Day 38 of the Great Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain these ingredients.

MATINS ON WEDNESDAY MORNING

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 5

O you faithful, let us glorify and sing the praises of our Saviour and Redeemer,* who accepted Crucifixion with His own foreknowledge and consent.* He has nailed the sins of mortal men upon His Cross,* delivering us from error and granting us the Kingdom.

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

O Saviour, by Your own free choice You endured the Cross* and set men free from corruption.* We faithful sing Your praises and we worship You,* for You have given us light by the power of the Cross.* O Christ who are compassionate and loves mankind,* we glorify You as Giver of Life and Lord.

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

O Lord and Saviour, You have made Your victorious martyrs* mighty defenders of the inhabited earth, putting the passions to flight.* Through their prayers save our souls.

Glory… Now…

Standing beside the Cross of the Lord, the Theotokos cried aloud lamenting:* ‘Woe is me, my Son! Woe is me, light of my eyes!* How are You stretched upon a Cross who have in Your divine power stretched out the heaven as a curtain,* and at Your command called up the fountains of water from the sea?’

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 2

Weighed down by many sins as if by a stone,* I lie in the tomb of negligence O compassionate One:* but lead me up from there, O lovingly compassionate Lord.

Glory… Now…

Guarded by the precious Cross of your son, O pure Sovereign Lady Theotokos,* we easily turn away all the assaults of the enemy!* Therefore we rightly call you blessed, for you are the mother of light* and the only hope of our souls!

Sessional Hymn III, Tone 2

Today Lazarus has died and been buried, and his sisters chant lamentations:* but You, as God foreseeing all, foretold their suffering saying;* “Lazarus has fallen sleep,”* prophesying to Your disciples, “but I hasten to raise up him whom I created.”* Wherefore we all cry to You: Glory to Your mighty power.

Glory… Now…

Your pure unwedded Mother, O Christ,* upon seeing You hanging dead upon the Cross,* said, weeping maternally: “How has the iniquitous and thankless council of the Jews* repaid Your many and great wonders, O my Son,* You who filled them with Your gifts?* I hymn Your divine condescension!”

Canon

Ode 3

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.

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

By the power of the Cross strengthen my mind, weakened by the wiles of the evil One, and guide me, O Lord, that I may carry out Your will.

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

Sunk in the drowsiness of sloth, I lay sleeping on the bed of pleasure. Raise me up, O Christ, and make me a worshipper at Your Passion.

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

With our souls cleansed and illumined by fasting, let us make haste to meet Christ as He comes incarnate to Jerusalem.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O pure Virgin, who remained unconsumed by the fire of the Godhead, burn up the material urgings of my passions, that with faith I may glorify you.

Irmos: O barren and infertile soul,* bring forth a crop of glorious fruit and joyously cry aloud:* I have been firmly established by You, O God;* there is none holy and none righteous save You, O Lord.

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

The death of Lazarus on this day could not escape the all-seeing eye of Jesus, wherefore He spoke of it to His disciples, saying: “My friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to raise him.”

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

“Let us go into Judaea again,” You said, O Lord, and Your words filled the disciples with great trepidation, but Thomas boldly cried aloud: “He is the Life, let us go also; for if we die we shall return to life again.”

Glory…

O Trinity one in Essence, Almighty Father, co-beginningless Son, and co-enthroned Spirit of God, uncreated Godhead worshipped in a single Unity: with all mankind we hymn Your praises.

Now…

O most pure Mother, you are the root of Jesse from which has sprung forth Christ the Flower that renews life in all mortal mankind. Through you we have been delivered from corruption, wherefore we all hymn you, O pure one.

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

Rejoice, O Sion! Your King comes now, as the Prophet has proclaimed: meek, and carried in the flesh upon the foal of an ass; let us hymn the power of Him who holds all creation in the hollow of His hand.

Katavasia: O barren and infertile soul,* bring forth a crop of glorious fruit and joyously cry aloud:* I have been firmly established by You, O God;* there is none holy and none righteous save You, O Lord.

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.

Roll back from my humble soul, O Christ, the heavy stone of grievous despair, and raise me up from the tomb of insensitivity, that I may glorify You, O Word.

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

You foretold to Your friends the death of Your friend, for the sake of Your compassionate mercy, O all-foreseeing God, raising him on the fourth day, to Your glorification.

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

You came again O Christ, to Judaea, which seeks to murder You the Tree of Life, upon the Tree; for it is Your will to render immortal those who had been slain by eating from the tree.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

In you, pure Virgin, the ways of God have been clearly made manifest: for He kept your virginity intact after childbirth throughout all ages.

Irmos: He who was begotten of God the Father before all ages,* and in these later times assumed flesh from the Theotokos,* as both perfect man and truly God,* praise, bless, and exalt Him above all throughout all ages.

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

Lazarus, the friend of Christ having died today, is carried forth, and all those with Mary and Martha sorrowfully lament for their brother. But Christ shall joyously come to him, showing the people that He Himself is the Life of all.

