DCSC · Digital Chant Stand Companion
← 2026-03-15

GOA Digital Chant Stand Services for Sunday, Mar 15, 2026

Midnight Office → Matins → Divine Liturgy → Vespers, in one continuous scroll

Midnight Office · Octoechos - Grave Mode.

PRIEST

Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, treasury of good things and giver of life: come; take Your abode in us; cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one.

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

READER

Amen. Lord, have mercy. (12)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Psalm 50 (51).

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar.

CHOIR

Canon for the Trinity.

Ode i.

Grave Mode. N/M (Lord, at Your divine signal.)

To the melody, “At Your inclination toward earthly things.”

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

O thrice-radiant single Godhead, open the spiritual mouth of my heart and also my physical lips, that I may praise You and sing You a song of gratitude, O Giver of light.

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

O omnipotent Trinity, You fashioned humanity as the only clay image of Your sovereign lordship, O Creator, that You might demonstrate Your surpassing goodness.

The unoriginate Nous begot the Logos co-eternally and caused the Spirit, also without beginning, to shine forth. And He has counted us worthy to worship one God in three consubstantial hypostases.

O Logos of God, You appeared to Moses in the bush as a purifying fire that did at all consume it. You thus prefigured Your incarnation from the Virgin, through which you refashioned humanity.

Ode iii.

Grave Mode. N/M (First You established.)

To the melody, “You who in the beginning founded the heavens.”

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

O omnipotent God, as we extol You, the single and thrice-radiant and omnific Master, we ask to be freed from sins and temptations. Please do not despise us who with faith glorify Your benevolence.

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

O God the Logos, You appeared from the Father as an equipotent branch from an unoriginate root, along with the consubstantial and divine Spirit. And therefore we the faithful glorify one Dominion in three persons.

We the faithful all glorify You, the one nature in three hypostases, equal in glory and consubstantial, distinguishing without separating, the monarchical Trinity. And as we worship You, we pray for the forgiveness of our offenses.

O Logos of God, You immutably became like mortals in all things, and You came forth from a pure Virgin. You revealed to all that the Godhead is thrice-radiant, one in essence, and three corresponding hypostases.

Notation for your part

Kathisma.

Grave Mode.

To the melody, “O You who for my sake endured.”

Have mercy, O Holy Trinity, * on us Your servants, for we have sinned. * Receive us now, as we are penitent, * and forgive us our sins, O Compassionate.

Grave Mode.

O Theotokos, do good to us, * for our souls are afflicted with sins; * and from our offenses deliver us, * who extol you, the all-pure Bride of God.

Ode iv.

Grave Mode. N/M (O Christ our God, You did not depart.)

To the melody, “You who left not the Father's bosom.”

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

O thrice-radiant, divine Unity that maintains and saves all things, guard us who sing Your praise, and save us from afflictions and passions and every distress.

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

We are at a loss for words to describe Your incomprehensible, thrice-radiant Godhead. O benevolent Lord, we extol You and we glorify Your power.

We on earth join the bodiless choirs in heaven, and with longing we glorify You, O Unity and Trinity. We distinguish You without dividing You, the Master of all.

Notation for your part

Without abandoning Your Father’s glory, You, O Logos, willingly came down to our extreme humility. You, the superessential One, became incarnate, and You exalted all to divine glory, as You are compassionate.

Notation for your part

Ode v.

Grave Mode. N/M ()

To the melody, “Those who rise at dawn to You, O Word.”

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

O Trinity in persons, and Unity in will and glory and honor, nature source of light, we pray You strengthen us in our love for You.

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

O Trinity in persons, and Unity in will and glory and honor, nature source of light, we pray You strengthen us in our love for You.

We glorify the Nous and Logos and Spirit, the one Godhead and tri-solar nature, and we pray to be delivered from temptations and afflictions of every kind.

O Logos of God, You conformed to our human nature and were born from a holy Virgin; and You taught us to extol a Trinity in Unity, identical in essence and majesty.

Ode vi.

Grave Mode. N/M (I was feeling nauseous.)

To the melody, “Tossed by the storm of life's cares.”

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

We glorify the monarchical Godhead in three hypostases, corresponding to one another in concurring dominion, having the difference only of each subsisting property.

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

We glorify the monarchical Godhead in three hypostases, corresponding to one another in concurring dominion, having the difference only of each subsisting property.

The spiritual ranks of the angelic orders praise You, tri-solar Monarchy. We join them and with lips of clay we extol You, the only Maker of all things, and we faithfully glorify You.

Notation for your part

The Logos, like another Daystar, before the ages was begotten from the Father the Daystar, and in latter times unutterably rose from the Virgin. He taught that incomprehensible God is one nature in three persons.

Kathisma.

Grave Mode. More dazzling than flame.

To the melody, “Brighter than fire.”

Consubstantial Trinity, * one in three hypostases, * have mercy on Your creatures, O immortal Lord; * burn away the wicked deeds of us transgressors * and illumine hearts and minds of those extolling * Your great and tender love. O our God, glory to You!

Grave Mode. Automelon.

More dazzling than flame of fire, * more brilliant than shining light, * O Lady, is the mercy of your gift of grace; * for it burns away the sins of all your people * and refreshes the minds of those extolling * your splendid miracles, O all-blameless Mother of God.

Notation for your part

Ode vii.

Grave Mode. N/M (Those godly Servants.)

To the melody, “The Youths in the fiery furnace.”

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

We are obedient to the sayings of the godly Prophets, and we glorify You the one and only God of all in three persons, as we cry aloud: Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers.

Notation for your part

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

We are obedient to the sayings of the godly Prophets, and we glorify You the one and only God of all in three persons, as we cry aloud: Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers.

Notation for your part

O holy Trinity, one in essence, we join the immaterial hosts and sing Your praise with earthen lips, as we cry aloud: Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers.

Notation for your part

O all-pure Virgin, He who fashioned Adam became human from you, that He might refashion him; and He deified the people, as they cry aloud: Blessed is the fruit of your womb, O all-pure Lady.

Notation for your part

Ode viii.

Grave Mode. N/M (Unconsumed by fire.)

To the melody, “Unconsumed by the fire.”

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

O unoriginate triple and single Lordship, You rule the universe, and You steer heaven and earth. I pray You preserve me, who am mesmerized by Your love, to sing to You, “All you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.”

Notation for your part

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

O Trinity and Unity, grant that the hearts of us who sing Your praise be illumined by the light-giving beams of the thrice-radiant Sun; and grant that all who with correct faith extol Your majesty may see Your beauty now, as far as possible, unto all the ages.

O benevolent Source of good, make me be a temple of Your thrice-radiant light, communion, and participation. O Master, make me be untouchable by unseen enemies and by the carnal passions, my only King and God, the Lord of glory, so that I may sing Your praise, unto all the ages.

Notation for your part

O immaculate Virgin and Mother, divine Light rose from your womb, and He illumined the entire world with tri-solar light. He made the earth to be like another heaven that sings, “All you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.”

Notation for your part

Ode ix.

Grave Mode. N/M (You as the Mother of God.)

To the melody, “Mother of God and Virgin.”

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

We earthen creatures are incapable of worthily exalting and extolling You, whom the Seraphim extol unceasingly in the heights. Yet we dare to magnify You, O Master of all and most benevolent God.

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

O single and undivided Trinity, free from physical pain and a passionate soul the faithful who sing Your praise. Grant that they be kept unharmed by any of life’s afflictions.

Equipotent, thrice-radiant Godhead, as You extend Your rule, the unaltered beauty of Your connatural goodness, we pray You give Your servants remission of sins and deliverance from temptations and passions.

O Theotokos, God the Logos assumed a mind and soul and the substance of our flesh, and He truly came forth from your immaculate womb and was seen as a man. He showed how humanity may indeed become a partaker of divine nature.

Idiomela of the Lity.

Mode pl. 1.

When creation saw you hanging naked on the cross, ⁄ its Maker and Creator, ⁄ it lamented and was changed in fear: ⁄ he sun hid its rays; ⁄ the earth shook, the rocks were split, ⁄ the Temple’s light was darkened. ⁄ The dead arose from the tombs, ⁄ the angelic powers trembled and cried: ⁄ Wonder! The Judge of all is judged! ⁄⁄ he willingly suffers for the renewal of the world, its salvation!

