The Royal Hours — Holy Friday — Holy Week & Pascha

Sung on Friday Morning

NOTE: If the Hours are offered separately at their usual times (6:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., noon, and 3:00 p.m.), then begin each Hour like the First Hour, and conclude each Hour with the Dismissal found at the end of the Ninth Hour-Typika.

The First Royal Hour

Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen. Priest: Glory to Thee, O God, glory to Thee. O heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art in all places, and fillest all things, Treasury of good things, and Giver of life, come, and abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O good One.

No censing is done until the Third Great Hour.

People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto 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 Thy Name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Reader: Amen. Reader: Lord, have mercy. (twelve times) Reader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Reader: Come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. 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 5

Reader: Unto my words, give ear, O Lord; hear my cry. Attend unto the voice of my supplication, O my King and my God; for unto Thee will I pray, O Lord. In the morning Thou shalt hear my voice. In the morning shall I stand before Thee and Thou shalt look upon me; for not a God that willest iniquity art Thou. He that worketh evil shall not dwell near Thee, nor shall transgressors abide before Thine eyes. Thou hast hated all them that work iniquity; Thou shalt destroy all them that speak a lie. A man that is bloody and deceitful shall the Lord abhor. But as for me, in the multitude of Thy mercy shall I go into Thy house; I shall worship toward Thy holy temple in fear of Thee. O Lord, guide me in the way of Thy righteousness; because of mine enemies, make straight my way before Thee. For in their mouth there is no truth; their heart is vain. Their throat is an open sepulcher, with their tongues have they spoken deceitfully; judge them, O God. Let them fall down on account of their own devisings; according to the multitude of their ungodliness, cast them out, for they have embittered Thee, O Lord. And let all them be glad that hope in Thee; they shall ever rejoice, and Thou shalt dwell among them. And all shall glory in Thee that love Thy Name, for Thou shalt bless the righteous. O Lord, as with a shield of Thy good pleasure hast Thou crowned us.

Psalm 2

Reader: Why have the heathen raged and the peoples meditated empty things? The kings of the earth were aroused, and the rulers were assembled together, against the Lord, and against His Christ. Let us break their bonds asunder, and let us cast away their yoke from us. He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn, and the Lord shall deride them. Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and in His anger shall He trouble them. But as for Me, I was established as king by Him, upon Sion His holy mountain, proclaiming the commandment of the Lord. The Lord said unto Me: Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the nations for Thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession. Thou shalt herd them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt shatter them like a potter's vessels. And now, O ye kings, understand; be instructed, all ye that judge the earth. Serve ye the Lord with fear, and rejoice in Him with trembling. Lay hold of instruction, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and ye perish from the righteous way. When quickly His wrath be kindled, blessed are all that have put their trust in Him.

Psalm 21

Reader: O God, my God, attend to me; why hast Thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my transgressions. My God, I will cry by day, and wilt Thou not hearken? and by night, and it shall not be unto folly for me. But as for Thee, Thou dwellest in the sanctuary, Praise of Israel. In Thee have our fathers hoped; they hoped, and Thou didst deliver them. Unto Thee they cried, and were saved; in Thee they hoped, and were not brought to shame. But as for me, I am a worm, and not a man, a reproach of men, and the outcast of the people. All that look upon me have laughed me to scorn; they have spoken with their lips and have wagged their heads: He hoped in the Lord; let Him deliver him, let Him save him, for He desireth him. For Thou art He that drewest me forth from the womb; my hope from the breasts of my mother. On Thee was I cast from the womb; from my mother's womb Thou art my God. Depart not from me, for tribulation is nigh, for there is none to help me. Many bullocks have encircled me, fat bulls have surrounded me. They have opened their mouth against me, as might a lion ravenous and roaring. I have been poured out like water, and scattered are all my bones; my heart is become like wax, melting in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath cleaved to my throat, and into the dust of death hast Thou brought me down. For many dogs have encircled me, the congregation of evil doers hath surrounded me; they have pierced my hands and my feet. They have numbered all my bones, and they themselves have looked and stared upon me. They have parted my garments amongst themselves, and for my vesture have they cast lots. But Thou, O Lord, remove not Thy help far from me; attend unto mine aid. Rescue my soul from the sword, even this only-begotten one of mine from the hand of the dog. Save me from the mouth of the lion, and my lowliness from the horns of the unicorns. I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I hymn Thee. Ye that fear the Lord, praise Him; all ye that are of the seed of Jacob, glorify Him; let all fear Him that are of the seed of Israel. For He hath not set at naught nor abhorred the supplications of the pauper, nor hath He turned His face from me; and when I cried unto Him, He hearkened unto me. From Thee is my praise in the great church will I confess Thee; my vows will I pay before them that fear Thee. The poor shall eat and be filled, and they that seek the Lord shall praise Him; their hearts shall live for ever and ever. All the ends of the earth shall remember and shall turn unto the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Him. For the kingdom is the Lord's and He Himself is sovereign of the nations. All they that be fat upon the earth have eaten and worshipped; all they that go down into the earth shall fall down before Him. Yea, my soul liveth for Him, and my seed shall serve Him. The generation that cometh shall be told of the Lord, and they shall proclaim His righteousness to a people that shall be born, which the Lord hath made.

Reader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (thrice)

Lord, have mercy. (thrice)

The troparion and theotokion are plainly read.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Troparion Of The First Hour

When Thou wast crucified, O Christ, the tyranny of the enemy was destroyed, and his power was trodden down; for neither an angel, nor a man, but Thou Thyself, O Lord, didst save us. Glory be to Thee.

