (Boston, Mass., 19 7 4 ), pp. 2 6 2 -8 7 .

perhaps tea or fruit-juice, but not a cooked meal. It should be added at once that in practice today these rules are commonly relaxed. At

Holy God. . . , etc., and the Lord’s Prayer. 0 Lord, save Thy people. . . , and the two troparia following. Litany: Have mercy upon us, 0 God. . . . P riest: Glory to the holy, consubstantial. . . .

Reader: Amen. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

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

Theotokion of the first Canon vve say Most holy Theotokos, save us; before the troparion to the Trinity and Theotokion of the second

troparion from the Canon in the Menaion. So we sing the five

at the end as katavasia. Canticles Four and Five. We sing the irmos of the Canon in the Menaion; then the last two verses of the Biblical Canticle, each followed by a troparion; then Glory be to the Father. . . and Both now. . . , each followed by a troparion. Canticle Six. We follow the same pattern as for Canticle Three, using the two last verses of the Biblical Canticle, and singing the

lowing His entry to Jerusalem, Christ spoke to His disciples in particular about the signs that w ill precede the Last Day (Matt. 24 and 2^); and so this forms the theme of the first part of Holy Week. In Western worship, on the other hand, the ‘ last things’ are com­ memorated mainly during the pre-Christmas season o f Advent. The eschatological challenge of the first three days of Holy Week is summed up in the troparion and exapostilarion at Mattins,75 both of which are repeated three times to a slow and solemn melody. The

(3) The Great Litany.

Priest: For Thine is the Kingdom. . . .

(10) Priest:9 To Thee is due glory, 0 Lord our God, and to Thee we

Theotokion Thou art a fountain of compassion, 0 Theotokos: count us worthy of thy loving-kindness. Look upon thy people that has sinned; and now, as always, manfest thy power. For putting our trust in thee we cry unto thee, H ail! as once did Gabriel, the chief captain of the heavenly hosts.

troparion (occasionally there is a further troparion, once again pre­

irmos at the end.

night. . . ’ , is based on the parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt. 2ς : i —13 ) ; the exapostilarion, T see Thy bridal chamber. . on the parable of the man cast out from the feast because he had no wedding garment (Matt. 22: 1 1 - 1 3 ) . Here, presented in especially urgent terms, is the call that we have heard on many occasions during Lent:

( j) Litany, 0 Lord, save Thy people. . . , with the exclamation by the priest. 3 Variable parts of the service are printed in capitals. Material in the Tone of the week is usually given in the appendix at the end of the Triodion (see pp. 6 6 2—99) ; if it cannot be. found there, the reader must look for it in the Octoechos. Material proper to the day is given in the main text of the Triodion, under the day in question. 4 For the distribution ol the kathismata, sec The Festal Mcnaion, pp. £ 3 3 - 4 .

Reader: Amen. Kyrie eleison (twelve times).

ascribe glory, to the Father,· the Son and the Holy Spirit, now^ and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Theotokion With the angels in heaven and with men on earth, we cry to thee with joyful voices, O Theotokos: Hail, gateway wider than the heavens; hail, the only salvation of those born on earth; hail, pure and full of grace; hail, for thou hast given birth to God incarnate.^8 To the Martyrs Thy martyrs, O Lord, longed to drink from the cup of Thy sufferings; they forsook the pleasures of this world and shared in the life of the angels. At their intercessions, grant our souls forgiveness and great m ercy.29

troparion; and then the irmos of the Canon in the Menaion is sung

and Five, placing the irmos at the beginning, and then using the last two verses from the Biblical Canticle. Canticle Eight. W e use fourteen troparia, as for Canticle One. W e sing the Biblical Canticle (The Song o f the Three Holy Children) as far as the verse Bless the Lord, fire and heat. . . , after which we sing the

the End is near at hand; be watchful; repent while there is still time.

The Small Litany.

Priest: The Theotokos and Mother o f the Light let us honour with

0 Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty; Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and Holy Spirit. 0 lore/ God, Lamb of God, Son ο/' ίΛβ Father, that takest away the sin o f the world, /mve mercy upon us, Thou that takest away the sins o f the world. Receive our prayer, Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy upon us. For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory o f God the Father. Amen. Every day I will bless Thee, and praise Thy Name fo r ever and ever. 0 Lord, Thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation. 1 said: Lord, have mercy upon me; heal my soul, ^or / Λοκβ sinned against Thee. 0 Lord, unto TAee Aore 1f e d fo r refuge: teach me to do Thy will, fo r

the Menaion. After the verse in the Biblical Canticle, Bless the Lord,

irmos o f the Canon in the Menaion, and then the five troparia from

Each of the three days has its own particular them e:

The Small Litany.

