Day 24 of the Great Fast. Great Doxology. Abstention from meat and foods that contain these ingredients. Leave-taking of the Annunciation.

WEDNESDAY MORNING MATINS

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 3

Knowing that Your power is infinite and Your Crucifixion voluntary, the hosts of angels were amazed. How were You, upon whom none may look, scourged in the flesh, in Your desire to redeem man from corruption? Therefore we cry aloud to You as Giver of Life: Glory to Your Kingdom, O Christ.

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

The Cross was set up on the earth, and touched the heaven; not because the wood could reach so high, but because You who were crucified upon it fill all things: glory be to You.

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

In Your almighty power, O Lord, You have glorified the memorial of Your victorious martyrs, for You have strengthened them to follow You in Your sufferings. Bravely they overcame the devil’s might, and so received gifts of healing. Through their prayers, O Christ who loves mankind, grant peace to our souls.

Glory… Now…

In the Cross of your Son, O Theotokos, we have gained a rod of strength. With it we cast down the anger of the enemy, and unceasingly with love we magnify you.

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 6

Before us lays the divine and all-honoured Cross,* sanctifying the season of abstinence,* awaiting our veneration,* Let us approach it with a pure conscience:* let us draw from it sanctification and enlightenment,* and let us cry aloud with reverent fear:* O Lover of mankind and our Saviour,* glory be to Your loving-kindness.

Glory… Now…

Standing by the Cross, the unwedded Mother of Him who was born without seed from her* cried aloud saying:* “A sword has pierced my heart, O my Son,* and I cannot bear to behold You hanging upon the Wood,* before whom all things tremble, as their Creator and their God.* O long-suffering Lord, glory be to You.”

Sessional Hymn III, Tone 1

Radiantly enlightened with the virtues and cleansed by abstinence,* let us draw near and worship the precious Cross, crying aloud saying:* Sanctify our souls and bodies, O only God of all,* and count us worthy to celebrate Your most pure Passion,* and grant us Your mercy.

Glory… Now…

Beholding You stretched out dead upon the Cross, O Christ,* Your all-immaculate Mother cried aloud:* “O my Son, who with the Father and the Spirit, are beginningless,* what is this ineffable dispensation,* wherewith You have saved the work of Your most pure hands,* O Compassionate One?”

Canon

Ode 1

Irmos: I shall open my mouth, and be filled with the Spirit,* and utter discourse to the Queen and Mother;* and be seen radiantly keeping festival,* joyfully praising her wonders.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Let us venerate the holy Wood upon which Christ stretched out His hands, putting to flight the hostile powers, and cleansed by the fast, let us praise and glorify the Lord Almighty.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Beholding before us the salvific Cross, which sanctifies all, let us draw near purified in soul and body, and draw from it saving grace.

Glory…

Cleanse me with the fire of Your commandments, O Lover of mankind, and grant that with love I may behold and worship Your saving Passion, fortified and preserved by Your Cross.

Now…

When Your Mother saw You nailed to the Cross, O Lover of mankind, she lamented crying aloud: “How does the Lord of glory and the Judge of all hang as one condemned?”

Ode 3

Irmos: O Theotokos, living and plentiful fount,* establish in spiritual fellowship those who sing hymns to you,* and in your divine glory* grant them crowns of glory.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Having cleansed our hearts with the waters of fasting, with faith let us embrace the Wood of the Cross upon which Christ was hung, granting us the waters of forgiveness, since you are the wellspring of goodness.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

With the Cross as our sail, our boat has reached the middle of the salvific Fast. By Your Cross, O Jesus, Messiah and God, grant us to reach the safe-haven of Your Passion.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Upon the mountain, O Cross, Moses prefigured you when he overthrew his enemies; and we beholding you, make the sign of the Cross in our hearts, and by your might, worshiping you, we overthrow our bodiless enemies.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

“By Your own will You became a man, the God and Creator of all, and now, O Christ my Son, I behold You hanging on the Cross, and my heart is deeply wounded.”

