Priest: 

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

Reader: 

Amen.

Priest: 

Glory to You, our God. Glory to You.

Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who are everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come, abide in us, cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one.

Reader: 

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

Glory. Both now.

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. (3)

Glory. Both now.

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…

Reader: 

Amen. Lord, have mercy. (12) Glory. Both now.

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 19

AY the Lord hear you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you. May he send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion. May he remember all your offerings, and fatten your whole-burnt sacrifice. May the Lord grant you according to your heart, and fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, and boast in the name of the Lord our God. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord has saved his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven; the salvation of his right hand is with power. Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; but we will boast in the name of the Lord our God. Their feet are entangled, and they have fallen; but we are risen, and stand upright. O Lord, save the king; and hear us in the day when we call upon you. 

Psalm 20

HE king shall rejoice in your strength, O Lord; and in your salvation he shall greatly exult. You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld from him the request of his lips. For you have met him with blessings of goodness; you have set a crown of precious stones upon his head. He asked life of you, and you gave him length of days forever and ever. His glory is great in your salvation; you shall lay glory and majesty upon him. For you shall give him a blessing forever and ever; you shall make him exceedingly glad with your countenance. For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved. Let your hand be found by all your enemies; let your right hand find all who hate you. You shall make them like a fiery oven in the time of your presence; the Lord shall trouble them in his wrath, and fire shall devour them. You shall destroy their fruit from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men. For they have intended evil against you; they have de-vised counsels which they are not able to perform. For you shall make them turn their back; with your remnant you shall take aim at their face. Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength; we will sing, and praise your mighty acts.

Glory. Both now.

Trisagion Prayers.

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

Glory. Both now.

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. (3)

Glory. Both now.

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…

Reader: 

Amen. 

 

 

The Royal Troparia

Dismissal Hymn of the Cross

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

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

Kontakion of the Cross

You who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, O Christ our God, bestow your tender compassions upon your new community to which you gave your name. Cause our faithful emperors to be glad in your power, granting them the victories against their adversaries. And for an ally, Lord, may they have you, peace as their armor, the trophy invincible.

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

Theotokion

O awesome and unshamable protection, O good and praiseworthy Theotokos, do not despise our petitions; make firm the community of the Orthodox; save those whom you have called to rule; grant them victory from heaven, for you gave birth to God and are truly blessed.

Priest: 

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

1^st Choir: 

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

 

Priest: 

Let us pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

2^nd Choir: 

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

Priest: 

Again we pray for (episcopal rank) (name).

1^st Choir: 

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

Priest: 

For You are a merciful God Who loves mankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

2^nd Choir: 

Amen. In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

Priest:  

Glory to the holy and consubstantial, and life giving, and undivided Trinity, always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Reader: 

Amen. 

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (3)

O Lord, you will open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. (2)

And we begin the Six Psalms, listening with complete silence and compunction.

Psalm 3

ord, why are they multiplied who afflict me? Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say to my soul, There is no salvation for him in his God. But you, O Lord, are my help, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and he heard me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord, save me, my God; for you have struck all who without cause are my enemies; you have shattered the teeth of sinners. Salvation is from the Lord, and your blessing is upon your people. 

And again:

I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me.

Psalm 37

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chasten me in your wrath. For your arrows are fixed in me, and your hand presses heavily upon me. There is no health in my flesh because of your anger, nor is there peace in my bones because of my sins. For my transgressions have risen over my head; they have weighed upon me like a heavy burden. My wounds have grown foul and corrupt because of my folly. I am utterly wretched and bowed down; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with mockery, and there is no health in my flesh. I am utterly afflicted and humbled; I have roared because of the groaning of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before you, and my groaning is not hidden from you. My heart is troubled, my strength has failed me, and even the light of my eyes is gone from me. My friends and my neighbors drew up across from me and stood, and my kin stood far off. And those who sought my life used violence; and those who sought my hurt spoke vain things, and talked deceitfully all the day long. But I, as if deaf, did not hear, and I was like a mute who does not open his mouth; and I was like a man who cannot hear, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. For in you, O Lord, have I hoped; you will hear, O Lord my God. For I said, Let never my enemies rejoice over me; when my feet slipped, they spoke boastfully against me. For I am ready for scourges, and my grief is continually before me. For I will declare my transgression, and be sorry for my sin. But my enemies live, and are stronger than I, and those who hate me wrongfully are multiplied. Those who render me evil for good have slandered me, because I pursue goodness. Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord of my salvation. 

