ON MONDAY EVENING

At, Lord, I have cried, Prosomoia.

Stichera for the Master.

Mode 3. N/M (The power of Your holy Cross.)

The passions of both soul and body rising terribly in revolt, my Saviour, are drowning me and dragging me down to the deep of despair; but lull them, as once you did the sea, and give me calm.

Condemned, I have no boldness at all to gaze on heaven''s height, dragged down by the multitude of my faults; so as the Publican I cry, ''Have mercy on me in my wretchedness, O Saviour''.

Great and fearful will be your coming, Master, when you take your seat and pass just judgement. Do not judge me then as one condemned, but as God spare me and free me from the constraint to come.

Additional Stichera. For the Forerunner. Same Melody.

As the dawn you rose on all the ends of the earth, enlightening the hearts of those who sing your praise, glorious Prophet; and so enlighten our minds and our souls to honour you, the Saviour''s Baptist.

Blessed Forerunner, do not cease to intercede for all the world, we all beseech you; so that we, enriched with you as intercessor, may receive grace from on high to trample down the head of the evil-intentioned.

When the Lord is about to separate me from this corruptible dwelling, then may I find in you an aid and protection, O John, Forerunner and Prophet, to guide me to the light that knows no evening.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.

Do not cease to intercede for your flock, but by your intercessions deliver us from the threat to come and from every hurt that awaits us, and snatch your servants from the anger of the Lord, O Mother of God.

At the Aposticha.

Aposticha. Mode 3. For compunction.

We offer you an evening hymn, O Christ, with incense and spiritual songs; have mercy, Saviour, on our souls.

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. [SAAS]

Save me, Lord my God, for you are the salvation of all. The tempest of the passions affrights me and the weight of my iniquities pulls me under. Give me your hand of help and lead me up to the light of compunction, for you alone are compassionate and lover of humankind.

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. [SAAS]

For the Martyrs.

Great is the power of your Martyrs, O Christ; for they lie in their graves and they drive out spirits, and they destroyed the authority of the foe when they struggled by the faith of the Trinity for the sake of true religion.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mother of God, the protection of all who ask, in you we take courage, in you we make our boast, in you is all our hope; intercede with him who was born of you on behalf of your unprofitable servants.

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ON TUESDAY MORNING

MATINS

After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata. For compunction.

Mode 3.

As you sojourn on earth, my soul, repent; dust in tomb does not sing hymns, is not delivered from faults; cry out to Christ God: Knower of hearts, I have sinned; before you condemn me, spare me, O God, and have mercy on me.

For how long, my soul, will you remain with your faults? Until when will you delay repentance? Call to mind the judgement to come, cry out to Christ God: Knower of hearts, I have sinned; sinless Lord, have mercy on me!

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mother of God, our refuge and power, the mighty help of the world, by your intercessions protect your servants from every constraint, O only blessed one.

After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata. For compunction.

Lord, you know the depth of my faults; give me your hand as you did Peter and save me.

When the just judgement comes upon you and the Judge of all is passing sentence, what defence will you give, my soul, unless before the end you cry: I have sinned, O God, and have mercy on me!

Glory. Both now. Theotokion. N/M (Seeing how beautiful.)

Mother without bridegroom, blest by God, heal my feeble soul, for wretch that I am I am held fast by faults; therefore I cry out with the groaning of my heart: Accept me, O All-spotless, who have much offended, that with boldness I may cry to you: Hail, full of grace.

After the third Psalter reading, Kathismata.

For the Forerunner. N/M (Your confession.)

As we flee to your protection we cry out with faith from the depth of the soul: Prophet and Forerunner, blest by God, calm the tumult of trials and dangers and the swell of vices, and bring to naught the plans of foes, as you request for us God''s great mercy.

For the Martyrs. N/M (Seeing how beautiful.)

As All-powerful you have made the memory of your Champions radiantly bright, Lord, for you gave them strength to imitate your sufferings; bravely they conquered the power of Beliar; therefore they have received gifts of healings. At their supplications, O Merciful, grant peace to your people.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Wherever each is saved, there rightly too he runs; and what other such refuge have we as you, O Mother of God, who protect our souls?