Notation for your part

Megalynaria to the Trinity

Mode 2.

It is truly proper to extol the Trinity divine and holy: Unoriginate Father, Maker of all, co-eternal Logos, begotten before all time without change from the Father, and the all-holy Spirit, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father timelessly.

Notation for your part

It is truly proper to extol and to glorify You, God the Logos. The Cherubim shudder and tremble at You, and the hosts of heaven offer hymns of glory to You; for You rose from the grave within three days. With fear we glorify You, Christ the Giver of Life.

Come and let us all sing inspired songs, * solemnly extolling as is proper to the divine * Father, Son, and all-holy Spirit, one dominion, * one kingdom, one in essence, three in hypostases.

Notation for your part

Immaculate Virgin, when creation saw your Son risen, as befits God, it was filled with great joy and ineffable gladness, and it glorified the Savior, and it honored you.

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

Apolytikion.

Mode 1.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Notation for your part

Lord, have mercy. (40)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

May God have compassion on us and bless us; may his face shine upon us and have mercy on us.

READER

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Holy father, bless.

PRIEST

May He who rose from the dead, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Let us pray for the peace of the world.

READER (intoned after each petition)

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

For the pious and Orthodox Christians.

For our our Archbishop (name).

For our nation.

For the armed forces.

For our absent fathers, brothers and sisters.

For those who help us and those who serve us.

For those who hate us and those who love us.

For those who have asked us, the unworthy, to pray for them.

For the release of the captives.

For those sailing the seas.

For those laid up with illnesses.

Let us also pray for the abundance of the fruits of the earth.

And for all our fathers and brethren departed this life, those who lie here in peace, and the Orthodox everywhere.

Let us say for ourselves, also: Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

READER: Amen.

Matins · Octoechos - Grave Mode.

CHOIR

Grave Mode.

God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.

Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.

Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Grave Mode.

You destroyed death by Your Cross, You opened Paradise to the Robber. You turned the Myrrh-bearing Women’s lament into joy, and You commanded Your Apostles to preach that You rose, O Christ God, granting the world the great mercy.

Mode 1.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Notation for your part

Mode 1. The stone having been sealed.

To the melody, “The stone having been sealed.”

When Gabriel had said to you, “Rejoice!” blessed Virgin, * and you had voiced your assent, the Lord of all became incarnate * in you, who became the holy Ark, * as righteous King David said of old. * You carried your Creator, and thus your womb was wider than the heavens. * Glory to Him who dwelt inside of you! * Glory to Him who came forth from You! * Glory to Him who through your childbirth has set us free!

Notation for your part

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Kathisma I.

Grave Mode.

Life was placed in the sepulcher, and a seal was placed on the stone. The soldiers were guarding Christ like a sleeping king. The Angels glorified Him as their immortal God. And the women cried aloud, “The Lord has risen, and He has granted to the world the great mercy.”

While You were buried for three days, You devastated death. You brought life to humanity, which had been destroyed; and when You rose, You resurrected it, O Christ God, as the benevolent Savior. Glory to You!

All-lauded Lady, our resurrection’s treasure house, we put our trust in you and pray you bring us up out of the pit and deep sea of our offences. For you saved us who were liable for sin when you gave birth to our salvation, as a virgin before childbirth, and a virgin during childbirth, and after childbirth a virgin still.

Kathisma II.

Grave Mode.

The tomb being sealed, You rose from the sepulcher, O Christ God, the Life. And the doors being shut, You came to the disciples, O resurrection of all. Through them You renew a right spirit within us, according to Your great mercy.

In tears, the women ran to the tomb, bringing ointments. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us?” For You, the King of all, were guarded by soldiers. Then they heard the angelic voice addressing them, “The Angel of great Counsel has trampled death, and He has risen!” O almighty Lord, glory to You!

Notation for your part

Rejoice, Maiden full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos; You are the haven and protection of the human race. From you the Redeemer of the world became incarnate, and only you are both a mother and a virgin. O Lady, ever blessed and glorified, we pray you intercede with Christ God, to grant peace to the whole world.

Notation for your part

Kathisma III. For the Cross.

Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.

Of old the tree in the garden stripped us naked, * and by its taste did the enemy bring in death. * Now the tree of the Cross, which for all mankind is bearing * the garment of life, was planted upon the earth, * and therefore is all the world filled with every joy. * As we see it revered today, let us, O peoples, cry aloud * together unto God in faith: * Full of glory is Your house, O Lord.

Notation for your part

Of old the tree in the garden stripped us naked, * and by its taste did the enemy bring in death. * Now the tree of the Cross, which for all mankind is bearing * the garment of life, was planted upon the earth, * and therefore is all the world filled with every joy. * As we see it revered today, let us, O peoples, cry aloud * together unto God in faith: * Full of glory is Your house, O Lord.

Notation for your part

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

READER

Hypakoe. Grave Mode.

O Christ God, who took our form and bodily endured the Cross, save me by Your resurrection, O benevolent Lord.

CHOIR

Anavathmoi.

Antiphon 1. Grave Mode.

You returned the captives of Zion from their wandering. As for me, enliven me, and free me from captivity to passions.

In the south those who sow afflictions with tears and with fasting will reap the sheaves of joy, the staff of life everlasting.

In the Holy Spirit is the source of divine treasures. From Him is wisdom, understanding, and fear. To Him praise is due, glory, honor and dominion.

Notation for your part

Antiphon 2.

Unless the Lord builds the house of the soul, we labor in vain; for without Him no action or word is accomplished.

Moved by the Spirit, the saints produce the Father’s dogmas about the sonship of the fruit of the womb.

In the Holy Spirit, the universe has its existence. For He is God before all, universal lordship, unapproachable light, and the life of all.

Notation for your part

Antiphon 3.

Those who fear the Lord and find the ways of life, both now and ever will be called blessed, for having immortal glory.

As you see your offspring like olive trees around your table, rejoice and be glad, chief shepherd, as you bring them to Christ.

In the Holy Spirit is an ocean of divine gifts, a wealth of glory, a great depth of judgments; He is identical in glory to the Father and the Son, and therefore to be worshiped.

Notation for your part

Prokeimenon.

Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hand be lifted high, and do not forget Your poor to the end. (2)

Verse: I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with my whole heart.

Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hand be lifted high, and do not forget Your poor to the end.

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the King of peace and the savior of our souls, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

READER

Resurrectional Kontakion.

No longer will the power of death be able to detain human beings. For Christ went down and crushed it and destroyed all its forces. Hades is shackled, and the Prophets in unison rejoice and proclaim, “The Savior has come to those in darkness. Come out now, believers, to the resurrection!”

Oikos.

The netherworld below was trembling today, Hades and death, before One of the Trinity. Earth shook, and when they saw You, the doorkeepers of Hades quaked. Now all creation, along with the Prophets, rejoices and sings You an ode of triumph, O God our redeemer, who now destroyed the force of death. And let us shout aloud to Adam and his descendants, “A tree brought him in. Come out now, believers, to the resurrection!”

Kontakion from Triodion.

Grave Mode. Automelon.

The fiery sword is not guarding the entrance to Eden anymore. For it was extinguished in paradoxical manner by the tree of the Cross. The sting of death and the victory of Hades have been stricken. And You, my Savior, came and cried out to those in Hades: Enter again into Paradise.

Oikos.

On Golgotha did Pilate lift up crosses three: two for those guilty of larceny, and one for Him who gives us life, whom Hades spied and voiced to those below, “My ministers and governors: my heart! - who has affixed it with a nail? A lance of wood abruptly pierced me through, and I am rent in twain. My inner parts distressingly are pained, my belly aches, the organs of my senses. My breathing pants and am compelled Adam and those of Adam to expel, who by a tree were given me. For it is a tree that leads them back again into Paradise.”

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On March 15 we commemorate the holy martyr Agapios and those with him: Plesius, Romulus, Timolaos, two named Alexander, and two named Dionysius.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Apostle Aristobulos, Bishop of Britain, brother of Barnabas the Apostle.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Nicander of Egpyt.