And again:

Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me.

Make haste to help me, O Lord of my salvation.

Psalm 62

God, my God, I seek you early. My soul thirsts for you; oh how my flesh longs for you in a dry, and trackless, and waterless land! Thus have I appeared before you in the sanctuary, to see your power and your glory. For your mercy is better than life; my lips shall praise you. Thus will I bless you while I live, and lift up my hands in your name. Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fat, that my mouth may praise you with joyful lips. When I remember you upon my bed, I meditate on you in the night watches; for you have been my helper, and in the shadow of your wings I will rejoice. My soul cleaves to you, and your right hand helps me. But these ones sought my life in vain; they shall go down into the lowest parts of the earth. They shall be given to the edge of the sword; they shall be portions for foxes. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall glory, for the mouth of those who speak iniquities is stopped.

And again:

I meditate on you in the night watches; for you have been my helper, and in the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.

My soul cleaves to you, and your right hand helps me.

The following are said without making the sign of the Cross or bowing.

Glory. Both now.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to you, O God. (3)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory. Both now.

Psalm 87

Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my supplication. For my soul is filled with evils, and my life has drawn near to Hades. I am counted with those who go down into the pit; I am like a man without help, free among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, for they have been cast out of your hand. They have laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, and in the shadow of death. Your wrath lies heavily upon me, and you have brought all your billows against me. You have put my acquaintances far from me; they have made me an abomination to themselves. I have been delivered up, and have not escaped; my eyes are weak from poverty. Lord, I have cried to you all the day; I have stretched out my hands to you. Shall you work wonders for the dead? Or shall physicians raise them up, that they might give thanks to you? Shall anyone declare your mercy in the grave, or your truth in perdition? Shall your wonders be known in darkness, or your righteousness in a forgotten land? As for me, I have cried to you, O Lord, and in the morning my prayer shall meet you. Lord, why do you cast off my soul? Why do you turn your face from me? I am poor, and have lived in toils since my youth; having been exalted, I was brought low, and was at a loss. Your anger has come upon me; your terrors have greatly troubled me. They have surrounded me like water all the day; they have encompassed me altogether. You have put far from me friend and neighbor, and my acquaintances, because of my wretchedness.

And again:

O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my supplication.

Psalm 102

less the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all that he has done for you, who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from corruption, who crowns you with mercy and compassion, who satisfies your desire with good things; your youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord performs deeds of mercy, and executes judgment for all who are wronged. He made his ways known to Moses, and his will to the children of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy. He will not be angry forever, nor will he keep his wrath for eternity. He has not dealt with us according to our iniquities, nor rewarded us according to our sins. For as high as the heaven is above the earth, so greatly has the Lord made his mercy prevail over those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has the Lord removed our iniquities from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so has the Lord had compassion on those who fear him. For he knows our fashioning; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the spirit passes in him, and he is gone; and he shall know his place no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting for those who fear him, and his righteousness is upon children’s children for those who keep his covenant, and remember his commandments to do them. The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, all you his angels, mighty in strength, who perform his word to obey the voice of his words. Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, his ministers who do his will. Bless the Lord, all you his works, in every place of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

And again:

In every place of his dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul.

 

Psalm 142

Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplication in your truth; hear me in your righteousness. And do not enter into judgment with your servant, for none living shall be justified before you. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has cast my life down to the ground; he has set me in darkness like the dead of old. And my spirit has grown weary within me; my heart within me is troubled. I remembered days of old; I meditated on your deeds; I mused on the works of your hands. I stretched out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a waterless land. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit has fainted; do not turn your face from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Let me hear your mercy in the morning, for I have set my hope in you; make known to me, O Lord, the way in which I should walk, for I have lifted up my soul to you. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord; I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; your good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness. For your name’s sake, O Lord, you will give me life; in your righteousness you will bring my soul out of trouble. And in your mercy you will make my enemies perish, and destroy all those who afflict my soul; for I am your servant.

