SUNG ON SUNDAY EVENING BY ANTICIPATION
Preparation
The priest vests in exorasson and epitrachelion
Standing before the holy table facing east, the priest makes three metanias, saying each time:
Priest: O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.
The Blessing
The priest opens the curtains and holy doors, then blessing himself, he says in a loud voice:
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
Priest: Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee.
O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who art in all places and fillest 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 gracious Lord.
The reader or the deacon, standing at the reader's stand, says:
Reader: 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 God 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 evil.
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.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. (metania)
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. (metania)
O come, let us worship and fall down before the Very Christ, our King and our God. (metania)
The Royal Psalms
The priest then takes up the small hand censer and does the great censing. The reader intones the following two psalms.
Psalm 19
MAY the Lord hear thee in the day of tribulation: may the name of the God of Jacob protect thee. May he send thee help from the sanctuary: and defend thee out of Zion. May he be mindful of all thy sacrifices: and may thy whole burnt offering be made fat. May he give thee according to thine own heart; and confirm all thy counsels. We will rejoice in thy salvation; and in the name of our God we shall be exalted. The Lord fulfill all thy petitions: now have I known that the Lord hath saved his anointed. He will hear him from his holy heaven: the salvation of his right hand is in powers. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will call upon the name of the Lord our God. They are bound, and have fallen, but we are risen, and are set upright. O Lord, save the king: and hear us in the day that we shall call upon thee.
Psalm 20
IN thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly. Thou hast given him his heart's desire: and hast not withholden from him the will of his lips. For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones. He asked life of thee: and thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever. His glory is great in thy salvation: glory and great beauty shalt thou lay upon him. For thou shalt give him to be a blessing for ever and ever: thou shalt make him joyful in gladness with thy countenance. For the king hopeth in the Lord: and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved. Let thy right hand be found by all thy enemies: let thy right hand find out all them that hate thee. Thou shalt make them as an oven of fire, in the time of thy anger: the Lord shall trouble them in his wrath, and fire shall devour them. Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth: and their seed from among the children of men. For they have intended evils against thee: they have devised counsels which they have not been able to establish. For thou shalt make them turn their back: in thy remnants thou shalt prepare their face. Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thy own strength: we will sing and praise thy power.
Reader: 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
Priest: All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name's sake.
Reader: 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 evil.
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.
The reader or deacon continues by saying the following troparion, kontakion and theotokion.
Reader: O Lord, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance, granting to thy people victory over all adversaries, and by thy Cross, preserving thine estate.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Do thou, who of thine own good will wast lifted up upon the Cross, O Christ our God, bestow thy bounties upon the new Nation which is called by thy Name; make glad in thy might those who lawfully govern, that with them we may be led to victory over our adversaries, having in thine aid a weapon of peace and a trophy invincible.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Champion dread, who canst not be put to confusion, despise not our petitions, O good and all-praised Theotokos; establish the way of the Orthodox; save those who have been called upon to govern us, leading us all to that victory which is from heaven, for thou art she who gavest birth to God and alone art blessed.
The Ektenia
The priest, standing before the holy table facing east, censes and intones the petitions of the following ektenia.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great goodness, we pray thee: hearken and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Standing at the south side of the holy table and censing, the priest says:
Priest: Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Standing at the east side of the holy table and censing, the priest says:
Priest: Again we pray for our father and Metropolitan, N., (our Bishop, N.,) and all our brethren in Christ.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Standing at the north side of the holy table, the priest censes the holy table and then the prothesis while he says:
Priest: For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory: to Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. Bless, Father, in the Name of the Lord.
Standing before the holy table facing east, the priest makes the sign of the cross over the gospel book with the censer, saying:
Priest: Glory to the holy, consubstantial, life-giving and undivided Trinity, always; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The priest gives away the censer.
Reader: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (thrice)
O Lord, thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise. (twice)
The Six Psalms
The reader continues by reading the Six Psalms, while the priest says the twelve Orthros prayers .
Psalm 3
LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice and he heard me out of his holy hill. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
Psalm 37
O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it is also gone from me. My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off. They also that seek after my life lay snares for me, and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. But I, as a deaf man, heard not, and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is. Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation. Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
Psalm 62
O GOD, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. But those that seek after my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped. I meditate on thee in the night watches: Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me.