Theotokion Of The First Hour

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

What shall we call thee, O Full of Grace? Heaven? for thou hast made the Sun of Righteousness to dawn forth; Paradise? for thou hast brought forth the Flower of immortality; Virgin? for thou hast remained incorrupt; Pure Mother? for thou hast held in thy holy embrace a Son, Who is the God of all. Do thou entreat Him to save our souls.

The idiomela are chanted sticharically (slowly).

Idiomela In Tone Eight

Today the veil of the Temple is rent in twain, as a reproach of the lawless; and the sun hideth his rays, on seeing the Master crucified.

Verse: Why have the heathen raged, and the peoples meditated empty things? The kings of the earth were aroused, and the rulers were assembled together against the Lord and against His Christ.

Thou wast led as a sheep to the slaughter, O Christ King; and like a guileless Lamb Thou wast nailed to the Cross by iniquitous men, for our sins, O Friend of man.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Lord, while suffering the transgressors to seize Thee, Thou didst cry: Though ye smite the Shepherd, and scatter the twelve sheep, even my disciples, yet I am able to bring to My side more than twelve legions of Angels; but I forbear, that the unseen and hidden things, which I have revealed to you through my prophets may be fulfilled. O Lord, glory be to Thee.

The Old Testament Prophecy

Deacon: Let us attend! Reader: He went out and spoke to the multitudes. Blessed is he that understandeth concerning the needy and the poor. Deacon: Wisdom! Reader: The reading from the prophecy of Zachariah. (11:10-13) Deacon: Let us attend! Reader: These things the Lord doth say: I took My staff Grace, and I broke it, annulling the covenant which I had made with all the peoples. So it was annulled on that day, and the traffickers in the sheep, who were watching Me, knew that it was the word of the Lord. Then I said to them, "If it seems right to you, give Me My wages; but if not, keep them." And they weighed out as My wages thirty shekels of silver. Then the Lord said to me, cast them into the treasury in the house of the Lord.

The Epistle

Deacon: Wisdom. Reader: The reading from the epistle of Saint Paul to the Galatians. (6:14-18) Deacon: Let us attend! Reader: Brethren, far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy, and upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

The Gospel

Deacon: Wisdom! Stand upright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Priest: Peace be to all. Choir: And to thy spirit. Priest: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (27:1-56) Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee. Deacon: Let us attend! Priest: At that time, when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death; and they bound him and led him away and delivered him to Pilate the governor. When Judas, his betrayer, saw that he was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood." They said, "What is that to us? See to it yourself." And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, "It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money." So they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Therefore, that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me." Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You have said so." But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?" But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge; so that the governor wondered greatly. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner, called Barab'bas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you, Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much over him today in a dream." Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the people to ask for Barab'bas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said "Barab'bas." Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Let him be crucified." And he said "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Let him be crucified." So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this righteous man's blood; see to it yourselves." And all the people answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!" Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him. As they went out, they came upon a man of Cyre'ne, Simon by name; this man they compelled to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull), they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, "This is Jesus the King of the Jews." Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders mocked him, saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him; for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, la'ma sabach-tha'ni?" that is, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" And some of the bystanders hearing it said, "This man is calling Eli'jah." And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Eli'jah will come to save him." And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split; the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe, and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!" There were also many women there, looking on from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him; among whom were Mary Mag'dalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zeb'edee. Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Reader: My steps do thou direct according to Thy saying, and so let no iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the false accusation of men, and I will keep Thy commandments. Make thy face to shine upon Thy servant, and teach me Thy statutes. Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise, O Lord, that I may hymn Thy glory and Thy majesty all the day long.

People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto 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 Thy Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. (thrice) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Priest: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen.

Kontakion

Reader: Come let us all praise Him Who was crucified for us; for Mary beheld Him on the Tree, and said: Though Thou endurest the Cross, yet Thou art my Son and my God.

Reader: Lord, have mercy. (40 times)

Reader: O Christ our God, Who art worshipped and glorified at all times at every hour both in heaven and on earth; Who art long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and compassion; Who lovest the just man and showest mercy upon the sinner and Who callest all men to repentance through the promise of blessings to come; receive, O Lord, at this very hour our supplications, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments: sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, set our minds aright, cleanse our thoughts; deliver us from all affliction, trouble and distress; compass us about with Thy holy angels, that, guided and guarded by them, we may attain unto the unity of the Faith, and to the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory; for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.

Reader: Lord, have mercy. (thrice) Reader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Reader: More honorable than the cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim. Thou who without corruption didst bear God the Word; and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee.

Reader: Bless, Father, in the Name of the Lord. Priest: May God have compassion upon us and bless us; may He show the light of His countenance upon us and be merciful unto us. Choir: Amen.

Prayer Of The First Hour

Priest: O Christ, the true Light, which illumineth and sanctifieth every man who cometh into the world: Let the light of Thy countenance be signed upon us, that in it we may behold the light unapproachable. Guide our footsteps aright, to the keeping of Thy commandments, through the intercessions of Thine all-immaculate Mother and of all Thy saints. Choir: Amen.

