VESPERS ON FRIDAY EVENING
At Psalm 140
Tone 4
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
You lived in purity, preserving your virginity chaste and undefiled.* You distributed your wealth, fulfilling the commandment of Christ.* Following Him, you forsook the world and all that is in it.* Therefore Jesus, the Lover of mankind and Saviour of our souls,* has given you heaven and the things of heaven!
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
As a most fervent lover of wisdom* you displayed self control and an undying quality of soul.* You sought to be pure from the stains of sin and clear from all pollution,* that you might be free from the restraints of the body,* having neither spot nor wrinkle, God-pleasing one.* Now you stand pure and without blemish before the Bridegroom!
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Your face was enlightened by the brilliant radiance of Christ, all-laudable one.* After death He glorified you as His godly virgin,* merciful and beaming with joy, as one sympathetic and speaking words from God,* for you lived an angelic life on earth,* pleasing God with the radiance of your life!* Pray that the Lord will grant our souls peace and great mercy!
Tone 4, Podoben “You have given a sign…”
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Emulating the sufferings of Christ, the Lover of mankind, О passion-bearers,* you gave your bodies over to wounds, and bitter torments, and myriad pangs,* ever looking forward to the divine delight of paradise,* to ever-abundant sustenance and everlasting glory;* and having received this, pray for those who hymn you.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Emulating the sufferings of Christ, the Lover of mankind, О passion-bearers,* you gave your bodies over to wounds, and bitter torments, and myriad pangs,* ever looking forward to the divine delight of paradise,* to ever-abundant sustenance and everlasting glory;* and having received this, pray for those who hymn you.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
О most sacred pastors, as glorious emulators of Christ, the Chief Shepherd, the King of all,* you readily laid down your lives for the sheep,* and endured grievous misfortunes, О right blessed ones;* and as champions you save the divinely chosen flock unharmed by cruel wolves.
Tone 4, Glory… Now…
O Mother of God, because of You* David the Prophet became an ancestor of God;* he foretold and sang a joyous hymn of praise* and cried out to Him who worked wonders in you:* “The Queen stood at your right hand.”* God revealed you as a life-giving mother,* when He chose to be incarnate of you without a father.* He renewed in man His image* which the passions had corrupted.* He found the lost sheep in the mountains,* carried it on His shoulders,* offered it to the Father,* generously numbered it among the powers of heaven,* and saved the whole world, since He is Christ of great and rich mercy.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
O God, You are my defender* and Your mercy goes before me.
verse: Deliver me from my enemies, O God; save me from those who rise up against me.
Aposticha
Tone 4
You are glorified in the commemorations of Your saints, O Christ our God:* by their intercessions send down upon us Your great mercy.
Wondrous is God in His saints,* the God of Israel.
You have accepted the patient endurance of the holy martyrs:* in Your love for mankind accept our hymns of praise,* and by their intercessions send down upon us Your great mercy.
Blessed are they whom You have chosen* and taken to Yourself, О Lord.
With the spirits of the faithful departed* grant rest, O Saviour, to the souls of Your servants,* and preserve them for a life of blessedness* with You, O Lover of mankind.
Tone 4, Glory… Now…
O inextinguishable lamp, and throne of righteousness* most pure Sovereign Lady:* pray that our souls be saved.
Troparia
Tone 8
The divine image was faithfully preserved in you, O mother,* for taking up the Cross you followed Christ.* By your deeds you have taught us to see beyond flesh which passes* and care for the soul, a thing immortal.* And so, O venerable woman, Macrina,* your spirit rejoices with the angels.
Glory… Now…
O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;* through Your death on the cross You conquered Death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed Yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother who bore You makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people!
DIVINE LITURGY ON SATURDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: The divine image was faithfully preserved in you, O mother,* for taking up the Cross you followed Christ.* By your deeds you have taught us to see beyond flesh which passes* and care for the soul, a thing immortal.* And so, O venerable woman, Macrina,* your spirit rejoices with the angels.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 2: For love of the Lord, O venerable woman,* you scorned the desire for rest and enlightened your soul through fasting,* for you have mightily conquered the beasts.* Through your prayers thwart the rage of fiends.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
God is wonderful in His saints,* the God of Israel.
verse: In the churches bless God, the Lord from the fountains of Israel. (Psalm 67:36,27)
Epistle
Romans 9:1-5
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and He was attentive to me, and He heard my prayer.
verse: He brought me out of the pit of misery and the mud of the swamp. (Psalm 39:2,3)
Gospel
Matthew 9:18-26
Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear*. Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)