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)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Psalm 87
O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; for my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength: free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me: thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee. Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise thee? Shall thy loving-kindness be declared in the grave? Or thy faithfulness in destruction? Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? And thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? But unto thee have I cried, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer come before thee. Lord, why castest thou off my soul? Why hidest thou thy face from me? I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted. Thy fierce wrath goeth over me: thy terrors have cut me off. They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together. Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness. O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry.
Psalm 102
BLESS the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger forever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; to such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: Bless the Lord, O my soul. In all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.
Psalm 142
HEAR my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Hear me speedily, O Lord, my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk: for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will: for thou art my God: thy spirit is good: lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake. For thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
O Lord, give ear to my supplications: and enter not into judgment with thy servant.
O Lord, give ear to my suppulations: and enter not into judgment with thy servant.
Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
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)
O Lord our hope, glory to thee.
The Litany Of Peace
When the reader has completed the Six Psalms, the deacon intones the petitions of the litany of peace.
Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Choir: Lord, have mercy. ( after every petition ) Deacon: For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy churches of God, and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For this holy house and those who with faith, reverence and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For our father and metropolitan, N., (our bishop, N.), the honorable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For our country, its president (or appropriate head of state), civil authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For this city and every city and countryside and the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For healthful seasons, abundance of the fruits of the earth and peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For travelers by sea, by land and by air, the sick, the suffering, the captive, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To thee, O Lord.
Priest: For unto thee are due all glory, honor and worship to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Alleluia Verses
(Tone 8)
Chanter: My spirit seeks thee early in the nightwatches, for thy commandments are a light on the earth.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Learn righteousness, ye that dwell upon the earth.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Zeal shall seize upon an untaught people, and now, fire shall devour the adversaries.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Bring more evils upon them, O Lord, bring more evils upon those who are glorious upon earth.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The Procession with the Bridegroom (Nymphios) Icon
A procession with the icon of the Bridegroom (Nymphios) is made during the chanting of the Troparion, Behold the Bridegroom . The people bless themselves with the sign of the Cross as the priest carrying the icon passes them.
The procession takes place in this way:
- During the alleluia verses, the altar boys should get torches, fans, and censer ready;
- At the end of the alleluia verses, the lights may be dimmed a little more for the procession;
- At the end of the alleluia verses the censer is handed to the priest who censes the Bridegroom (Nymphios) icon and returns the censer to the deacon (or altar boy);
- As the priest begins to chant slowly the Troparion, Behold the Bridegroom , he carries the icon in the procession through the church as in the Great Entrance during the Divine Liturgy;
- When the procession reaches the middle of the solea, the priest carries the icon around the stand three times and then places the icon on its stand;
- The priest then censes the icon nine times; and
- Finally the priest makes three prostrations before the icon, kisses it, and then returns to the sanctuary with the altar boys.
Troparion
(Tone 8)
Priest: Behold, the Bridegroom cometh at midnight, and blessed is the servant whom he shall find awake. But he whom he shall find neglectful is verily unworthy. Behold, therefore, my soul, beware, lest thou fallest into deep slumber, and the door of the kingdom be closed against thee, and thou be delivered to death. But be thou wakeful, crying, Holy! Holy! Holy! art thou, O God. Through the intercessions of the incorporeals, have mercy on us. ( thrice with different endings )
Second Ending:
Chanter: As above with this ending: + Through the intercessions of ( the Patron Saint of the Parish ), have mercy on us.
Third Ending:
Chanter: As above with this ending: + Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
The Little Litany
The deacon then intones the little litany.
Deacon: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To thee, O Lord.
Priest: For thine is the might, and 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.
The priest puts on the phelonion.
Kathismata
(Tone 1)
Chanters: Verily, on this very day shall be revealed to the world the solemn Passion as a saving light; for of his own goodness Christ shall come to suffer. And he who holdeth everything in the hollow of his hand condescendeth to be suspended on a tree to save mankind.
O thou unseen Judge, how wast thou seen in the flesh, and how camest thou to be slain in the body by breakers of the law, who by thy Passion judge our case? Wherefore, we address unto thee magnification and praise, O Word, and in unison we offer glory to thy power.
(Tone 8) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Verily, this present day ushers in with splendor the Passion of the Lord. Come, therefore, O ye lovers of the feast, let us welcome it with songs; for the Creator cometh to accept crucifixion, examination, and lashes, and to be condemned by Pilate, smitten on his face by a servant, and to bear all things to save mankind. Wherefore, do we cry out unto him; O Christ our God, who lovest mankind, grant forgiveness of sins to them who in faith do worship thy pure Passion.