The Third Royal Hour

Psalm 34

Reader: Judge them, O Lord, that do me injustice; war against them that war against me. Take hold of weapon and shield, and arise unto my help. Draw out a sword, and shut the way against them that persecute me; say to my soul: I am thy salvation. Let them that seek my soul be shamed and confounded. Let them be turned back, and be utterly put to shame they that devise evils against me. Let them become as dust before the face of the wind, an angel of the Lord also afflicting them. Let their way become darkness and a sliding, an angel of the Lord also pursuing them. For without cause have they secretly prepared for my destruction in their snare, without cause have they cast reproach on my soul. Let a snare come upon him, which he knoweth not; and let the trap, which he hath hidden, catch him, and into that same snare let him fall. But my soul shall rejoice in the Lord, it shall delight in His salvation. All my bones shall say: Lord, O Lord, who is like unto Thee? Delivering the beggar from the hand of them that are stronger than he, yea, poor man and pauper from them that despoil him. Unjust witnesses rose up against me; things I knew not they asked me. They repaid me with evil things for good, and barrenness for my soul. But as for me, when they troubled me, I put on sackcloth. And I humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer shall return to my bosom. As though it had been a neighbour, as though it had been our brother, so sought I to please; as one mourning and sad of countenance, so humbled I myself. Yet against me they rejoiced and gathered together; scourges were gathered together upon me, and I knew it not. They were rent asunder, yet not pricked at heart; they tempted me, they mocked me with mockery, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. O Lord, when wilt Thou look upon me? Deliver my soul from their evil doing, even this only-begotten one of mine from the lions. I will confess Thee in the great congregation; among a mighty people will I praise Thee. Let not them rejoice against me that unjustly are mine enemies, they that hate me without a cause, and wink with their eyes. For peaceably indeed they spake unto me, but in their wrath were they devising deceits. And they opened wide their mouth against me; they said: Well done, well done, our eyes have seen it. Thou hast seen it, O Lord; keep not silence. O Lord, depart not from me. Arise, O Lord, and be attentive unto my judgement, my God, and my Lord, unto my cause. Judge me, O Lord, according to Thy righteousness; O Lord my God, let them not rejoice against me. Let them not say in their hearts: Well done, well done, our soul. Let them not say: We have swallowed him up. Let them be shamed and confounded together who rejoice at my woes. Let them be clothed with shame and confusion who speak boastful words against me. Let them rejoice and be glad who desire the righteousness of my cause, and let them that desire the peace of Thy servant say continually: The Lord be magnified. And my tongue shall treat of Thy righteousness, and of Thy praise all the day long.

Psalm 108

Reader: O God, my praise do not pass over in silence; for the mouth of the sinner and the mouth of the deceitful man are opened against me. They have spoken against me with a deceitful tongue, and with words of hatred have they encompassed me, and they have warred against me without a cause. In return for my love, they have falsely accused me; but as for me, I gave myself to prayer. And they repaid me evil for good, and hatred for my love. Set Thou a sinner over him, and let the devil stand at his right hand. When he is judged, let him go forth condemned, and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few, and his bishopric let another take. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. Let his children be vagabonds without a dwelling-place, and let them beg; let them be cast out from their ruined dwellings. Let his creditor search out all his substance, and let strangers plunder all his labours. Let there be for him no helper, nor anyone to pity his fatherless children. Let his children be given over to utter destruction; in a single generation let his name be blotted out. Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the Lord, and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. Let them be before the Lord continually, and let the memory of them perish from off the earth, because he remembered not to show mercy; and persecuted a man that was poor and a beggar, and one broken in heart, that he might slay him. And he loved cursing, and it shall come upon him; and he delighted not in blessing, and it shall be far from him. And he put on cursing like a garment, and it went in like water into his bowels, and like oil into his bones. Let it be for him like a garment wherewith he is clothed, and like a girdle wherewith continually he is girded. This is the dealing of the Lord with them that slander me, and with them that speak evil things against my soul. But Thou, O Lord, O Lord, deal Thou with me for Thy name's sake; for Thy mercy is good. Deliver me, for a poor man am I and a pauper, and my heart is troubled within me. Like a shadow when it declineth am I taken away, I am shaken off as the locusts. My knees are grown weak through fasting, and my flesh is changed for want of oil. And I am become a reproach unto them; they saw me and wagged their heads. Help me, O Lord my God, and save me according to Thy mercy. And let them know that this is Thy hand and that Thou, O Lord, hast wrought it. They will curse, and Thou wilt bless; let them that rise up against me be put to shame, but Thy servant shall be glad. Let them that slander me be clothed with confusion, and let them be covered with shame as with a mantle. I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth, and in the midst of many will I praise Him. For He hath stood at the right hand of the poor, to save my soul from them that persecute me.

Psalm 50

Reader: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy Great Mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built up. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

Reader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (thrice) Lord, have mercy. (thrice)

The troparion and theotokion are plainly read.

Troparion Of The Third Hour

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Lord, the Jews condemned Thee to death, that art the Life of all; they who, by means of the rod, walked across the Red Sea, nailed Thee to a Cross; and they who were suckled with honey from a rock, offered Thee gall. But Thou didst endure willingly, that Thou mightest free us from slavery to the enemy. O Christ God, glory be to Thee.

Theotokion Of The Third Hour

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Theotokos, thou art the true vine that hath blossomed forth the Fruit of life. Thee do we supplicate: Intercede, O Lady, together with the Apostles and all the Saints that our souls find mercy.

The Priest does the great censing around the entire church using the katzion (hand censer), but if none, the regular censer. The idiomela are chanted sticharically (slowly).