The holy new martyr Manuel the Cretan, who witnessed in Chios in the year 1792, died by the sword.

From the Triodion.

On this day, the third Sunday of Lent, we celebrate the veneration of the precious and life-giving Cross.

By the power of Your Cross, O Christ our God, guard us against the wanton assaults of the evil one, and make us worthy to worship Your divine Passion and life-bringing Resurrection, to finish the course of the forty-day fast with ease, and have mercy on us, as You alone are good and benevolent.

CHOIR

Katavasias of Third Sunday of Lent

Ode i. Mode 1.

That most godly prophet Moses prefigured Your Cross * in the Red Sea of old, O Savior. * For he divided the water with the rod in his hand, * and led Israel across, * and sang You a sacred ode of exodus, O Christ our God.

Ode iii.

O Christ, set me firmly on the rock of the Faith, by the power of Your all-holy Cross, * so that my mind will not move when tempted by the enemy’s assaults. * Only You are holy, O Lord.

Notation for your part

Ode iv.

O mighty Lord, when the sun beheld You hanging on the Cross, * that great luminary shuddered, * retracted and hid its rays; and all creation fearfully * sang a hymn extolling Your forbearance. * Indeed the earth has been filled with Your praise, O God.

Notation for your part

Ode v.

We rise early and we extol You, * for through Your Cross we found peace that passes all understanding. * Through it You, the Savior of the world, renewed the human race, * leading us to the unsetting light.

Ode vi.

When Jonah was in the belly of the whale, * he extended his arms and thus foreshadowed the figure of Your holy Cross, O Lord. * Then he bounded forth * from the monster, being saved by Your power, O Logos.

Ode vii.

The same One who saved those Servants from the furnace fire * has become incarnate now. * He has come to earth. * He was nailed upon the Cross. * He has granted salvation to us. * He alone is the God of our fathers, blessed and exceedingly glorious.

Ode viii.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Daniel, who is known as one great among the Prophets, * was cast into the lions’ den and was preserved from being eaten; * for he stretched out his hands in the form of a cross and was kept unharmed, * as he was blessing Christ our God unto the ages.

Stand for the Gospel reading.

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Mode 2.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

PRIEST

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.

DEACON: Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST (from the altar table)

Eothinon 7

John. 20:1 – 10

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

READER

Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death.

CHOIR

Psalm 50 (51).

Mode 2. (or the Mode of the week)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.

Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me.

Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged.

For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me.

Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom.

You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow.

You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice.

Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit.

I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness.

O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.

For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings.

A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise.

Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.

Then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings.

Then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. And have mercy on me, O God.

Idiomela from the Triodion.

Open to me the gates of repentance, O Giver of Life, for early in the morning my spirit hastens to Your holy temple, bringing the temple of my body all defiled. But as one compassionate, cleanse me, I pray, by Your loving-kindness and mercy.

Notation for your part

Guide me in the paths of salvation, O Theotokos, for I have befouled my soul with shameful sins and I heedlessly squandered all of my life’s resources. By your intercession deliver me from every uncleanness.

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 2.

Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.

When I ponder in my wretchedness on the many terrible things that I have done, I tremble for that fearful day, the Day of Judgment. But trusting in the mercy of Your compassion, like David I cry to You, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy.”

PRIEST

We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (12)

PRIEST

Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.

CHOIR

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode 1.

Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

Notation for your part

Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

Notation for your part

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

Notation for your part

Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.

Notation for your part

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

Notation for your part

Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

Notation for your part

Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

Notation for your part

Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

Notation for your part

Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode 1.

O true Theotokos and virgin Mother, you conceived * without seed, and you gave birth to the Savior, Christ our God, * who in the flesh was lifted on the Cross. * All we, the faithful, worthily now praise you * and magnify you along with Him.

Notation for your part

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Mode 2.

Holy is the Lord our God. (2)

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet.

For He is holy.

Exaposteilarion.

Eothinon 7.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

To the melody, “Let us join the Disciples.”

When Mary Magdalene had said * that the Lord had been taken, * Simon Peter and also Christ’s * other beloved disciple * both ran to the tomb together. * Inside they found the napkin, * which had been on the Savior’s head, * not with the linen cloths that were lying there * by themselves, but rolled up and in its own place. * So until Christ appeared to them, * they went back home and rested.

Exaposteilarion. From the Triodion.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

To the melody, “Let us join the Disciples.”

Today the precious Cross of Christ * is to be set before us. * Seeing it let us faithfully * venerate it with gladness, * thereby with longing saluting * the Lord who by His own will * was thereon crucified for us, * and let us pray Him that He account us all * worthy of revering His Cross most precious, * and of arriving uncondemned * at the bright Resurrection.

Notation for your part

Theotokion.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

To the melody, “Let us join the Disciples.”

Your Son stretched out immaculate * hands and was nailed for our sake * onto the Cross, the wood of which * we are now venerating with faith, all-decorous Maiden. * Grant to us peace, we pray you, * and the world-saving, all-divine * Passion may we attain; and may we adore * the resplendent day when the world rejoices, * the shining day that bears the name * of the Lord, namely Pascha.

Lauds. Grave Mode.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God.

Notation for your part

Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God.

Notation for your part

Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light.

Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name.

For He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.

He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps.

Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word.

Mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.

Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds.

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth.

Young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted.

His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people.

A hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.

Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones.

Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King.

Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him.

For the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation.

The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds.

The high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand.

To deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples.

To shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.

Resurrectional Stichera.

Grave Mode.

To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones.

Notation for your part

Christ has risen from the dead, having loosed the bonds of death. O earth, proclaim the good news of great joy! You heavens, praise the glory of God!

Notation for your part

Grave Mode.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power.

Notation for your part

Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord, Jesus, the only sinless One.

Notation for your part

Grave Mode.

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness.

We never cease to honor the resurrection of Christ; for it was He who saved us from our transgressions. Holy is the Lord, Jesus, who showed us resurrection.

Grave Mode.

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre.

What shall we give back to the Lord for all He rendered to us? For us, God lived among men. For human nature that was damaged, the Logos became flesh and dwelt among us. To the ungrateful He is the Benefactor; to the captives, the Liberator; to those who sat in darkness, the Sun of Righteousness. He who is dispassionate suffered on the cross; He who is the Light shone in Hades; He who is the Life trampled death. For the fallen He is the resurrection. Let us cry aloud to Him, “Glory to You our God!”

For the Cross.

Mode 4. To a brave one.

To the melody, “As one valiant among the Martyrs.”

Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute.

Let us joyfully cry aloud, and in odes let us magnify * the all-precious Cross and salute it with a kiss. * And let us cry out to it and say, * O Cross ever-ven’rable, by the power you possess, * sanctify us in every way, soul and body too. * From all manner of injury arising from our enemies preserve us * who venerate in piety.

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord.

Let us joyfully cry aloud, and in odes let us magnify * the all-precious Cross and salute it with a kiss. * And let us cry out to it and say, * O Cross ever-ven’rable, by the power you possess, * sanctify us in every way, soul and body too. * From all manner of injury arising from our enemies preserve us * who venerate in piety.

Verse: Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet; for He is holy.

Come, believers, and faithfully * draw the waters that never fail, * issuing abundantly by the Cross’s grace, * as we behold set before us now * the wood of the holy tree, * yes, the wellspring of the gifts * of the Spirit, which is itself * watered by the blood * and the water that issued from the Master who was willingly exalted * thereon, exalting humanity.

Verse: God is our King before the ages; He worked salvation in the midst of the earth.

The support of the Church are you, * and the strength of the emperors; * boast of the monastics and their deliverance * are you, all-ven’rable Cross of Christ. * And now as we venerate * you today, our hearts and souls * are illumined ineffably by the grace divine * of the Lord who was nailed to you and brought down * the dominion of the sly one, * and who abolished the ancient curse.

Mode pl. 4.

To flee the high-minded opinion of the Pharisees most wicked, the Lord of all things taught us by way of parable, and instructed us all not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought. He Himself became our model and example, having emptied Himself even unto the Cross and death. In thanksgiving, then, with the Publican let us say, “You endured the Passion for us and yet remained dispassionate God, from our sinful passions free us, and grant salvation to our souls.”