The Orthros Gospel
The deacon faces the people, lifts his orarion, and says:
Deacon: And that we may be accounted worthy to hear the holy gospel, let us pray to the Lord our God.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Deacon: Wisdom. Attend. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
The priest turns to face the people and blesses them, saying:
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Priest: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.
Choir: Glory to thee, O Lord. Glory to thee.
Deacon: Let us attend.
The priest reads the gospel from the holy doors.
(St. Matthew 21:18-43) At that time, as Jesus was returning to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside he went to it, and found nothing on it but leaves only. And he said to it, "May no fruit ever come from you again!" And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither at once?" And Jesus answered them, "Truly I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."
And when Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" Jesus answered them, "I also will ask you one thing; and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men?" And they reasoned among themselves, "If we say, 'From heaven', he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' But if we say 'From men', we are afraid of the multitude; for all hold that John was a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
"What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in my vineyard today.' and he answered, 'I will not'; but afterward he repented and went. And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered 'I go, sir', but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him."
"Hear another parable: There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to Jesus, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons."
Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it."
Choir: Glory to thee, O Lord. Glory to thee.
Psalm 50
Reader: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great mercy: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out mine iniquity. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge mine iniquity: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and done evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified in thy words, and prevail when thou art judged. For behold, I was shapen in iniquity: and in sins did my mother conceive me. For behold, thou hast loved truth: the unclear and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made clear to me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness: the bones which thou hast broken shall rejoice. Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my 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 steady me with a guiding spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways: and the impious shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise. For hadst thou desired sacrifice, I would have given it thee: thou delightest not in burnt offerings. Sacrifices to God are a contrite spirit: a contrite and humble heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good, O Lord, in thy good will unto Zion: that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offerings: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
The Katavasia
(Tone 2)
1st Ode
Chanter: Let us praise the Lord, by whose divine command the raging and uncharted sea was dried up, and who led the children of Israel through it, for in glory he hath been glorified.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Truly the ineffable condescension of the Word of God, even Christ, who is himself God and Man, was not accounted robbery, for he is God and taking the likeness of a servant, as he revealed to his disciples; for in glory he hath been glorified.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Yea, I the Creator, rich in Godhead, came myself to serve poor Adam, whose likeness I took willingly, and to give myself as a redemption for him, for I am without suffering as to my Godhead. Let us praise the Lord by whose divine command the raging and uncharted sea was dried up, and who led the children of Israel through it, for in glory he hath been glorified.
Deacon: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To thee, O Lord.
Priest: For thou art a good God who lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Kontakion
Reader: Jacob wailed the loss of Joseph while that brave youth was sitting in a chariot like an honored king; for at that time, not having enslaved himself to the pleasures of Egypt, he was glorified instead by God, who looketh into the hearts of men, and who granteth them incorruptible crowns.
Oikos
Reader: Let us add wailing to wailing, shedding tears, and mourning with Jacob for chaste Joseph of perpetual memory, who was enslaved in the flesh. But his soul he preserved free, and he was lord over all Egypt; for God granteth his servants incorruptible crowns.
Synaxarion
Reader: On this day begins the anniversary of the holy Passion of the Saviour, he of whom Joseph of exceeding beauty is taken as the earliest symbol; for this Joseph was the eleventh of the sons of Jacob, and because his father loved him exceedingly, his brothers envied him and threw him into a pit. Then they took him out and sold him to strangers, who sold him in Egypt. He was slandered for his chastity, and was thrown into prison. But finally he was taken out of prison, and he attained a high rank, and received honors worthy of kings, becoming governor of the whole of Egypt, whose people he supported. Thus he symbolized in himself the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and his consequent great glory.
To the remembrance of Joseph is added the story of the fig tree which the Lord cursed on this day (corresponding at that time to the nineteenth of the month of March) because of its barrenness, so that it dried up. The fig tree was a symbol of the Council of the Jews which did not show the necessary fruits of virtue and righteousness, so that Christ stripped it of every spiritual grace.
Wherefore, by the intercessions of the all-comely Joseph, O Christ, have mercy upon us. Amen.