Irmos: The Lord, the King of all and our Creator God,* has been clothed in our human nature without undergoing change;* He himself is our Passover* and has offered himself to those whom He wished to save by his death:* Take and eat, this is my Body;* you shall find food for your faith.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

O God the Lord and Creator of all, You were raised up upon the Cross in the midst of the earth, raising up with Yourself the nature of man, which had fallen through the wicked counsel of the enemy. Strengthened by Your Passion, in faith we glorify You.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

O faithful, having purified our senses with the light of the Fast, let us be illumined by the spiritual radiance of the Cross. Gazing upon it with reverent fear as it lay before us this day, let us venerate it with pure lips and heart.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

At the place where the feet of Christ stood, let us fall down and worship the Divine Cross. Let us ask that the feet of our souls be established on the rock of God’s commandments, and that divine grace guide our noetic footsteps on the path of peace.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

You came forth from a maiden who knew not a man, O Christ, assuming human flesh with a mind and soul from her. By Your Cross You have destroyed the enemy and renewed corrupted human nature, Therefore I glorify Your loving-kindness.

Irmos: Firmly establish Your Church, O Lord,* which You have made Your own by the power of Your Cross:* for by the Cross You triumphed over the enemy* and bring light to the whole world.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Let all the ends of the earth rejoice with hymns, beholding the veneration of the Wood whereon Christ was hung and through which the devil has been mortally wounded.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

The lifegiving Cross is set before us today. Come, with joy and fear let us fall down and worship the precious Cross of the Lord, that we may receive the Holy Spirit.

Glory…

O Sun with threefold ray, thrice-glorious Light, O God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, beginningless essence and glory, deliver from all dangers those who sing Your praises.

Now…

The ranks of angels hymn you, O blessed Theotokos, and all praised Virgin; and with them all mankind glorifies you, O unwedded Bride.

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

Approaching to touch you, O lifegiving Cross, my tongue and understanding tremble, for I noetically behold the divine Blood of my Lord shed upon you.

Katavasia: Firmly establish Your Church, O Lord,* which You have made Your own by the power of Your Cross:* for by the Cross You triumphed over the enemy* and bring light to the whole world.

Sessional Hymn, Tone 6

Today the words of the Prophet have been fulfilled:* for behold, we worship at the place on which Your feet have stood, O Lord;* and, partaking of the Tree of salvation,* we have been delivered from our sinful passions* by the prayers of the Theotokos,* O only Lover of mankind.

Glory…

O Lord, Your Cross is sanctifying,* bringing healing to those infirm from their sins,* by it we fall down before You:* have mercy upon us.

Now…

As soon as the wood of Your cross was raised, O Christ,* the foundations of death were shaken O Lord.* Hades eagerly swallowed You* but trembling, let You go.* You have shown us Your salvation, O Holy One,* and we glorify You, O Son of God;* have mercy upon us.

Ode 4

Irmos: He who sits in glory upon the throne of the Godhead,* Jesus the true God, is come in a swift cloud* and with His sinless hands he has saved those who cry:* Glory to Your power, O Christ.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Crossing his hands as he stretched them out to bless his grandchildren, the venerable Jacob foreshadowed the sign of the cross, signifying the blessing of salvation that has been granted to us all.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Preserved by the seal of the Cross, and kissing it with joyful spirit as it lay before us, let us hasten to the saving Passion, and slay the deadly passions of the flesh.

Glory…

O all-honoured cross, weapon of salvation, unconquerable ensign of victory, token of joy whereby death has been slain, we embrace you and share in the glory of Him who was nailed thereon.

Now…

“No angel can approach You, Jesus my Son, yet You have manifest Yourself to me in visible form, assuming flesh from me,” said the Mother of Christ “And now I see You nailed upon the Cross, and I lament.”

Ode 5

Irmos: All creation stands in awe of your divine glory;* for you, O Virgin who have not known wedlock, contained within your womb the God of all,* and gave birth to the timeless Son,* bestowing peace, upon all who hymn you.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

You were nailed to the Cross, and accounted dead, O Saviour, but since You are the life and salvation of all, grant that with a purified soul we may embrace Your Cross and gaze upon Your saving Passion with joy.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

The ranks of angels tremble as they stand before you, O lifegiving Cross: for Christ poured forth His Precious Blood upon you, chasing far away the noetic and eternally damning inspirations of demons.

