Day 2 of the Great Fast. Saint with Six Stichera. Abstention from meat and foods that contain these ingredients. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
VESPERS ON MONDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
The appointed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 2
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Having engaged in every sin,* having surpassed all men in prodigality,* although I wish to repent, I have not a flow of tears.* Since I now live in laziness I am condemned to torture,* but O Good one grant me repentance,* and have mercy on me.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
On the beautiful day of the fast* grant me clouds of tears, O Christ* that I may weep and wash away the filth of my desire for sweet things,* and appear before You as one who is clean* when You, O Lord, come from the heavens to judge all mankind* as the only righteous Judge!
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Come, O faithful!* With great fervour, having the mighty weapon of the fast as a shield,* let us turn away from all the charms of the enemy.* Let us not be scorched by the sweetness of our passions,* nor fear the fires of temptations,* for Christ the Lover of mankind* will crown us with honour for our patience.* Let us having fallen down, and praying with boldness,* cry and ask peace for our souls* and great mercy.
Tone 2
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
As God our Benefactor, Christ has given you to the world as a rich gift, O Theodore,* having received the gift of your precious blood, which was offered to Him,* shed for His sake with the zeal of piety:* Standing now before Him with pious boldness, O martyr,* save all that have recourse to you.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
You are a steadfast pillar which repels the assaults of the adversaries,* an invincible champion for them that praise you,* a most speedy aid, a fervent advocate,* quick deliverance, general assistance, most powerful intercessor,* a ready deliverer of all that entreat you with faith, O blessed Theodore.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Possessed of a torrent of sweetness and the water of remission* and being a most true witness to Christ the most merciful,* deliver me from the torrent of my sins,* calm the troubled waters for me, still the tempest of temptations* and guide me to the calm haven on high, O right blessed Theodore.
Tone 4, Glory…
The gift of sanctification and the richness of divine life* have you revealed to the world, O Theodore.* For Christ has glorified your memory, O wise one,* whereupon we, the faithful, rejoicing together,* hymn the struggle of your sufferings.
Now…
Grant me tears from the depths of my heart,* sighing from the depths of my soul, О Maiden,* and contrition and confession of the transgressions I have committed in this life,* that by your help, О all-pure one*, I may pass my life in repentance and receive remission.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Salvation is of the Lord;* and Your blessing is upon Your people!
verse: O Lord, why are they multiplied that afflict me? Many rise up against me.
Vespers Reading I
Genesis 1:1-13
In the beginning God made heaven and earth. The earth was invisible and unfinished; and darkness was over the deep. The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the water. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw the light; it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day; the darkness He called Night; and there was evening and morning, one day.
Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the water, and let it divide the water from the water”; and it was so. Thus God made the firmament, and God divided the water under the firmament from the water above the firmament. So God called the firmament Heaven, and God saw that it was good; and there was evening and morning, the second day.
Then God said, “Let the water under heaven be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. The water under heaven was gathered into its places, and the dry land appeared. So God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas; and God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the herb of grass, bearing seed according to its kind and likeness. Let the fruit tree bear fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind on earth.” It was so. Thus the earth brought forth the herb of grass, bearing seed according to its kind and likeness. The fruit tree bore fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind on earth. God saw that it was good. So evening and morning were the third day.
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
The Lord will hearken to me* when I cry to Him.
verse: When I called upon You, O God of my righteousness!
Vespers Reading II
Proverbs 1:1-20
The Proverbs of Solomon, the son of David,
Who reigned in Israel,
To know wisdom and instruction,
And to understand words of discernment;
To receive both subtlety of words,
And to understand true righteousness and upright judgment;
So as to give astuteness to the simple,
And both perception and understanding to a young man;
For a wise man who hears these things will be wiser,
And the man of understanding will gain direction.
He will understand both a parable and a hidden saying,
Both wise words and riddles.
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom,
And there is good understanding in all who practice it;
And godliness toward God is the beginning of perception,
But the ungodly despise wisdom and instruction.