Idiomela In Tone Eight

For fear of the Jews, Peter, Thy friend and familiar, denied Thee, O Lord, and in mourning he thus cried out: Be not silent before my tears, for I said that I would keep faith, O Compassionate One, but I did not. Likewise accept Thou our repentance also, and have mercy on us.

Verse. Unto my words give ear, O Lord; hear my cry. Attend unto the voice of my supplication, O my King and my God.

Before Thy venerable Crucifixion, O Lord, when the soldiers were mocking Thee, the noetic hosts were stricken with awe. For Thou, Who didst adorn the earth with flowers, wast wreathed with a crown of derision, and Thou, Who didst clothe the firmament with clouds, didst wear the robe of mockery. For through such a dispensation was Thy compassion made known, O Christ, our great Mercy, glory be to Thee.

Idiomelon In Tone Five

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

As Thou wast led to the Cross, thus didst Thou cry, O Lord: For what deed would ye crucify Me, O ye Jews? Because I strengthened your paralytics? Because I raised your dead as from sleep? I healed the woman who had an issue of blood, and showed mercy upon the Canaanite woman. For what deed, O ye Jews, do ye wish to slay Me? But ye shall look on Him Whom ye now pierce, Who is the Christ, O ye transgressors.

The Old Testament Prophecy

Deacon : Let us attend! Reader : Verily, I am ready to be scourged. O Lord, rebuke me not in Thy wrath. Deacon : Wisdom! Reader : The reading from the prophecy of Isaiah. (50:4-11) Deacon : Let us attend! Reader : These things the Lord doth say: The Lord God hath given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him that is weary. Morning by morning he wakens, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I turned not backward. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God helps me; therefore, I have not been confounded; therefore, I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant, who walks in darkness and has no light, yet trusts in the name of the Lord and relies upon his God? Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who set brands alight! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the brands which you have kindled! This shall you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.

The Epistle

Deacon : Wisdom! Reader : The reading from the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans. (5:6-10) Deacon : Let us attend! Reader : Brethren, while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man—though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

THE GOSPEL

Deacon : Wisdom! Stand upright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Priest : Peace be to all. Choir: And to thy spirit. Priest : The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark. (15:16-41) Choir : Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee. Deacon : Let us attend! Priest : At that time, the soldiers led Jesus away inside the palace (that is, the praetorium); and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on him. And they began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck his head with a reed, and spat upon him, and they knelt down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him. And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyre'ne, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. And they brought him to the place called Gol'gotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mingled with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his garments among them casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour, when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Jews." And with him they crucified two robbers one on his right and one on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled which says, "He was reckoned with the transgressors" And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads, and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!" So also the chief priests mocked him to one another with the scribes, saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “E'lo-i, E'lo-i, la'ma sabach-tha'ni?" which means, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" And some of the bystanders hearing it said, "Behold, he is calling Elijah." And one ran and, filling a sponge full of vinegar put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Eli'jah will come to take him down." And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that he thus cried out and gave up the spirit, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses and Salo'me, who, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered to him and also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee. Reader: Blessed is the Lord God; blessed is the Lord, day by day; the God of our salvation shall prosper us along the way. Our God is the God of salvation. People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto 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 Thy Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. (thrice) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Priest: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen.

Kontakion

Reader : Come let us all praise Him Who was crucified for us; for Mary beheld Him on the Tree, and said: Though Thou endurest the Cross, yet Thou art my Son and my God.

Reader : Lord, have mercy. (40 times) Reader : O Christ our God, Who art worshipped and glorified at all times at every hour both in heaven and on earth; Who art long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and compassion; Who lovest the just man and showest mercy upon the sinner; and Who callest all men to repentance through the promise of blessings to come; receive, Lord, at this very hour our supplications, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments: sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, set our minds aright, cleanse our thoughts; deliver us from all affliction, trouble, and distress; compass us about with Thy holy angels, that, guided and guarded by them, we may attain unto the unity of the Faith, and to the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. Reader : Lord, have mercy. (thrice) Reader : Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Reader : More honorable than the cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim. Thou who without corruption didst bear God the Word; and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee. Reader : Bless, Father, in the Name of the Lord. Priest : May God have compassion upon us and bless us; may He show the light of His countenance upon us and be merciful unto us. Choir: Amen.

Prayer Of The Third Hour

Priest : O Master God, Almighty Father, O Lord the only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit, one Godhead and one Power: Have mercy on me the sinner; and by the judgments which Thou hast established, save me, Thine unworthy servant; for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen.

The Sixth Royal Hour

Reader : Come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. 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 53

Reader: O God, in Thy name save me, and in Thy strength do Thou judge me. O God, hearken unto my prayer; give ear unto the words of my mouth. For strangers are risen up against me, and mighty men have sought after my soul and have not set God before themselves. For behold, God helpeth me, and the Lord is the protector of my soul. He will bring evils upon mine enemies. Utterly destroy them by Thy truth. Willingly shall I sacrifice unto Thee; I will confess Thy name, O Lord, for it is good. For out of every affliction hast Thou delivered me, and mine eye hath looked down upon mine enemies.

