Wednesday and Friday.

(2) In the following week, often termed the ‘Week o f Carnival’ ,

The Prayer of the Hours.

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

the first sticheron and the sticheron to the Martyrs, which are used

Canticle One: as on Tuesday, with four troparia from the Canon in the Menaion. Canticle Three: we use fourteen troparia, six (in­ cluding the irmos) from the Canon in the Menaion, and eight from

special fasting.

(8) Reader: Amen. Holy God. . . , etc., and the Lord’s Prayer. After

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

the two three-canticled Canons in the Triodion, following the same

(3) In the Week before Lent, meat is forbidden, but eggs, cheese

times). Then the priest or the reader says the prayer 0 Christ, the true Light. . . .

The choir sings To thee, our leader in battle. . . .20

(The Saturday before the Sunday of the Last Judgement)

rules as for Canticle One on Monday. And for the other Canticles we do as on Monday.

and other dairy products may be eaten on all days, including

The Prayer o f the Hours.

We celebrate a memorial o f a ll who have fa lle n asleep from the be­ g in n in g , Orthodox Christians , our fathers and brothers.

TONE FOUR

this means ‘dry eating’ . Strictly interpreted, it signifies that we may eat only vegetables cooked with water and salt, and also such things as fruit, nuts, bread and honey. In practice, octopus and shell-fish are also allowed on days of xerophagy; likewise vegetable margarine and corn or other vegetable oil, not made from olives. But the following categories of food are definitely excluded:

(9) The reader says Amen, and the prayer 0 God, the Lord of

assemble in church and the priest says Blessed is our God. . . ; and we continue with the prayer O heavenly King. . . ; the Trisagiony etc., and Our Father. . . ; Kyrie cleison (twelve times) ; Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . ; O come let us worship. . . , and Psalms 19 and 20, with the usual troparia and the short Litany. After that we read the Six Psalms and then, after the Great Litany, we sing as usual Alleluia and

Come quickly to our help, bfore we are enslaved to the enemies that blaspheme Thee, Christ our God, and threaten us. By Thy Cross destroy those that make war against us, and may they know what power is given to

(ii) animal products (cheese, milk, butter, eggs, lard,

the Hymns to the Holy Trinity in the Tone of the week, followed by the

the Orthodoxfaith: through the prayers o f the Theotokos, 0 Thou who alone

(iii) fish (i.e. fish with backbones);

eighth kathisma from the Psalter, and then the sessional hymns to the Apostles in the Tone of the week. Next we read thefirst part o f the L fe o f St. Mary of' Egypt, written by St. Sophronius, Patriarch o f Jerusalem. Psalm 50 is read, and then, after the litany O Lord, save Thy people. . . , we begin to sing the Great Canon, slowly and with compunction. Bfore 18 That is, at about ten p.m.; but in many places it is the custom to begin earlier.

lovest mankind.7

(iv) oil (i.e. olive oil) and wine (i.e. all alcoholic drinks).

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

(b) On weekdays (Monday to Friday inclusive) in the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth weeks, one meal a day is permitted, to be taken in the afternoon following Vespers, and at this one meal xerophagy is to be observed.42 (c) Holy Week. On the first three days there is one meal each day, with xerophagy; but some try to keep a complete fast on these days, or else they eat only uncooked food, as on the opening days o f the

Kyrie eleison (three times). Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Greater in honour than the cherubim. . . . In the Name of the Lord, give the blessing, father.

sinner, who anointed Christ’s feet as He sat in the house of Simon. In the hymnography of the day, the account in Matthew 26 : 6 -13 is combined with that in Luke 7 : 36— (cf. also John 1 2 : 1—8). A second theme is the agreement made by Judas with the Jewish authori­ ties : the repentance of the sinful harlot is contrasted with the tragic fall of the chosen disciple. The Triodion makes it clear that Judas perished, not simply because he betrayed his Master, but because, having fallen into the sin of betrayal, he then refused to believe in

the exclamation by the priest, the reader says Kyrie eleison (twelve

the possibility of forgiveness: Tn misery he lost his life, prtferring a

P riest : Glory to Thee, 0 Christ our God. . . . C hoir: Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Kyrie eleison (three times). Give the blessing, father. And the priest says the Dismissal.

noose rather than repentance. ’ 76 If we deplore the actions of Judas, we do so not with vindictive self-righteousness but conscious always of our own guilt: ‘ Deliver our souls, O Lord, from the condemnation that was his.’ 77 In general, all the passages in the Triodion that seem to be directed against the Jews should be understood in this same way. When the Triodion denounces those who rejected Christ and delivered Him to death, we recognize that these words apply not only to others, but to ourselves: for have we not betrayed the Saviour many times in our hearts and crucified Him afresh ? On the evening of Holy Wednesday the sacrament of the Anoint­ ing of the Sick is usually celebrated in church and all are anointed,

Sta vrotheotokion Most glorious art thou, 0 Virgin Theotokos: we sing thy praises. For through the Cross o f thy Son, hell was laid low and death put to death; we who were dead have risen and been granted life, receiving the joy of Paradise that was ours at the beginning. Therefore with thanksgiving we glorify Christ our God, fo r He is strong and alone rich in mercy.

whether physically ill or not; for there is no sharp line o f demarca­ tion between bodily and spiritual sicknesses, and this sacrament con­ fers not only bodily healing but forgiveness of sins, thus serving as a preparation for the reception of Holy Communion on the next day. (d) Holy Thursday. On this day four events are celebrated: the washing of the disciples’ feet, the institution of the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the agony in the garden of Gethsemane (but the liturgical texts do not dwell much on this), 76 Compline for Holy Wednesday. 77 Mattins for Holy Tuesday.