Hear, my son, the instruction of your father,
And do not reject the laws of your mother.
For you will receive a crown of grace on your head
And a gold chain around your neck.
My son, do not let the ungodly lead you astray,
And do not consent if they invite you, saying,
“Come with us; take part in bloodshed,
And let us hide a righteous man in the earth unjustly;
And let us swallow him, just as Hades does the living,
And let us take away his remembrance from the earth;
Let us seize his valuable property,
And let us fill our houses with spoils;
Cast your lot with us
And let us acquire a common bag;
Let there be one purse for us.”
Do not walk in the way with them,
But turn away your foot from their paths.
For their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed blood.
For nets are not spread before birds for no reason,
For those who participate in murder store up evils for themselves;
And evil is the destruction of lawless men.
These are the ways of all who accomplish lawless things,
For they take away their own soul in ungodliness.
Wisdom sings in the streets;
She moves boldly in the squares.
Aposticha, Tone 3
Let us present a good fast, well-pleasing to the Lord!* A true fast is alienation from the evil one;* the bridling of one’s tongue, the laying aside of all anger,* the removal of all sensuality, of accusation,* falsehood and the sin of swearing.* The weakening of these will make the fast true and well-pleasing.
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 present a good fast, well-pleasing to the Lord!* A true fast is alienation from the evil one;* the bridling of one’s tongue, the laying aside of all anger,* the removal of all sensuality, of accusation,* falsehood and the sin of swearing.* The weakening of these will make the fast true and well-pleasing.
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.
Great is the might of Your martyrs, O Christ,* for though they lay in their tombs they drive away demons* and defeat the power of the enemy.* They have lived their lives in battle for piety,* by faith in the consubstantial Trinity.
Glory… Now…
O Theotokos, protection of all who pray to you,* we have boldness, and exult in you!* We put all our hope in you; pray for your corrupt servants,* to the one whom you bore.
MATINS ON TUESDAY MORNING
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 3
While you still dwell upon earth, repent, my soul, for in the tomb the dust cannot offer praise or gain deliverance from sin. Cry out to Christ your God: I have sinned, O Knower of men’s hearts; but before You condemn me, have mercy on me.
O Lord, rebuke me not in Your anger, neither chasten me in Your wrath.
At the hour of prayer I promise to repent, yet skilfully the enemy urges me to sin. But deliver me from him, O God, and have mercy upon me.
God is wonderful in His saints, the God of Israel.
Your brave endurance, glorious martyrs, defeated the devices of the enemy from whom all evil comes: therefore you were counted worthy of eternal blessedness. Intercede, then, with the Lord for the salvation of Christ’s faithful flock, O you witnesses of the truth.
Glory… Now…
You are our refuge and our might, O Theotokos; you are the strong help of the world. By your intercessions protect your servants from all calamity, for you alone are blessed.
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 2
The grace of the holy fast is most blessed:* for through fasting Moses was glorified,* receiving the law written upon tablets.* Through fasting the three children were made stronger than the flames!* Let us, then, quench the burning passions of the flesh.* Let us cry out to Christ the Saviour:* “Grant us all conversion and deliver us from Gehenna!”
Glory…
The season of repentance is at hand,* show the fruits of abstinence, O my soul!* Consider those who have repented in the past* and cry aloud to Christ:* I have sinned, O loving master;* save me, as You saved the publican who sighed with sorrow from his heart,* for You alone are plenteous in mercy!
Now…
O Theotokos, fervent intercessor of Christians,* ever entreat your son, that He deliver us* from all the malice and cunning of the enemy,* and by your intercessions, O Mother and Virgin,* that in His tender compassion* He grant us the forgiveness of our sins,
Sessional Hymn III, Tone 5
As we begin the second day of saving abstinence,* we cry to You, O Lord:* pierce our hearts with compunction for we are Your servants* and accept the prayers we offer to You in fear.* Allow us to complete the course of the fast without stumbling,* and grant us cleansing and great mercy!