And again:

Hear me, O Lord, in your righteousness; and do not enter into judgment with your servant. (2) 

Your good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness.

Glory. Both now.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to you, O God. (2)

And the reader intones:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to you, O God. Our hope, O Lord, glory to you.

Priest/Deacon: 

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

1^st Choir: 

Lord, have mercy. (after each petition)

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

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.

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

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

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

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

2^nd Choir: 

Lord, have mercy. (after each petition)

For the Great and Holy Church of Christ, for this sacred 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.

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

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.

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

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

Commemorating our most holy, pure, 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.

2^nd Choir: 

To You, O Lord.

Priest:

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

1^st Choir: 

Amen.

Plagal 4^th Mode

1^st Verse: From nightfall my spirit is awake for you, O God, for your commands are light upon the earth.

Choir: 

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

2^nd Verse: Learn justice, inhabitants of the earth.

3^rd Verse: Jealousy will seize an untaught people, and now fire devours their adversaries.

4^th Verse: Bring evils upon them, O Lord, bring evils upon them, the glorious ones of the earth.

Bridegroom Troparion. Plagal 4^th Mode.

ehold, the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night; and blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching, but unworthy is he whom He shall find in slothfulness. Beware, then, O my soul, and be not overcome by sleep, lest you be given over to death and shut out from the Kingdom. But return to soberness and cry aloud: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God: By the intercessions of the Forerunner save us.

Glory.

ehold, the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night; and blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching, but unworthy is he whom He shall find in slothfulness. Beware, then, O my soul, and be not overcome by sleep, lest you be given over to death and shut out from the Kingdom. But return to soberness and cry aloud: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God: By the intercessions of the Saints save us. 

Both now.

ehold, the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night; and blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching, but unworthy is he whom He shall find in slothfulness. Beware, then, O my soul, and be not overcome by sleep, lest you be given over to death and shut out from the Kingdom. But return to soberness and cry aloud: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God: through the Theotokos have mercy upon us.

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:

Commemorating our most holy, pure, 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 of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. 

Choir: 

Amen.

Kathisma I. 4^th Mode. You who were lifted.

Let us truly love the Bridegroom, O brethren, * and prepare our oil lamps to receive Him, * and let us shine with virtues and the Orthodox faith, * so that we may be prepared, like the sensible virgins, * and enter the wedding feast * together with the Master. * For being God, the Bridegroom bestows * on all a free gift, * the crown that will perish not.

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

Kathisma II. 4^th Mode. Joseph marveled.

Motivated by their fierce * envy, the priests and the scribes, * came together and convened * a lawless council against You, * and they incited Judas to betray You. * Shamelessly he went to them, O Savior, and spoke, * vilifying You to men who kept not the Law; * and he conferred with them and said, "What will you give me * if I deliver Him into your hands?" * O Lord, deliver our souls, we pray You, * from the betrayer's condemnation.

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

Kathisma III. Plagal 4^th. By conceiving the wisdom.

Avaricious is Judas in his intent. * And against his own Teacher, the godless one * maneuvers, deliberates, his betrayal he meditates. * He falls away from the light and accepts the darkness. * He negotiates the sale, and he sells off the priceless One. * Therefore, as the payment for the deed he committed, * the wretch went and hanged himself, and he suffered a painful death. * We entreat You, deliver us * from his lot, O Christ our God, * and forgiveness of offenses grant to us * who observe Your immaculate Passion with faith and love.

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

Deacon: 

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

1^st Choir: 

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

Deacon: 

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy Gospel. 

Priest: 

Peace be with all. 

2^nd Choir: 

And with your spirit. 

Priest: 

The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. 

Deacon: 

Let us be attentive. 

1^st Choir: 

Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.