Notation for your part

You are supremely blessed, O Virgin Theotokos. For through Him who from you became incarnate, Hades has been captured, and Adam has been called back; the curse has been killed, and Eve has been freed; death has been put to death, and we have been brought back to life. Therefore we extol Him and cry out, “O Christ our God, You are blessed, for so was Your good pleasure. Glory to You!”

Notation for your part

Stand for the Great Doxology.

Great Doxology

Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind.

Notation for your part

We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.

Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, You who take away the sins of the world.

Accept our supplication, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.

For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.

Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.

Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.

Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.

For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we shall see light.

Continue Your mercy to those who know You.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

As the choirs sing the Holy God for the Great Doxology, the priest processes to the solea or around the nave of the church holding the tray with the cross. On the solea he circles the table three times before placing it on the table. When the Doxology is finished, he says:

PRIEST

Wisdom. Arise.

Mode 1.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Notation for your part

CHOIR

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth. (2)

Notation for your part

PRIEST

We venerate Your Cross, O Master, and we glorify Your Holy Resurrection.

CHOIR

We venerate Your Cross, O Master, and we glorify Your Holy Resurrection. (2)

The clergy venerate the cross first, followed by the faithful. While they are venerating, the following Idiomela may be chanted.

CHOIR

Mode 2.

Come, O believers, let us venerate the life-giving Cross. For Christ, the King of glory, voluntarily extended His hands on it and raised us up to the original blessedness, after the enemy long ago had captured us with the bait of pleasure, and caused us to be exiled from God. Come, O believers, let us venerate the Cross, by which we have been granted to crush the skulls of our invisible enemies. Come, all you families of the Gentiles, let us sing hymns to honor the Cross of the Lord. “We salute you, O Cross, for you are the complete redemption of Adam who had fallen. In you our most faithful leaders boast, for by your power they have mightily subdued the foreign enemy. Now we Christians with fear and awe salute you with a kiss, and we glorify God who was nailed to you, and we say, ‘O Lord, who were nailed to the Cross, have mercy on us, for You are good and benevolent.’”

Notation for your part

Mode pl. 4.

Today the Master of creation and Lord of glory is nailed to the Cross and He is pierced in the side. He tastes gall and vinegar, He who is the sweetness of the Church. He is crowned with a crown of thorns, He who covers the sky with clouds. He is dressed in a robe to be ridiculed, and He is smitten by a hand formed of clay, He who formed humanity with His own hand. He takes a flogging on the back, He who circles the sky with clouds. He takes the spitting and the whips, the beatings and the taunts; and He endures it all for me, who am condemned, in order so save the world from delusion, for He is compassionate, my Redeemer and my God.

Today, He who is unapproachable in His essence becomes approachable to me; and He is suffering the Passion, thus freeing me from the passions. He who gives sight to the blind is spit on by lawless lips, and He takes a whipping on the back for the sake of us captives. When His pure Mother saw Him on the Cross, in pain she uttered, “Woe is me, my Child! Why have You done this! You who are more beautiful than all men, I see You not breathing, unsightly, without form or beauty. Woe is me, my Light! I cannot bear to see You sleeping. I am wounded to the core, and an awful sword is piercing my heart. I extol Your Passion, I worship Your compassion. O longsuffering Lord, glory to You!”

Notation for your part

Today the prophetic saying has been fulfilled. For, behold, we are worshiping in the place where Your feet stood, O Lord. And now that we have eaten from the tree of salvation, we have obtained the freedom from the passions that come from sin, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only benevolent God.

When the veneration is finished, the priest returns the cross to the holy altar.

CHOIR

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Notation for your part

Divine Liturgy · Octoechos - Grave Mode.

DEACON

Master bless.

PRIEST

Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ of Constantinople, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Holy Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Lord, our God, whose dominion is incomparable and glory incomprehensible; whose mercy is immeasurable, and love for humankind ineffable: Look upon us and upon this holy house in Your loving-kindness, and grant to us and to those who pray with us Your abundant mercy and compassion.

PRIEST (aloud)

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Antiphon 1. Mode 2.

Verse 1: O Lord, the light of Your face was stamped upon us.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Verse 2: You gave a sign to those who fear You, so they may flee from the face of the bow.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Verse 3: You ascended on high, You led captivity captive.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Verse 4: You give an inheritance to those who fear Your name, O Lord.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Small Litany

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Lord, our God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect all the members of Your Church. Sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house. Glorify them in return by Your divine power, and forsake us not who have set our hope in You.

PRIEST (aloud)

For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Antiphon 2. Mode 2.

Verse 1: All the ends of the earth saw the salvation of our God.

Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Verse 2: Let us worship at the place where His feet stood.

Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Verse 3: God is our King before the ages; He worked salvation in the midst of the earth.

Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Verse 4: I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.

Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Notation for your part

Only-begotten Son and Logos of God, being immortal, You condescended for our salvation to take flesh from the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and, without change, became man. Christ, our God, You were crucified and conquered death by death. Being one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit: Save us.

Notation for your part

Small Litany

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Lord, You have granted us to offer these common prayers in unison and have promised that when two or three agree in Your name, You will grant their requests. Fulfill now, O Lord, the petitions of Your servants as may be of benefit to them, granting us in the present age the knowledge of Your truth, and in the age to come eternal life.

PRIEST (aloud)

For You are good and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Antiphon 3. Mode 1.

Verse 1: Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet; for He is holy.

Verse 2: O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance.

Notation for your part

Verse 3: And shepherd them, and raise them up forever.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

Mode 1.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Notation for your part

As the Third Antiphon is being sung (with its verses), the Priest and Deacon bow three times before the holy Table. Then the Priest gives the holy Gospel to the Deacon, who kisses the Priest’s hand as he receives it, and then circles the holy Table with the Priest following him. Preceded by altar servers holding candles and fans, they exit through the north door for the so-called Small Entrance. When there is no Deacon, the Priest takes the holy Gospel and holds it up in front of his face. When they reach the center of the church, they stop and bow their heads, and the Deacon says in a low voice:

DEACON (in a low voice)

Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Master, Lord our God, who has established the orders and hosts of angels and archangels in heaven to minister to Your glory, grant that holy angels may enter with us, that together we may celebrate and glorify Your goodness. For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Master, bless the holy entrance.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Blessed be the entrance of Your holy ones always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

DEACON (aloud)

Wisdom. Arise.

CHOIR

Entrance Hymn. Mode 2.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead.

Notation for your part

We sing to You, Alleluia.

Hymns after the Entrance.

CHOIR

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Grave Mode.

You destroyed death by Your Cross, You opened Paradise to the Robber. You turned the Myrrh-bearing Women’s lament into joy, and You commanded Your Apostles to preach that You rose, O Christ God, granting the world the great mercy.

For the Feast.

Mode 1.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Notation for your part

The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung. Then:

Kontakion.

Mode pl. 4. Automelon.

To the melody, “To you, the Champion Leader.”

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

O Holy God, who is resting among the holy ones, praised by the Seraphim with the thrice-holy voice, glorified by the Cherubim, and worshiped by every celestial power, You have brought all things into being out of nothing. You have created man according to Your image and likeness and adorned him with all the gifts of Your grace. You give wisdom and understanding to the one who asks, and You overlook not the sinner, but have set repentance as the way of salvation. You have granted us, Your humble and unworthy servants, to stand even at this hour before the glory of Your holy Altar of sacrifice and to offer to You due worship and praise. Master, accept the Trisagion Hymn also from the lips of us sinners, and visit us in Your goodness. Forgive all our voluntary and involuntary transgressions, sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant that we may worship You in holiness all the days of our lives, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints who have pleased You throughout the ages.

PRIEST (aloud)

For You, our God, are holy, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever…

DEACON

and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Instead of Holy God

Mode 2.

We venerate Your Cross, O Master, and we glorify Your Holy Resurrection. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Notation for your part

And we glorify. Your Holy Resurrection.

DEACON

Dynamis.