Canon of Compunction.

Mode 3. Ode i. Heirmos.

You are God, wonderful in working marvels, who turned the deep into land, drowned chariots and saved a people who sang to you as God our Redeemer. [EL]

Troparia.

Let us ever weep for ourselves, brothers, from our whole soul; the Bridegroom is at hand, let us light up our actions like shining lamps, that we may gain here the divine bridal chamber.

Of old, when he repented from his whole soul, Manasses was saved; for he cried out, held in the midst of bonds, to the only Master; rival him, O soul, and you will easily be saved.

For the Martyrs.

Gouging out of eyes, loss of hands, cutting out of tongues, removal of feet, thighs and arms, the godlike Champions endured and gave thanks to Jesus Christ.

The casket of your relics, Martyrs, has appeared to us as a place of healing for all the faithful, from which we draw strength of souls and bodies, for as is right we ever honour you.

Theotokion.

Spiritual Jar, who carried Christ the manna of immortality, deliver me from the bitterness of soul-destroying passions, All-holy Virgin, that with faith I may devoutly glorify you.

Canon for the Forerunner. He who of old assembled. (NM)

Godly shoot of a barren womb intercede with God to make me bring forth shoots of virtues, destroying the gloom of my fruitlessness and driving away the darkness from my mind, O Forerunner of the Lord.

Like a great star running before the Sun of justice, who gives radiance to the whole earth, you appeared on earth; implore him then, O Forerunner, to enlighten my soul darkened by paltry pleasures.

To those in hell you foretold by the divine Spirit the life that was near at hand, by your entreaties, O Prophet, give life to my deadened soul and raise it I beg as from a tomb of faults, glorious Forerunner.

Theotokion.

With the Archangels, with the Angels and with all the Saints, O Virgin, ask the Lord who appeared from you, we beg, to deliver from dangers those who confess you as true Mother of God.

Ode iii. Heirmos.

Sterile and barren soul, procure fair fruit and blessed with children cry out: I have been established through you, O God; none is holy, none is just but you, O Lord. [EL]

Troparia.

Without conscience I have set aside God''s law and am about to be condemned, and I know not what to do; Most just Judge, take pity, save me in your compassion.

Lover of mankind, you are the Dayspring from the East, dawn for me, I pray, with the light of justice, rescuing me from the blackness of the passions and the darkness of punishments, O you of many mercies.

For the Martyrs.

You have been revealed, O Martyrs, as inhabitants, fruitful trees of the spiritual Paradise, springs of divine water, mixing bowls who pour out holy drink.

The triumphant Martyrs with but a single thought in many bodies, wounded the myriad hosts of the hostile ruler of the world as they proclaimed the undivided Trinity.

Theotokion.

Immaculate Virgin Mother, grant that we who repent and have recourse to Christ and wish to find release from faults may find him merciful, O sovereign Lady.

Canon for the Forerunner. Almighty and Most High. (NM)

You became the voice of the Word, O Baptist; now direct the voices of those who honour you, and grant us forgiveness of faults by your mediation.

I have sinned against you, I have broken your law, I have dreadfully offended, O Saviour, and I have befouled my soul; and so I beg, through your Baptist, take pity on me.

As I wander in the desert of pleasures I beseech you, O Forerunner, offspring of the desert and guide of the new people, guide me to the way of repentance.

Theotokion.

With Apostles, Prophets, Priests and Martyrs, O Immaculate, with the Powers above intercede with your Son to take pity on those who sing your praise.

Ode iv. Heirmos.

The shaded mountain Avvakoum foresaw as your immaculate womb, O Pure one; and so too he cried out: God will come from Theman, and the Holy One from a shaded, wooded mountain. [EL]

Troparia.

Christ, who of old made water spring from a rock for disobedient and disputatious people, make water, cure for thirst, gush from my parched soul, O God, washing me with drops of compunction.

Physician of the sick, heal the passions of my heart with the compassionate weight of repentance, fashioning a healing plaster, O Good One, and giving me strength of soul in your pity.

