Day 4 of the Great Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain these ingredients. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
MATINS FOR THURSDAY MORNING
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 8
Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who made the fishermen wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit;* and through them You have drawn the inhabited earth into Your net.* O Lord who loves mankind, glory to You.
Their voice is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
Let us sing the praises of the holy disciples of our God.* They are burning torches, guides to all the world, first-fruits of our salvation.* They have caused the Light to shine on us in darkness,* and to all they have made known the Sun of glory.* They have destroyed the error of idolatry, preaching the Trinity in one Godhead.* Therefore, we entreat them: O apostles of Christ our God,* intercede for the forgiveness of our sins,* as we celebrate with love your holy memory.
God is wonderful in His saints, the God of Israel.
Contending bravely to the end, O holy martyrs, you withstood the tyrants.* You put to death your bodies on this earth,* and so you were rewarded with the life of heaven.
Glory… Now…
Rejoice, for through the Angel you received the Joy of the world!* Rejoice, for you have borne your Maker and your Lord!* Rejoice, for you were counted worthy to become the Mother of Christ our God!
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 2
O Word of God, You made Your disciples beacons* illumining the ends of the earth by their preaching!* Illumine our hearts with the light of the virtues;* Cleanse us through fasting;* Grant Your servants repentance and conversion* That we may glorify You, O Saviour,* O only supremely good One!
Glory…
O Word of God, You made Your disciples beacons* illumining the ends of the earth by their preaching!* Illumine our hearts with the light of the virtues;* Cleanse us through fasting;* Grant Your servants repentance and conversion* That we may glorify You, O Saviour,* O only supremely good One!
Now…
O Theotokos turn not away from me who am in need of your help!* for my soul trusts in you: have mercy on me!
Sessional Hymn III, Tone 5
We entreat you, O twelve apostles:* intercede for us that we may in peace practice abstinence,* the most glorious of those virtues that abide in heaven,* so that we may gain the fruits of salvation!* for you are indeed a strong support to us on earth* and a refuge for our souls!
Glory…
We entreat you, O twelve apostles:* intercede for us that we may in peace practice abstinence,* the most glorious of those virtues that abide in heaven,* so that we may gain the fruits of salvation!* for you are indeed a strong support to us on earth* and a refuge for our souls!
Now…
O Theotokos, in truth we confess you to be worthy of all praise;* truly higher than the heavens and more holy than the Cherubim.* Through you we sinners gain salvation and find protection in temptations!* cease not to intercede on our behalf,* for you are a strong support and refuge for our souls!
Canon, Tone 2
Ode 4
Irmos: From a Virgin You came forth, not as an ambassador, nor as an Angel,* but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and saved me, the whole man;* wherefore I cry to You:* Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
Become as lightning, my soul, receiving the flashing rays of abstinence, and flee from the obscurity of sin: that through the Divine Spirit the light of forgiveness may enlighten you as the rising sun.
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
The deceiver enticed and captured me with the hook of pleasure. But, as you caught the whole world in your net by your preaching O apostles, deliver me also from his malice.
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
Glorious apostles, you shine as rays from the Sun of glory, dispelling the eclipse of delusion. Let your light also fall on me, for I am darkened by every evil.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
O Virgin I cry out to you day and night in my affliction, encircled by your help and strength, I shall be saved, and easily leap the hurdle of sensual pleasure.
Irmos: The works of Your dispensation, O Lord,* filled the prophet Habakkuk with wonder,* for You have come to bring salvation to Your people,* and to save all Your anointed ones.
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
Effulgent with the radiance of the sun of righteousness, O apostles, you give light to this earthly world, driving away the gloomy darkness of delusion.
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
O apostles, lyres of the Saviour, played by the Spirit; preaching to the ends of the earth, you sing a melody pleasing to the ear, converting the world to God.
Glory…
Let us glorify the Trinity, unity in essence; let us sing the praises of the one Lord God, the Father unbegotten, the Son begotten, and the Spirit of life.
Now…
A virgin has conceived, O Lord, and given birth to You, Emmanuel; for You have come to bring salvation to Your people, and to save all of Your anointed ones in Your love for mankind.
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
O divine and honoured company of twelve apostles, we entreat you to pray to Christ on our behalf, that with a firm resolve we may pass through the period of the forty days.