Reader: Amen.

Thou art my God. For with Thee is the fountain o f l f e , and in Thy light shall we see light. Continue Thy mercy unto those that know Thee. Vouchsafe, 0 Lord, to keep us this day without sin. Blessed art Thou, 0 Lord God o f our Fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy Name fo r evermore. Amen. 0 Lord, let Thy mercy lighten upon us, as our trust is in Thee. Blessed art Thou, 0 Lord: teach me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, 0 Master: make me to understand Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, 0 Holy One: enlighten me with Thy statutes. 0 Lord, Thy mercy isfo r ever: despise not the works o f Thine hands. To Thee is due praise, to Thee is due song, to Thee is due glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages o f ages.

all ye winged creatures o f the sky. . . , we begin singing the eight tro­ paria o f the three-canticled Canons in the Triodion. W e end as follow s: We bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the seventh

innocent sufferings (Genesis, chapters 37 and 39—40) prefigure the Passion of Christ. Also we commemorate the barrenfig tree cursed by our Lord (Matt. 2 1 : 18-20) - a symbol of the judgement that will 75 In modern practice Mattins are usually moved forward or ‘ anticipated’ , being lie id on the previous evening.

The Small Litany.

Priest:10 Glory to Thee who hast showed us the light.

Sticheron to the Martyrs. Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Theotokion. (13 ) Then the reader says (Psalm 91 : 2-3) : It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy Name, 0 Most High: to tell o f Thy mercy in the morning and o f Thy truth every night.11 Holy God. . . , etc., and the Lord’s Prayer with the exclama­ tion by the priest; after which the reader says this apolytikion: Standing in the temple o f thy glory, we think ourselves in heaven, 0 Theotokos. Thou who art the gate o f heaven, do thou open unto us the door o f thy mercy.

troparion in the Triodion (the third in the second Canon); Both

befall those who show no fruits of repentance; a symbol, more specifically, of the unbelieving Jewish synagogue.

Amen. ( 1 1 ) Litany of Fervent Intercession: Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord. . . . ( 1 2 ) a p o s t i c h a (of th e d a y ) : Penitential sticheron from the Triodion. i . We werefilled in the morning with Thy mercy, 0 Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad. In all our days, let us be glad: fo r the days wherein Thou hast humbled us, fo r the years wherein we have seen evil. And look upon Thy servants, and upon Thy works, and do Thou guide their sons (Psalm 89: 14 -16 ). Repeat the sticheron from the Triodion. f i 2. And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us: prosper Thou the work of our hands, 0 prosper Thou our handywork (Psalm 89 : 17).

Then the reader continues with the Small Doxology (read, not sung): Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will among men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory. 5 For detailed rules concerning the reading of the Mattins Canon, see pp. 7 £ -9 . 6 Canticle T w o is read only on Tuesday. 7 If there is a kontakion, the sessional hymn to the Martyrs is said with the ses­ sional hymns after the first appointed kathisma of the Psalter. * In the Greek use. 9 O r else the reader. 10 O r else the reader.

(14) Reader: Kyrie eleison (forty times).

now. . . ; the eighth troparion (the Theotokion); Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee; troparion in the Triodion; We praise, bless and worship the Lord. . . ; and as katavasia we sing the irmos o f the second three-canticled Canon. Canticle Nine. The Magnificat or Song of the Theotokos is sung with the usual refrain Greater in honour than the cherubim. . . . Then we sing the irmos of the Canon in the Menaion, followed by the first verse of the Benedictus or Prayer of Zacharias; then follow the tro­ paria o f the Canon in the Menaion. W e use six troparia from the

(1) Opening of the service:

(16) The Prayer of St. Ephraim twice, with four prostrations and twelve bows.

Priest: Blessed be He who is, Christ our God. . . .

Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Greater in honour than the cherubim. . . . In the Name o f the Lord, give the blessing, father.

in the Menaion; then the last two verses of the Biblical Canticle, each followed by a troparion from the Canon in the Menaion; Glory be to the Father. . . ; troparion; Both now. . . ; troparion. Canticle T w o: we read the second Biblical Canticle through to

Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . 0 come, let us worship. . . . Psalms 19 and 20 Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . 2 Except when Vespers are combined with the Liturgy of the Presanctified (see below, p. 93).

Then the reader says: Amen. 0 come, let us worship. . . . , and so there follows immediately the First Hour.