Glory…

Pierced by the sword of the adversary, heal me by Your Blood, O Word, hasten I pray You, O Saviour, and with Your lance tear up the record of my sins, and as You are compassionately loving, write my name in the book of the saved.

Now…

“O ripe Cluster of grapes, how do You hang upon the Tree? O Sun of glory, how are You raised on high, darkening the sun’s light by Your Passion?” Thus did Your Mother cry aloud in her grief to You, her Lamb.

Ode 6

Irmos: Prefiguring Your three-day burial* Prophet Jonah praying in the belly of the sea-monster cried aloud:* Deliver me from corruption,* O Jesus, King of hosts.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Fixed upon the earth, O all-honoured Cross of the Lord, you have shaken the dwellings of Hades; and become the foundation and sure protection of the faithful.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Having become fruitful in the virtues, let us partake of the life-giving fruits of the divine Tree, borne by Jesus who was stretched out upon it.

Glory…

O Jesus, we praise Your bountiful goodness, and fall down and worship Your Cross, together with the lance and reed. For through them, O compassionate One, You have broken down the middle wall of partition and hatred.

Now…

The all-pure One bore You, the life-giving fount of our restoration; and stretching Yourself out upon the Cross, You have poured forth the waters of salvation.

Katavasia: Prefiguring Your three-day burial* Prophet Jonah praying in the belly of the sea-monster cried aloud:* Deliver me from corruption,* O Jesus, King of hosts.

Kontakion, Tone 7

The fiery sword no longer guards the gates of Eden,* for it has been wondrously quenched by the wood of the Cross.* The sting of death and the victory of Hades have been vanquished,* for You come come, O my Saviour,* crying to those in Hades:* “Enter again into Paradise.”

Ikos of the Cross

Pilate set up three crosses in the place of the Skull, two for the thieves and one for the Giver of Life. Seeing Him, Hades cried to those below: “O my servants and my powers! Who is this that has fixed a nail in my heart? A wooden spear has suddenly pierced me, and I am rent asunder. Inwardly, I am in pain; and anguish has seized my senses. My spirit is troubled, and I am constrained to cast out Adam and his posterity. A tree brought them to me, but now the Tree of the Cross leads them back again to Paradise.”

Ode 7

Irmos: Refusing to worship created things in place of the Creator,* the divinely wise youths bravely trampled down the threatening fire* and rejoicing they sang aloud:* Blessed are You, O supremely hymned Lord and God of our Fathers.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

The axe-head that Elisha drew forth from the Jordan, O Christ, signified the Cross, whereby You have drawn forth the nations from the depths of ignorance, and chanting they hymn: “Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers.”

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

At your veneration O Cross, the heavens rejoice, together with the Earth, for through you, mankind has been united with the angels, and chanting they hymn: “Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers.”

Glory…

As a cypress of sweet compassion, and a sweet-smelling cedar, and as fragrant pine, let us the faithful fall down and worship the Cross of the Lord, bringing our sincere love, and let us glorify our Redeemer who was nailed upon it.

Now…

Without shaking heavenly things, God came down to dwell within your womb, O chosen city of God; but, when He was hung upon the Cross, He shook all of creation; beseech Him to set me firmly on His unshakable rock.

Ode 8

Irmos: The Offspring of the Theotokos saved the holy children in the furnace.* He who was then prefigured has now been born on earth,* and He gathers all creation to hymn you:* all you works praise the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

You stretched out Your hands upon the Tree, O Lord, freeing us from the sin of him who stretched out his hand in greed. You were pierced by a spear, and with that spear mortally wounded the adversary. You have tasted gall, taking away the sweet temptation of wickedness, and You who are the Joy of all, was given vinegar to drink.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

With a pure mind and radiant conscience, let us joyfully draw near and worship the precious and holy Wood that lay before us, upon which Christ has submitted to a shameful death, raising us who had fallen into shameful dishonour through the transgression, to the highest honour.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

I have been slain by the wood of sin, and through tasting from the pleasures I have buried myself. Bring me to life, O Lord; raise me up from where I lie and make me a worshiper of Your Passion and a sharer in Your divine Resurrection, becoming a fellow heir with those who love You.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

“I see You lifted on high,” cried the all-pure Virgin, “and because of Your suffering there is neither form nor beauty in You; O Only-begotten Son, whom we comprehend as incarnate, You were fairer than all the sons of men, manifest Your glory, O salvation of all.”