Psalm 139

Reader: Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man, from the unjust man deliver me. Who have devised injustice in their heart; all the day long have they arrayed themselves for wars. They have whetted their tongue like that of a serpent; the venom of asps is under their lips. Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; rescue me from unjust men who have devised to undermine my steps. The proud have hid a snare for me, and with cords have they spread a snare for my feet; stumbling-blocks near the paths have they set for me. I said unto the Lord: Thou art my God; give ear, O Lord, unto the voice of my supplication. Lord, O Lord, Thou strength of my salvation, Thou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle. Because of my desire, O Lord, give me not up unto the sinner. They have taken counsel against me; forsake me not, lest they should be exalted. As for the head of those that encircle me, the mischief of their lips shall cover them. Coals shall fall upon them; in fire shalt Thou cast them down, and they shall not stand in afflictions. A babbling man shall not prosper on the earth; evils shall hunt an unjust man to his destruction. I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the poor and the justice of the paupers. Surely the righteous shall confess Thy name, and the upright shall dwell in Thy presence.

Psalm 90

Reader: He that dwelleth in the help of the Most High shall abide in the shelter of the God of Heaven. He shall say unto the Lord: Thou art my helper and my refuge. He is my God, and I will hope in Him. For He shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunters and from every troubling word. With His shoulders shall He overshadow thee, and under His wings shalt thou have hope. With a shield will His truth encompass thee; thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day, nor for the thing that walketh in darkness, nor for the mishap and demon of noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but unto it shall not come nigh. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and thou shalt see the reward of sinners. For Thou, O Lord, art my hope. Thou madest the Most High thy refuge; no evils shall come nigh thee, and no scourge shall draw nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. On their hands shall they bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. On the asp and basilisk shalt thou tread, and thou shalt trample upon the lion and dragon. For he hath set his hope on Me, and I will deliver him; I will shelter him because he hath known My Name. He shall cry unto Me, and I will hearken unto him. I am with him in affliction, and I will rescue and glorify him. With length of days will I satisfy him, and I will show him My salvation.

Reader : Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (thrice)

Lord, have mercy. (thrice)

The troparion and theotokion are plainly read.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Troparion Of The Sixth Hour

Salvation hast Thou wrought in the midst of the earth, O Christ God; Thou didst stretch out Thine immaculate hands upon the Cross, gathering together all the nations, which cry: O Lord, glory be to Thee.

Theotokion Of The Sixth Hour

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Seeing that we have no boldness on account of our many sins, do thou beseech Him that was born of thee, O Virgin Theotokos; for the supplication of a Mother availeth much to win the Master's favour. Disdain not the prayers of sinners, O most august one; for merciful is He, and mighty to save, He that deigned to suffer for our sake.

The Priest does the great censing around the entire church using the katzion (hand censer), but if none, the regular censer. The idiomela are chanted sticharically (slowly).

Idiomela In Tone Eight

Thus saith the Lord unto the Jews: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or how have I vexed thee? To thy blind have I given sight; thy lepers have I cleansed; the man upon a bed did I restore. O My people, what have I done unto thee, and how hast thou recompensed Me? In the stead of manna, gall; in the stead of water, vinegar; in the stead of loving Me, ye nailed Me to the Cross. No longer will I endure. I will call to Me the nations, and they shall glorify Me, with the Father and the Spirit, and I will give them life everlasting.

Verse. They gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. Save me, O God, for the waters are come in unto my soul.

O ye lawgivers of Israel, ye Jews and Pharisees, the choir of the Apostles crieth unto you: Behold the Temple which ye destroyed; behold the Lamb which ye crucified. Ye delivered Him to the grave, but, by His own power, He is risen. Be not deceived, O ye Jews; for it is He that saved you in the sea, and fed you in the wilderness. He is the Life and Light and Peace of the world.

IDIOMELON IN TONE FIVE

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Come, O ye Christ-bearing people, let us behold what Judas the traitor hath plotted with the lawless priests against our Saviour. Today, they have passed the sentence of death against the immortal Word; and delivering Him to Pilate they crucified Him at the Place of the Skull. And while suffering these things, our Saviour cried saying: Father, forgive them this sin, that nations might learn of My Resurrection from the dead.

The Old Testament Prophecy

Deacon: Let us attend! Reader: O Lord, our Lord, how admirable is Thy Name in the whole earth. For Thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens. Deacon: Wisdom! Reader: The reading from the prophecy of Isaiah. (52:13-54:1) Deacon: Let us attend! Reader: These things the Lord doth say "Behold, my servant shall prosper, and he shall be exalted, and lifted up, and shall be very high. As many were astonished at him - his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the sons of men. SO shall he startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they shall see, and that which they have not heard they shall understand. Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or comeliness that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. "He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment, he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when he makes himself an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand; he shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore, will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife.

The Epistle

Deacon : Wisdom! Reader : The reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (2:11-18) Deacon : Let us attend! Reader : Brethren, he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, "I will proclaim thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee." And again, “I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I, and the children God has given me." Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned but with the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

The Gospel

Deacon : Wisdom! Stand upright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Priest : Peace be to all. Choir : And to thy spirit. Priest : The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (23:32-49) Choir : Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee. Deacon : Let us attend! Priest : At that time, two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Jesus. And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by watching; but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ, the Chosen of God!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him vinegar, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew, "This is the King of the Jews." One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice said, "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he gave up the spirit. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he glorified God, and said, "Certainly this was a righteous man!" And all the multitudes who assembled to see the sight, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance and saw these things. Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee. Reader: Let Thy compassions quickly go before us, O Lord, for we are become exceedingly poor. Help us, O God our Savior, for the sake of the glory of Thy Name; O Lord, deliver us, and be gracious unto our sins, for Thy Name's sake. People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto 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 Thy Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. (thrice) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Priest: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen.