(1 ξ) Reader: 0 heavenly King, uphold our rulers, strengthen the Faith, calm the nations, give peace to the world. Protect this city (or village, or holy monastery), grant to our departed fathers and brethren that they may dwell with the righteous, and accept us in repentance and confession: fo r Thou art good and lovest mankind.

the end, without inserting any troparia between the verses; and we

(2) The Six Psalms.

(3) Reader: The Nicene Creed.

Canticle One

conclude by saying Glory be to the Father. 1 . and Both now. . . . Then we sing the irmos o f the first three-canticled Canon; Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee; then the troparia of the two Canons, saying before each troparion Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee. Before the

(4) Instead o f The Lord is God, we sing Alleluia in the Tone of the

(7) Reader: Kyrie eleison (forty times)

the Lord. . . (Exodus ig : 1 - 1 9 ) , 13 in the Tone of the Canon for the

Canticles: as on Monday.

week, accompanied by the following verses (Isaiah 26: 9, 1 1 , ις ) : Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. f i . My spirit seeks Thee early in the morning, 0 God, fo r Thy commandments are a light upon the earth. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. f f l . Learn righteousness, ye that dwell on earth. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ^ 3 . The wrath of God shall fa ll upon a disobedient people, a n dfre shall now devour the enemy. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ^ 4 . Bring more evils upon them, 0 Lord, bring more evils upon them that are glorious on earth. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Then the choir sings the h y m n s t o t h e t r i n i t y 3 in the Tone of the w eek ; and at the end, Kyrie eleison (three tim es); Glory be to

Priest: God be mercfol to us and bless us. . .

saint of the day from the Menaion. We continue with this as far as

TONE SIX

the Father. . . .

Then the Prayer of St. Ephraim twice, with four prostrations and twelve bows.

the verse The waters were hardened like a wall, hardened also were the

With all our heart and never-silent mouths let us praise the most glorious Mother o f God, more holy than the holy angels. Let us corfess her as Theo­ tokos, fo r in very truth she gave birth to God made flesh, and without ceasing she praysfo r our souls.

(ς) Reader: Both now. . . , and then the first appointed kathisma from the Psalter.4 s e s s i o n a l h y m n s (in the Tone of the week). Second appointed kathisma. s e s s i o n a l h y m n s (of the day). Third appointed kathisma. s e s s i o n a l h y m n s (of the day).

Priest: Wisdom.

from the Menaion. Next we sing the following verse of the Biblical Canticle, The enemy said: I will pursue. . . , followed by the first

(1) The choir sings the Beatitudes:

(6) Psalm ςο.

Priest: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

troparia of the Canon in the Menaion, inserting a verse from the Biblical Canticle before each one of them.14 If, as is commonly the case, the Canon in the Menaion has only four troparia, we repeat one troparion so as to make up the number five. After the verse, Then did the rulers of Edom hasten. . . , we start with the first troparion o f the first three-canticled Canon in the Triodion; and so we con­ tinue with the eight troparia o f the two three-canticled Canons, inserting the verses of the Biblical Canticle as before (but before the last two troparia we say Glory be to the Father. . . and Both now. . . ). Then we say Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee, followed by another

TONE EIGHT

(of the day, from the Menaion and the Triodion):5

Choir: Greater in honour than the cherubim. . .

Canticle Seven. We follow -the same pattern as for Canticles Four 14 Note that in the Slavonic Psalter which we have been using for the directions given in the text above (Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, 19 ^9), the verses are divided differently from those in The Psalter According to the Seventy, translated by the Holy Transfiguration Monastery. In the Slavonic, the words Thou hast guided by Thy righteousness this Thy people whom Thou hast redeemed form part of the verse preceding; a new verse begins «at Thou hast called them by Thy strength . . . ; there is no new verse at The nations heard. . . .

In Thy Kingdom remember us, 0 Lord, when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. And to every verse we add the refrain: Remember us, 0 Lord, when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be conforted. Blessed are the meek: fo r they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: fo r they shall be filled. Blessed are the mercful: fo r they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: fo r they shall be called the children o f God. Blessed are they that are persecuted fo r righteousness9 sake: fo r theirs is

(a) Canticles One, Two6 and Three.

appointed r e a d i n g f r o m t h e g o s p e l . 39 In Holy W eek, from Exodus. 40 In Holy W eek, from Job. 41 In the Slav use, the Prayer of St. Ephraim is usually said with the prostrations.

the Kingdom o f Heaven.

k o n t a k i o n and i k o s for the saint of the day (from the Menaion); if there is no kontakion, we use the sessional hymn to the Martyrs in the Tone of the week (see appendix, pp. 668-99).7 s y n a x a r i o n (from the Menaion).8 (c) Canticles Seven and Eight.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, fo r My sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: fo r great is your reward in heaven. Glory be to the Father. . . , and the refrain. Both now. . . , and the refrain. Remember us, 0 Lord, when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom (prostration). Remember us, 0 Master, when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom (prostra­ tion). Remember us, 0 Holy One, when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom (pros­ tration).

hymns and magnify.