Irmos: To obey the law of their fathers, the noble youths bravely confronted death, * and they scorned the foolish order of the king of Babylon.* Standing together in the fire that could not consume them,* they worthily sang the praise of God almighty:* Praise the Lord, all you His works,* to Him belongs great glory and eternal praise.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

You were willingly crucified in the middle of the day, in the midst of the earth, and thereby plucked the ends of the world from the midst of the dragon’s jaws, O compassionate One. Therefore in this middle week of the holy Fast we worship and glorify Your precious Cross, crying aloud: “Praise the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout the ages.”

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

O sign of joy, unconquerable weapon, rampart of the Church, glory of martyrs, adornment of apostles, firm support of bishops, strengthen my enfeebled soul, and deem me worthy to worship You and to sing Your praises, crying aloud: “O you works of the Lord, praise the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.”

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

O long-suffering Lord, I mourn and weep and lament, when I contemplate my condemnation before the dread judgment seat. Therefore spare me and lighten the yoke which weighs heavily upon my soul, that with rejoicing I may cry: “O you works of the Lord, praise the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.”

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O all-immaculate Virgin, the bush prefigured the mystery of your incomprehensible childbearing. For like the bush of old, you remained unconsumed by fire having conceived Christ the Saviour, who was lifted up upon the Cross. Beseech Him that I may be delivered from eternal fire as I cry aloud: “Praise the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.”

Irmos: Daniel, great among the prophets, was cast into the lions’ den;* but, stretching out his hands in the form of the Cross,* he was delivered from their mouths and kept unharmed,* blessing Christ our God throughout the ages.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Cleansed by fasting, let us come to the Cross of Christ set before us, and with love adore it, for it is a treasury of strength and our sanctification, and through it we hymn His praises throughout the ages.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Before us stands the great and threefold Cross: though it appears small, it is wider than the heavens in its power, raising us to God: through it we bless Christ throughout the ages.

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

I glorify one Essence in three distinct Beings: the Father, Son, and Spirit, neither commingled in Hypostasis nor divided in Essence; for there is one God in Trinity, ruling over all.

Now…

Alone among mothers, Mary Bride of God, and Virgin, without knowing a man you have given birth to the Saviour, Christ, keeping the seal of your purity intact; with all the faithful we call you blessed throughout the ages.

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

Let us honour this all-holy Wood, which, as the Prophet of old has said, was put into the bread of Christ by the Israelites who crucified Him, whom we supremely exalt throughout all ages.

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

Katavasia: Daniel, great among the prophets, was cast into the lions’ den;* but, stretching out his hands in the form of the Cross,* he was delivered from their mouths and kept unharmed,* blessing Christ our God throughout the ages.

Ode 9

Irmos: Let every mortal born on earth, radiant with light, in spirit leap for joy;* and let the host of the angelic powers celebrate and honour the holy feast of the Mother of God,* and let them cry aloud:* Rejoice! O Theotokos, pure Ever-Virgin.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

We hymn Your opened rib, from whence the fount of forgiveness flows to us: for nailed to a tree You destroyed in the midst of the earth the ancient condemnation, O Lover of mankind, whom on this middle day of the Fast, we now adore singing the praises of Your exceeding goodness.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

O sweetness of the mountains, and joy of the little hills, be transformed with love. Trees of the plain and cedars of Lebanon, rejoice today at the veneration of the life-giving Cross. Prophets and martyrs, apostles and spirits of the righteous, dance in gladness.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

O Lord, look upon Your people and Your inheritance, who sing Your praises with reverent fear, and for whose sake You suffered a voluntary death. Let not the multitude of our wicked deeds vanquish Your loving-kindness, but save us O supremely Good One by Your Cross and Your love for mankind.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

“Crucified according to Your own will, You shook the visible world, and yet remained hanging upon the Cross”, said the Theotokos weeping. “For it is Your desire, O Christ, that the passionate mind of the first-formed man be freed, and healed of its deformity by Your exceeding goodness.”

