Our Holy Father Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem. – Royal Doors Liturgical Services

When

March 11, 2025

All Day

Day 9 of the Great Fast.

MATINS ON TUESDAY MORNING

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 1

Make haste to open to me Your fatherly embrace,* for as the Prodigal I have wasted my life.* In the unfailing wealth of Your mercy, O Saviour,* reject not my heart in its poverty.* For with compunction I cry to You, O Lord:* Father, I have sinned against heaven* and before You.

O Lord, rebuke me not in Your anger, neither chasten me in Your wrath.

Fearful is Your judgement-seat, and Your judgement is just,* but my works are evil.* Come, merciful Lord, before it is too late:* save me and deliver me from punishment.* Redeem me, Master, from the condemnation of the goats,* and count me worthy to stand at Your right hand,* O Judge most just.

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

As faithful soldiers you believed with one accord;* you were not terrified, O saints, by the threats of the tyrants,* but taking up the precious Cross, eagerly you followed Christ,* and finishing the course, you received victory from heaven.* Glory be to Him who gave you strength;* glory be to Him who crowned you; *glory be to Him who through you grants healing to all.

Glory… Now…

Unconsumed have you conceived the fire of the Godhead,* and without seed you have born the Lord who is the fount of life.* O Theotokos full of grace, preserve from death those who magnify you.

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 8

Restraining the passions with the bridle of a pure fast,* let us strive to raise our mind in the most perfect faith* to venerable contemplation.* Let us despise the pleasures of this earthly life,* that we may attain to a heavenly life and divine effulgence.

Glory…

Now…

From the multitude of my wicked and unlawful deeds,* I have fallen into the depths of despair,* and am held captive and perplexed by despondency.* O Lady Theotokos, save and help me,* for you are the compassionate forgiveness and salvation of sinners.

Sessional Hymn III, Tone 8

The Fast has set before us a mystic table,* inviting us all to partake abundantly thereof.* We shall partake of the everlasting gifts of the Spirit;* we shall drink of the divinely flowing stream of tears.* Let us thereby rejoice and offer ceaseless praise to God.

Glory…

Now…

O all-holy Virgin, save us from every threat and wickedness of men; for thee do we have as our protection and aid, fleeing to thee, O Mother of God, and unto our God Who was born from thee; entreat Him, that He deliver us from tribulations and sorrows.

Canon

Ode 2

Irmos: Behold now, and see that I am your God,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* conceived without a man in these latter times from the Virgin,* abolishing the sin of the forefather Adam, as the Lover of mankind.

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

Groan and weep, O my soul, turn back and repent, the day draws near, the Judge is at the door. Make ready your answer and cry aloud: “I have sinned against You, O compassionate, merciful and loving One: have compassion upon me.

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

O my soul, hate the destructive fullness of sin, rather, rejoice in the strict fullness of the Fast. Make the commandments of salvation thy food, which will enable you through faith to enjoy eternal blessings.

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

O angels, powers and principalities, archangels, dominions and thrones, rulers, cherubim and seraphim, pray to God that we may be granted the remission of our sins and release from the passions.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

You alone bore the eternal Word who took flesh from you, yet without change remained as He was before, O all-immaculate One; and having not known a man, you remained a virgin even after child-bearing; pray on behalf of us all, that our life may be delivered from corruption.

Irmos: Behold now, and see that I am your God,* Who has sanctified for you as acceptable offering,* the tenth part of the days of every year,* and this commandment have I given to my people* for their deliverance from the passions* and as the beginning of salvation.

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

We have seen, and we have come to know that You appointed the fast to bring us to repentance, O compassionate One. Receive, O merciful God, the prayers which we offer in this season, that they may be set forth in Your sight, O Good One, as fragrant incense and an acceptable sacrifice.

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

I tremble and am filled with fear when I reflect upon how greatly I have sinned. How shall I meet You? How shall I stand before Your judgment seat where there shall be no respect of persons? Spare me, then, O merciful Lord, in the hour when You shall come to judge all the earth.

Glory…

Exceedingly perfect Unity in three Hypostases, supreme Godhead, Father unbegotten, Son only-begotten, Spirit proceeding forth from the Father and manifest through the Son: single in Essence and in Nature, one Lordship and one Kingdom, save us all.

Now…

The wonder of your conceiving is beyond description, O Mother and Virgin: for how can you give birth and yet remained pure? How can you bear a child, without having known a man? All this is understood to transcend the laws of nature, by the Word of God, who was born in a new and marvellous manner.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

The men of Nineveh repented and fasted, and You delivered them from the wrath that threatened them; but You consumed with fire the men of Sodom in their wanton shamelessness. Deliver me, O Christ, from the punishment which they suffered.