For the Martyrs.

Freed from the yoke of the thought of sympathetic friendship for the body, O Champions, you handed yourselves over to those who wished to punish you, that you might be declared true friends of the Creator.

Foot soldiers of Christ, you endured many painful hurts from many forms of torture, and you received the grace from the gifts of the Spirit to drive from us the enduring pains of the passions.

Theotokion.

Maiden of many titles, hail, from whom the Word was born, abolished the absurdities of our foul actions; hail Cloud of light who scatters the clouds of our despair.

Canon for the Forerunner. You displayed. (NM)

Forerunner of the Lord, I beseech you, voice of the Word who appeared in the flesh, deliver from irrational deeds one who honours you with words and with faith fittingly calls you blessed.

Groan my soul, and cry to God your Creator: I have sinned, be merciful, O Christ, and deliver me from fearful punishment, from dangers and troubles at the godly prayers of the Forerunner.

As I drown in the many waves of fierce passions, and am storm-tossed and ever continually drowning, snatch me out, O Baptist, and guide me to the roadstead of salvation.

Theotokion.

Mother of God, chariot higher than the Seraphim, with the immaterial Ministers, with all the saints implore Christ, whom you bore, to save me who am in despair, O all-blameless.

Ode v. Heirmos.

Rising before dawn we sing your praise, O Word, only-begotten Son of God; give us your peace and have mercy on us, who praise and worship you. [EL]

Troparia.

Sprinkle me with the hyssop of repentance, purify me from the stain of the passions, that I may appear pure before you when you are about to judge the universe, O Jesus, with your just judgement.

The bruises of my wretched soul have festered, O Word; Physician of the weak, Giver of good things, heal, save me through your great mercy.

For the Martyrs.

On earth the Champions'' vessels of clay were crushed, but their force of soul was most mighty and radiant by the power of Christ.

The blood of the saints, poured out, has sanctified the whole earth, watered souls and clearly dried up the muddy streams of vain idolatry.

Theotokion.

By your child-bearing, O Maiden, you scattered the curse of the Forefather like seed, and you became a source of rivers of blessing for us who bless you and glorify you with faith.

Canon for the Forerunner. The invisible. (NM)

On earth, blest Saint, you lived clearly like an Angel in the flesh; and so I beg you, free from soul from fleshly thoughts.

Forerunner of the Lord, save me from falling into the depth of sin, from being fouled in soul by pleasures and from being endangered, as I have recourse to you.

You were shown to be greater than the Prophets, for you actually saw the One of whom you prophesied. Unceasingly entreat Him to illumine our souls.

Theotokion.

You appeared wider than the heavens as truly Mother of God, Virgin full of God''s grace; free me from sin that hems me round.

Ode vi. Heirmos.

The deep of the passions has risen up against me, and a tempest of contrary winds; but come quickly, my Saviour, save me and deliver me from corruption, as you saved the Prophet from the beast. [EL]

Troparia.

I have become dulled by the gloom of sin and I lie wholly inactive; Christ God, who were once pierced by a lance for my sake, take pity on me in your compassion.

Sick with insensibility I groan, yet remain in wickedness; I weep yet do not tremble at the judgement; take pity on me, Word of God, and save me by your good judgements.

For the Martyrs.

Like lambs without striving, uttering neither word nor sound, all-famed Athletes, you were led to the slaughter as you hymned Christ.

With joyful soul you were given over as fodder to wild beasts, you were acquainted with the depths of the sea; and so Christ adorned you, O Athletes, with incorruptible crowns of victory.

Theotokion.

O you the door of those who are saved by faith, the gate through which alone has passed he was incarnate for us, open the gates of justice to us who sing your praise with faith.

Canon for the Forerunner. An abyss of mercy. (NM)

With water you baptised the stream of delight as he bent beneath your hand; but implore him to send down to me, who have much offended, water of compunction, Wise Baptist.

In a river, O Prophet, you wash the abyss of mercy who roofs the heavens, his upper chambers, with waters, Jesus the lover of mankind; beseech him to rain forgiveness on me.

