Day 15 of the Great Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain these ingredients.

MATINS ON MONDAY MORNING

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 2

As the waves of the sea, my transgressions have risen up against me, and as a boat alone in the deep, I am tossed by the storm of many sins. But guide me through repentance to a fair haven, O Lord, and save me.

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

I am a barren tree, O Lord, for I do not bear at all the fruit of compunction. I fear the axe and the fire that shall never be quenched. Therefore I pray to You before I am condemned to torment: cause me to turn back and save me.

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

O You who cover the heaven with clouds, the saints on earth had You as their covering and protection: patiently they endured the torments lawless men inflicted on them. Through their prayers, O Saviour, set us free from the invisible enemy and save us.

Glory… Now…

You are a fountain of compassion, O Theotokos: count us worthy of your loving-kindness. Look upon your people that have sinned; and now, as always, manifest your power. For putting our trust in you we cry to you, ‘Rejoice!’ as once did Gabriel, chief captain of the heavenly hosts.

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 4

O Christ, I entreat You, that in Your compassion* You may restore my soul to life, through true fasting and repentance,* slain as it is by the fruit of disobedience.* Grant that I may ever walk on the straight path of Your venerable commandments;* that thereby I may share in Your divine glory in the company of all who love You,* and praise Your goodness toward all mankind, O Jesus.

Glory… Now…

Tempest-tossed by the threefold-waves of the passions,* I who lack a conscience fervently call upon you, O most pure one:* Disdain me not, lest I perish, wretch that I am,* O you who have given birth to the Abyss of mercy;* for I have no other hope than you.* Let me not become a joy to, nor ridiculed by my enemies, for I trust in you.* For whatsoever you desire you can do,* in that you are the Mother of the God of all.

Sessional Hymn III, Tone 6

As we set out upon the next week of the Fast,* direct our steps, O Lord:* shine upon us the sanctifying light of Your commandments,* that we may be counted worthy to offer on bended knee a prayer acceptable to You;* for You are our Father and we are Your sons,* and we chant to You with fear calling upon Your Name.

Glory… Now…

The announcement of Gabriel to the Virgin* was the beginning of our salvation;* for she heard Rejoice! and rejected not the salutation;* she doubted not, like Sarah of old,* but spoke thus saying:* Behold the handmaiden of the Lord!* Be it done to me according to your word!

Canon, Tone 4

Ode 1

Irmos: O You who were born of the Virgin,* I implore You, drown in the depth of dispassion* the triune nature of my soul,* as You did the mighty strongholds of the warriors,* that in the mortality of my flesh* as on a timbrel I may chant a hymn of victory.

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

O You who alone are lovingly compassionate, the font of mercy and Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, save me, as one drowning in the waves of sin, and guide me to the haven of repentance.

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

As Christ has taught in the Scriptures, a pure fast is one where we put aside sin, and reject the passions, showing love for God, attention in prayer, tears of compunction, and acts of mercy to the poor.

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

My soul has been wounded by the sword of sin, and disfigured by the stain of a multitude of wicked deeds, but, O Physician of souls, heal us as You are good, applying the remedy of Your wise commandments, O Lover of mankind.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!

O most holy Virgin, undefiled Tabernacle, by the fount of your tender mercy wash me clean of the defilement of wicked passions, and grant me abundant tears of compunction that thereby, you may destroy the sin that lies deep within me, O Lady.

Irmos: A helper and a protector has become my salvation.* My God, whom I will glorify,* the God of my fathers, and I will exalt Him* for gloriously has He been glorified.

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

Brethren, having divinely rejoiced in the feast which we kept yesterday, let us with eagerness enter upon the second week of the light-giving Fast; and with love let us sing in praise of Christ.

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

Having greeted the season of fasting and compunction, let us weep bitterly with groaning, stretching forth our arms to the only Redeemer, that He may save our souls.

Glory…

Unity in three Hypostases, sovereign Lord of all, Source of perfection, God without beginning, Father, Son, and Most holy Spirit, save us.

Now…

Who has ever begotten a son not sown by a father according to the laws of nature? Yet such a Son has the Father begotten without a mother. O most glorious wonder! For you, O pure One, have simultaneously given birth to both God and man.

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

How shall I bear Your anger, O my Christ, when You come to the Judgment? What words shall I offer then, for I have not obeyed Your will, O Christ? But before the end, take pity on me.

Katavasia: A helper and a protector has become my salvation.* My God, whom I will glorify,* the God of my fathers, and I will exalt Him* for gloriously has He been glorified.