DEACON (in a low voice)

With your blessing, Master.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Master, bless the throne on high.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Blessed are You upon the throne of the glory of Your kingdom, enthroned upon the Cherubim always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

CHOIR

Dynamis.

We venerate Your Cross, O Master, and we glorify Your Holy Resurrection.

The Epistle

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Verse: To You, O Lord, I cry; O my God, may You not pass over me in silence.

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Heb. 4:14 – 16; 5:1 – 6

Brethren, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

PRIEST

Peace be with you the reader.

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

(Alleluia is sung thrice. Verses may be found in the Liturgy - Variable Parts of the day.)

The Holy Gospel

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Shine in our hearts, O benevolent Lord, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind that we may comprehend the proclamations of Your Gospels. Instill in us the fear that Your blessed commandments inspire, so that, crushing carnal desires, we may seek the spiritual citizenship, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the illumination of our souls and bodies, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Gospel

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

PRIEST

Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

DEACON

Mk. 8:34 – 38; 9:1

The Lord said: “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”

PRIEST

Peace be with you who read the Gospel.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

(The litanies of Supplication and for the Catechumens and the First Prayer of the Faithful have been omitted.)

PRIEST (in a low voice)

O God, with mercy and tender love You visited our lowliness and let us Your humble servants stand before Your holy glory to liturgize at Your holy Altar of sacrifice, sinful and unworthy that we be. We pray You enable us to perform this ministry by the power of Your Holy Spirit, and give us the words to speak when we open our mouths to invoke Your Holy Spirit’s grace on the gifts about to be offered.

PRIEST (aloud)

That, ever guarded by Your might, we may ascribe glory to You, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The Cherubic Hymn.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all.

Notation for your part

PRIEST (in a low voice)

No one bound by carnal desires and pleasures is worthy to approach, draw near, or minister to You, the King of Glory. For to serve You is great and awesome even for the heavenly powers. Yet, because of Your ineffable and immeasurable love for humankind, You impassibly and immutably became man. You, as the Master of all, became our high priest and delivered unto us the sacred service of this liturgical and bloodless sacrifice. Indeed, Lord our God, You alone reign over the celestial and the terrestrial; borne aloft on the cherubic throne, Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel, the only holy and resting among the holy ones. I now beseech You, who alone are good and inclined to hear: Look down upon me, Your sinful and unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and heart of a wicked conscience. Vested as I am with the grace of priesthood by the power of Your Holy Spirit, make me sufficient to stand before Your holy Table and perform the sacrament of Your holy and pure Body and Your precious Blood. I come before You, with my head bowed, and I implore You: Turn not Your face away from me, nor reject me from among Your children, but make me, Your sinful and unworthy servant, worthy to offer these gifts to You. For You are the One who both offers and is offered, the One who is received and is distributed, O Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. * So that we may receive the King of all. Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. (3)

DEACON

May the Lord God remember all of you in His kingdom always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

DEACON

Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the precious Gifts here presented, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Lord our God, You created us and brought us into this life, showed us ways that lead to salvation, and granted us revelation of heavenly mysteries. You are the One who by the power of Your Holy Spirit ordained us to this ministry. Be indeed well pleased, Lord, that we became ministers of Your new covenant and celebrants of Your holy sacraments; and as we approach Your holy Altar of sacrifice, accept us, in the abundance of Your mercy, and make us worthy to offer You this rational and bloodless sacrifice for our own misdeeds and those committed in ignorance by the people. Accept it on Your holy and celestial and spiritual Altar of sacrifice as a sweet and pleasing aroma, and in return send down to us the grace of Your Holy Spirit.

Look upon us, O God, and have regard for this our worship, and accept it as You accepted Abel’s offering, Noah’s sacrifice, Abraham’s whole burnt offering, the ministrations of Moses and Aaron, and Samuel’s peace offerings. And as You accepted this true worship from Your holy Apostles, so also accept these gifts from the hands of us sinners, in Your goodness, O Lord. May we be granted to serve at Your holy Altar of sacrifice without blame and obtain the reward for being faithful and wise stewards on that fearful day of Your just recompense.

PRIEST

Through the mercies of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us love one another, that with oneness of mind we may confess:

CHOIR

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Trinity, one in essence and undivided.

Notation for your part

I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my foundation, my refuge, my deliverer.

DEACON

The doors! The doors! In wisdom, let us be attentive!

PEOPLE

The Creed

I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come.

CHOIR: Amen.

DEACON

Let us stand aright! Let us stand in awe! Let us be attentive, that we may present the Holy Offering in peace.

CHOIR

A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.

PRIEST

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

PRIEST

Let us lift up our hearts.

CHOIR

We lift them up to the Lord.

PRIEST

Let us give thanks to the Lord.

CHOIR

It is proper and right.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

The One Who Is, Master, Lord God, Father, Ruler over all: You are to be worshiped. Indeed it is proper and right and fitting the magnificence of Your holiness to praise You, extol You, bless You, adore You, thank You, and glorify You, the only God who truly exists, and to offer You this our rational worship with a broken heart and humble spirit; for You are the One who granted us the knowledge of Your truth. And who is sufficient to tell Your mighty deeds and make all Your praises heard and describe all Your wonders in every season?

Master of all, Lord of heaven and earth and all creation visible and invisible, who sit upon the throne of glory and behold the depths, unoriginate, unseen, incomprehensible, uncircumscribed, unalterable: You are the Father of our Lord and great God and Savior Jesus Christ, our hope. He is the image of Your goodness, an exact seal, showing You the Father in himself; the living Logos, true God, eternal wisdom, life, sanctification, power, the true light. Through Him was the Holy Spirit manifested, the Spirit of truth, the gift of adoption, the pledge of future inheritance, the firstfruits of the eternal blessings, the life-giving power, the source of holiness. Through the Spirit are all rational and spiritual creatures enabled to worship You, and they offer up perpetual glorification to You, for all things are Your servants.

And they all praise You, angels, archangels, thrones, dominions, principalities, authorities, powers, and the many-eyed cherubim. Around You stand seraphim; each one has six wings. With two they cover their faces, with two they cover their feet, and with two they fly. And one cries to another with unceasing voices and resounding glorification.

PRIEST (aloud)

Singing the triumphal hymn, exclaiming, proclaiming, and saying…

CHOIR

Holy, holy, holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Notation for your part

PRIEST (in a low voice)

We sinners join these blessed hosts and shout to You and say, O benevolent Master: Holy are You; indeed, all-holy, and there is no limit to the magnificence of Your holiness. And You are upright in all Your works; all that You have done to us, You have done in righteousness and true judgment. When You fashioned man from the earth and honored him with Your image, O God, You placed him in the Garden of Eden and promised him immortal life and the enjoyment of eternal blessings if he kept Your commandments. But he disobeyed You, the true God who had created him, and he succumbed to the serpent’s deceit, and he died because of his own offenses; and You, O God, in Your righteous judgment, expelled him from Paradise to this world. You returned him to the earth from which he was taken, and You provided for his salvation by regeneration, which is in Your Christ.

For You did not forever reject Your creature that You made, O Good One; You did not forget the work of Your hands, but rather in Your tender mercy You visited us in many ways: You sent Prophets; You did signs through Your saints who pleased You in every generation; You spoke to us by the mouths of the Your servants the Prophets and announced to us salvation that was to come; You gave the Law to help us; You appointed Angels to guard us.

And when the time had fully come, You spoke to us through Your Son, through whom You also created the world. Since He reflects Your glory and bears the very stamp of Your nature, and He upholds the universe by His word of power, He did not count equality with You, God the Father, a thing to be grasped; but rather being eternal God, He was seen upon the earth and lived among men. He became incarnate from a holy Virgin and emptied himself; He took the form of a servant and became like our lowly body, in order to make us be like His glorious image.