The Kingdom of heaven has drawn near, repent, you cried, O Forerunner; make those worthy to reach it who honour you with love and who take refuge under your revered protection.

Theotokion.

Immaculate, who lent your flesh to the Creator, with the Powers above, with all the Prophets, Apostles and Martyrs, intercede with him to take pity and save me.

Ode vii. Heirmos.

You turned the flame of the furnace to dew and saved the Youths unburned; blessed are you to the ages O Lord, the God of our Fathers. [EL]

Troparia.

I was stripped of the tunic of incorruption, but put on deeds of dishonour; and so I cry out to you, O merciful God: Make me bright with robes of virtues.

I have been defiled by intemperate eyes, I have been fouled the touch of incontinence, and I have become abominable before you, O Jesus: Accept me as the Prodigal.

For the Martyrs.

Loving a greater life, you bore greater toils, O Foot Soldiers of Christ, godlike beacons; and so with faith we call you blessed.

Radiant with the beam of tortures, you blazed more brightly than the sun and you dispelled all the fog of godlessness, holy Martyrs.

Theotokion.

As she who bore him who holds all things fast, release me from the fog of ignorance and sin which holds me fast, pure ever Virgin.

Canon for the Forerunner. Three Youths in a furnace. (NM)

Lamp of the Sun shine on my soul, quenched and blinded by sloth, and guide me towards paths of repentance, O Baptist and Forerunner of the Lord.

As I think on the hour of the judgement I am wholly filled with fear, enveloped in a multitude of shameful deeds; Baptist of the Saviour, stand by me to deliver me from the fire that awaits me.

O Forerunner, defender of my life, my helper, guard and protect me from my enemies both visible and invisible, and make me a partaker in the Kingdom of heaven.

Theotokion.

Virgin Mother of God, implore your Son, with Prophets, Apostles and Martyrs, to rescue us who ever honour you, from the duress to come.

Ode viii. Heirmos.

The God who is glorified unceasingly by Angels in the highest, you heaven of heavens, earth and mountains, hills and deep, and all the human race bless him with hymns as Creator and Redeemer. [EL]

Troparia.

Because I do not have the fear of you dwelling in my heart, I have without conscience committed every sin of the flesh, and I tremble at your sentence, Universal King; do not despise me as I now repent.

Grant that I may tread the holy earth, which the meek inhabit, washing me clean by repentance of earthly sin, O Most Merciful, who were born without sin upon earth of a Virgin.

For the Martyrs.

You bathed your feet in your own blood, tripping foes by the heel and in holiness making a pathway to heaven, O all-famed Champions of Christ the God of all.

Keenly you undressed for the greatest contests and you stripped the foe naked and dressed him in shame; and so wearing crowns you dance in the heavens, famed Champions of Christ.

Theotokion.

The Lord, fair in beauty, loved you the beauty of Jacob and dwelt in your womb, O All-blameless, making the nature of humanity radiant with the beauties of gifts beyond understanding.

Canon for the Forerunner. In the unbearable fire. (NM)

You proclaimed the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of mankind, godlike Prophet John, beseech him to loose the burden of my sins and make me worthy of the portion of the saved.

Rescue me, who am wholly gripped by the darkness of evil deeds, from the burning furnace of flame and from the lightless exterior darkness, I beseech you, O Word of God without beginning, through your glorious and godlike Baptist.

Godlike Prophet of the Lord, who proclaimed fruitfulness through repentance to dried up desert souls, purify my soul, by every pleasure bearing thorns, that I may sprout a full ear of good works.

Theotokion.

As Mother of God, with the holy Angels, with Prophets, Apostles and the Martyrs, implore him to deliver from dangers, tribulations and the punishment to come all those who ever confess you as Mother of God.

Ode ix. Heirmos.

Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, who has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, through the compassion of his mercy, by which he, the Dayspring from on high has visited us, and guided us into the way of peace. [EL]

Troparia.

See, an acceptable time and a day of mercy; be willing to turn back then, O soul, producing the fruit of repentance, lest the fearful axe of death find you fruitless, and like the fig tree of old cut you down and cast you into fire in the other world.

