MATINS ON WEDNESDAY MORNING

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 4

You have redeemed us from the curse of the law by Your precious Blood;* nailed to the Cross and pierced by the spear.* You have poured forth immortality upon mankind.* O our Saviour, glory to You.

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool for He is holy.

Come quickly to our help,* before we are enslaved to the enemies that blaspheme You, Christ our God, and threaten us.* By Your Cross, destroy those that make war against us,* and may they know what power is given to the orthodox faith:* through the prayers of the Theotokos, O You who loves mankind.

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

Through their sufferings, O Lord,* Your martyrs obtained crowns of immortality from You our God.* For strong in Your might they overthrew the tyrants* and crushed the powerless arrogance of the devils.* At their supplications save our souls, O Christ our God.

Glory… Now…

O Virgin undefiled, Mother of Christ our God,* a sword pierced your all-holy soul,* when you had seen your Son and God crucified of His own will.* O blessed among women, never cease to intercede* that He may grant us pardon for our sins.

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 8

Ungraciously Adam ate from the tree,* and reaped the bitter fruits of his lack of abstinence;* but You, O merciful One, lifted up upon the Tree,* delivered him from his grievous condemnation,* wherefore we cry to You:* Grant us, O Master, temperance that we may abstain from corrupting fruit, and do Your will,* and thereby receive Your mercy.

Glory… Now…

Christ took flesh from your pure blood and was born from you, O pure one,* in a manner beyond understanding;* upon seeing Him hung on the Cross between two malefactors,* your soul was filled with anguish,* and with a mother’s lamentation you cried aloud:* “Woe is me, my Child! What is this divine and ineffable condescension,* whereby You have restored to life Your creature?* I sing the praises of Your compassionate goodness.”

Sessional Hymn III, Tone 2

Singing the praises of the all-holy Tree of the Cross,* we ever venerate Your boundless love, O Christ God.* For upon it You have put to shame the hosts of the enemy,* and given it as a sign to those that believe in You.* Therefore, in thanksgiving we cry aloud to You:* Grant that in good faith and in peace* we may complete the time of the Fast.

Glory… Now…

Upon seeing the innocent Shepherd hanging upon the Tree,* the Ewe-Lamb cried aloud with a mother’s lamentation:* “O my Son, Your ungrateful people have condemned to death,* You who covered them with a cloud as they journeyed through the wilderness;* Woe is me! I have no husband, nor Child.* But, arise, O Sun, and let Your light shine forth;* and I shall be glorified among the sons of mortal men.”

Canon

Ode 3

Irmos: O Lord, who covered the dome of the heavens* and who built up your Church in three days,* make me firm in the love of You, O only Lover of mankind,* the summit of our desires and the fortress of believers.

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

With Your hands stretched out upon the Cross, O just Judge, You have condemned enmity; and now save me the prodigal who are condemned by my sins, for I have provoked You, O long-suffering Saviour.

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

Like a wild beast I have desired a life that inflames passions; I have departed far from Your commandments, O Good One, and become the servant of strange and unclean citizens. But accept me who has now turned back to You, and save me.

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

As of old You opened the ear and tongue of him who had an impediment in his speech, open now the ears of my soul which have grown deaf in comprehension, and grant them to worthily hear Your saving words, O Jesus, who alone loves mankind.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O Gate of salvation, and Bridge to God, Protector of Christians, O Most holy Lady, I am beset by many troubles and tempest-tossed on the sea of life, O Maiden, pilot me.

Irmos: My mind has not brought forth good fruit,* but show me to be fruitful* in Your compassion, O God,* husbandman of all good things.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

For the sake of Your compassionate mercy, You ascended the Cross, O Christ, and lift me up from the pit of the passions, raising me to heaven.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Stretching out Your hands upon the Cross, O Christ, You have embraced nations that were far from You, drawing them near Your dominion.

Glory…

Unity in three Hypostases, Trinity supreme in Essence, one Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit of righteousness, save those who honour You.

Now…

Who among those born on earth can praise you as is meet, O Virgin Mother? For you, O all-blessed one, alone have been revealed as chosen among women.

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

You were lifted up upon the Cross, Your side pierced, and tasting gall, for my sake, who have provoked You, O Jesus, through disobedience.

Katavasia: My mind has not brought forth good fruit,* but show me to be fruitful* in Your compassion, O God,* husbandman of all good things.