Because sin came into the world through a man and death through sin, O God and Father, Your only-begotten Son, who is in Your bosom, was well pleased to be born of a woman, the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, to be born under the law, and to condemn sin in His flesh, so that as in Adam all die, so also in Him, Your Christ, all be made alive. Living in this world and leaving saving commandments, He delivered us from the error of idolatry and led us to the knowledge of You, the true God and Father; and He acquired us as His own special people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. He cleansed us by water and sanctified us with the Holy Spirit, and He gave himself as an exchange to death, by which we were held captive, sold under sin. Through the cross He descended into the netherworld, so that He might fill all things with himself, and He loosed the pangs of death. He rose on the third day and for all flesh opened the way to resurrection from the dead, as it was not possible for Him, the Author of life, to be held by corruption. And thus He became the first fruits of those who have died, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. He ascended into heaven and sat at the right hand of Your majesty on high; and He will come to render to each, according to their works.

He left us with these memorials of His saving Passion, which we have set before You according to His commands. When He was about to go to His voluntary, celebrated, and life-giving death, on the night when He gave himself up for the life of the world, He took bread in His holy and immaculate hands, showed it to You, God and Father, and when He had given thanks, blessed it, hallowed it, and broken it,

PRIEST (aloud)

He gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body which is broken for you for the forgiveness of sins.”

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

In the same way He also took the cup of the fruit of the vine and mingled it, when He had given thanks, blessed it, and hallowed it,

PRIEST (aloud)

He gave it to His holy disciples and apostles and said, “Drink of this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

“Do this in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim My death, and you confess My resurrection.” Therefore, O Master, as we also now remember His saving Passion, His life-giving crucifixion, His three-day burial, His resurrection from the dead, His ascent into heaven, His seating on the right hand of You, God the Father, and His glorious and awesome Second Coming,

PRIEST (aloud)

Your own of Your own we offer to You, in all and for all.

CHOIR

We praise You. We bless You. We give thanks to You, O Lord; and we pray to You, our God.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

All-holy Master, we approach Your holy Altar of sacrifice with confidence, even we Your sinful and unworthy servants, who are allowed to liturgize at Your holy Altar of sacrifice, not because of any virtue of ours, since we have done nothing good on earth, but because of Your mercies and tender love that You richly poured on us. And we present the elements that will become the holy Body and Blood of Your Christ, and we pray You and implore You, O Holy of holies, that by Your benevolent good pleasure Your Holy Spirit come upon us and these gifts here presented, and that He bless them and hallow them,

DEACON (in a low voice)

Bless, Master, the Holy Bread.

PRIEST

and make this bread be the precious Body of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ,

DEACON

Amen.

Bless, Master, the holy Cup.

PRIEST

and this cup be the precious Blood of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ,

DEACON

Amen.

Bless, Master, both the Holy Gifts.

PRIEST

which was shed for the life and salvation of the world.

DEACON

Amen. Amen. Amen.

PRIEST

We also pray You will unite us all who partake of the one bread and cup to one another, in the communion of the one Holy Spirit. And please let none of us partake of the holy Body and Blood of Your Christ unto judgment or condemnation; but rather may we obtain mercy and grace with all the saints who throughout the ages have pleased You, the ancestors, forefathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, teachers, and every righteous spirit departed in faith.

PRIEST (aloud)

Especially our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.

CHOIR

Hymn to the Theotokos.

In you, O Lady full of grace, all creation rejoices, the hosts of Angels and the human race. O consecrated temple and allegorical Paradise, virgins boast of you. For God became incarnate from you, yes, our eternally existing God became a child from you. He made a throne of your womb, and He made your body wider than the heavens. In you, O Lady full of grace, all creation rejoices. Glory to you!

Notation for your part

PRIEST (in a low voice)

And also with the holy prophet, forerunner, and baptist John, the holy, glorious, and all-lauded Apostles; [the saint whose memory we celebrate] and all Your saints, at whose entreaties visit us, O God.

Also remember all who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection to eternal life [here the priest commemorates the names of the deceased], and grant them rest where the light of Your face is beaming.

Furthermore, we pray You, Lord, remember the holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, which is throughout the world, and which You obtained with the precious blood of Your Christ, and give her peace. And also reinforce this holy church building until the end of time.

Remember, O Lord, those who brought You these gifts, and those for whom and through whom they offered them, and their requests. Remember, O Lord, those who bear fruit and do good works in Your holy churches and who remember the poor. Please reward them with Your rich and heavenly gifts. In return for transient and perishable things on earth, grant them eternal and imperishable things in heaven. Remember, O Lord, those who dwell in deserts and on mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. Remember, O Lord, those who lead a celibate life in chastity, godliness, and asceticism.

Remember, O Lord, our elected officials, whom you have allowed to govern on earth. Equip our government with the armor of truth and with the shield of Your good pleasure. Protect our country in time of war. Strengthen our armed forces, and exalt their right hand. Make our country strong, and subdue all hostile foreign powers. Grant our public officials profound and enduring peace. Whisper in their hearts good things about Your Church and all Your people, so that they may perform their duties in tranquility, and we may live a quiet and peaceful life, in all piety and propriety. Remember, O Lord, everyone in government, all civil servants, and the armed forces. Preserve in Your goodness those who are good; in Your kindness make good those who are bad.

Remember, O Lord, the people here present and those who are absent with good cause. Have mercy on them and on us, according to the abundance of Your mercy. Fill their shelves with goods; preserve their marriages in peace and harmony; nurture the infants; instruct the youth; support the elderly; encourage the fainthearted; reunite the dispersed; return those who succumbed to error and unite them to Your holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Free those who are troubled by unclean spirits. Travel with those who travel. Defend the widows; protect the orphans; free the captives; heal the sick. Remember, O Lord, those who are on trial, in labor camps, in exile, in bitter servitude, and any affliction, necessity, or distress, and everyone in need of Your great compassion; and those who love us and those who hate us; those who have asked us to pray for them, unworthy though we may be. Remember, O Lord our God, all Your people, and pour out Your rich mercy on all of them, and grant everyone their requests that contribute to their salvation. Remember, O God, everyone whom we have failed to commemorate, either through ignorance or omission or because of the many names, since You know the name and age of each, even from their mother’s womb.

For You, O Lord, are the help of the helpless, the hope of the hopeless, the savior of those in trouble, the port for travelers, and the physician of the sick. Be all things to all people, for You know everyone, what they seek, where they live, and what they need. Lord, deliver this city and every city and town from famine, pandemic, earthquake, flood, fire, criminal violence, foreign invasion, and civil war.

PRIEST (aloud)

Among the first remember, Lord, our Archbishop (name). grant him to Your holy churches in peace, safety, honor, and health, unto length of days, rightly teaching the word of Your truth.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

And remember those whom each one of us has in mind, and all the people.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Remember, O Lord, all Orthodox bishops who rightly teach the word of Your truth. And in the abundance of Your tender mercies, O Lord, remember me, who am unworthy. Forgive my every transgression, voluntary and involuntary. And please do not withhold the grace of Your Holy Spirit from these gifts on account of my sins. Remember, O Lord, the priests, the deacons in Christ, and all the clergy. Let none of us surrounding Your holy Altar of sacrifice be disgraced.

Visit us in Your goodness, O Lord; reveal Yourself to us in Your rich and tender mercies. Grant our weather to be temperate and beneficial; send gentle rains to the earth so that it may be fruitful; bless the crown of the year with Your goodness. End the schisms of churches; extinguish the insolence of nations; bring outbreaks of heresy to a quick end, by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Make us children of the light and of the day, and receive us all into Your kingdom. Grant us Your peace and Your love, O Lord our God. Indeed You have given us everything.

PRIEST (aloud)

And grant that with one voice and one heart we may glorify and praise Your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

And the mercies of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, be with you all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

DEACON

Having commemorated all the saints, again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the precious Gifts here presented and consecrated, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

That our benevolent God, having accepted them at His holy and celestial and mystical altar as an offering of spiritual fragrance, may in return send down upon us the divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

(The rest of this litany, which was previously said above, is nowadays usually and correctly omitted.)

DEACON

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

Having asked for the unity of the faith and for the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

O our God, the God who saves, teach us how to worthily thank You for the good things You have done and still do for us. O our God, who have accepted these gifts, cleanse us from every defilement of body and spirit, and teach us how to make holiness perfect in the fear of You, so that receiving the portion of Your holy sacrament with a clear conscience, we may be united to the holy Body and Blood of Your Christ; and having received them worthily, we may have Christ dwelling in our hearts and become a temple of Your Holy Spirit.