Kontakion

Reader : Come let us all praise Him Who was crucified for us; for Mary beheld Him on the Tree, and said: Though Thou endurest the Cross, yet Thou art my Son and my God. Reader : Lord, have mercy. (40 times) Reader : O Christ our God, Who art worshipped and glorified at all times at every hour both in heaven and on earth; Who art long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and compassion; Who lovest the just man and showest mercy upon the sinner; and Who callest all men to repentance through the promise of blessings to come; receive Lord, at this very hour our supplications, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments: sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, set our minds aright, cleanse our thoughts; deliver us from all affliction, trouble, and distress; compass us about with Thy holy angels, that, guided and guarded by them, we may attain unto the unity of the Faith, and to the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory; for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. Reader : Lord, have mercy. (thrice) Reader : Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Reader : More honorable than the cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim. Thou who without corruption didst bear God the Word; and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee. Reader : Bless, Father, in the Name of the Lord. Priest : May God have compassion upon us and bless us; may He show the light of His countenance upon us and be merciful unto us. Choir : Amen.

Prayer Of The Sixth Hour

Priest : O God and Lord of hosts and Maker of all things created, Who through the tender-hearted compassion of Thine incomparable mercy didst send down Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation of our race, and by His precious Cross didst destroy the handwriting of our sins and didst thereby triumph over the origin and powers of darkness: Do Thou, the same Lord Who lovest mankind, receive also these thanksgivings and fervent prayers of us sinners. And deliver us from every harmful and gloomy transgression and from all enemies, both visible and invisible, who seek after us to destroy us. Nail our flesh with the fear of Thee, and incline not our hearts to words or thoughts of wickedness; but wound our souls with the love of Thee, that looking ever unto Thee and guided by Thee in the light, beholding Thee, the Light ineffable and everlasting, we may ascribe unto Thee ceaseless confession and thanksgiving unto the unoriginate Father, together with Thine only-begotten Son, and Thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen.

The Ninth Royal Hour

Psalm 68

Reader : Save me, O God, for the waters are come in unto my soul. I am stuck fast in the mire of the deep, and there is no sure standing. I am come into the deeps of the sea, and a tempest hath overwhelmed me. I am grown weary with crying, my throat is become hoarse; from my hoping in my God, mine eyes have failed me. They that hate me without a cause are multiplied more than the hairs of my head. Mine enemies are grown strong, they that persecute me unjustly; then did I restore that which I took not away. O God, Thou knowest my foolishness, and my transgressions are not hid from Thee. Let not them that wait on Thee be ashamed for my sake Lord Thou Lord of hosts. Nor let them that seek after Thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. Because for Thy sake I have borne reproach shame hath covered my face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto the sons of my mother. For the zeal of Thy house hath consumed me, and the reproaches of them that reproach Thee are fallen upon me. I covered my soul, and it was turned into a reproach for me. And I made sackcloth my clothing, and I became a proverb to them. And they prated against me, they that sit in the gates and they made a song about me, they that drink wine. But as for me, with my prayer I cry unto Thee, O Lord; it is time for Thy good pleasure. O God, in the multitude of Thy mercy hearken unto me, in the truth of Thy salvation. Save me from the mire, that I be not stuck therein; let me be delivered from them that hate me and from the deeps of the waters. Let not the tempest of water overwhelm me, nor let the deep swallow me up nor let the pit shut its mouth upon me. Hearken unto me, O Lord, for Thy mercy is good according to the multitude of Thy compassions, look upon me. Turn not Thy countenance away from Thy servant, for I am afflicted; quickly hearken unto me. Attend unto my soul and deliver it; because of mine enemies, rescue me. For Thou knowest my reproach and my humiliation. Before Thee are all that afflict me; my soul hath awaited reproach and misery. And I waited for one that would grieve with me but there was no one; and for them that would comfort me, but I found none. And they gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. Let their table before them be for a snare, for a recompense and for a stumbling block. Let their eyes be darkened that they may not see, and their back do Thou continually bow down. Pour out upon them Thy wrath, and let the fury of Thy wrath take hold upon them. Let their habitation be made desolate and in their tents let there be none to dwell. For they persecuted him whom Thou hast smitten, and to the pain of my wounds have they added. Add iniquity to their iniquity, and let them not enter into Thy righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and with the righteous let them not be written. Poor and in sorrow am I; may Thy salvation, O God, be quick to help me. I will praise the name of my God with an ode, I will magnify Him with praise. And this shall please God more than a young calf that hath horns and hooves. Let beggars behold it and be glad; seek after God, and your soul shall live. For the Lord hath hearkened unto the poor and hath not despised them that are fettered for His sake Let the heavens and the earth praise Him, the sea and all the creeping things therein. For God will save Sion, and the cities of Judea shall be builded; and they shall dwell therein and inherit it. And the seed of Thy servants shall possess it and they that love Thy name shall dwell therein.

Psalm 69

Reader : O God, be attentive unto helping Lord, make haste to help me. Let and confounded that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and brought to shame that desire evils against me. Let them be turned back straightway in shame that say unto me: Well done! Well done! Let them be glad and rejoice in Thee all that seek after God and let them that love Thy salvation say continually: The Lord be magnified. But as for me, I am poor and needy; O God, come unto mine aid. My helper and my deliverer art Thou, O Lord; make no long tarrying.

