The whole service may be prayed by an individual.
If more than one person is present, one of them is designated ‘Reader’ and says or chants the text in normal type. The others respond with the text in bold. Or the rôle of Reader could be shared.
The mark + indicates that the Sign of the Cross is made here.
All stand
+ Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us, and save us. Amen.
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who is everywhere present and fills all things, Treasury of Good Things and Giver of Life, come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
+ Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (3x)
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3x)
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
+ Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.
Come, let us worship and fall down before our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, our King and our God
Psalm 19
May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob shield you.
May he send you his help from the holy place, and support you from Sion.
May he remember your every sacrifice, and accept with favour your whole burnt offering.
May the Lord give you your heart’s desire, and fulfil your every purpose.
We shall rejoice in your salvation, and be magnified in the name of our the Lord our God.
May the Lord fulfil all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord has saved his Christ.
He will hear him from his holy heaven; in mighty acts is the salvation of his right hand.
Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will call on the name of the Lord our God.
They were fettered and fell, but we have risen and been set upright.
Lord, save the king, and hear us on the day we call upon you.
Psalm 20
The king will rejoice in your power, O Lord, he will exult exceedingly in your salvation.
You gave him his heart’s desire; you did not deny him the request of his lips.
For you came to meet him with blessings of goodness; you placed a crown of precious stones upon his head.
He asked you for life, and you gave him length of days for age on age.
Great is his glory because of your salvation; you will place on him glory and majesty.
For you will give him blessing for age on age, and make him glad with the joy of your countenance.
For the king puts his hope in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he will not be shaken.
May your hand light upon all your enemies, and your right hand find out all who hate you.
You will make them like a blazing oven at the time of your presence.
The Lord will confound them in his wrath and fire will devour them.
You will destroy their offspring from the earth, and their seed from among the children of humankind.
Because they intended evils against you, and devised plans by which they can in no way succeed.
For you will put them to flight; among your remnants you will prepare their presence.
Be exalted, Lord, in your power; we will sing and praise your mighty acts.
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
+ Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (3x)
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3x)
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
+ Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.
Lord, save your people, and bless your inheritance, granting your faithful people victory over their enemies, and guarding your commonwealth by your Cross.
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
Lifted up on the Cross of your own will, grant you mercies, Christ God, to the new commonwealth called by your name. Make your faithful people glad by your power, giving them victory over their enemies. May they have your help in battle, a weapon of peace, an invincible trophy.
both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Dread Champion that cannot be put to shame, do not despise our petitions, O Good One. All-praised Mother of God establish the commonwealth of the Orthodox, save your people and give them victory from heaven, for you gave birth to God, O only blessed one.
The Six Psalms
Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill among men (3x)
Lord, you will open my lips: and my mouth will declare your praise (2x)
Psalm 3
Lord, why have those who afflict me been multiplied? Many rise against me.
Many say to my soul, ‘There is no salvation for him in his God’.
But you, Lord, are my helper, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
With my voice, I cried to the Lord, and he heard me from his holy mountain.
I lay down and slept; I awoke, because the Lord will assist me.
I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who surround me.
Rise, Lord, save me, my God; because you have struck all who are vainly my foes.
You have smashed the teeth of sinners. Salvation is the Lord’s, and your blessing is upon your people.
And again:
I lay down and slept; I awoke because the Lord will assist me.
Psalm 37
Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chastise me in your wrath.
For your arrows have been stuck fast in me, and you have laid a heavy hand upon me.
There is no healing in my flesh on account of your wrath, nor peace in my bones on account of my sins.
My iniquities flooded over my head; like a heavy burden they weighed heavily upon me.
My wounds stank and festered on account of my foolishness.
I was wretched and utterly bowed down; I went about mourning all day long.
For my loins were filled with mockings, and there is no healing in my flesh.
I was maltreated and humiliated exceedingly; I howled from the groaning of my heart.
Lord, all my desire is before you, and my groaning was not hidden from you.
My heart was troubled, my strength failed me; and even the light of my eyes had gone from me.
My friends and my neighbours drew near and stood against me, and those nearest me stood far away.
Those who sought my life used force, and those who sought evils for me spoke vanities, and meditated trickeries all day long.
But I, like a deaf man, heard nothing; like one who is dumb, who does not open his mouth.
So I became like one who cannot hear, and in whose mouth there are no rebukes.
For in you, Lord, I have hoped; you will answer me, O Lord my God.