Irmos: Every tongue hesitates to utter your praises,* and even the most heavenly spirits are in ecstasy as they sing to you, O Mother of God.* But in your goodness, receive the homage of our faith* and the power of our love which ascend to you;* for you are the protection of the Christian people,* and we extol you.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Of old Elisha didst draw an axe-head from the river by means of a piece of wood, prefiguring you, O life-giving Cross, and by you has Christ drawn the nations from the depths of the madness of idolatry, being nailed upon you. We, therefore, fall down and worship you and we glorify His power.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

By Your Crucifixion, O Saviour, the radiance of the sun was transformed into darkness, the light of the moon was quenched, and with trembling all the elements were changed. Therefore I cry to You: My thoughts have been darkened by the passions; transform me by Your right hand, O Word, enlighten and save me.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

By the lacerations of Your body, cure the passions of my soul; and by Your wounded side, heal the painful wounds inflicted by the demons. By Your nails, O Christ, uproot my sensual lusts; and grant that, freed from passions, I may worship at Your Holy Passion and Resurrection.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

A fair Maiden gave birth to You, O Lord fair in beauty; but, seeing neither form nor beauty in You at Thy Passion, she said lamenting: “I am filled with wonder, O my Son, at this Your strange abasement, whereby You have saved the humbled nature of mankind.”

Irmos: O Virgin Mother and true Theotokos, without seed you bore Christ our God,* who was lifted upon the Cross in the flesh.* We and all the faithful, as is meet,* magnify you with your Son.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

Draw near, O people of God, and with gladness behold the Wood of the Cross that lies before you, with reverent fear come and adore it, and receive joy, ever praising the Lord of glory who has been crucified upon it.

Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord.

O Cross, you are a divine weapon protecting my life; the Master ascended you bringing salvation to me: His side was pierced pouring forth blood and water; and partaking thereof, I rejoice and glorify Him.

Glory…

I worship You, O holy God, as a Trinity of Hypostases in a single Essence, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: one Power and Kingdom, ruling over all.

Now…

You are a great mountain, O Virgin, wherein Christ made His abode, as the holy prophet David said. By you we ascend to heaven, O all-blessed One, receiving through the Spirit the adoption of sonship.

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

O Cross, divine sceptre of the King, and manly courage of His army, putting our trust in you we conquer the adversary. Grant now to us who worship you victory over enemies.

Katavasia: O Virgin Mother and true Theotokos, without seed you bore Christ our God,* who was lifted upon the Cross in the flesh.* We and all the faithful, as is meet,* magnify you with your Son.

Aposticha

Tone 8

Having come to the middle of the Fast,* on the path that leads to Your precious Cross,* may we see that day prefigured by Abraham,* in which he rejoiced on the mountain,* having received Isaac back alive as if from a tomb.* that delivered from the enemy by faith,* we may share in Your mystical supper,* calling upon You in peace:* O our light and Saviour, glory be to You.

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.

Having come to the middle of the Fast,* on the path that leads to Your precious Cross,* may we see that day prefigured by Abraham,* in which he rejoiced on the mountain,* having received Isaac back alive as if from a tomb.* that delivered from the enemy by faith,* we may share in Your mystical supper,* calling upon You in peace:* O our light and Saviour, glory be to You.

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,* having triumphed over falsehood by the power of the Cross,* you gained the reward of the grace of eternal life.* You felt no terror when threatened by the tyrants,* and when you suffered torment you rejoiced;* and now your blood has become the healing of our souls.* Pray that our souls be saved.

Glory… Now…

Having reached the middle of the sea of abstinence,* let us look forward to the haven of salvation,* the season of Your voluntary Passion, O Lord.* But since You are lovingly compassionate and merciful,* grant that we also may behold in peace* the day of Your glorious Resurrection.