And we implore You, our God, please do not count any of us guilty of profaning Your awesome and heavenly sacrament, nor make anyone weak in soul and body for partaking of them unworthily. But rather allow us to receive a portion of Your holy sacrament worthily, to our last breath, as provision for eternal life and an acceptable defense at the awesome judgment seat of Your Christ, so that along with all the saints who throughout the ages have pleased You, we too may become partakers of Your eternal blessings, that You have prepared for those who love You, O Lord.

PRIEST (aloud)

And grant us, Master, with boldness and without condemnation, to dare call You, the heavenly God, Father, and to say:

PEOPLE

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Lord and Master, Father of mercies and God of all comfort, bless and sanctify those who have bowed their heads to You; guard, fortify, and strengthen them. Keep them away from every wicked deed, and attach them to every good deed. And allow them to partake of Your immaculate and life-giving sacrament, without condemnation, for the forgiveness of sins and communion of the Holy Spirit.

PRIEST (aloud)

Through the grace, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Hearken, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from Your holy dwelling place and from the throne of glory of Your kingdom, and come to sanctify us, You who are enthroned with the Father on high and are present among us invisibly here. And with Your mighty hand, grant Communion of Your most pure Body and precious Blood to us, and through us to all the people.

DEACON: Let us be attentive.

PRIEST

The Holy Gifts for the holy people of God.

CHOIR

One is Holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Notation for your part

PEOPLE

The selection and text of the following prayers may be different from what is used in your parish.

I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure Body and that this is truly Your precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You, have mercy on me and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, in knowledge or in ignorance. And make me worthy, without condemnation, to partake of Your pure sacrament for the remission of sins and for eternal life. Amen.

As I am about to receive holy communion, * O Maker, I pray You not burn me partaking, * since You are fire consuming the unworthy, * but rather purge me of any defilement.

Receive me, today, O Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas. But like the Robber I confess to You. Remember me, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom.

Seeing the deifying Blood, O human, shudder, * for it is a live coal that burns the unworthy. * The Body of God both deifies my spirit * and feeds my mind in extraordinary manner.

You have enraptured me, O Christ, * with Your longing and transformed me with love divine. * I pray, completely consume * with immaterial fire all my sins. * And count me worthy to be filled * fully with the delight in You, * that I may magnify * both Your Comings, O good Master, exultantly.

How shall I enter into the splendor of Your saints since I am unworthy? For if I dare to enter the wedding hall along with them, my garment will betray me, for it is not fit for the wedding; and then I shall be bound and cast out by the Angels. I pray You to wash away the stains on my soul, and save me, O benevolent Lord.

Benevolent Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these Holy Gifts be to my judgment because I am unworthy, but rather for the purification and sanctification of both soul and body and the pledge of the life and kingdom to come. It is good for me to cleave unto God and to place in Him the hope of my salvation.

Receive me, today, O Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas. But like the Robber I confess to You. Remember me, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom.

CHOIR

Communion Hymn. Psalm 4.

O Lord, the light of Your face was stamped upon us. Alleluia.

DEACON

With the fear of God, faith, and love, draw near.

The people come up to receive Holy Communion. The Priest receives the holy chalice from the hands of the Deacon and begins communing the people, saying to each one: The Body and Blood of Christ, for the remission of sins and life eternal.

PRIEST

Save, O God, Your people, and bless Your inheritance.

CHOIR

Hymn after Holy Communion.

Instead of “We have seen.”

Mode 1.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Notation for your part

DEACON (in a low voice)

Exalt, Master.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth. (3)

Blessed is our God.

PRIEST (aloud)

Always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

DEACON

Arise! Having partaken of the divine, holy, pure, immortal, heavenly, life-creating, and awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Having prayed for a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless day, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

We thank You, O Lord our God, for the communion of Your holy, immaculate, immortal, and heavenly sacrament, which You have granted us for the benefit, sanctification, and healing of our souls and bodies. O Master of all, grant that the communion of the holy Body and Blood of Your Christ may be to us for faith unashamed, love unfeigned, fulness of wisdom, healing of soul and body, deterrence from everything contrary, observance of Your commandments, and for an acceptable defense at the dread judgment seat of Your Christ.

PRIEST (aloud)

For You are our sanctification, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Let us go forth in peace.

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

O Christ our God, You accept this rational and bloodless sacrifice as a sacrifice of praise and pleasing worship. You are the lamb and Son of God who take away the sin of the world, the blameless young bull that does not accept the yoke of sin, and who were offered for us of Your own will. You are broken but not divided, eaten but never depleted; and You sanctify those who eat. Indeed, You made us partakers of Your holy Body and precious Blood, this ineffable, heavenly, and awesome sacrament, in remembrance of Your voluntary Passion and life-giving resurrection on the third day. Preserve us in Your holiness, us Your servants, those who minister, who govern faithfully, who serve in the armed forces, and the people here in attendance.

And grant us to meditate on Your righteousness at all times and in every season, so that being guided to Your will and doing what is pleasing to You, we may become worthy to stand at Your right hand when You come to judge the living and the dead. Rescue our brethren who are captives, visit those who are ill, pilot travelers who are in danger, and give rest to the souls of all who have fallen asleep in the hope of the eternal life, where the light of Your face shines; and hear the prayers of all who need Your help.

For You are the giver of good things, and we offer up glory to You and Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and to the ages. (3)

PRIEST (in a low voice)

O Christ our God, the sacrament of Your dispensation is completed and finished as far as it is in our power. We had the memorial of Your death; we saw the image of Your resurrection; we were filled with Your everlasting life; we experienced Your inexhaustible delight. Please allow us all to enjoy it in the age to come, by the grace of Your Father who is without beginning and Your holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

May the blessing and the mercy of the Lord come upon you by His divine grace and love for humankind, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

May He who rose from the dead, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

CHOIR

Lord, protect for many years the one who blesses and sanctifies us.

PRIEST

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR: Amen.

Vespers · Memory of the Holy Martyr Sabinos the Egyptian, and our Devout Father Christodoulos of Patmos.

PRIEST

Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

While the Introductory Psalm is being read, the Priest stands in front of the holy Table and reads the so-called Lamp-lighting Prayers.

READER

Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Psalm 103 (104).

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are magnified exceedingly; You clothe Yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain; You are He who covers His upper chambers with water, who makes the clouds His means of approach, who walks on the wings of the winds, who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. He established the earth on its stable foundation; it shall not be moved unto ages of ages. The deep like a garment is His covering; the waters shall stand upon the mountains; at Your rebuke they shall flee; at the sound of Your thunder, they shall be afraid. The mountains rise up, and the plains sink down to the place You founded for them. You set a boundary they shall not pass over; neither shall they return to cover the earth. You are He who sends springs into the valley; the waters shall pass between the mountains; they shall give drink to all the wild animals of the field; the wild asses shall quench their thirst; the birds of heaven shall dwell beside them; they shall sing from the midst of the rocks. You are He who waters the mountains from His higher places; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Your works. You are He who causes grass to grow for the cattle, and the green plant for the service of man, to bring forth bread from the earth; and wine gladdens the heart of man, to brighten his face with oil; and bread strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of fruit, the cedars of Lebanon, which You planted; there the sparrows shall make their nests; the house of the heron takes the lead among them. The high mountains are for the deer; the cliff is a refuge for the rabbits. He made the moon for seasons; the sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night, wherein all the wild animals of the forest will prowl about; the young lions roar and snatch their prey, and seek their food from God. The sun arises, and they are gathered together; and they shall be put to bed in their dens. Man shall go out to his work and to his labor until evening. O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom; the earth was filled with Your creation. There is this great and spacious sea: the creeping things are there without number; the living things are there, both small and great; there the ships pass through; there is this dragon You formed to play therein. All things wait upon You, that You may give them food in due season. When You give it to them, they shall gather it; when You open Your hand, all things shall be filled with Your goodness. But when You turn Your face away, they shall be troubled; when You take away their breath, they shall die and return again to their dust. You shall send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be forever; the Lord shall be glad in His works; He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I exist; may my words be pleasing to Him, and I shall be glad in the Lord. May sinners cease from the earth, and the lawless, so as to be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night.