Ode 8

Irmos: In his fury, the tyrant of the Chaldeans had the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual* for the faithful servants of the Lord;* but when he saw them saved by a more powerful force, he cried out* O youths, bless your Creator and Redeemer;* praise Him, you priests;* and all you people, exalt Him for all ages.

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

With Your unsleeping eye look upon me and have compassion: for I am held fast in the sleep of melancholy and lay upon the bed of passions. You bowed Your head upon the Cross, O Christ, and willingly awakened from sleep, You have banished the darkness of sin; for You are the Light of righteousness.

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

I was richly adorned with Your gifts at Baptism; but wretched as I am, I have loved the poverty of evil, and become a stranger to virtue, and wandered into the far country of sin: but turn me back, O Saviour, and embrace me, and surround me with Your Cross throughout the ages.

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

Cast aside, O my soul, the drunkenness of the passions, and by fasting seek the cleansing wine of tears which makes glad the heart of man, withering lust and extinguishing the burning of the flesh. Make haste, therefore, to be crucified with Christ, who for your sake was nailed upon the Tree, that you may live with Him throughout all ages.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O all-pure Birthgiver of God, cleanse the wounds of my soul and the scars of my many sins, bathing them in the fountain that ever flows from the side of Him whom you bore, that I may cry to you, and flee to you for refuge, and call upon you, O grace-filled Mother.

Irmos: Unto God who is glorified in heaven by the voices of angels;* let us sing, and with every mortal born on earth, let us praise Him throughout all ages.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

To You who has been crucified in the flesh, yet did not suffer in Your divine nature, O Jesus, do we the race of mortals, and the angels, ever hymn throughout all ages.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

By Your Crucifixion, O Christ, and by choosing an accursed and shameful death, You have delivered us from corruption and saved us.

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

With the cherubim, O Trinity, I praise You, singing: Holy, Holy, Holy, one Godhead, simple, beginningless, and transcending all understanding.

Now…

In songs of praise, O pure one, all generations honour you with gladness, for you have given birth to the Creator, O strange wonder and all-blessed deed!

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

Solely for the sake of my salvation, O Christ, You have consented to suffer all things. I hymn Your Crucifixion, the nails, and death throughout all ages.

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

Katavasia: Unto God who is glorified in heaven by the voices of angels;* let us sing, and with every mortal born on earth, let us praise Him throughout all ages.

Ode 9

Irmos: Heaven was seized with wonder and the ends of the earth struck with astonishment* when God revealed himself to humanity clothed in our flesh.* And your womb has become more spacious than the heavens;* O Mother of God, the assembly of angels and people extol you.

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

Upon seeing You nailed upon the Cross, the sun hid its rays, and the whole of the earth was seized with trembling, O King of all, beholding You willingly suffering, even though by nature You are impassible. Wherefore I beseech You, heal the passions of my soul, O Christ, physician of souls.

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

Having forsaken the paths of salvation, I have traversed the path that leads to Hades, and am surrounded by the deep darkness of lust, the slipperiness of passions, and the tempest of temptation; Wherefore I entreat You: Save me by Your Cross, O Christ, for You alone are plenteous in mercy.

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

Beset by the wintery storm of temptation, I am drowning amidst the waves of passion, assailed by the tempest of lust; but now that I have reached the sea of the Fast, I find mildness and calm. Pilot me as I traverse it by Your Cross, O compassionate One, and bring me to the safe harbour of salvation.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Without seed, O Virgin, and without carnal desire, you have conceived the Word of God who has fashioned all things; and without corruption and the pangs of travail you have given birth to Him. Wherefore with both tongue and heart we confess you to be the very Theotokos and we magnify you.

Irmos: Your virginity, O undefiled Theotokos, was not burned by the fire of the Divinity,* wherefore we magnify you.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Willingly, O our Saviour, You endured endure Crucifixion, to deliver us all from death and grant us life.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

By a tree did I perish, and by the Tree of the Cross I have returned to life: for my Christ was nailed upon it and has thereby slain the enemy.

Glory…

Let us with one mind worship the Son who coexists with the Father, and the Holy Spirit who is ever present with them.

Now…

O marvellous wonder! O strange tidings! How did you give birth as a mother, O pure one, and as a virgin not know corruption?

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

I sing of Your lance, I praise Your nails, the sponge, the reed, and the Cross: for through them I have been saved, O Jesus my God.

Katavasia: Your virginity, O undefiled Theotokos, was not burned by the fire of the Divinity,* wherefore we magnify you.