Katavasia: Behold now, and see that I am your God,* Who has sanctified for you as acceptable offering,* the tenth part of the days of every year,* and this commandment have I given to my people* for their deliverance from the passions* and as the beginning of salvation.

Ode 8

Irmos: Treading down the fiery flame in the furnace, the divinely eloquent children sang:* “Bless the Lord, O you works of the Lord.”

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

You justified the Publican who lamented, and had compassion upon the Harlot who wept from her heart. O Saviour, save and have compassion upon the souls of those who sing Your praises.

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

By fasting let us bring to the Lord the fruit of our virtuous deeds. Let us refrain from harmful thoughts, that we may receive divine joy.

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

The choirs of the angels, the assembly of the apostles and the ranks of the martyrs entreat You, O Jesus, to grant Your people remission of sins.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

With all the faithful, let us bless the Virgin: for she is the Mountain uncut by hand, the Candlestick that bore the Light, the easily ascended Ladder, and dwelling-place of God.

Irmos: Glorified in the holy mountain,* the Lord revealed the mystery of the Ever-Virgin* to Moses in the flames of the burning bush:* praise and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

On this solemn day of abstinence let us all make music in hymns: and keep festival with a holy joy, let us praise the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

Of old the man of God was led astray by the prophet and ate of the food of disobedience and was consumed. Be watchful, then, O my soul, and let not the serpent of gluttony deceive you.

We bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord.

As a Unity in Essence I sing Your praises; as a Trinity in Hypostases I venerate You, the Father, Son, and Most Holy Spirit, and the power of Your beginningless Kingdom do I glorify throughout all ages.

Now…

O Theotokos, you are manifest as the Mountain of God upon which Christ came to dwell; and He has made into divine temples all those who sing: “Praise the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.”

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Come, O people, let us greet the Fast with love, for it is the guardian of purity and the mother of dispassion; and let us praise the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.

We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!

Katavasia: Glorified in the holy mountain,* the Lord revealed the mystery of the Ever-Virgin* to Moses in the flames of the burning bush:* praise and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.

Ode 9

Irmos: The prophetic vision of the lawgiver on the mountain,* in the fire of the burning bush,* prefigured your birthgiving O Ever-Virgin, the salvation of us the faithful,* wherefore with never silent hymns we magnify you.

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

A good Fast enriches our heart, divinely rendering it greater in virtue, like a full ear of wheat. Let us therefore fast with gladness in these holy days, and thus receive sanctification.

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

I am defiled by a multitude of sins, wounded, and condemned. Look mercifully upon me, O compassionate One, and save me by the prayers of Your saints.

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

Alas for you, most miserable soul, what answer shall you give? Great shall be the fear that shall seizes you, when the Judge is seated upon His throne and ten thousands of the angels stand round about! Make haste, then, and repent before the end.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O chariot of the King, cloud of light, rich mountain, hill flowing with milk, we entreat you, O unwedded Virgin, heal the passions of our souls.

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

Let us keep a true fast before the Lord: let us abstain not only from food but from angry speech and falsehood, and from every other passion, that we may behold Pascha in purity.

Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me.

Samuel was enlightened by the fruit of fasting; by it Samson grew to be brave and strong; by it priests and prophets were made perfect: and through the holy Fast may we likewise be sanctified.

Glory…

O Lord, the threefold Brightness of Your single Power illumines our mind with the divine light of revelation; turning us aside from the delusion that divides, bringing us to the divine unifying life.

Now…

O Theotokos, you are our armour and our rampart; you are the protection of those who flee to you. And now we implore your intercession, that we may be delivered from our enemies.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

The Fast, filled with the Holy Spirit beckons us to its rich banquet, with gladness let us partake of the gifts of grace and sing His praises as our God.

Katavasia: The prophetic vision of the lawgiver on the mountain,* in the fire of the burning bush,* prefigured your birthgiving O Ever-Virgin, the salvation of us the faithful,* wherefore with never silent hymns we magnify you.

Aposticha, Tone 5

O my soul, why are you melancholic, serving sin?* And in your sickness why do you not run to the physician?* Behold, now is the acceptable time;* behold, now is the true day of salvation.* Rise up and wash your face with the tears of repentance,* and make your lamp burn brightly with the oil of good deeds,* that Christ our God may grant you cleansing and great mercy

In the morning, fill us with Your love; we shall exult and rejoice all our days. Give us joy to balance our affliction for the years when we knew misfortune. Show forth Your work to Your servants; let Your glory shine on their children.