The Katavasia, Continued
(Tone 2)
8th Ode
Chanter: Verily, the fire was fed with measureless matter and did flee with trembling from the agreement of the pure youths and from their bodies, which were free of corruption. And when its ever rising flames had subsided, they shouted, crying, Praise the Lord, all his works; exalt him more and more unto the ages.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As the Saviour went unto his Passion, he said to his beloved, If ye keep my commandments then all will know that ye are my disciples. Be at peace one with another and with all, and be of humble mind that ye may be exalted. Know that I am the Lord, and praise and exalt me more and more unto the ages.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Let your order be contrary to the order of the Gentiles, who practice lordship over their own kind; for such are not of mine, and their absolute purpose is to gain rulership. Wherefore, whosoever desires among you to be first, let him be last of all and know that I am the Lord, and praise and exalt me more and more unto the ages.
We praise, bless, and worship the Lord.
Verily, the fire was fed with measureless matter and did flee with trembling from the agreement of the pure youths and from their bodies, which were free of corruption. And when its ever rising flames had subsided, they shouted, crying, Praise the Lord, all his works; exalt him more and more unto the ages.
The Ninth Ode
At the conclusion of the 8th ode, the deacon stands in the holy doors, faces the congregation or the icon of the Theotokos on the iconostasis, lifts his orarion and says:
Deacon: The Theotokos and Mother of the Light, let us honor and magnify in song.
While the choir chants the ninth ode, the deacon asks the blessing of the priest upon the incense and does the great censing - exiting the sanctuary through the north door and entering through the south door.
(Tone 2)
Choir: O Christ our Creator, thou hast magnified thy mother, the Theotokos, from whom thou didst put on the body, like unto ours in the Passion, and delivered us from our ignorance. Wherefore, we bless her through all generations, and thee we magnify.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
O Wisdom of all, thou didst declare unto thy disciples, saying: Put away all the filth of passion, and take unto yourselves a steadfast mind, worthy of the kingdom divine wherein ye shall be glorified and shall shine more brightly than the sun.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Thus, O Lord, thou didst say to thy disciples: Look unto me, and be not exalted in your own minds, but die with the humble. Drink the cup that I drink; for ye shall be glorified with me in the kingdom of my Father.
O Christ our Creator, thou hast magnified thy mother, the Theotokos, from whom thou didst put on the body, like unto ours in the Passion, and delivered us from our ignorance. Wherefore, we bless her through all generations, and thee we magnify.
Deacon: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To thee, O Lord. Priest: For all the powers of heaven praise thee, and unto thee we ascribe glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Exaposteilarion
(Tone 3; special melody)
Chanters: I behold thy bridal chamber richly adorned, O my Saviour; but I have no wedding garment to worthily enter. Make radiant the garment of my soul, O Giver of Light, and save me. (thrice)
Praises
(Tone 1)
Choir: Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. To thee, O God, is due our song.
Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. To thee, O God, is due our song.
(Tone ?) Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
At the time when the Lord was coming to his voluntary Passion, he said to his disciples on the way: Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man shall be delivered even as it was written. Wherefore, let us, O brethren, walk along with him with consciences free from stain and be crucified with him, and with him let us kill the pleasures of life, that we may live with him, and that we may hear him say, I am not ascending to the earthly Jerusalem to suffer, but to my Father and your Father, to my God, and your God, that I may draw you with me unto the Jerusalem above in the kingdom of heaven.
(Tone 5) Praise him with the timbrel and dance; praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
O believers, having arrived at the saving Passion of Christ, let us praise his ineffable long-suffering, that by his compassion may he raise us who are dead in sin; for he is good and the Lover of Mankind.
(Tone 5) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
When thou wast going to thy Passion, thou didst take thy disciples aside assuring them, saying unto them: How can it be that ye do not recall the words that I spake to you before; that no prophet is killed except in Jerusalem, as it is written? And now the time hath come concerning which I told you; for behold, I shall be delivered unto ridicule at the hands of sinners, who shall nail me upon the Cross, deliver me to the tomb, and account me dead and abandoned. But be of good cheer; for I will rise on the third day, for the joy of the faithful and their eternal life.
The Little Doxology
Reader: Thine is the glory, O Lord our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will among men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory.
O Lord, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty; O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.
For thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord, O Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy Name forever; yea, forever and ever.
Lord, thou hast been our refuge in all generations. I said: Lord, be merciful unto me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee.
Lord, I have fled unto thee: teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God.
For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
O continue thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified be thy name forever. Amen.
Let thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, as we have set our hope in thee.
Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes.
Blessed art thou, O Master, make me to understand thy commandments.
Blessed art thou, O Holy One, enlighten me with thy precepts.
Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever; O despise not the works of thy hands.
To thee belongeth worship, to thee belongeth praise, to thee belongeth glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Litany Of Supplication
Standing at his place before the holy doors, the deacon intones the petitions of the litany of supplication.