PSALM 85

Reader : Bow down Thine ear O Lord, and hearken unto me, for poor and needy am I. Preserve my soul, for I am holy save Thy servant, O my God, that hopeth in Thee. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for unto Thee will I cry all the day long; make glad the soul of Thy servant for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul. For Thou, O Lord art good and gentle, and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee. Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer, and attend unto the heard my supplication. In day of mine affliction I have cried unto Thee Thou me. There is none like unto Thee among the gods O Lord, nor are there any works like unto Thy works All the nations made shall come and shall worship before Thee and shall glorify Thy Name. For Thou art great and workest wonders; Thou alone art God. Guide me, O Lord, in Thy way, and I will walk in Thy truth; let my heart rejoice that I may fear Thy Name. I will confess Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Thy Name forever. For great is Thy mercy upon me, and Thou hast delivered my soul from the nethermost Hades. O God, transgressors have risen up against me and the assembly of the mighty hath sought after my soul, and they have not set Thee before them. But Thou, O Lord my God, art compassionate and merciful, long- suffering and plenteous in mercy and true Look upon me and have mercy upon me; give Thy strength unto Thy servant, and save the son of Thy handmaiden. Work in me a sign unto good and let them that hate me behold and be put to shame for Thou, O Lord, hast helped me and comforted me.

Reader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. ( thrice)

Lord, have mercy. (thrice)

Troparion Of The Ninth Hour

The troparion and theotokion are plainly read.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Seeing the Author of life hanging on the Cross the thief said: If He Who is crucified with us were not God incarnate, the sun would not have hid his rays, nor would the earth have quaked and trembled. But do Thou Who endurest all things remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.

Theotokion Of The Ninth Hour

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Thou Who for our sakes wast born of a Virgin and didst suffer crucifixion, O Good One, and didst despoil death by death, and as God didst reveal the Resurrection: Disdain them not which Thou hast fashioned with Thy hand show us Thy love for mankind O Merciful One; accept the Theotokos that gave Thee birth, who intercedeth us; and do Thou, our Saviour, save a despairing people.

The Priest does the great censing around the entire church using the katzion (hand censer), but if none, the regular censer. The idiomela are chanted sticharically (slowly).

Idiomelon In Tone Seven

It was astonishing to see the Maker of heaven and earth hanging upon the Cross, to behold the sun darkened the day turning back into night and the earth sending up from their graves the bodies of the dead. With them we also worship Thee: Save us.

Idiomelon In Tone Two

Verse They parted my garments amongst themselves, and for my vesture have they cast lots. They gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

When the transgressors nailed Thee, the Lord of Glory, to the Cross, Thou didst cry unto them: How have I grieved you? Or in what have I angered you? Before I came, who delivered you from affliction? And now, how do you requite Me? Evil for goodness; for the pillar of fire, ye nailed Me to the Cross; for the cloud, ye have dug a grave for Me; for the manna, ye offered Me gall; for the water, ye gave Me vinegar to drink Wherefore, I will call the nations, and they will glorify Me, with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Idiomelon In Tone Six

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Today there is hung upon the Tree, He that suspended the earth upon the waters. (thrice)

A crown of thorns is placed upon Him Who is the King of the Angels.

With false purple is He wrapped about, He that wrappeth the heavens with clouds.

Buffetings did He receive, Who freed Adam in the Jordan.

With nails was He affixed, He that is the Bridegroom of the Church.

With a lance was He pierced, He that is the Son of the Virgin.

We worship Thy Passion, O Christ. (thrice)

Show also unto us Thy glorious Resurrection.

The Old Testament Prophecy

Deacon : Let us attend! Reader : The fool hath said in his heart, "There is no God." There is none that doeth good, no, not one. Deacon : Wisdom! Reader The reading from the prophecy of Jeremiah. (11:18-23; 12:1-5, 9-11a, 14-15) Deacon : Let us attend! Reader : The Lord made it known to me and I knew; then thou didst show me their evil deeds. But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. I did not know it was against me they devised schemes, saying, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living that his name be remembered no more. But O Lord of hosts, who judgest righteously, who triest the heart and the mind let me see thy vengeance upon them, for to thee have I committed my cause. Therefore, thus says the Lord concerning the men of An'athoth, who seek your life, and say, "Do not prophesy in the name of the Lord, or you will die by our hand" therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will punish them; the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine; and none of them shall be left. For I will bring evil upon the men of An'athoth, the year of their punishment." Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I complain to thee; yet I would plead my case before thee. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? Thou plantest them, and they take root they grow and bring forth fruit; thou art near in their mouth and far from their heart. But thou, O Lord, knowest me; thou seest me, and triest my mind toward thee. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter. How long will the land mourn, and the grass of every field wither? For the wickedness of those who dwell in it the beasts and the birds are swept away, because men said, "He will not see our latter end." "If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you fall down how will you do in the jungle of the Jordan? Is my heritage to me like a speckled bird of prey? Are the birds of prey against her round about? Go, assemble all the wild beasts; bring them to devour. Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trampled down my portion they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. They have made it a desolation; desolate, it mourns to me. Thus says the Lord concerning all my evil neighbors who touch the heritage which I have given my people Israel to inherit: "Behold, I will pluck them up from their land, and I will pluck up the house of Judah from among them. And after I have plucked them up, I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to his heritage and each to his land.