(2) The reader says the troparia The heavenly choir. . ,28

The Magnificat, with the refrain Greater in honour than the

27 The Typika are not said on Saturday and Sunday in Lent. 28 See The Festal Menaion, p. ί ς ο .

cherubim. . . . Canticle Nine. Truly it is right to call thee blessed. . . (at the end, one prostration).

(4) Reader: Forgive, remit and pardon. . . .

(5·) R eader: Our Father. . . . ( 6 ) The reader says the appointed k o n t a k i o n or κ ο ν τ ά κ ι ά (varying according to the day of the w eek); then the kontakion of the patron saint of the church or monastery; Glory be to the Father. . . ; the kontakion of the dead; Both now. . . ; and the Theotokion 0 never-foiling Protection o f Christians. . . .

Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Greater in honour than the cherubim. . . . In the Name of the Lord, give the blessing, father.

(8) (a) If there is no Liturgy of the Presanctified, the reader at once

begins Vespers, saying 0 come, let us worship. . . , and then the Psalm of Introduction, without any opening blessing by the priest. (b) If there is a Liturgy of the Presanctified, the reader says Holy God . . ., etc., and the Lord’s Prayer; Kyrie eleison (twelve times); and the prayer 0 Most Holy Trinity. . . ,29

C h o ir: Truly it is right to call thee blessed. . . .

P riest: Glory to Thee, 0 Christ our God. . . . C h o ir: Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Kyrie eleison (three times). Give the blessing, father. And the priest says the Dismissal. 29 See below , p. 92.

After the first reading from the Psalter, we use the following sessional hymns of repentance: I am the prodigal: conceived in sin, I dare not look up to the height of heaven. But trusting in Thy love for man, I c r y : God be merciful to me and save me. y . O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, neither chasten me in Thy wrath (Psaltn 6: 2). If the righteous scarcely shall be saved, how will it be with me a sinner? I have not borne the heat and burden of the day: yet, O God, number me with those who came at the eleventh hour, and save me.1 Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Theotokion O full of grace, beholding in thee the wonder of all wonders, the creation rejoices. For without seed thou hast conceived, and in­

effably hast borne as child Him upon whom the leaders of the angelic hosts dare not gaze. O Theotokos, pray to Him for the salvation of our souls. Bfore Canticle Seven of the Canon we say this sessional hymn to the Martyrs, i f there is no kontakionfor the saint of the day in the Menaion. But if' there is a kontakion, this hymn to the Martyrs is said with the other

sessional hymns after the first reading from the Psalter, btfore the Theo­

tokion; and it is preceded by the verse:

God is wonderful in His saints, the God of Israel.

1 i Pet. 4: 18; Matt. 20: 9-12.

To the Martyrs

The victorious martyrs clothed themselves in Thee, O L ord :

Thou wast their glory in their sufferings, their crown and their reward. Steadfastly enduring torment, they overthrew the wicked; and through the power of God they were granted victory from heaven. At their prayers, O God, give us Thy great mercy.

Sessional hymns o f repentance:

As the waves of the sea my transgressions have risen up against me, and as a boat alone in the deep, I am tossed by the storm of many sins. But guide me through repentance to a fair haven, O Lord, and save me. ψ . O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger. . . . I am a barren tree, O Lord, for I do not bear at all the fruit of compunction. I fear the axe and the fire that never shall be quenched. Therefore I pray Thee before I am condemned to torm ent: cause me to turn back and save m e.7 Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . . Theotokion Thou art a fountain of compassion, O Theotokos: count us worthy of thy loving-kindness. Look upon thy people that has sinned; and now, as always, manifest thy power. For putting our

8 Gal. 6: 14. 7 Matt. 21: 19; John 1 ς : 2-6; Matt. 3 : 10; Mark 9: 44.

trust in thee we cry unto thee, Hail! as once did Gabriel, the chief captain of die heavenly hosts. To the Martyrs 0 Thou who coverest the heaven with clouds, the saints on earth had Thee as their covering and protection: patiently they endured

the torments lawless men inflicted on them, and diey brought to

nothing the error of idolatry. At their prayers, O Saviour, set us free from the invisible enemy and save us.8

Sessional hymns o f repentance:

At the dread Judgement I shall be convicted without accusers, and condemned without witnesses; for the book of my conscience will be opened and my hidden works revealed. O God, before Thou shalt examine mine actions in the presence of the whole creation, be merciful to me and save me. O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger. . . . How long, my soul, wilt thou continue in sin? How long wilt thou delay repentance? Call to mind the coming Judgement and cry unto the L o rd : I have sinned, O sinless Lord, do Thou save me. Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Theotokion With good reason each man turns to the place where he can find salvation. And what other refuge have we such as thee, O Theotokos,

the protection of our souls?