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING

At Psalm 140

Tone 4

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

The Fast that brings integrity has now run half its course.* These past days have proved acceptable,* and now we see the need of the days to come.* Our perception of their value will make them yield more abundant fruit.* Therefore, let us beseech Christ our Benefactor* who fasted and endured the Cross for us:* Grant that we might share in Your divine Pascha without condemnation* and pass our lives in peace,* worthily glorifying You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Tone 5

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

Those who do good deeds in secret* and receive a spiritual reward,* do not boast in public about their deeds,* but they carry them in their hearts;* and He who sees the secret deeds of all* grants us the reward of self-control.* Let us then complete this Great Fast without putting on a gloomy face;* but while praying in the secrecy of our souls,* let us cry out unceasingly:* Our Father, who art in heaven,* lead us not into temptation, we pray,* but deliver us from evil.

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

With your souls filled with unquenchable love, O holy martyrs,* you endured the most terrible sufferings without ever denying Christ;* and you laid low the impudence of the torturers.* You kept the faith unwavering and unharmed* and have gone to dwell in heaven.* Therefore, having the boldness to approach the Lord,* beg Him to grant us His great mercy.

Tone 1

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

Let us all wash our souls in the water of the Fast* and approach the precious and all-praiseworthy Cross of the Lord.* Let us faithfully bow to it,* drawing divine illumination from it* and reaping the fruit of eternal salvation,* which is peace and great mercy.

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

O precious Cross, the boldness of the apostles,* You are revered by the Archangels, Powers and Principalities.* Save from all evil those who bow before You,* and make us worthy to pass through the course of the Fast in a holy way,* that we may see Your salvation and holy Resurrection.

Tone 7

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

Bowing before the Cross of the Lord on this day, let us sing:* Rejoice, O Tree of Life;* You are the joy of the world who destroy Hades and Death;* Your strength puts the demons to flight.* You are the invincible weapon and support of believers;* preserve and sanctify those who bow before You.

Tone 4

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

With reason you opposed ferocity and naked savagery of the Judeans,* O divinely wise and manly wise one,* foreseeing the delight of things to come, which remains ever immutable for ages.* This you received, departing from earth to the mansions of heaven* and the indissoluble choir, O glorious one.

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

With reason you opposed ferocity and naked savagery of the Judeans,* O divinely wise and manly wise one,* foreseeing the delight of things to come, which remains ever immutable for ages.* This you received, departing from earth to the mansions of heaven* and the indissoluble choir, O glorious one.

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

Adorned with the wounds of your steadfast suffering,* you were vouchsafed to behold the splendour of the kingdom* and the beauteous comeliness of your Bridegroom;* and you drew nigh to the Source of good things as is meet.* Whence you richly received the fruit of divine gladness* and undying glory.

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

Neither the yoke of slavery, nor woman’s weakness, nor hunger, nor stripes* prevented you from emulating the steadfastness of the martyrs, O most glorious one;* for you endured torments with fervour of soul.* Hence you have received a heavenly mansion,* and hast been adorned with a crown of graces,* standing before your Creator.

Tone 8

Glory… Now…

Today the inaccessible Lord draws me close to Him.* He endures His Passion to free me from my passions.* He who gives light to the blind, receives spitting from impure lips* and permits Himself to be scourged to save the captives.* When His Mother, the Virgin, saw Him on the Cross, she sighed and said:* Alas, O my beloved Child!* You surpass every mortal in beauty; yet You are now without charm or attraction,* having neither grace, nor form, nor life.* Alas! O Light of my eyes,* a sword pierces my heart, and I suffer inwardly to see You so.* I sing and praise Your Passion,* I venerate Your infinite mercy,* O long-suffering Lord, glory to You.

Prokeimenon I, Tone 4

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,* who alone does wondrous things.

verse: O God, give Your judgment to the king, and to the king’s son Your justice.

Reading I

Genesis 9:18-10:1

Prokeimenon II, Tone 4

To be near God is my happiness.* I have made the Lord God my refuge.

verse: How good God is to Israel, to those who are pure of heart.

Reading II

Proverbs 12:23-13:9