Katavasia: The works of Your dispensation, O Lord,* filled the prophet Habakkuk with wonder,* for You have come to bring salvation to Your people,* and to save all Your anointed ones.
Ode 8
Irmos: The three holy children were not obedient* to the decree of the tyrant;* and cast into the furnace they confessed God, singing:* O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
Let us abstain from every pleasure; let us enrich our powers of perception through fasting, and let us drink gladly the cup of compunction, as we sing: all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
O apostles, when you sit with Christ to judge all mankind, even though I deserve condemnation for my many sins, intercede on my behalf, that I may be granted a place at His right hand.
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
Cleansed by the fast, let us go up into the chariot of the divine virtues, making our mind ascend on wings to the heights of heaven, as we sing: all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
O Virgin, you bore the fire of the Godhead, yet remained unconsumed, burn up the passions of our souls, for in faith we call upon you with the angelic salutation, since it is you alone who brought us joy!
Irmos: Your venerable children sang Your praises in the furnace, O Christ,* and they cried aloud: all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
We praise the trumpets of the spirit, the disciples of Christ, and we cry aloud: all you of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
We praise the disciples of Christ who offer intercession for the world and drive away all delusion, and we cry aloud: all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Let us bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord!
We praise the all-holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Spirit, and we sing: all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Now…
With all mankind we sing the praises of your ineffable childbearing, and with true devotion we cry aloud, pure virgin: all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
Pray for us, O apostles, that we may complete these days of cleansing in peace, as we cry aloud: all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!
Katavasia: Your venerable children sang Your praises in the furnace, O Christ,* and they cried aloud: all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Ode 9
Irmos: You contained within your womb* the God whom nothing can contain,* and have brought forth joy to the world,* wherefore we sing your praises, O Virgin Theotokos.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Cast into the gaping deep of sensual pleasure, I call upon the abyss of Your tender compassion: O Helmsman, save me!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O fountain of compassion, grant to me compunction and cries of sorrow, that I may lament the boundless ocean of my evil deeds.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
By the holy prayers of Your disciples, Jesus grant that I may venerate Your divine passion and Your awesome Resurrection.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
You have made our earthly nature heavenly, O all-immaculate Virgin, for God took up His dwelling in your womb: deliver us all from all dangers!
Irmos: O Christ, we magnify Your all-immaculate and pure mother,* for in a manner surpassing nature,* she bore You in the flesh,* delivering us from all manner of deception.
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
The apostles prophetically drew the water of immortality from the font of the Saviour, ever giving the thirsty drink from the teachings of His life.
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
O apostles, princes of the King of heaven, you have subdued the whole inhabited earth, so that it honours Him alone, worshiping and giving glory to Him as God.
Glory…
Trinity, undivided unity, all-creative and all-powerful, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are my God, and Lord and light; I sing Your praises and I worship You.
Now…
We and every generation call you blessed, O pure Virgin mother, for you are the mercy-seat of the universe, O you who have ineffably borne the Saviour and creator.
Glory to You our God, glory to You.
O choir of apostles, keep safe those who praise you, and grant that they may pass with a contrite heart through all the days of the light-giving fast.
Katavasia: O Christ, we magnify Your all-immaculate and pure mother,* for in a manner surpassing nature,* she bore You in the flesh,* delivering us from all manner of deception.
Aposticha, Tone 3
You have appointed repentance for me, a sinner, O Lord,* and because of Your boundless mercy, desired to save me, who am unworthy,* wherefore I fall down before You in prayer:* humble my soul through fasting,* for I have fled to You, O Lord,* who alone are abundant in mercy!
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.
You have appointed repentance for me, a sinner, O Lord,* and because of Your boundless mercy, desired to save me, who am unworthy,* wherefore I fall down before You in prayer:* humble my soul through fasting,* for I have fled to You, O Lord,* who alone are abundant in mercy!
Let the favour of the Lord be upon us: give success to the work of our hands.
Even after death you shone like beacons in the world, O holy martyrs!* Having struggled in right noble endeavours;* wherefore, having boldness before Christ,* entreat Him to have mercy on our souls.
Glory… Now…
O Theotokos, intercessor for all who pray to you:* in you do we have boldness,* in you do we boast,* and in you do we place all our hope.* Pray to Him who was born from you,* on behalf of your unprofitable servants.