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

Raised on high by acts of compassion, as though upon the Mount of Olives, let us make ready for the noetic coming of Christ, praising, blessing, and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.

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

O Unity in three Hypostases, the Father, Son, and living Spirit, one Godhead and one Kingdom, the hosts of angels glorify You as the never-waning Light; and we on earth praise, bless, and supremely exalt You throughout all ages.

Now…

Behold, with all generations we call you blessed, O most pure one, beholding your excellence. For in a manner transcending nature, you have given birth to the Maker of all, who is both God and man. Wherefore we bless and supremely exalt you throughout all ages.

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

With the children let us also hasten to meet Christ God, bearing works of compassion instead of palms, and with prayer of the heart instead of branches; let us cry aloud: Hosanna! Bless and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.

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

Katavasia: He who was begotten of God the Father before all ages,* and in these later times assumed flesh from the Theotokos,* as both perfect man and truly God,* praise, bless, and exalt Him above all throughout all ages.

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.

With fasting as his rampart, Daniel stopped the mouths of the wild beasts. Emulate him, O my soul, and by the Cross drive away the serpent who ever goes about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour souls.

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

O Word of God, my soul has been slain by sin and imprisoned in the tomb of transgression; by Your life-giving word raise me up and deem me worthy to offer to You, the Conqueror of death, palms of virtue.

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

The Word of God the Father, whose throne is heaven and His footstool the earth, now enters the Holy City riding upon a foal; and, as King of all, He has appointed perfect praise from the mouths of babes.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O pure and most wondrous one, you alone are fair among women, for you have conceived the Word who is more comely than all mankind. Entreat Him, then, to cleanse the filth of my heart.

Irmos: Upon Mount Sinai Moses saw you in the bush,* as one who conceived the fire of the Godhead within your womb, and yet remained unconsumed.* Daniel saw you as a mountain not cut by the hand of man,* and Isaiah proclaimed you as the Rod that blossomed forth from the root of David.

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

The sisters of Lazarus shed copious tears of mourning upon beholding their brother beneath the bitter tombstone. Perceiving this from afar, my Christ, You spoke of it to Your apostles, saying: “I am glad for your sakes, that I was not there in the flesh.”

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

O murderous Judaea, Christ, whom you have sought to stone, comes to you again, wishing to fulfil as God His saving Passion. Willingly shall He accept a violent death at your hands that He may save us.

Glory…

The Godhead is both Unity and Trinity, wondrous to contemplate, mingled in Essence, yet distinguished in Hypostases; though indivisible, it is divided; though one, it is three; the Father, Son, and the Spirit of Life, together watching over all things.

Now…

Who has ever heard of a virgin that gave birth to a child and a mother that knew not a man? O Mary, this miracle has been wrought in you, but pray tell how? “Do not enquire into the mystery of my divine childbearing: it is altogether true yet transcends the understanding of man.”

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

Weaving noetic and material branches of palms, let us make ready to meet the Master who comes to us: for blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord and Father, as the true Son.

Katavasia: Upon Mount Sinai Moses saw you in the bush,* as one who conceived the fire of the Godhead within your womb, and yet remained unconsumed.* Daniel saw you as a mountain not cut by the hand of man,* and Isaiah proclaimed you as the Rod that blossomed forth from the root of David.

Aposticha

Tone 1

Israel was clothed in purple and fine linen,* arrayed in the radiance of priestly and royal garments;* rich in the Law and the Prophets, it rejoiced in the services of the Law.* But it crucified You outside the gates, O Benefactor, who made Yourself poor,* and rejected You who are ever in the bosom of God the Father* who was seen alive after the Crucifixion,* and now thirsting for but a single drop of grace,* Israel, like the rich man clothed in purple and fine linen,* who was unmerciful to the beggar Lazarus,* and was therefore punished in the unquenchable flames,* is filled with anguish* beholding the Gentile peoples who once lacked even a crumb of the truth,* but are now warmed in the bosom of the faith of Abraham,* wearing the purple of Your blood and the fine linen of Baptism;* and they make glad and rejoice in Your gifts of grace, saying:* O Christ our God, 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.

Israel was clothed in purple and fine linen,* arrayed in the radiance of priestly and royal garments;* rich in the Law and the Prophets, it rejoiced in the services of the Law.* But it crucified You outside the gates, O Benefactor, who made Yourself poor,* and rejected You who are ever in the bosom of God the Father* Who was seen alive after the Crucifixion,* and now thirsting for but a single drop of grace,* Israel, like the rich man clothed in purple and fine linen,* who was unmerciful to the beggar Lazarus,* and was therefore punished in the unquenchable flames,* is filled with anguish* beholding the Gentile peoples who once lacked even a crumb of the truth,* but are now warmed in the bosom of the faith of Abraham,* wearing the purple of Your blood and the fine linen of Baptism;* and they make glad and rejoice in Your gifts of grace, saying:* O Christ our God, 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 all-praised martyrs, neither tribulation nor distress nor hunger nor persecution,* neither scourging nor the fury of wild beasts* nor the sword nor threat of fire, could separate you from God.* But suffering out of love for Him, as though your bodies were no longer yours,* you forgot your mortal nature and despised death.* Having received the reward due you for your sufferings and travail,* you have become heirs of the heavenly Kingdom;* intercede on behalf of our souls.