For I said: Let my foes never exult over me. When my foot slipped they crowed over me.
For I am ready for blows and my pain is with me continually. For I will declare my iniquity and be troubled at my sin.
But my enemies live and have prevailed over me, and those who hate me unjustly have been multiplied.
Those who repay me with evils in place of good have slandered me, since I pursued goodness.
Do not forsake me, Lord; my God, do not go far from me. Hasten to help me, Lord of my salvation.
And again:
Do not forsake me, Lord; my God do not go far from me. Hasten to help me, Lord of my salvation.
Psalm 62
O God, my God, I watch for you at dawn;
My soul has thirsted for you, my flesh how often in a desert, untrodden and waterless land.
Thus I appeared before you in the holy place, to see your power and your glory.
For your mercy is better than life; my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
May my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.
When I remembered you upon my bed, every dawn I meditated upon you.
For you became my helper, and in the shelter of your wings I shall rejoice.
My soul clung to you; and your right hand upheld me.
But those who vainly sought my life will go down to the deepest parts of the earth,
They will be delivered to the power of the sword, they will be portions for foxes.
But the king will rejoice in God, and all who swear by him will be praised;
For the mouths of those who speak iniquities have been stopped.
And again:
Every dawn I meditated upon you, for you became my helper, and in the shelter of your wings I shall rejoice. My soul clung to you; and your right hand upheld me.
The following prayers are said without bows or the sign of the Cross.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God (3x)
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Psalm 87
Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried by day, and by night also before you.
Let my prayer come into your presence, and turn you ear to my supplication.
For my soul was filled with evils, and my life drew near to Hell.
I was reckoned among those that go down to the Pit; I became as one that has no help, free among the dead.
Like the slain that sleep in the tomb, whom you remembered no more; and they were cut off from your power.
They placed me in the lowest Pit; in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Your wrath lay heavy upon me, and you brought all your waves against me.
You put my friends far from me, and made me an abomination to them.
I was handed over and I came out; my eyes grew weak because of my beggary.
I cried to you, Lord, all the day; I stretched out my hands towards you.
Will you work wonders for the dead; or will physicians raise them up again to praise you?
Will any declare your mercy in the tomb, or your truth in the place of destruction?
Will your wonders be known in the dark, or your justice in a land that has been forgotten?
But to you, Lord, I have cried, and in the morning my prayer will come before you.
Why have you rejected my soul, Lord; why do you turn away your face from me?
I am poor and in toils since my youth; exalted, I was humbled and brought to despair.
Your fierce anger overwhelmed me, and your terrors appalled me.
They surrounded me like water all day long; they closed in upon me from every side.
Friend and neighbour you have put far from me, and my companions because of my misery.
And again:
Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried by day; and by night also before you.
Let my prayer come into your presence, and turn your ear to my supplication.
Psalm 102
Bless the Lord, O my soul. Blessed are you, O Lord.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of his benefits.
He forgives all your iniquities; he heals all your diseases.
He redeems your life from corruption and crowns you with mercy and compassion.
He satisfies your desire with good things; your youth will be renewed like an eagle’s.
The Lord performs deeds of mercy and judgement for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses, his wishes to the children of Israel.
The Lord is compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy.
He will not always be wrathful, nor will he be enraged for ever.
He has not dealt with us according to our iniquities, nor rewarded us according to our sins. For, like the height of heaven above the earth, the Lord has made his mercy prevail over those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he taken our sins from us.
As a father takes pity on his children the Lord has taken pity on those who fear him.
For he knows of what we are made; has remembered that we are but dust.
As for man, his days are but as grass, he will blossom like a flower of the field.
For when a wind has passed over it, it will be no more and will know its place no longer.
But the mercy of the Lord is for ever and ever upon those who fear him.
And his justice is upon their children’s children,
Upon those who keep his covenant and remember his commandments to do them.
The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, all you his Angels, powerful in strength, who perform his word and listen to the voice of his words.
Bless the Lord, all you his Powers, his Ministers who do his will.
Bless the Lord, all you his works. In every place of his dominion, bless the Lord, my soul!
And again:
In every place of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul!
Psalm 142
Lord, hear my prayer: in your truth give ear to my supplication, and in your justice hear me.
Do not enter into judgement with your servant: for in your sight no one living can be justified.
For the enemy pursued my soul, humbled my life to the ground. Made me dwell in darkness, like those for ever dead.
My spirit grew despondent within me and my heart within me was troubled.