Priest: 

22:15-46, 23:1-39

t that time, the Pharisees went and took counsel how to entangle him in his talk. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the money for the tax." And they brought him a coin. And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard it, they marveled; and they left him and went away. The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies, having no children, his brother must marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother.' Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother. So too the second and third, down to the seventh. After them all, the woman died. In the resurrection, therefore, to which of the seven will she be wife? For they all had her." But Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not God of the dead, but of the living." And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching. But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, to test him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, "What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." He said to them, "How is it then that David, inspired by the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I put thy enemies under thy feet'? If David thus calls him Lord, how is he his son?" And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did any one dare to ask him any more questions. Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If any one swears by the temple, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, 'If any one swears by the altar, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.' You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; and he who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it; and he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and rapacity. You blind Pharisee! first cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, saying, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' Thus you witness against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly, I say to you, all this will come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

Choir: 

Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.

Reader: 

Psalm 50

ave mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy, and according to the multitude of your compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against you only have I sinned, and done evil before you, that you might be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.  For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bring me forth. For behold, you have loved truth; you have revealed to me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; you shall wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice. Turn your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and establish me with a governing Spirit. I will teach transgressors your ways, and the ungodly shall return to you. Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God, the God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in your righteousness. O Lord, you will open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise. For had you desired sacrifice, I would have given 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, to Zion in your good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then shall you be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offering; then shall they offer bullocks upon your altar.

Little Litany

Priest: 

For you are the King of peace and the Saviour of our souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and to the ages of ages.

Reader: 

Amen.

Kontakion

Consider your final hour, O wretched soul; be frightened by how the fig tree was cut down; and therefore with diligence cultivate the talent that was given you, being vigilant and crying out, "Let us not be left out of the wedding hall of Christ."

Oikos

Why are you lazy, my pitiful soul? Why are you thinking about unprofitable cares at such a time? Why are you busy with things that pass away? The final hour is at hand and we shall soon be parted from all that is here. While you still have time, get sober and cry, "I have sinned against You, my Savior. Do not cut me down like that unfruitful fig tree; but, since You are compassionate, O Christ, take pity on me as I cry out with fear: Let us not be left out of the wedding hall of Christ."

Synaxarion from the Menaion, then:

On great and holy Tuesday, we commemorate the parable of the ten virgins from the holy Gospel.

Verses:

The greatest of Tuesdays points to the Ten Virgins,

Who point to the victory of the impartial Master.

O Bridegroom Christ, number us with the wise virgins, and include us in Your chosen flock, and have mercy on us. Amen.

 

2^nd Choir:

The Canon. By Cosmas the Monk.

Ode VIII. 2^nd Mode. Heirmos.

The three righteous Servants did not obey * the impious decree of the tyrant. * And they were cast into the furnace's fire, * where they stood confessing God, * and they sang, "Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord."

Glory to You, our God, glory to you.

Let us rid ourselves of all laziness; * and with our lamps shining brightly, * let us go forth to meet the immortal Bridegroom Christ, * singing hymns and shouting, "Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord."

Glory to You, our God, glory to you.

Let the oil of distributing alms * be abundant in the vessels of our souls, * so that we will not be purchasing * when it comes time for the rewards. * Then we can sing, "Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

We bless the Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. we sing a hymn to Him and exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages.

As many of you as have received * the talent from God, labor to increase it, * and double the grace, with the aid * of Christ who gave it to you, * and with joy sing, "Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord."

Katavasia

We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord.

The three righteous Servants did not obey * the impious decree of the tyrant. * And they were cast into the furnace's fire, * where they stood confessing God, * and they sang, "Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord."

Deacon: 

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

1^st Choir:

Ode IX. 2^nd Mode. Heirmos.

You have contained within your womb * God whom nothing can contain; * to the joy of the world you have given birth. * We sing praises to you, all-holy Virgin. (2)

Glory to You, our God, glory to You. 

You, the Benevolent, enjoined * Your disciples telling them, * "Watch, for you do not know the hour * when the Lord will come to reward each of His servants."

Glory. Both now.

When you return at Your most dread * second coming, O Master, * overlook my many offences, * and put me with the sheep at Your right hand.

Katavasia

You have contained within your womb * God whom nothing can contain; * to the joy of the world you have given birth. * We sing praises to you, all-holy Virgin.

Little Litany

 

 

 

Priest: 

For all the powers of heaven praise You and give You glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

1^st Choir: 

Amen.

Exaposteilarion. 3^rd Mode. Automelon.