Glory…
As we begin the second day of saving abstinence,* we cry to You, O Lord:* pierce our hearts with compunction for we are Your servants* and accept the prayers we offer to You in fear.* Allow us to complete the course of the fast without stumbling,* and grant us cleansing and great mercy!
Now…
O root that has budded forth the divine flower,* tabernacle and candlestick, golden vessel of manna,* holy table bearing the bread of life:* with John the Forerunner, intercede before Him,* since He is your son and God,* that He may grant mercy and salvation to all* who acknowledge you to be the very Theotokos!
Canon, Tone 2
Ode 2
Irmos: Behold; behold! I am He who has saved the people of Israel* in the sea and nourished them in the wilderness.* I drew water from a rock for mortal men,* that I might raise up the one who had fallen into corruption,* and draw him to me* by My unspeakable mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O my Soul, be temperate; be vigilant, sigh and weep. Reject all the burden of sin by fasting. Flee from the fire of the passions by true and fervent repentance, rend asunder the garments of mourning with your tears, and be clothed anew.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
By fasting let us ascend the mountain of virtue, casting aside the creeping things of sensuality. Let us enter into the darkness of sacred contemplations, let us behold Christ our beloved one in His beauty, and through divine ascents mystically become godlike.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Woe is me! Who will I become? And what shall I do? Conscienceless, I have committed sins and not feared the Master. Therefore, even before the Judgment, I stand condemned. Save me and bring me back, O righteous and gracious Judge, though I have angered You more than all mankind.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
O unsown earth, which brought forth the Nourisher of all: He Who opens His hands, and of His own good will, satisfies every living thing by His power. Strengthen with the Living Bread hearts weakened by satiation with wicked transgression.
Irmos: Behold now and see that I am God* who has willingly clothed Myself in flesh to save Adam,* who from the snares of the serpent* fell into transgression.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Come, let us gather in the chamber of our soul, rendering prayers to the Lord and crying: “Our Father, Who art in heaven, forgive and remit our transgressions, since You alone are compassionate!”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Showing our souls to be joyful in the Fast, let us not grieve the loss of our days of pleasure, for this loss brings instruction in virtue.
Glory…
The Unity of three Hypostases, beginningless, uncreated Lord, King of all the ages, a multitude of angels and all mortal nature glorify You: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
Now…
Let us hymn the most virtuous glory of mankind, for in her we have been deified. You have borne, for our sake, the God and Saviour, Christ who has released us from the curse.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You!
Who quenched the flames? Who closed the mouths of beasts? It is the Fast, which delivered the youths from the fiery furnace, and Daniel the prophet from the teeth of the lions. So even now O brethren let us welcome it.
Katavasia: Behold now and see that I am God* who has willingly clothed Myself in flesh to save Adam,* who from the snares of the serpent* fell into transgression.
Ode 8
Irmos: To Him Who of old prefigured the miracle of the Virgin,* to Moses in the burning-bush on Mount Sinai,* let us sing, bless and supremely exult* throughout all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O my Soul, put aside the wicked sleep of laziness, and persevere with sincere vigilance in the Lord’s commands. The torch-bearing Bridegroom draws near; let us hasten to greet Him!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Wounded by wicked pleasures, heal me with the bountiful cure of Your merciful divine will, O Word, and I will ever glorify You with thanksgiving.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Restrain yourself, O soul, from harmful passions, from hate, and envy, and from every evil, and be nourished in the Fast with the spiritual manna from heaven, which is the Word of God.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
O Pure Birthgiver of God, heal the inclinations of my soul, the passions of my heart; and the instability of my mind. For you alone are an invincible wall and the only help of us sinners.
Irmos: The Fashioner of all creation, whom the angels fear:* let us praise, O you people, and supremely exalt throughout all ages!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Having raised our souls toward heaven through abstinence, let us offer acceptable prayers to the Lord.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Receiving the spirit of compunction, let us weep for the salvation of our souls, glorifying Christ throughout the ages.