O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)

Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ of Constantinople, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Holy Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Grave Mode.

Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to You. Hear me, O Lord.

Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord.

Notation for your part

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.

The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.

They shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As a clod of ground is dashed to pieces on the earth, so their bones were scattered beside the grave.

For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.

Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.

Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.

I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.

I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.

When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.

For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.

I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.

Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.

I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”

Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Stichera. For compunction.

Grave Mode.

Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.

Like the prodigal son, I have returned, loving Father. As one of Your hired hands accept me who fall down to You, and have mercy on me.

Notation for your part

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.

Like the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded, because of my own sins, I have also fallen, and my soul has likewise been wounded. In whom shall I, who am at fault, take refuge, if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls? O God, pour on me the oil of Your great mercy.

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.

O Savior, sinner that I am, do not cut me down, like the unfruitful fig tree. But this year grant me forgiveness, and water my soul with the tears of my repentance, so that I may bring to You as fruit, charity and acts of mercy.

Grave Mode. No longer are we barred.

To the melody, “No longer are we barred from the tree of life.”

Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

The Sun of Righteousness as You are, O Savior, * rightly guide our hearts to the light as we cry out: * Glory to You, O Lord.

From the Triodion.

Mode pl. 4. Lord, even though.

To the melody, “O Lord, though You stood before the tribunal.”

If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You.

Lord our God, willingly You spread Your divine hands * to be nailed on the holy Cross. * Count us worthy to venerate it * with a heart contrite and penitent, * and with our bodies and souls * aglow through self-control and prayer * and good deeds and from fasting, for You are good and love humanity.

Notation for your part

Mode pl. 4. Lord, even though.

To the melody, “O Lord, though You stood before the tribunal.”

Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord.

Lord, I pray, blot out my abundant transgressions * according to the abundance of * Your compassion, merciful Savior. * And in Your love for humanity, * account me worthy to see * and venerate You holy Cross, * during this fourth week of Lenten fasting, * with my soul and body purified.

Notation for your part

Mode 3. Truly amazing.

From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.

Truly amazing! On view is the Tree on which Christ was physically crucified. * The world venerates it, and illumined cries out: * “How great is the Cross’s power! * When demons simply look at it, it burns them. * We make the sign of it, and indeed it scorches them. * O immaculate Tree, I extol you; * with fear I venerate and honor. * And I send up glory to God my Savior, who through you to me has granted never-ending life.

Stichera from the Menaion.

March 16

Mode pl. 4. Lord, even though.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions.

Notation for your part

Lord our God, You know well the frailty and weakness * of human nature. And so we pray: * During Lent, this season of fasting, * gird us with power and strengthen us * against the passions and our foes, * the ones that are invisible; * protect our souls with dispassion, * that we may glorify Your tender love.

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples.

Notation for your part

Lord our God, being good and by the inspiration * of the divine Spirit You transferred * the prize-winning Martyr from darkness * to dwell in Your uncreated light. * You demonstrated him to be * Your soldier, strong against the foes. * Having served with grace and valor, * he glorified You, O benevolent God.

Notation for your part

For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever.

Lord our God, at the holy martyrs’ entreaties, * since You are good and benevolent, * keep us safe beneath the protection * of Your noetically perceived wings; * and count us worthy to behold * in purity and chastity * Your resurrection on the third day, * O Logos, as You are compassionate.

Mode pl. 4. Lord, even though.

To the melody, “O Lord, though You stood before the tribunal.”

Lord our God, hear the intercessions of Your Mother, * and with compassion be moved by them. * Save the human race, yes, all people * who glorify Your omnipotence; * and deliver us from all * deception of the enemy. * O all-merciful One, have mercy; * give us pardon and forgiveness of sins.

Stand for the Entrance.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Let us pray to the Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

ENTRANCE PRAYER

In the evening, in the morning, and at midday, we praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Master of all, benevolent Lord. Let our prayer be set forth before You as incense. Incline not our hearts to evil words or thoughts, but deliver us all from those who pursue our souls. For our eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You, and in You we hope. Leave us not embarrassed, O our God.

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise.

CLERGY AND PEOPLE

Mode 2.

Gladsome light of holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; * and therefore the world glorifies You.

Notation for your part

DEACON

The evening Prokeimenon!

CHOIR

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 4.

You give an inheritance to those who fear Your name.

Verse: From the end of the earth I cried out to You when my heart was discouraged; You lifted me high on a rock.

You give an inheritance to those who fear Your name.

Verse: I will be covered with the shelter of Your wings.

You give an inheritance to those who fear Your name.

Verse: So I will sing praise to Your name unto ages of ages, that I may pay my vows day to day.

Notation for your part

You give an inheritance to those who fear Your name.

DEACON

Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us all say.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Lord, Ruler of all, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST

For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Stand for the reading of prayer.

READER

O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen. O Lord, let your mercy be upon us for we have set our hope in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, grant me understanding of your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy is forever. Do not despise the works of your hands. To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you is due glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

DEACON

Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are good and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Lord our God, who inclined the heavens and came down for the salvation of humankind, look upon Your servants and Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads and bent their necks to You, the fearsome yet compassionate Judge, not expecting human help, but awaiting Your mercy and anticipating Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and the coming night, from every enemy, from all demonic activity against them, from unprofitable reflections, and from wicked thoughts.

PRIEST (aloud)

Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Aposticha. From the Triodion.

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 4.

I dare not raise my eyes toward heaven because of my evil deeds, wretch that I am! But like the Tax Collector, I groan and cry out to You: God, be merciful to me, the sinner, and deliver me from pharisaical hypocrisy, for You alone love mankind.

Verse: I lift my eyes to You, who dwell in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the maidservant look to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God until He shall have compassion on us.

I dare not raise my eyes toward heaven because of my evil deeds, wretch that I am! But like the Tax Collector, I groan and cry out to You: God, be merciful to me, the sinner, and deliver me from pharisaical hypocrisy, for You alone love mankind.

For the Martyrs.

Mode pl. 4.

Verse: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we are greatly filled with contempt; our soul is greatly filled with it. We are a disgrace to those who prosper, and a contempt to the arrogant.

Martyrs of the Lord, you sanctify every locality, and you heal every infirmity. And now we pray you to intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy.

Mode pl. 4.

All in heaven sing your praises, O unwedded Mother who are full of grace. And we also glorify you and your incomprehensible childbirth. O Theotokos, intercede for the salvation of our souls.

Notation for your part

Stand for the reading of prayers

PRIEST

Song of Simeon

PEOPLE

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Apolytikia. Mode pl. 1.

O Virgin Theotokos, rejoice, Mary full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you have borne the Savior of our souls.

Notation for your part

O Baptist of Christ, be mindful of us all, that we may be delivered from our iniquities; for unto you was given the grace to intercede for us.

Entreat earnestly for us, O holy Apostles and all Saints, that we be delivered from peril and affliction; for you are our fervent advocates before the Savior.

This final troparion, according to older rules, is simply recited by the Reader. In current practice, however, it is usually, sung much like the preceding hymns.

Beneath your tender compassion we take refuge, O Theotokos. Despise not our supplications in distress, but deliver us from all peril. You alone are pure; you alone are blessed.

Notation for your part

READER

Lord, have mercy. (40)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

O heavenly King, uphold our rulers, strengthen the Faith, calm the nations, give peace to the world. Protect this holy Church (or, Monastery); grant our departed fathers and brethren that they may dwell with the righteous, and accept us in repentance and confession; for You are good and benevolent.

We now make three prostrations: i.e. we recite the Prayer of St. Ephrem (quietly or mentally), and with each verse we make a bow or prostration.

While it has become customary for this prayer to be recited by someone aloud, nevertheless the indicated practice is that it be recited inaudibly and mentally by everyone, clergy and congregants alike, with the accompanying bows etc.

Prayer of St. Ephrem

Then we make the sign of the cross 12 times, each time saying, “God, be gracious to me a sinner and have mercy on me.” Then we repeat the third verse of the Prayer (quietly or mentally) and make a final bow or prostration.

READER

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Father, bless!

PRIEST

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR: Amen.