SUNG ON MONDAY 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.
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.
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 4)
Chanters: Ye brethren, let us love the Bridegroom sincerely; * let us prepare ourselves as lamps trimmed and burning, * with virtues shining brightly and with upright faith, * that we be in readiness, * like the Lord’s five wise virgins * to arise and enter in * with Him into the marriage. * For, being God, the Bridegroom doth bestow * on all the crown incorruptible as a gift.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
Out of envy, summoning * a council of iniquity * against Thee, O Savior Christ, * the priests and scribes with crafty guile * incited Judas to treachery and betrayal. * He therefore shamelessly * went out upon his way, * speaking against Thee * to the iniquitous, * saying to them: What will ye give me, * and I will deliver Him into your hands? * For ever rescue our souls, O Master, * from that man’s condemnation.
(Tone 8) both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The inimical Judas, stirred up in mind * by his avarice, slyly doth move against * the Teacher and, laying plots, * meditateth betraying Him; * he, receiving the darkness, doth fall away from the Light, * doth agree to the terms and he selleth the Priceless One. * Wherefore doth the wretch find as reward for his labors * a noose wrapped about his neck * and a bitterly painful death. * From this man’s portion and his lot, * deliver us and save us, O Christ, * granting pardon of their failings unto all * who celebrate in their longing * Thine immaculate 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 22:15-23:39) At that time, the Pharisees went and took counsel on how to entangle Jesus in his talk. And they sent their disciples to him, along with Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the money for the tax.” And they brought him a coin. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar, the things that are Caesar’s, and to God, the things that are God’s.” When they heard it, they marveled; and they left and went away.
That same day Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother must marry the widow, and raise up the children for his brother.’ Now, there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died, and having no children, left his wife to his brother. So, too, the second and third, down to the seventh. After them all, the woman died. In the resurrection, therefore, to which of the seven will she be wife? For they all had her.” But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels of God in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked Jesus a question, to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment of the law?” And Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”
Now, while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then, that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?’ If David thus calls him Lord, how is he his son?” And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders’ but they themselves will not move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at the feasts and the chief seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the market places, and being called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in.”
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widow’s houses and, for a pretense, you make long prayers; therefore, you will receive the greater condemnation. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.”
“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is guilty.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is guilty.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So, he who swears by the altar, swears by it and everything on it; and he who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it; and he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.”
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!”
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and rapacity. You blind Pharisee! First cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean.”
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Thus you witness against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore, I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly, I say to you, all this will come upon this generation.”
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
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.
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 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: Being mindful of the hour of the end, O my soul, and fearing because of the cutting down of the fig tree, labor diligently with the talent that was given thee, O hapless one, and be watchful and cry: Let us not remain outside the bridal chamber of Christ.
Oikos
Reader: Why art thou indolent, O my wretched soul? Why dost thou bring to mind unprofitable cares unseasonably? Why art thou devoted to fleeting things? Now is the last hour, and we are about to be parted from things found here. While thou hast time, rouse thyself and cry: I have sinned against Thee, my Savior; cut me not off like the unfruitful fig tree, but since Thou art compassionate, O Christ, take pity on me, who cry out in fear: Let us not remain outside the bridal chamber of Christ.
Synaxarion
Reader: On this day, Holy and Great Tuesday we make remembrance of the parable on the ten virgins written in the Holy Gospel.
This very Great Tuesday verily beareth ten virgins, of whom five bear the victory of the impartial Master.
The parable teaches us not to rest as though safe in virginity, but to guard it whenever possible, and not to desist from any virtues and good deeds, especially deeds of mercy, which make the lamp of virginity shine brilliantly. It teaches us also to be ready for our end, not knowing when our hour is coming, as the wise virgins were ready to meet the bride, lest death overtake us and close the door of the heavenly chamber in our face, and we hear the terrible judgment which the foolish virgins heard, “Verily, verily, I know you not.” (Matthew 25:1-13)
Wherefore, O Christ the Bridegroom, number us with the wise virgins and have mercy on us. Amen.
The Katavasia, Continued, Canon With Three Odes For Holy Tuesday In Tone Two
(Tone 2)
8th Ode
Chanter: The stern decree of the tyrant king * did not persuade the three most righteous Children, * who, being cast in the furnace, confessed God with thanks and sang the hymn: * Bless the Lord and exalt Him, ye works of the Lord our God.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
While casting off far away from us * all ease and sloth, with bright enkindled torches * come, let us go forth with hymns now to meet the immortal Bridegroom, Christ, * crying out: O ye works of the Lord, praise and bless the Lord.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
May the fellowship of our souls suffice * as timely oil in spiritual vessels, * so that, not spending the season of commerce without reward or gain, * we might chant: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord our God.
We bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Let every one of you that received * a talent from the hand of God increase it * in measure fitting the grace, with the help of Christ God, Who gave the gift, * as ye chant: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord our God.
We praise, bless, and worship the Lord.
The stern decree of the tyrant king * did not persuade the three most righteous Children, * who, being cast in the furnace, confessed God with thanks and sang the hymn: * Bless the Lord and exalt Him, ye works of the Lord our God.
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.
Choir: O Thou who heldest in thy womb * God, Whom nothing can contain, * and didst bring forth Joy for the world entire, * we extol thee, O thou all- holy Virgin.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou Who art good, didst tell Thy friends * and disciples: Watch ye all; * for ye know not the hour when the Lord shall come * and shall render unto each as is fitting.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Master grant that I might stand * with the sheep at Thy right hand, * wholly overlooking the multitudes * of my failings, at Thy dread Second Coming.
O Thou who heldest in thy womb * God, Whom nothing can contain, * and didst bring forth Joy for the world entire, * we extol thee, O thou all- holy Virgin.
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 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 for Holy Tuesday
(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.
Verse 1 Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
Into the splendor of Thy Saints how shall I, the unworthy one, enter? For should I dare to enter the bridal chamber, my vesture doth betray me, for it is not a wedding garment; and as one bound, I shall be cast out by the Angels. Cleanse, O Lord, the defilement of my soul, and save me, since Thou art the Friend of man.
Verse 2 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the psaltery and harp..
Into the splendor of Thy Saints… ( as above)
Verse 3 . Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.
I who have slumbered with slothfulness of soul, O Bridegroom Christ, do not possess a lamp aflame with virtues; and I am become like those foolish maidens, roaming about when it is time for work. Shut not up against me Thy bowels of compassion, O Master; but shaking off my gloomy sleep, rouse me up, and, with the wise Virgins, do Thou bring me into Thy bridal chamber, where there is the pure sound of them that keep festival and that cry without ceasing: O Lord, glory be to Thee.
Verse 4 . Praise Him upon the loud cymbals; praise Him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.
I who have slumbered… ( as above )
(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.
Since thou hast heard the condemnation of him that hid his talent, O my soul, hide not the word of God. Declare His wonders, that, by increasing the gift that was given thee, thou mayest enter into the joy of thy Lord.
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 6)
Chanter: Come, O ye faithful, let us labor earnestly for the Master, for He distributeth riches to His servants. Let us each, according to measure, increase the talent of grace many times over. Let one acquire wisdom through good works; let another render the service of generosity; let the believer communicate the word to the uninitiated and let another disperse his riches to the poor; for so shall we increase the loan many times over, and as faithful stewards of that grace, we shall be deemed worthy of the joy of the Master. Count us worthy of this, O Christ God, since Thou art the Friend of man.
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: When Thou shalt come in glory with the angelic hosts, O Jesus, and shalt sit upon the throne of judgment, O Good Shepherd, separate me not. For Thou knowest the ways of the right but perverted are those of the left. Wherefore, give me not over to damnation with the goats, though I be hardened in sin; but number me with the sheep at Thy right hand, and save me, since Thou art the Friend of man.
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: O Bridegroom, that art fair in beauty more than all men, Thou that hast called us to the spiritual banquet of Thy bridal chamber: By participation in Thy sufferings, do Thou strip mine ill-clad form of its sins; and adorning me with the glorious robe of Thy beauty, show me forth as a radiant guest of Thy Kingdom, since Thou art compassionate.
(Tone 7) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Behold, O my soul, the Master doth entrust thee with a talent; receive the gift with fear, lend to Him that gave; distribute to the poor, and acquire the Lord as thy Friend, that thou mayest stand at His right hand when He cometh in glory, and mayest hear His blessed voice: Enter, My servant, into the joy of thy Lord. O Savior, deem me, the erring one, worthy of this, for Thy great mercy’s sake.
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: Being mindful of the hour of the end, O my soul, and fearing because of the cutting down of the fig tree, labor diligently with the talent that was given thee, O hapless one, and be watchful and cry: Let us not remain outside the bridal chamber of Christ.
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).