Deacon: Let us complete our morning prayer unto the Lord.
The choir responds Lord, have mercy to the first two petitions.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
The choir responds Grant this, O Lord to this and the remaining petitions.
An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.
All things good and profitable for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful, and a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord.
Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, O Lord.
Priest: For thou art the God of mercies and of bounties, and of love toward mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The priest turns to the west and blesses the people with his right hand, saying:
Priest: Peace be to all. Choir: And to thy spirit.
Bowing to the icon of Christ, the deacon says:
Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord. Choir: To thee, O Lord.
PRAYER AT THE BOWING OF THE HEADS
Facing east and bowing low before the holy table, the priest says:
Priest: O holy Lord, who dwellest on high and regardest the humble of heart, and with thine all-seeing eye dost behold all creation, unto thee have we bowed the neck of our soul and body, and we entreat thee: O Holy of holies, stretch forth thine invisible hand from thy holy dwelling-place, and bless us all. And if in aught we have sinned, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, forgive, inasmuch as thou art a good God, and lovest mankind, vouchsafing unto us thy earthly and heavenly good things.
For thine it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Aposticha
(Tone 5)
Chanter: The mother of the sons of Zebedee, O Lord, not being equal to the mystery of thine ineffable dispensation, begged thee to grant her two sons the honors of a temporal kingdom. But instead, thou didst promise thy beloved that they should drink the cup of death, the cup which thou didst say thou wouldest drink before them for the purification of all sins. Wherefore, we cry unto thee, O salvation of our souls, glory be to thee.
Stichos: We were filled in the morning with thy mercy, O Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad. In all our days, let us be glad: for the days wherein thou hast humbled us, for the years wherein we have seen evil. And look upon thy servants, and upon thy works, and do thou guide their sons.
Priest: Thou didst teach thy disciples, O Lord, to think on that which is more perfect and didst tell them not to imitate the Gentiles in lordship over the lowly, saying: Let it not be so among you, my disciples; for I have become poor of my own will. And the first among you, let him be the servant of all; and the ruler, as the one who is ruled; and the foremost, let him be the last; for I have come to serve poor Adam and to give myself as a redemption for the many who cry, glory be to thee.
(Tone 8) Stichos: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be on us: prosper thou the work of our hands, O prosper thou our handiwork.
Chanter: Let us, O brethren, be awed at the rebuking of the fig tree which dried up for the lack of fruit. Let us offer fruits worthy of repentance to Christ who granteth us the great mercy.
(Tone 8) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The temptor verily found the Egyptian Eve a second time, and hastened to trip up Joseph with words of flattery. But he left his robe and ran away from sin, being not ashamed of his nakedness, as the first creatures before their disobedience. Wherefore, by his intercessions, O Christ, have mercy on us.
It is a good thing to confess unto the Lord, to sing praises to thy name, O Most High, to show forth thy mercy in the morning and thy truth by night.
The Trisagion Prayers
Reader: 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 God 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 evil.
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: Jacob wailed the loss of Joseph while that brave youth was sitting in a chariot like an honored king; for at that time, not having enslaved himself to the pleasures of Egypt, he was glorified instead by God, who looketh into the hearts of men, and who granteth them incorruptible crowns.
Reader: Lord, have mercy. (40 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without stain bearest God the Word and art truly Theotokos: We magnify thee.
Priest: Bless, Father, in the name of the Lord.
Christ our God, the Existing One, is blessed, always; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
O Heavenly King, strengthen our civil authorities, establish the Faith, pacify the nations, give peace to the world, protect this city, place our departed fathers and brethren in the dwellings of the just, and of thy goodness and mercy, receive us also who come to thee with penitence and thanksgiving.
Prayer Of St. Ephraim The Syrian
Priest: O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of power and idle talk. (prostration)
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to thy servant. (prostration)
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. (prostration)
Prayers Before The Holy Doors
The priest, standing in the holy doors, bows toward the icon of Christ on the iconostasis, saying:
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.
The Little Dismissal
Standing in the holy doors, facing the people, the priest says the little dismissal.
Priest: May He who is going to his voluntary passion for our salvation, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; of N. (patron saint of the church); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and of all the Saints: have mercy on us and save us forasmuch as he is good and loveth mankind.
Then facing the icon of Christ on the iconostasis, the priest says:
Choir: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.
Reader: Amen.
The people come forward to venerate the icon of the Bridegroom (Nymphios).