As once the Rich Man I delight myself with pleasures and have no compassion at all for my neighbour; and so, Master, wash my stony soul that even at the end I who am darkened may shine with compassion.

For the Martyrs.

Godly Martyrs of Christ, signed in blood, you steadfastly by signs wounded unbelieving foes and snatched many peoples from impious error with godly conversions, made radiant with the light of the knowledge of God.

You appeared as sharpened swords cutting down the ranks of the foe, godly Athletes of Christ, and as vessels containing the gleam of the Holy Trinity, and as torches afire with the light of true religion by faith, and as true foot soldiers of the spiritual glory.

Theotokion.

The prophet foresaw you as the cloud of light from which appeared the great Sun, Christ God, and enlightened things which before were darkened; implore him then, good Lady, to dispel the clouds of my passions and to make me bright with divine light.

Canon for the Forerunner. In the shadow. (NM)

Emerging from the shadow of the law, you richly contemplated the radiance of divine grace, which leads all the fullness of the to the light, wise Prophet, and dispels the darkness of ignorance; therefore we honour you.

As Martyr of Christ, Baptist of God, lamp of repentance, dawn of true religion, mediator of the old and new testaments, through divine knowledge make new my lowly soul, made old by wickedness, and lead it to the light.

At the dread hour, at the fearful hour, at the hour of sentence deliver me, wise Forerunner, as I am being judged, from the threat that awaits me there, for you have, as his friend, one who answers your requests, the Bridegroom, the Saviour of our souls.

Theotokion.

As Mother of God, as Mother of the Word of God who was born from you, with the Bodiless Powers, Apostles, Prophets, High Priests and Martyrs, beseech him ever to give peace to the world, All-holy Virgin Mother.

At the Aposticha of Lauds.

Aposticha. Mode 3. For compunction.

Gather my scattered mind, Lord, and cleanse my hardened heart, granting me repentance as to Peter, groans as to the Publican, tears as to the Harlot, that with a loud voice I may cry to You: Save me, O God, as alone compassionate and lover of mankind.

Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons. [SAAS]

Many times as I come to the end of singing hymns I am found to be full of sin, for though I utter songs with my tongue, with my soul I think on foul things; but set both to rights, Christ God, through repentance and save me.

Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]

For the Martyrs.

The Soldiers of Christ rejected the fear of kings and tyrants and bravely and courageously they confessed him, the Lord and God and King of all, and they intercede for our souls.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Without seed you conceived of the Holy Spirit, and as we glorify you we cry out: Hail, All-holy Virgin!

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LITURGY

The Beatitudes. Mode 3.

When our primal father Adam disobeyed Your divine command, O Christ, You expelled him from Paradise. But when the faithful Robber while on the cross confessed You to be Lord, You restored him there, as he cried to You: "O Savior, when You come in Your kingdom, remember me."

By the pleasures of this life I have rendered * my soul unclean and stained; wholly defeated and desperate * I come to You, O Savior, * seeking Your tender-mercies, and to You * who alone known my secrets, I cry aloud: * Purify me, I pray, in Your compassion, O Christ.

O all-lauded holy Baptist, as the Prophet * in the middle of the two God-given Testaments, Old and New, * renew me who became old * because of sins, and pray that I may walk * on the paths of repentance unerringly, * which by your prayers will indeed lead me to the Kingdom of Christ.

For the Martyrs.

Brave and holy Athletes, as you fought the good fight * you were tortured and endured myriad pains and suffering, * and now to us who praise you * you ever give relief from every pain, * and the unclean spirits you drive away. * And therefore, O Saints, we glorify you faithfully.

Glory.

The single God in three hypostases is truly * light and life and omnific Monad, which we glorify. * For Father Son and Spirit * the single and cohesive Lord of all * and Creator and Master of the universe * is known to be one God in persons three.

Both now. Theotokion.

Virgin Mother, I entreat you to take pity * on me who continually sin and thus anger God. * O pure one, make me better, * since you are good, and guide me to repent, * so that I may escape future punishments * and may ever extol the power of your intercession.