I remembered days of old, I meditated on all your works: I made the works of your hands my meditation.
I stretched out my hands towards you: my soul thirsted for you like a waterless land.
Hear me swiftly, O Lord, my spirit has failed.
Do not turn your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
Make me hear of your mercy in the morning, for I have hoped in you.
Make known to me the way in which I should walk, for to you I have lifted up my soul.
Deliver me from my enemies, Lord: I have run to you for shelter.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your good Spirit will guide me in an upright land.
For your name’s sake, O Lord, you will give me life.
In your justice, you will bring my soul out of trouble, in your mercy slay my enemies,
And destroy all those that afflict my soul, for I am your servant.
And again:
In your justice hear me, O Lord, and do not enter into judgement with your servant. (2x)
Your good Spirit will guide me in an upright land.
The following prayers are said with bows and the sign of the Cross.
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
+ Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God (3x)
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia Verses in Tone Eight
From nightfall my spirit is awake for you, O God, for your commands are light upon the earth.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Learn justice, inhabitants of the earth.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Jealousy will seize an untaught people, and now fire devours their adversaries.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Bring evils upon them, O Lord, bring evils upon them, the glorious ones of the earth.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Behold, the Bridegroom in Tone Eight
Behold, the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night, and blessed is that servant whom he finds watching; but unworthy is the one whom he finds slothful. Take care then, my soul, not to be overcome with sleep, lest you be given up to death, and be shut out of the kingdom; but rouse yourself and cry: Holy, holy, holy are you, O God; through the protection of Bodiless Powers, have mercy on us.
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
Behold, the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night, and blessed is that servant whom he finds watching; but unworthy is the one whom he finds slothful. Take care then, my soul, not to be overcome with sleep, lest you be given up to death, and be shut out of the kingdom; but rouse yourself and cry: Holy, holy, holy are you, O God; through the prayers of the Holy Equal-to-the Apostles Constantine, have mercy on us.
… both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Behold, the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night, and blessed is that servant whom he finds watching; but unworthy is the one whom he finds slothful. Take care then, my soul, not to be overcome with sleep, lest you be given up to death, and be shut out of the kingdom; but rouse yourself and cry: Holy, holy, holy are you, O God; through the Mother of God, have mercy on us.
Tone 1. The soldiers watching
The present day makes the holy sufferings dawn for the world like saving lights; for Christ in his goodness is hastening to suffer; he who holds the universe in the hollow of his hand accepts to be hung upon a Tree to save humankind.
Tone 1. The soldiers watching
Invisible Judge, how have you been made visible in flesh and are coming to be slain by lawless men, so condemning our condemnation by your passion. Therefore with one accord, O Word, we offer praise, majesty and glory to your authority.
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Tone 8. The Wisdom and Word.
The present day is resplendent with the first fruits of the Lord’s sufferings. Come then, lovers of feasts, let us meet it with songs; for the Creator is coming to accept Cross, afflictions and scourges, as he is judged by Pilate; therefore too, struck on the face by a slave, he endures all that he may save humankind. And so let us cry aloud to him: Lover of humankind, Christ our God, grant forgiveness of offences to those who with faith worship your most pure sufferings.
The Gospel
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. [21:18-43]
… Glory to you, Lord, glory to you.
The appointed Gospel is said (not chanted)
In the morning, returning to the city, he was hungry; and seeing a fig tree by the road he went up to it, but found nothing on it except leaves. He said to it, “Let there never again be any fruit from you.” And immediately the fig tree withered away. When the disciples saw it they marvelled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?” Jesus answered them, “Amen, I tell you that if you have faith and do not doubt, you shall not only do this to the fig tree, but even if you were to say to that mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea’, it would be done. And everything – however much – you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” When he had entered the temple, as he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him saying, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?” Jesus, responding, said to them, “I, too, will ask you one question; and if you answer me, I, too, will answer you: by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John: from where did it come – from heaven or of human origin?” They debated among themselves saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin…’ We are afraid of the crowd because everyone considers John to be a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” Then he replied, he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. But what do you think? A man had two children. He went to the first and said, ‘My child, go and work in my vineyard today.’ The child answered, ‘I will not!’ but afterwards regretted it and went. Going to the second he said the same thing, and that one answered, ‘Yes, sir!’ but did not go. Which of the two did what the father wanted?” They answered him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going ahead of you into the Kingdom of God, for John came to you on the highway of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. Even after seeing this you did not repent and believe him. Listen to another parable. There was a man, the master of a house, who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a wine vat in it and built a tower and let it to vine-growers and went abroad. When the fruit season drew near he sent his servants to the vine-growers to collect his fruit. But the vine-growers seized his servants; one they beat up, one they killed and one they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more than at first, and they treated them in the same way. Then, last of all, he sent his son to them saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But the vine-growers, seeing the son, said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come! Let us kill him and take possession of his inheritance.’ So, seizing him, they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now when the lord of the vineyard returns what will he do to those vine-growers?” They said to him, “Wretched men! He will bring them to a wretched end and let the vineyard to other vine-growers who will give back to him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures, ‘A stone which the builders rejected, that one has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes.’ For this reason I tell you that the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people producing its fruit.”