VESPERS ON THURSDAY 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.
I have been darkened by the adversary’s deceits, O my Christ,* enlighten me, O enlightener of the faithful,* who darkened the sun as You hung upon the Cross,* granting deliverance, so that as I walk in the light of Your precepts* I may purely behold the saving rays of Your resurrection!
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Hanging as a vine upon the tree, O Saviour,* You satisfied the earth with the wine of incorruption,* wherefore, I cry to You:* I have been drunk always and darkened with sinfulness.* Satisfy me with the sweet and true drink of compunction,* and strengthen me now through abstinence from pleasures* O my gracious Saviour and Lover of mankind!
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Great are the wonders of the Cross!* it planted abstinence firmly in the church,* and uprooted Adam’s lack thereof in paradise,* one tree in Eden brought death to mankind,* but another on Golgotha granted eternal life to the world.* The Cross is the fountain of paradise* which released Your life-bearing blood and water.* By Your cross, gladden our Lenten joy, O God of Israel* as one abundant in mercy.
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.
O fathers of heavenly mind, you were invincible martyrs,* most laudable hierarchs and beacons of the universe,* immovable pillars of the Church of God and a base for the dogmas,* instructors of the pious and destroyers of falsehood,* light-bearing guides for our souls,* fellow citizens with the angels* and champions of the Trinity.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
With divine discourses let the glorious Ephraim be blessed,* together with the divinely wise Basil, the great Capito,* the godly Agathadorus, Elpidius and Aetherius,* and the glorious Eugene;* for, having lived venerably and suffered in sacred manner,* they were shown to be residents of the kingdom of heaven.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Having slain carnal knowledge with feats of asceticism,* the glorious Basil raised a dead man from the dead by invoking the name of God;* and the most sacred shepherd Capito,* rejoicing while standing in the midst of the flame,* was seen to be unconsumed.* By their supplications, O You who loves mankind,* grant us the means of atonement and Your great mercy.
Glory… Now…
The pure one, beholding Christ, who loves mankind,* crucified, His side pierced by a spear, cried aloud, weeping:* “What is this, O my Son?* How have the people bereft of grace rewarded You for the good things You have done for them?* And do You make haste to leave me childless?* I marvel, O Compassionate One, at Your voluntary crucifixion!”
Prokeimenon I, Tone 4
I will bless the Lord who gives me understanding,* moreover, even till night have my reins instructed me.
verse: Keep me, O God, for in You have I hoped!
Vespers Reading I
Genesis 2:4-19
Prokeimenon II, Tone 4
Keep me, O Lord as the apple of your eye,* in the shelter of Your wings will You shelter me.
verse: Hearken O Lord, to my righteousness, attend to my supplication, give ear to my prayer, which comes not from deceitful lips.
Vespers Reading II
Proverbs 3:1-19
Aposticha
Tone 4
Desiring to commune of the divine Pascha,* the Pascha not from Egypt, but from Sion,* let us renounce the drink of sin through repentance!* Let us gird our loins with the mortification of pleasures!* Let us cover our feet with shoes that tread no evil path!* Let us be confirmed with the shield of faith!* Let us not imitate the enemies of the Master’s Cross!* Rather, let us pursue victory over the devil through fasting* for the sake of our Saviour, who showed us the way!
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.
Desiring to commune of the divine Pascha,* the Pascha not from Egypt, but from Sion,* let us renounce the drink of sin through repentance!* Let us gird our loins with the mortification of pleasures!* Let us cover our feet with shoes that tread no evil path!* Let us be confirmed with the shield of faith!* Let us not imitate the enemies of the Master’s Cross!* Rather, let us pursue victory over the devil through fasting* for the sake of our Saviour, who showed us the way!
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.
You are glorified in the memory of Your martyrs, O Christ God,* they entreat You on our behalf,* to send down upon us Your great mercy!
Glory… Now…
Beholding You nailed to the Cross, O Lord, the ewe-lamb,* Your Mother marvelled and cried out: “What is this that I see, O my Son most desired?* How have You been rewarded by the unfaithful and iniquitous assembly* which has enjoyed Your many miracles?* Yet glory to Your ineffable condescension, O Master!”