I see your bridal chamber; it is adorned, my Savior, and I have no wedding garment, that I may enter therein. Illumine the vesture of my soul, O Giver of Light, and save me.

The Praises. 1^st Mode.

Let every breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the highest. To you is due praise, O God.

Praise him, all his angels; praise him all his hosts. To you is due praise, O God.

1. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you stars and light.
2. Praise him, you heavens of heavens, and the water that is above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord; 
3. For he spoke, and they came into being; he commanded, and they were created.
4. He established them forever, and to the ages of ages; he made a decree, and it shall not pass away.
5. Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons, and all deeps;
6. Fire, hail, snow, ice, tempest wind, which fulfill his word;
7. Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars;
8. Wild beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and winged birds;
9. Kings of the earth, and all peoples; princes, and all judges of the earth;
10. Young men and virgins; elders with youths. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted.
11. His praise is on earth and in heaven, and he will exalt the horn of his people.
12. This is a hymn for all his saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to him.
13. Sing to the Lord a new song; let his praise be in the congregation of the saints.
14. Let Israel rejoice in his Maker, and let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
15. Let them praise his name in the dance; let them sing praises to him with the timbrel and psaltery.
16. For the Lord takes pleasure in his people, and will exalt the meek with salvation.
17. The saints shall boast with glory, and shall be joyful on their beds.
18. The high praises of God shall be in their throats, and two-edged swords in their hands,
19. To execute vengeance among the nations, and rebukes among the peoples;
20. To bind their kings with fetters, and their nobles with manacles of iron;
21. To execute among them the written judgment. This glory shall be for all his saints.
22. Praise God in his saints; praise him in the firmament of his power.

Sticheron I. 1^st Mode.

1^st Verse: Praise him for his mighty acts; praise him according to his abundant greatness.

Into the splendor of Your saints how shall I enter? For I am unworthy, and if I dare to come into the bridal chamber, my clothing will accuse me, since it is not a wedding garment; and I shall be cast out by the angels, bound hand and foot. Cleanse, O Lord, the filth from my soul and save me in Your love for mankind.

Sticheron II. 1^st Mode.

2^nd Verse: Praise him with the sound of the trumpet; praise him with psaltery and harp.

Into the splendor of Your saints how shall I enter? For I am unworthy, and if I dare to come into the bridal chamber, my clothing will accuse me, since it is not a wedding garment; and I shall be cast out by the angels, bound hand and foot. Cleanse, O Lord, the filth from my soul and save me in Your love for mankind.

Sticheron III. 2^nd Mode. 

3^rd Verse: Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. 

I slumber in slothfulness of soul, O Christ the Bridegroom; I have no lamp that burns with virtue, and like the foolish virgins I go wandering when it is time to act. Close not Your compassionate heart against me, Master, but dispel dark sleep from me and rouse me up; and lead me with the wise virgins into Your bridal chamber, where those who feast sing with pure voice unceasingly: O Lord, glory to You.

4^th Verse: Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord.

I slumber in slothfulness of soul, O Christ the Bridegroom; I have no lamp that burns with virtue, and like the foolish virgins I go wandering when it is time to act. Close not Your compassionate heart against me, Master, but dispel dark sleep from me and rouse me up; and lead me with the wise virgins into Your bridal chamber, where those who feast sing with pure voice unceasingly: O Lord, glory to You.

From the Triodion. 4^th Mode.

Glory. Both now. 

O my soul, you have heard the condemnation of him who hid his talent: hide not the word of God. Proclaim His wonders, increase the gifts of grace entrusted to you, and you shall enter into the joy of your Lord.

Reader: 

Small Doxology

o you belongs glory, O Lord our God, and to you we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. 

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.  We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give thanks to you for your great glory.  O Lord, heavenly King, God the Father almighty, O Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit.  O 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.  Receive our prayer, 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 I will praise your name forever, and to the ages of ages.   Lord, you have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: O Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.  Lord, I have fled to you for refuge. 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.  Grant, O Lord, that we may be kept this day 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 upon us, O Lord, even as we have hoped in you.  Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes.  Blessed are you, O Master; grant me understanding of your statutes.  Blessed are you, O Holy One; enlighten me with your statutes.  Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not overlook the works of your hands.  To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you glory is due, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Deacon: 

Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.