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

and the betrayal of Christ by Judas. In certain cathedrals and monas­ teries, there is a special ceremony of feet-washing at the conclusion of the Liturgy, with the bishop or abbot taking the part of Christ and twelve priests representing the apostles. At the Ecumenical Patri­ archate in Constantinople, and at the centres of other Patriarchates and Autocephalous Churches, the Holy Chrism is blessed during the

Kyrie eleison (three times). Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Greater in honour than the cherubim. . . . In the Name of the Lord, give the blessing, father. P riest: At the prayers o f our holy fathers. . . . Then the Prayer of St. Ephraim twice, with four prostrations and twelve bows.

Hosts. . .24

(The Sunday before Lent) on which w e commemorate

each troparion o f the Canon, we make the Sign o f the Cross and bow three times,19 and we sing: Have mercy upon me, O God, have mercy upon me. We do not read the verses o f the Biblical Canticles, apart from the fourth Canticle. The irmoi o f the Great Canon are sung twice.

Sessional Hymns o f the Cross:

Beholding Thee, O Christ, stretched dead upon the Cross, Thine all-blameless Mother cried aloud: Ό my Son, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, what is this ineffable act of love, whereby in Thy compassion, Master, Thou hast saved the work of Thine own hands?’ y . Exalt ye the Lord our G o d : and worship at His footstool, for He is holy (Psalm 98: 5). O Lord, who lovest man, we venerate the wood of Thy Cross, for Thou die Life of all wast nailed upon it. O Saviour, Thou hast opened Paradise unto the thief who turned to Thee with faith, and Thou hast counted him worthy of Thy joy when he confessed to Thee, Ό Lord, remember m e’ . Accept us also as Thou hast accepted Him, for we cry aloud: ‘ We all have sinned, but in Thy

compassion do Thou reject us n ot.’ 6 Glory be to the Father. , . . Both now. . . . Stavrotheotokion When the Ewe saw Thee her Lamb, crucified upon the Tree be­ tween two thieves, O longsuffering Word, Thy side pierced by a spear, with a mother’s grief she cried: ‘ O my Son, what is this strange and fearful mystery? How is God, whom nothing can con­ tain, confined within a tomb? What words have power to describe these things? Forsake not Thy Mother, my beloved C hild.’ To the Martyrs Accept in supplication, O Lord who lovest mankind, the suffer­ ings that the saints endured for Thee; and, we beseech Thee, heal all our distress.

Sessional hymns o f the Cross:

In supplication we offer Thee, O Lord, Thy life-giving Cross, which in Thy love Thou hast granted unto us Thine unworthy servants. Save Thy city and its rulers, for they entreat Thee through

the Theotokos, O Thou who alone lovest mankind.

y . Exalt ye the Lord our God: and worship at His footstool, for He is holy.

The enemy enslaved Adam through the fruit of a tree; and in the

same way, O Lord, Thou hast Thyself enslaved the enemy through

the tree of the Cross and through Thy Passion. As the second Adam

Thou hast come, to seek the wanderer and restore the dead to life. O God, glory to Thee.12 Glory be to the Father. . . . 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?’ To the Martyrs O martyrs of the Lord, blessed is the earth on which your blood was shed, and holy are the shrines that have received your bodies. For in the arena openly ye triumphed over the enemy, and with boldness ye preached Christ. W e entreat you, pray to Him that in His love He may grant salvation to our souls.

Sessional hymns of the Cross:

Knowing that Thy power is infinite and Thy Crucifixion voluntary,

the hosts of angels were amazed. How wast Thou, upon whom none

may look, scourged in the flesh, in Thy desire to redeem man from corruption? Therefore we cry unto Thee as Giver of L ife : Glory to Thy Kingdom, O Christ. y . Exalt ye the Lord our G o d : and worship at His footstool, for He is holy.

The Cross was set up on the earth, and touched the heaven; not

because the wood could reach so high, but because Thou who wast crucified upon it fillest all things: glory be to Thee. Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Stavrotheotokion In the Cross of thy Son, O Theotokos, we have gained a rod of strength. With it we cast down the anger of the enemy, and un­ ceasingly with love we magnify thee. To the Martyrs In Thine almighty power, O Lord, Thou hast glorified the nhemorial of Thy victorious martyrs, for Thou hast strengthened them to follow Thee in Thy sufferings. Bravely they overcame the devil’s might, and so received gifts of healing. At their prayers, O Christ who lovest man, grant peace unto our souls.