Let the favour of the Lord be upon us: give success to the work of our hands.

O Lord, Your passion-bearers, imitated the angelic life* with patience enduring tortures as though bodiless ones,* placing all their hope in the blessings which You have promised.* By their prayers, O Christ our God, grant peace to Your world, and to our souls great mercy.

Glory… Now…

We bless you, O Virgin Theotokos,* and we, the faithful, glorify you as is meet,* O unassailable city, impregnable rampart,* and steadfast intercession and refuge of our souls.

VESPERS ON TUESDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

The appointed psalms are chanted.

At Psalm 140

Tone 1

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

O Christ, having stretched Your sinless hands upon the Cross,* You gathered together the ends of the earth.* Wherefore I cry to You:* Gather together my scattered mind, taken captive by the passions;* and having fully cleansed me through abstinence,* make me a sharer in Your sufferings.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Of old the Children in Babylon were strengthened by fasting,* which, as it is written, made them mightier than the flames of fire.* Fast then O my humble soul,* and kindle within yourself love for the Master,* for thereby you shall escape the fire of Gehenna to come* burning up the destroying passions.

Tone 3

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

The season of the Fast is one of gladness,* shining forth in purity and unfeigned love,* filled to abundance with the light of prayer and every virtue,* wherefore with rejoicing let us cry aloud:* O most Holy Cross of Christ, which has brought forth the joy of life,* count us worthy to venerate you with pure hearts,* and grant us forgiveness and great mercy.

Tone 8

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

O divinely wise father Theophanes,* called the namesake of the Theophany of Christ,* you followed in His life-bearing steps,* and forsook all the beauties of life,* directing your gaze towards Him whom you desired,* O you of great renown, being deified by beauty and divine inclinations towards Him* and excellent perfections.

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

O divinely wise father Theophanes,* abiding in affliction of flesh,* you steadfastly endured bitter exiles,* taking no pity on your body, for the sake of the precious icons, O all-praised one,* banished by the wrath of Leo;* and mocking him you made foolish his counsels and his vain thoughts* and his pernicious mind.

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Truly the Bestower of good things has richly granted to you rewards for your pangs:* to expel demons and to heal afflictions,* imparting power, O most blessed one,* and vouchsafing you ineffable joys* where the angelic ranks hold chorus,* gazing continually upon the countenance of the Almighty.

Glory… Now…

Rejoice, chariot of divine light,* most radiant star, and tabernacle of sanctity!* The Light has shone forth upon us from your all-pure womb,* illumining the ends of the earth* and sanctifying them with His grace!* Rejoice, beginning of salvation, O all-pure one!* Rejoice, rumour and saying awesome to them that trust in you!

Stavrotheotokion:

“What is this sight which my eyes behold, O Master?* You who sustain all creation, being lifted up on the Tree and dying, granting life to all!”* said the Theotokos weeping, when she beheld uplifted on the Cross* the God and man who ineffably had shone forth from her.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6

O Lord, save Your people* and bless Your inheritance.

verse: To You, O Lord, will I cry; O my God.

Reading I

Genesis 4:8-15

Prokeimenon, Tone 7

The Lord will give strength to His people;* the Lord will bless His people with peace.

verse: Bring to the Lord, you sons of God, bring to the Lord glory and honour.

Reading II

Proverbs 5:1-15

Aposticha

Tone 3

You were crucified in the flesh, O Lord,* crucifying our fallen nature with Yourself;* Your side was pierced by a spear,* piercing the serpent which had destroyed mankind.* Nail down my flesh with the fear of You* and wound my soul with love for You,* that gazing upon Your Passion,* I may pass through the appointed time of the Fast in abstinence.* Guarding not only my appetite, but all the other entrances of sin,* may I repent of my past sins, that I may offer You in sacrifice a humble spirit and a contrite heart,* and deliver me from my offences, O Lover of mankind.

I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us.

Tone 8

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud.

The prophets, the apostles of Christ and the martyrs* have taught all to sing the praises of the consubstantial Trinity;* they have given light to the nations that were gone astray,* and they have made sons of men companions of angels.

Tone 8, Glory… Now…

Beholding Your Son hanging upon the Tree, O all-immaculate Virgin,* lamenting you cried aloud:* “Where has Your light-giving beauty gone,* with which You have adorned the nature of man,* O my beloved Child?”