Let us bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord!
Trinity consubstantial, Unity uncreated, God of all: we exalt You throughout all ages.
Now…
Pray for all those who magnify you in song, O pure One, and deliver them from all temptations and dangers.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You!
Spitting out the food of the wealthy, come, let us fast with Lazarus, that we also may be comforted in the bosom of Abraham.
We praise, we bless and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!
Katavasia: The Fashioner of all creation, whom the angels fear:* let us praise, O you people, and supremely exalt throughout all ages!
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: Who born on Earth has ever heard of, or beheld,* a Virgin miraculously conceiving in her womb,* and painlessly giving birth to a child,* wherefore we magnify you, O pure Virgin.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Who among men has sinned against the Lord as much as I have? Or who has remained in sin for as long as I, O wretched man? But, O God, the Fountain of mercy, have compassion upon me.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Angelic powers, you who look upon God, entreat Him who is quick to forgive, to save the soul of one, lost and adrift on the sea of this life’s pleasures, in a tempest of passions, and suffering from the attacks of hostile spirits.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Come, soul, take wing, by the efforts of the fast arise from indolence. Be filled with the vision of joy and behold God in faith!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Who can worthily proclaim your praises, O pure Virgin, you who have given birth ineffably to the exalted Master and Lord, and to whom the angelic hosts sing praises. Pray to Him on behalf all of whom have sinned exceedingly, O unwedded Bride.
Irmos: O Isaiah, Rejoice and be glad!* The Virgin has conceived in her womb,* and has borne a Son, Emmanuel,* who is both God and man;* and Orient is His name;* Him we magnify, and the Virgin we call blessed.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
This is the acceptable time. This is the time for repentance. Let us offer our virtues to God as gifts, and set aside the works of darkness, by putting on the armour of light as the apostle Paul proclaims.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
As the Lord killed the enemy by fasting, so let us also come to destroy his arrows and spears, saying: Get behind me, Satan! when he comes to tempt us.
Glory…
I hymn the Trinity in Unity: eternal, honourable, life-giving; indivisible, consubstantial. Unbegotten Father, begotten Word and Son, and Holy Spirit, save us who hymn You!
Now…
Your fruit is above all understanding, O Mother of God, for in you a conception took place without a man, and your childbearing was virginal. God was born from you, and we magnify and bless you, O Virgin.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You!
Through fasting, let us look on God, as we approach the mount of prayer with a pure heart, and receive the tablet of His commandments as Moses did, shining spiritually with them in the presence of God’s love.
Katavasia: O Isaiah, Rejoice and be glad!* The Virgin has conceived in her womb,* and has borne a Son, Emmanuel,* who is both God and man;* and Orient is His name;* Him we magnify, and the Virgin we call blessed.
Aposticha, Tone 3
Let us begin the pure fast, O you people,* which is the salvation of our souls.* Let us serve the Lord with fear; let us anoint our heads with the oil of good deeds.* Let us wash our faces with the waters of purity.* Let us not use empty phrases in prayer, but as we have been taught, let us cry aloud:* “Our Father who art in the heavens,* forgive us our trespasses, for You are the Lover of mankind!”
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 us begin the pure fast, O you people,* which is the salvation of our souls.* Let us serve the Lord with fear; let us anoint our heads with the oil of good deeds.* Let us wash our faces with the waters of purity.* Let us not use empty phrases in prayer, but as we have been taught, let us cry aloud:* “Our Father who art in the heavens,* forgive us our trespasses, for You are the Lover of mankind!”
Let the favour of the Lord be upon us: give success to the work of our hands.
The warriors of Christ have rejected the fear of kings and tormentors,* and with boldness and courage confessed Him, our King,* the Lord and God of all,* and now they pray on behalf of our souls.
Glory… Now…
O Theotokos, protection of all who pray to you,* we have boldness and exult in you.* We put all our hope in you.* Pray for your corrupt servants,* to the one whom you bore.