Sessional hymns o f the Cross:

Thou hast redeemed us from the curse of the law by Thy precious Blood; nailed to the Cross and pierced by the spear, Thou hast poured forth immortality upon mankind. O our Saviour, glory be to Thee. y . Exalt ye the Lord our God: and worship at His footstool, for He is holy. Come quickly to our help, before we are enslaved to the enemies 23 Matt. 2$: 1- 1 3 . 24 Dan. 7: 10. 25 In the original ‘ city*.

that blaspheme Thee, Christ our God, and threaten us. By Thy Cross destroy those that make war against us, and may they know what power is given to the Orthodox faith: through the prayers of

the Theotokos, O Thou who alone lovest mankind.

Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Stavrotheotokion O Virgin undefiled, Mother of Christ our God, a sword pierced thine all-holy soul, when thou hast seen thy Son and God crucified of His own w ill. O blessed among women, never cease to intercede that l ie may grant us pardon of our sins.28 To the Martyrs Through their sufferings, O Lord, Thy martyrs obtained crowns of immortality from Thee our God. For strong in Thy might they overthrew tyrants and crushed the powerless arrogance of the devils. At their supplications save our souls, O Christ our God.

Sessional hymns o f the Cross:

O ye faithful, let us glorify and sing the praises of our Saviour and Redeemer, who accepted Crucifixion with His own fore­ knowledge and consent. He has nailed the sins of mortal men upon His Cross, delivering us from error and granting us the Kingdom.31 y . Exalt ye the Lord our G o d : and worship at His footstool, for He is holy. O Saviour, by Thine own free choice Thou hast endured the Cross and set men free from corruption. We faithful sing Thy

Sessional hymns o f repentance:

Today the words of the Prophet· are fulfilled: for see, we worship at die place on which Thy feet have stood, O Lord, 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.86 ψ . Exalt ye the Lord our God: and worship at His footstool, for He is holy. Thy Cross, O Lord, is holy, and brings healing to those who are in sickness through their sins. Venerating it, we fall before T h ee: have mercy upon us. Glory be to the Father. . . . Bodi now. . . . Stavrotheotokion When the Ever-Virgin Maid who gave birth to Thee saw Thee raised for our sake on the Cross, a sword of sorrow pierced her soul

and with a mother’s grief she wept. At her intercessions have mercy on us, Lord of m ercy.37 To the Martyrs Persecuted by tyrants, the martyrs endured and suffered bravely in the arena; and near them stood the choirs of angels, holding prizes o f victory. In their wisdom they astonished rulers and sover­ eigns, and by confessing Christ they overthrew the devil. Glory be to Thee, O Lord, who hast made them strong.

Sessional hymns of'the Cross:

Worshipping Thee, O Christ our God, with cedar, pine and cypress, the Church cries out to Thee: At the prayers of the Theo­ tokos, grant victory to our rulers and have mercy upon us.42 y . Exalt ye the Lord our G o d : and worship at His footstool, for He is holy. O Christ my God, nailed for my sake to the Cross, in Thy love accept my praise and vigils. Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Stavrotheotokion To Christ our God, who was crucified for us and has destroyed the power of death, do thou pray without ceasing, O Theotokos, for the salvation of our souls. To the Martyrs Ye despised, O saints, the godless tyrants, and scorning all the pain of the tortures ye denied not your faith in Christ. Pray, then,

to God who loves mankind, for the salvation of our souls.

Sessional hymns o f the Cross:

When the thief beheld the Author o f life hanging upon the Cross, he said: ‘ If it were not God made flesh that is crucified with us, the sun would not have hid its rays nor would the earth have quaked 44 Luke 7: 37-5:0. 45 Matt. 25: 1—13. 46 Dcut. 32: 4; 1 Cor. 10: 4.

and trembled. But, all-forbearing Lord, remember me in Thy Kingdom.’ 47 y . Exalt ye the Lord our G o d : and worship at His footstool, for He is holy. In the midst, between two thieves, Thy Cross became a balancebeam of righteousness. For the one was carried down to hell by the burden of his blasphemy; the other was lightened o f his sins and brought to the knowledge of God. O Christ our God, glory to Thee. Glory be to the Father. . . . Both now. . . . Stavrotheotokion When she who bare Him saw upon the Cross the Lamb and Shepherd and Saviour of the world, she said weeping: ‘The world rejoices, for it receives deliverance; but inwardly I burn, seeing Thy Crucifixion which Thou sufferest for all men, O my Son and G od .’

To the Martyrs Steadfastly, holy martyrs, ye have trod the narrow way of sorrow and endured the troubled waters of temptation. Now ye have re­ ceived a dwelling-place with the ministering angels, having proved yourselves a rock of patient fortitude, a firm foundation of the Faith. Pray to Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.