Glory to you, Lord, glory to you.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me O God, in your great mercy. In accordance with the multitude of your compassion blot out my offence.
Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my wickedness, and my sin is ever before me.
Against you only I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight, that you may be justified in your words, and win when you are judged.
For see, in wickedness I was conceived, and in sin my mother bore me.
For see, you have loved truth: you have shown me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom.
You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be cleansed; you will wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
You will make me hear of joy and gladness; the bones which have been humbled will rejoice.
Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me.
Do not cast me out from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
Give me back the joy of your salvation, and establish me with a sovereign Spirit.
I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn to you again.
O God, the God of my salvation, deliver me from bloodshed, and my tongue will rejoice at your justice.
Lord, you will open my lips: and my mouth will declare your praise.
For if you had wanted a sacrifice, I would have given it; you will not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a humbled heart God will not despise.
Do good to Sion, Lord, in your good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt.
Then you will be well pleased with a sacrifice of justice, oblation and whole burnt offerings.
Then they will offer calves upon your altar.
Katavasia in Tone Two
Let us sing to the Lord, who by his divine command dried up the pathless, raging sea, and through it guided the people of Israel to march on foot, for he has been greatly glorified.
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit.
The unwearied fire, fed with unlimited fuel, shuddered at the bodies of the shining youths, like their souls undefiled; while as the ever-living flame withered away, an everlasting hymn was sung: All you his works, praise the Lord and highly exalt him to all the ages.
… both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Christ, our Fashioner, you magnified the Mother of God who gave you birth, from whom you put on a body with passions like ours, the atonement of our faults of ignorance; as we call her blessed, all we generations magnify you.
Exapostilarion sung slowly in Tone Three
Your bridal chamber, O my Saviour, I see all adorned, but I have no garment so that I may enter it. Make bright the mantle of my soul, O Giver of light, and save me! (3x)
The Praises in Tone One
Psalm 148
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the highest. To you praise is due, O God.
Praise him, all his angels: Praise him, all his Powers. To you praise is due, O God.
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars of light!
Praise Him, you highest heavens and you waters that are above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord.
For he spoke and they came into being; he commanded and they were created.
He established them for ever and ever; he made an ordinance, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth; praise him, you sea-monsters and all deeps;
Fire and hail, snow and ice and storm-wind; things that do his word.
Mountains and all hills, fruiting trees and all cedars;
Beasts of the wild, and all cattle, creeping things and winged birds;
Kings of the earth and all peoples, rulers and all judges of the earth;
Young men and maidens: old men and youths together, let them praise the name of the Lord; for his name alone has been exalted.
His praise is above earth and heaven, and he will exalt the horn of his people.
A hymn for all his holy ones; for the children of Israel, a people that draws near him.
Psalm 149
Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the Church of the holy ones.
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him, let the children of Sion be joyful in their king.
Let them praise his name in the dance; let them sing his praise with timbral and with harp.
For the Lord is well-pleased with his people; he will exalt the meek with salvation.
His holy ones will exult in glory, and rejoice upon their beds.
The high praises of God in their mouths, and two-edged swords in their hands,
To execute vengeance on the nations, punishments on the peoples;
To bind their kings in fetters; and their nobles in shackles of iron;
To execute upon them the judgement that is decreed; such glory will be for all his holy ones!
Psalm 150
Praise God in his saints; praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts; praise him according to the greatness of his majesty.
Stichera 1
As the Lord was coming to his voluntary passion, he said to his Apostles on the road, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be betrayed, as it is written of him’. Come then, let us too, with minds made pure, journey with him, and let us be crucified with him, and for his sake become dead to the pleasures of life, that we may live with him and hear him as he cries, ‘I am no longer going up the earthly Jerusalem to suffer, but to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God. And I shall raise you up with me to the Jerusalem above, in the kingdom of heaven’.