Aposticha

Tone 3

Having Forsaken the height of the virtues, O my soul,* you have descended into the depths of sin, and fallen among evil thieves;* wherefore you are covered with festering sores* laying prostrate and helpless.* But cry aloud to Christ God,* who, of His own will, has been crucified and wounded for your sake, saying:* “Take care of me, O Lord, and save me.”

Tone 8

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.

I the wretched one, have been wounded by thieving thoughts* and left almost dead, O Lord.* The company of the prophets have passed me by, beholding me as one almost dead,* incurable by the hands of man.* Wherefore, in my grievous suffering,* with humble heart I cry to You, O Christ God,* since You are compassionate,* pour upon me Your great mercy.

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.

O invincible martyrs of Christ,* you triumphed over delusion by the power of the Cross,* and received the grace of eternal life as your reward.* You did not fear the threatening of the tyrants,* and when you suffered torments you rejoiced;* and now your blood has become for us the healing of our souls.* Intercede for us, that we be saved.

Glory… Now…

Upon seeing You hanging upon the Cross in the flesh* the all-pure one was wounded in the depths of her soul,* and she cried aloud with tears:* “O Word, to where has You gone,* O most beloved Jesus, my Son and my Lord?* Leave me not alone who has given birth to You, O Christ.”

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING

At Psalm 140

Tone 3

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

Even more than all others, I have sinned of my own will,* and for that, I am condemned;* the arrogance of my flesh is the enemy of my soul.* O guide for those who have lost their way* and light for those without hope,* save me, O Lord, before I completely perish.

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

For the Prophet says,* my soul shall live and shall praise You, O Lord.* I am the lost sheep;* call me back and number me among Your flock.* Give me time to repent that I may sigh and cry out to You:* Save me, O Lord, before I completely perish.

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

Greatly despising Your commandments,* I have sinned, O Christ our God.* Spare me, O Benefactor,* that my inner eye may be freed from darkness;* and in fear I shall cry out to You:* Save me, O Lord, before I completely perish.

Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Having been encircled by wild beasts,* I beseech You to deliver me from their clutches, O Lord.* You wish that all be saved* and come to the knowledge of the truth;* save all Your people, O Creator,* that I may be saved with them;* save me, O Lord, before I completely perish.

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

I am lying here in sin;* heal me, O Redeemer and Benefactor;* be not far from me, O Saviour.* Raise me up, O almighty One,* that I may confess all my sins and cry to You:* Save me, O Lord, before I completely perish.

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

Just as the foolish servant,* I have hidden the talent You gave me;* I have buried it in the ground.* I have been condemned as useless,* and I dare not ask for anything more.* In Your goodness, spare me,* that I may also cry to You:* Save me, O Lord, before I completely perish.

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

Kindly, You dried up the marsh of her passions,* when the woman with the flow of blood touched Your garment.* I have received the forgiveness of my sins* by drawing near to You in complete faith;* receive me, as You accepted her, and heal me of my grief;* save me, O Lord, before I completely perish.

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

Lord, Your word has made heaven and earth,* and You shall come to sit upon a throne;* and we shall all stand in Your presence and confess our sins.* Before that day comes, receive my repentance;* save me, O Lord, before I completely perish.

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

Mercifully look upon me and spare me, O Saviour;* pour out the streams of healing upon my poor and afflicted soul.* Purify it from all stain* so that I may sing to You:* Save me, O Lord, before I completely perish.

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

Now my soul has been quickly assailed by the sword that the devil prepared;* he has made me a stranger to the light of Your face, O Lord.* But, by the power of Your arm,* draw me up from his jaws;* save me, O Lord, before I completely perish.

Glory…

Your love is beyond expression, O merciful and good Lord!* You alone are without sin!* Do not reject me far from Your face,* that, with thanksgiving and with joy,* I may sing and cry out to You:* Save me, O Lord, before I completely perish.

Now…

Zealously, we sing of the ineffable condescension of God!* It is a miraculous and wondrous birth!* How has the Virgin carried You in her arms as a child,* for You are her Creator and her God?* O Benefactor, who willed to become incarnate from her,* save me before I completely perish, O Lord.

Prokeimenon I, Tone 4

O Lord, God of vengeance,* show Yourself.

verse: Rise up, O Judge of the earth; give the proud what they deserve!

Reading I

Genesis 17:1-9

Prokeimenon II, Tone 6

O sing to the Lord a new song,* sing to the Lord all the earth!

verse: O sing to the Lord; bless His name.

Reading II

Proverbs 15:20-16:9