To the Martyrs Who does not marvel at the victorious struggles of the holy martyrs? Who is not astonished that they remained for ever unde­ feated? Burnt with fire and scourged, cast to the wild beasts and slaughtered, they were victorious over the opposing enemy. With

loathing they rejected the flattery of kings, and they scorned the tyrants’ threats; therefore they received crowns from Christ our God, who grants great mercy to the world.

Sessional hymns o f repentance:

When the Judge takes his seat and the angels stand beside Him, when the trumpet sounds and the flames are burning, what w ilt thou do, my soul, as thou art led to judgement? For then all thine evil actions will be brought before thee, thy secret faults will be re­ proved. Therefore, before the end comes, cry unto Christ our God: 0 Knower of men’s hearts, I have sinned, have mercy upon m e.27 y . O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger. . . . All things here will pass away, my soul, but the things there are eternal. I see the judgement-seat and the Judge upon His throne, and 1 tremble at the condemnation He will pass. Therefore turn back, my soul, for the sentence cannot be remitted. Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . .

Sessional hymns o f repentance:

I think upon the fearful day and lament my evil acts. What answer shall I give to the immortal King? And with what boldness shall I the Prodigal gaze upon the Judge? O compassionate Father, only-begotten Son and Holy Spirit, have mercy upon me. y . O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger. . . . In the valley of lamentation, in the place Thou hast appointed, when Thou shalt sit, O merciful Lord, to execute just judgement, publish not my secret sins; condemn me not before the angels; but spare me, O God, and have mercy upon m e.83 Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Theotokion With all our heart and never-silent mouths let us praise the most glorious Mother of God, more holy than the holy angels. Let us

confess her as Theotokos, for in very truth she gave birth to God made flesh, and without ceasing she prays for our souls. To the Martyrs There is light at all times for the righteous. For, illumined by Thee, the saints shine always as the stars of heaven, quenching the lamp of the godless. At their prayers, O my Lord and Saviour, make my lamp shifie and save m e.84

Sessional hymns o f repentance:

Since repentance will cure thee from all sickness, O my soul, draw near with tears and sighing to this house of healing, and cry to

the Physician of our souls and bodies: ‘ Free me from my sins, O

Lord who lovest man, and number me with the Harlot, the Thief and the Publican; grant me, O God, the forgiveness of my tres­ passes and save me.*40 39 Exod. 14:

16; Deut. 32: 13. 40 Luke 7: 37-50; 23: 43; 18: 10-14.

ψ . O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger. . . . I have not'emulated the repentance of the Publican; I have not gained the* tears of the Harlot. In my blindness I cannot understand how to amend my life as they did. But in Thy compassion, O God, save me, for Thou lovest mankind. Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Theotokion All-holy Virgin, thou art greater in honour than the glorious cherubim. Unable to endure the divine splendour, they veil their faces with their wings as they perform their m inistry; but thou dost gaze .with thine own eyes upon the Incarnate Word. Without ceasing pray to Him for our souls. To the Martyrs Thy saints, O Lord, fought bravely on this earth: they trampled

underfoot the enemy and overthrew the error of idolatry. Therefore they received crowns from Thee, O loving Master, God of all com­ passion, who grantest us great mercy.

Sessional hymns o f repentance:

Look, O Lord, with a compassionate eye upon my lowliness, for my life is soon spent and there is no salvation for me in my deeds. And so I cry: Look, O Lord, with a compassionate eye upon my lowliness and save me. y . O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger. . . . Be full of anxious fear, my soul, as though standing in the pres­ ence of the Judge, and call to mind that dreadful day and hour. Merciless shall be the judgement for those that showed no mercy. Therefore spare me, Saviour, for Thou alone lovest mankind. Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now........... Theotokion Most pure Theotokos, spiritual gateway of our life, with faith we run to thee: deliver us from danger, that we may glorify thy holy

childbearing for the salvation of our souls. To the Martyrs O holy martyrs, God has made you into spiritual torches. By the power o f faith ye have dispersed the dark mist of error; ye have made the lamp of your soul to burn brightly, and in the company of

the Bridegroom ye have entered with glory into the heavenly bridal

chamber. And now, we entreat you, intercede for the salvation of our souls.43