Ode 8

Irmos: O almighty Redeemer of all,* having descended and bedewed the children in the midst of the flame,* You taught them to sing:* All you works bless and hymn the Lord.

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

Journeying upon the uncertain path of life, I have fallen among noetic thieves – my thoughts – and lay wounded. but, O Physician of the infirm, by the prayers of all Your saints grant me Your helping hand.

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

My thoughts are confused by the storm of grievous sin; save me, O Jesus, as once You saved Peter, for I chant to You: “O all you works bless and praise the Lord.”

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

Let us kill the passions by abstinence, and through fasting let our spirit ascend on wings to heaven; and let us cry with compunction of heart: “We have sinned against You, O God; but since You are compassionate, forgive us.”

Most holy Theotokos, save us!

Coming to dwell within your womb, the Most High rendered you more spacious than the heavens, and has shown you, O Virgin, to be an invincible protection to those who cry: “O all you works, bless and praise the Lord.”

Irmos: Him whom the hosts of heaven glorify,* and before whom tremble the Cherubim and Seraphim,* let every breath and all creation praise, bless, and supremely exalt,* throughout all ages.

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

O Lord, show not my soul to be enslaved to the tyranny of the passions, that rejoicing I may freely do Your will and glorify Your sovereign power throughout the ages.

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

O my soul, hate the incontinence of Esau and emulate the virtues of Jacob; ensnare Beelzebub through abstinence, and thereby grow rich in things divine chanting praises throughout the ages.

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

I worship God, one in Essence, and sing the praises of three Hypostases, distinct in Hypostasis yet not differing in Essence for there is one Godhead and one Power in the three, that is: the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.

Now…

From your radiant womb, Christ has issued forth as a bridegroom from the bridal-chamber, illumining those in darkness, shining forth as the Sun of righteousness, O pure One, enlightening the world.

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

No man has became foolish by drinking water, but Noah exposed his nakedness after tasting wine; and through drunkenness Lot sowed the seeds of evil. O my soul, flee their example and sing in praise of Christ.

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

Katavasia: Him whom the hosts of heaven glorify,* and before whom tremble the Cherubim and Seraphim,* let every breath and all creation praise, bless, and supremely exalt,* throughout all ages.

Ode 9

Irmos: By her sin and transgression, Eve brought about the curse;* but you, O Virgin Mother of God, have made the blessing flourish* by the fruit of your womb.* And now we all extol you.

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

Let us fast from the raging of the passions and let us delight in unfeigned love; let us feed the poor with bread; and nourished by divine Grace, let us with weeping quench the tears of future punishment.

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

O wretched soul, groan aloud, be contrite, and show forth an image of repentance, for the day approaches when the Judge will sit upon His throne and assign to each their due reward, as it is written.

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

I have acquired no good works but have rather stained the robe with which I was clothed in Holy Baptism and walking in the darkness of ignorance I beseech You: “By the light of Your countenance, O Lord, raise me up from despair and guide me.”

Most holy Theotokos, save us!

O Mary, Sovereign Lady of all creation, I am enslaved by every manner of sin: O Virgin, set me free, for you have inexpressibly given birth to the Lord, the true and living Goodness.

Irmos: Ineffable is the birthgiving of a seedless conception,* from a mother who knew not a man;* an undefiled childbearing.* For the birth of God has renewed nature,* wherefore all generations rightly worship and magnify you* as the Bride and Mother of God.

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

As soldiers of Christ let us now suffer hardships: for time shall pass by ever so quickly, and Christ, when He shall come in glory to judge all the world, shall bestow crowns upon those who have struggled bravely.

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

I am all wounded, O my Christ, I am all covered with sores, heal the sores and fetid rot of my sins, that like the leper may I hear You say: “I will, be thou clean.”

Glory…

O Father, single only-Begetter of the only-Begotten Son; and You only Light and Brightness from the one and only Light; and You, one and only Holy Spirit from the one God, true Lord from the Lord: Divine Three in One, save me as I theologize Your divinity.

Now…

The marvel of your childbearing fills me with wonder, O all-immaculate One. How have you conceived without seed Him whom none can comprehend? Tell me! how have you remained a Virgin and yet become a Mother? I accept the miracle with faith and worship the Child that has been born: for all that He wills, He accomplishes.

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

O my soul, by fasting Moses beheld God; Elijah rode in the chariot of fire, and Paul was taken up to heaven. Therefore, let us also fast from evil that we may be taken up on high, having gained freedom from the passions.