The Epistle

Deacon : Wisdom! Reader : The reading from the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Hebrews. (10:19-31) Deacon : Let us attend! Reader : Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries. A man who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy at the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the man who has spurned the Son of God, and profaned the blood of the covenant by which was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

The Gospel

Deacon : Wisdom! Stand upright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Priest : Peace be to all. Choir : And to thy spirit. Priest : The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint John. (19:23-37) Choir : Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee. Deacon : Let us attend! Priest: At that time, when they had crucified Jesus, the soldiers took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier also his tunic But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfill the scripture, "They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag'dalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), "I thirst." A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day) the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him; but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness-his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth that you also may believe. For these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled, "Not a bone of him shall be broken." And again another scripture says, They shall look on him whom they have pierced." Choir: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee. Reader: Deliver us not up utterly, for Thy Holy Name's sake, neither disannul Thou Thy covenant, and cause not Thy mercy to depart from us, for Abraham's sake, Thy beloved and for Isaac's sake, Thy servant, and for Israel's, Thy holy one. People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto 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 Thy Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. (thrice) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Priest For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen. KONTAKION Reader Come let us all praise Him Who was crucified for us; for Mary beheld Him on the Tree, and said: Though Thou endurest the Cross yet Thou art my Son and my God. Reader: Lord, have mercy. (40 times) Reader: O Christ our God, Who art worshipped and glorified at all times at every hour both in heaven and on earth; Who art long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and compassion Who lovest the just man and showest mercy upon the sinner; and Who callest all men to repentance through the promise of blessings to come; receive Lord, at this very hour our supplications, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments: sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, set our minds aright, cleanse our thoughts; deliver us from all affliction, trouble and distress; compass us about with Thy holy angels, that, guided and guarded by them, we may attain unto the unity of the Faith, and to the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. Reader: Lord, have mercy. (thrice) Reader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Reader: More honorable than the cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim. Thou who without corruption didst bear God the Word; and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee. Reader: Bless, Father, in the Name of the Lord. Priest: May God have compassion upon us and countenance upon us and be merciful unto us. Choir: Amen.

Prayer Of The Ninth Hour By St. Basil The Great

Priest : O Master, Lord Jesus Christ our Who art long-suffering toward our sins and Who hast led us even to the present hour, in which, as thou didst hang upon the life-giving tree thou didst make a way into paradise for the penitent thief and by death didst destroy death: Be gracious unto us sinners and Thine unworthy servants; for we have sinned and have dealt iniquitously, and we are not worthy to lift up our eyes and look upon the heights of heaven inasmuch as we have departed from the path of Thy righteousness and have walked after the desires of our own hearts. But we implore of Thy boundless goodness: Spare us, O Lord, according to the multitude of Thy mercy, and save us, for Thy holy Name's sake; for our days have passed away in vanity. Wrest us out of the hand of the adversary, and forgive our sins, and mortify our carnal imagination, that, putting off the old man, we may be clothed upon with the new man and may live unto thee, our Master and our Benefactor, and that, so following after Thy commandments, we may attain unto rest eternal where is the abode of all those who rejoice. For thou art, in truth, the true Joy and Exultation of those who love Thee, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thine unoriginated Father and Thine all holy and good and life-giving Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen.

The Typika Service Of Holy Friday The Beatitudes (Plain Reading)

In Thy kingdom, remember us, O Lord, when thou comest into Thy kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in the heavens.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Remember us, O Lord, when thou comest into Thy kingdom. Remember us, O Master, when thou comest into Thy kingdom. Remember us, O Holy One, when thou comest into Thy kingdom.

Typika Stichoi (Plain Reading)

The heavenly rank praiseth Thee and saith: Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Verse. Come ye before Him and be lighted, and let not your faces be ashamed. The heavenly rank praiseth Thee and saith: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. The rank of the holy angels and archangels with all the heavenly powers praise thee saying Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Creed

People : I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten begotten of the Father before all worlds: Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten not made, of one essence with the Father by Whom all things were made. Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And on the third day rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father And He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit the Lord the Giver of life Who procedeth from the Father who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. Priest: Forgive, remit, pardon, O God, our sins both voluntary and involuntary, in deed and in word, in knowledge or in ignorance committed by night or by day, in mind and in thought. Forgive us them all for thou art good and lovest mankind.

The Lord's Prayer

People : Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Priest: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen.

Kontakion

Psalm 33

Reader : I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. In the Lord shall my soul be praised; let the meek hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my tribulations. Come unto Him, and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his tribulations. The angel of the Lord will encamp round about them that fear Him, and will deliver them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that hopeth in Him. O fear the Lord, all ye His saints for there is no want to them that fear Him. Rich men have turned poor and gone hungry; but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good thing. Come ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there that desireth life, who loveth to see good days? Keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips from speaking guile. Turn away from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are opened unto their supplication. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, utterly to destroy the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them, and He delivered them out of all their tribulations. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart, and He saves the humble of spirit. Many are the tribulations of the righteous, and the Lord shall deliver them out of them all. The Lord keepeth all their bones, not one of them shall be broken. The death of sinners is evil, and they that hate the righteous shall do wrong. The Lord will redeem the souls of His servants, and none of them will do wrong that hope in Him.

The Dismissal

Priest : Glory to Thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to Thee. Choir : Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy (thrice) Father, bless. Priest : May He Who endured fearful sufferings the life-giving Cross, and voluntary burial in the flesh, on behalf of us and for our salvation, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother by the might of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protection of the honorable Bodiless Powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious all-laudable Apostles; of the holy, glorious, and right victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of saint Ne the patron and protector of this holy community; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna and of all the Saints; have mercy upon us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth mankind. Priest : Through the prayers of our holy fathers Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Choir: Amen.