Glory… Now…

When Your pure Mother beheld You Who has suspended the earth upon the Waters* hanging upon the Cross, O Christ, Lover of mankind,* she cried aloud saying: “Woe is me!* What is this strange sight? O my beloved Son,* where has Your surpassing comeliness gone?* I magnify Your mercy,* for You have willingly suffered on behalf of all mankind.”

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING

At Psalm 140

Tone 5

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

I am rich in all sorts of passions,* and I am clothed in a garment of hypocrisy,* as I revel in the intemperance of sin.* My lack of mercy is beyond measure,* and I disregard my spirit lying before the gates of repentance.* Starved of every good thing, I suffer from illness.* But You, O Lord, make me like Lazarus who was poor in sin,* so that I will not have to beg for a drop of water* for my tongue suffering from thirst in the eternal fire.* Make me dwell in the bosom of the patriarch Abraham, O Lover of humankind.

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

I am rich in all sorts of passions,* and I am clothed in a garment of hypocrisy,* as I revel in the intemperance of sin.* My lack of mercy is beyond measure,* and I disregard my spirit lying before the gates of repentance.* Starved of every good thing, I suffer from illness.* But You, O Lord, make me like Lazarus who was poor in sin,* so that I will not have to beg for a drop of water* for my tongue suffering from thirst in the eternal fire.* Make me dwell in the bosom of the patriarch Abraham, O Lover of humankind.

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.

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

As You walked in the flesh, O Jesus,* in the land beyond the Jordan,* You said to those who were with You:* Our friend Lazarus has died and has been placed in the tomb.* But I rejoice for you, my friends,* for you will learn that I know all things,* and that with God, I am one,* even though by nature I appear in human form.* Therefore, let us go and give life to Lazarus* so that Death may recognize this victory,* and the perfect consummation I shall bring about* by granting great mercy to the world.

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

O faithful, let us imitate Martha and Mary,* and offer virtuous deeds as ambassadors before the Lord,* that when He comes, He may uplift our minds full of misery which now lie dead in the tomb.* Without life, they have no sense of what they are neglecting,* and they are unaware of the awesomeness of God.* Behold, O Lord, now give life to all and grant us Your great mercy,* as once You had pity on Your friend Lazarus,* and by Your awesome power, You raised him from the dead.

Tone 6

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

Now Lazarus has been in the tomb for two days,* and he sees all generations of the dead.* He beholds such strange and awesome things* and a countless number held within the power of death.* His relatives weep bitterly before his tomb;* but Christ is on His way to give life to His friend,* that He may stir up the same joy in the hearts of all.* Blessed are You, O Saviour; have mercy on us.

Tone 4

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

The company of athletes of many names* steadfastly endured multifarious tortures,* and rejoicing, they passed over to our one God,* and rejoice with the myriads of the sacred incorporeal hosts;* for they vanquished the many myriads of the serpent* by their firm opposition* and the grace of the Spirit.

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

The company of athletes of many names* steadfastly endured multifarious tortures,* and rejoicing, they passed over to our one God,* and rejoice with the myriads of the sacred incorporeal hosts;* for they vanquished the many myriads of the serpent* by their firm opposition* and the grace of the Spirit.

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

Let the all-glorious Maximus and the great Terence,* the all-wise Pompeius, the godly Mircanus and Macarius,* be honoured with hymns,* and with them the rest of the company of martyrs* who with their own blood purchased the kingdom on high* and are full of everlasting glory.

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

Neither starvation, nor tribulations,* neither life nor death, O glorious ones,* was able to separate you from the love of the Creator;* Therefore, you have inherited the kingdom of heaven,* inexhaustible delight and gladness without end.* Yet you also ask for us the cleansing of grace and mercy.

Tone 5

Glory… Now…

Come, all faithful, and rejoice in the Holy Scriptures!* Rejoice in the preaching of the apostles!* Rejoice in the Virgin who gave birth to God!* She is the Queen of Heaven.* In her we exult with hymns and songs,* for she is our fervent intercessor before God.

Prokeimenon I, Tone 4

I walk in the presence of the Lord* in the land of the living.

verse: I love the Lord, for He has heard the cry of my appeal.

Reading I

Genesis 43:26-31 and 45:1-16

Prokeimenon II, Tone 4

I will pay my vows to the Lord,* in the presence of all His people.

verse: I trusted, even when I said: I am sorely afflicted.

Reading II

Proverbs 21:23-22:4