Katavasia: Ineffable is the birthgiving of a seedless conception,* from a mother who knew not a man;* an undefiled childbearing.* For the birth of God has renewed nature,* wherefore all generations rightly worship and magnify you* as the Bride and Mother of God.

Aposticha

Tone 5

Marvelous is the weapon of prayer and fasting,* through them Moses was manifest as the writer of the Law,* and Elijah an enemy of pagan sacrifice.* Let us persevere in them, O faithful,* and cry to the Saviour:* “Against You only have we sinned; have mercy on us”.

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.

Marvelous is the weapon of prayer and fasting,* through them Moses was manifest as the writer of the Law,* and Elijah an enemy of pagan sacrifice.* Let us persevere in them, O faithful,* and cry to the Saviour:* “Against You only have we sinned; have mercy on us”.

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

Blessed is the army of the heavenly King:* for though the passion-bearers were born of this earth,* despising their bodies they hastened to attain to the angelic state;* and by their sufferings were deemed worthy of the honour of the bodiless ones.* By their prayers, O Lord, save our souls.

Glory… Now…

To you do we pray, as the Mother of God:* O blessed one,* pray for the salvation of our souls!

VESPERS ON MONDAY EVENING

At Psalm 140

Tone 8

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

To whom shall you be likened, O wretched soul;* slothful and lazy, ever seeking the means to continue in wickedness?* Repent for judgment is at the door,* and cleanse yourself through prayer and fasting,* and cry aloud to your Master: “I have sinned against You;* grant me remission since You are compassionate* and grant me correction.”

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

Having a fathomless depth of compassionate goodness,* O Christ, dry up the vicissitude of my transgressions,* for You are sinless, O God,* and grant my heart compunction,* that restraining the torrent of my transgressions,* I may sing Your praises and glorify Your ineffable compassion,* O longsuffering Benefactor of our souls.

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

Having now guided us to this time of the Holy Fast, O God,* and having granted us to enter into its second week,* O Lord grant us in the weeks to come, to run the race fittingly.* Strengthen our souls and bodies with grace,* that with courage and joy, we may bravely complete the present course,* and arrive at the royal day of Your Resurrection;* wearing crowns of victory, ever praising You without ceasing.

Tone 4

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

Having shone forth like a star, you illumined the faithful* with the sacred splendours of your dogmas, and darkened heresies.* Victorious to the end, as a servant you increased the talent given you;* and having been well-pleasing to God,* you surrendered your spirit into His hands,* O Cyril, blessed of God.

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

In the wisdom of your words and the splendour of your life* you shone forth like a most luminous star* amid the council of the Fathers, O right wondrous one,* and choked with the cords of grace the godless Macedonius* who madly blasphemed and manifestly worked iniquity against the Holy Spirit of God* who gives life to all.

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

The pernicious mind of the most mindless Manes you put to shame,* denouncing most wisely and well the vile teachings of his foolishness,* O chief among teachers, splendour of priests, godly champion of the Church of Christ.* Wherefore, in gladness we celebrate your holy repose.

Tone 4, Glory… Now…

O Virgin who gave birth to God, my Saviour,* by your supplications, grant me to escape impending torment* and to receive divine grace,* excellent repentance, saving healing, streams of tears,* and thought of the dread and terrible hour* and the judgment which is impartial.

Prokeimenon, Tone 1

The Lord strong and mighty,* the Lord mighty in war.

verse: The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.

Reading I

Genesis 3:21-4:7

Prokeimenon, Tone 4

Look upon me, and have mercy on me:* for I am one only-begotten and poor.

verse: To You, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul.

Reading II

Proverbs 3:34-4:22

Aposticha

Tone 3

Let us keep a spiritual fast:* let us loose every bond of wickedness;* let us avoid the stumbling-blocks of sin;* let us forgive our brothers their debts,* that we also may be forgiven our transgressions,* and be enabled to cry aloud:* “Let our prayer be set forth as incense before You, O Lord.”

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.

Let us keep a spiritual fast:* let us loose every bond of wickedness;* let us avoid the stumbling-blocks of sin;* let us forgive our brothers their debts,* that we also may be forgiven our transgressions,* and be enabled to cry aloud:* “Let our prayer be set forth as incense before You, O Lord.”

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;* and having given light to the nations which had gone astray,* they have made of the sons of men;* companions of angels.

Glory… Now…

Forget not us utterly who are your paupers, O Lady,* but by your intercessions deliver us from dangers and present harm;* and save, O Theotokos, your servants* from the wrath of the Lord.