1^st Choir: 

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: 

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

1^st Choir: 

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: 

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

1^st 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.

1^st Choir:

Grant this, O Lord.

 

Deacon: 

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

2^nd 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.

2^nd 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.

2^nd 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.

2^nd Choir: 

Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: 

Commemorating our most holy, pure, 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.

2^nd Choir: 

To You, O Lord.

Priest: 

For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for mankind, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages.

1^st 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): 

Holy Lord, dwelling on high and beholding things below and, with your eye that observes all, keeping watch over the whole creation, to you we have bowed the neck of our soul and body, and we beseech you, O Holy of Holies: Stretch forth your invisible hand from your holy dwelling and bless us all. And, as you are good and love humankind, pardon us if we have sinned in anything, voluntarily or involuntarily, granting us your blessings both of this world and of the world above. 

For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages.

2^nd Choir: 

Amen.

Aposticha. Plagal 2^nd Mode.

Come, O faithful, and let us serve the Master eagerly, for He gives riches to His servants. Each of us according to the measure that we have received, let us increase the talent of grace. Let one gain wisdom through good deeds; let another celebrate the Liturgy with beauty; let another share his faith by preaching to the uninstructed; let another give his wealth to the poor. So shall we increase what is entrusted to us, and as faithful stewards of His grace we shall be counted worthy of the Master’s joy. Bestow this joy upon us, Christ our God, in Your love for mankind.

1^st Verse: We were filled in the morning with your mercy, O Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad. In all our days, let us be glad, for all the days you have afflicted us, for the years we have suffered adversity. Look upon your servants and your works, and guide their children.

When You come, O Jesus, in glory with the angelic hosts and shalt sit upon the throne of judgment, do not send me from Your presence, O good Shepherd. You accept those who stand upon the right, but those upon the left have turned away from You. Destroy me not with the goats, though I am hardened in sin, but number me with the sheep on Your right hand, and save me in Your love for mankind.'

2^nd Verse: And may the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us. Direct the work of our hands, O direct the work of our hands.

O Bridegroom, surpassing all in beauty, You have called us to the spiritual feast of Your bridal chamber.  Strip from me the disfigurement of sin, through participation in Your sufferings; clothe me in the glorious robe of Your beauty, and in Your compassion make me feast with joy at Your Kingdom.

From the Triodion. Grave Mode.

Glory. Both now.

Behold, my soul, the Master entrusts you with a talent. Receive His gift with fear; make it gain interest for Him; distribute to the needy, and make the Lord your friend. So shall you stand on the right hand when He comes in glory, and you shall hear His blessed words: “Enter, servant, into the joy of your Lord.” I have gone astray, O Savior, but in Your great mercy count me worthy of this joy.

Priest: 

It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night.

Trisagion Prayers

Reader: 

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

Glory. Both now.

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. (3)

Glory. Both now.

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…

Reader: 

Amen. 

Kontakion

Consider your final hour, O wretched soul; be frightened by how the fig tree was cut down; and therefore with diligence cultivate the talent that was given you, being vigilant and crying out, "Let us not be left out of the wedding hall of Christ."

Lord have mercy. (40)

Glory. Both now.

More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim; who without corruption gave birth to God the Word; the very Theotokos, you do we magnify.

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless.

Priest:

Blessed are You, Christ our God, always now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Reader: 

Amen. 

Priest: 

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

Reader: 

Amen.

The Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian

Lord and Master of my life, do not permit the spirit of laziness and meddling, the lust for power and idle talk to come into me. (prostration)

nstead, grant me, Your servant, the spirit of prudence, humility, patience and love. (prostration)

es, Lord and King, give me the power to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. (prostration)

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 and make a final bow or prostration: 

Yes, Lord and King, give me the power to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. (prostration)

Reader: 

Amen.

Dismissal

Priest: 

Glory to You, our God. Glory to You. 

Reader: 

Glory. Both now. Lord, have mercy. (3) Father, bless!

Priest: 

ay He who is coming to His voluntary Passion for our salvation, 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, of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loves mankind. 

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

Choir: Amen.