Praise him in the blast of the trumpet: praise him upon the lute and harp.
Stichera 2
As the Lord was coming to his voluntary passion, he said to his Apostles on the road, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be betrayed, as it is written of him’. Come then, let us too, with minds made pure, journey with him, and let us be crucified with him, and for his sake become dead to the pleasures of life, that we may live with him and hear him as he cries, ‘I am no longer going up the earthly Jerusalem to suffer, but to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God. And I shall raise you up with me to the Jerusalem above, in the kingdom of heaven’.
Praise him with the timbral and dances: praise him upon the strings and pipe..
Stichera 3
Believers, having reached the saving passion of Christ our God, let us glorify his ineffable forbearance; so that in his compassion he may, with himself, also raise us up, who have been slain by sin, as he is good and loves humankind.
Praise him on fine-sounding cymbals: praise him on cymbals of gladness. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Stichera 4
Believers, having reached the saving passion of Christ our God, let us glorify his ineffable forbearance; so that in his compassion he may, with himself, also raise us up, who have been slain by sin, as he is good and loves humankind.
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, as you were coming to your passion, you strengthened your disciples, taking them aside and saying, ‘How have you not remembered my words, which I spoke to you of old, ‘Is it not written no prophet may be killed but in Jerusalem’? Now the moment has come of which I spoke to you. For see, I am being handed over to be mocked by the hands of sinners, who, when they have nailed me to a cross and handed me over for burial, will reckon me a loathsome corpse. Nevertheless, take courage, for on the third day I arise, for the joy of believers and eternal life’.
The Little Doxology – Plain Reading
To you glory is due, O Lord, our God, and to you we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and to ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we thank you for your great glory. O Lord, heavenly King, God the almighty Father. O Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Lord God, lamb of God, Son of the Father, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us, who takes away the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, you who sit on the right hand of the Father and have mercy upon us. For you alone are holy, you alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day I will bless you, and praise your name for ever and ever. I said, Lord, have mercy upon me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, I have run to you for refuge; teach me to do your will for you are my God. For with you is the source of life, and in your light we shall see light. O continue your merciful kindness toward those who know you.
Grant, Lord, this day to keep us without sin. Blessed are you, Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name for to the ages. Amen. May your mercy, Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, Lord, teach me your statutes. Blessed are you, Master, make me understand your statutes. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your statutes. Lord, your mercy is for ever; do not scorn the work of your hands. To you praise is due, to you song is due, to you glory is due, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Aposticha – by Monk Kosmas in Tone Five
O Lord, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, not understanding the ineffable mystery of your dispensation, asked you to grant her own children the honour of a temporary kingdom; but instead of this you promised your friends that they would drink cup of death; a cup which you said you would drink before them, a cleansing from sins. And so we cry to you: O Salvation of our souls, glory to you!
Verse 1
We were filled in the morning with your mercy, O Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad. In all our days, let us be glad, for all the days you have afflicted us, for the years we have suffered adversity. Look upon your servants and your works, and guide their children.
O Lord, instructing your own disciples to think thoughts of perfection, you said, ‘Do not to be like the nations, so as to rule over the least strong. It shall not be so with you, my disciples, because my wish is to be poor. The first among you, then, let him be the servant of all; the ruler as the ruled, the leader as the last. For I have come to serve Adam who became poor, and to give my life as a ransom for many, those who cry to me: Glory to you!’
Verse 2
And may the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us. Direct the work of our hands, O direct the work of our hands.
Fearing the punishment of the withered fig tree, because of its lack of fruit, brethren, let us offer fruits worthy of repentance to Christ, who grants us his great mercy.
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The serpent, having found in the Egyptian woman a second Eve, hastened by flatteries to trip up Joseph; but he, abandoning his tunic, fled from sin, and though naked was not ashamed, like the first formed before his disobedience. At his entreaties, O Christ, have mercy on us.
+ Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (3x)
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake.
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
+ Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.
The Prayer of St Ephrem
Lord and Master of my life, do not give me a spirit of sloth, idle curiosity, love of power and useless chatter.
Rather accord to me, your servant, a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love.
Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults, and not to condemn my brother; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen
Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults, and not to condemn my brother; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen
The Dismissal
+ Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy and save us. Amen.