Tone II

Friday

Thursday Evening at Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”: 3 stichera of the Cross, in Tone II: Special Melody: “When from the Tree…”—

Stichos: If Thou shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee is forgiveness.

When Thou wast nailed to the Cross, O Savior, the sun saw and dimmed its rays in fear of Thee, and the veil of the temple was rent in twain; the earth quaked, and the stones likewise split asunder with trembling, unable to bear the sight of their Creator and God suffering unjustly upon the Tree of His own will and reviled by men.

Stichos: For Thy name’s sake have I patiently waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited patiently for Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

Wholly cast down to the ground, wholly wounded, the most wicked serpent was brought low by a strange fall when Thou wast uplifted upon the Tree, O Thou Who lovest mankind. And Adam was loosed from the curse; he who before was condemned became saved. Wherefore, we also pray: Save us all, O Compassionate One, and vouchsafe us Thy kingdom!

Stichos: From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord.

When the Cross was set up and Thou wast pierced in the side with a spear, O Sinless Savior, the sun hid itself, unable to bear the sight; the earth trembled, and the rocks split asunder in fear when Thou wast reviled. And all creation cried out to Thee: Glory to Thy crucifixion whereby Thou hast saved all men, O Word Who lovest mankind!

Then the stichera of the saint, from the Menaion; or if there is no Menaion, these stichera of the Theotokos, in Tone II: in the same melody—

Stichos: For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plenteous redemption; and He shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities.

Beholding Thee lifted up upon the tree of the Cross, O Jesus, she who knew not wedlock wept and said: “O my sweet Child, wherefore hast Thou forsaken me who alone gave Thee birth? O unapproachable Light of the all-unoriginate Father, haste Thou and glorify Thyself, that those who glorify Thy divine sufferings may receive divine glory!”

Stichos: O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye peoples.

When the Virgin beheld Life dying on the Tree, His side painfully pierced by a spear, she exclaimed, weeping: “O my Son and God, how hath the ungrateful assembly rewarded Thee? Woe is me! My womb, which did not suffer the pangs of childbirth, is wracked with pain, beholding Thee suffering them, O Master!”

Stichos: For He hath made His mercy to prevail over us, and the truth of the Lord abideth forever.

When the Maiden who knew not man beheld her Son taken down from the Tree, laid simply, as a man bereft of breath, upon the ground, she clasped Him to her bosom and, kissing His mouth and eyes, exclaimed to Him in wonder: “How can I be unmoved when I see Thee now, bereft of voice, Who givest life unto all?”

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

When the unblemished Ewe-lamb beheld her Lamb of His own will led as a man to the slaughter, she said, lamenting: “Dost Thou hasten now to leave me childless who gave Thee birth, O Christ? What is this that Thou hast done, O Deliverer of all? Yet do I hymn and glorify Thine utter goodness, which passeth understanding and recounting, O Thou Who lovest mankind.”

Then, O gladsome Light…; the Prokimenon of the day; and Vouchsafe, O Lord…

Aposticha stichera of the Cross, in Tone II—

O Christ God my Savior, Who saved Peter in the sea, save me by the power of the Cross, and have mercy on me.

Stichos: Unto Thee have I lifted up mine eyes, unto Thee that dwellest in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hands of their masters, as· the eyes of the handmaid look unto the hands of her mistress, so do our eyes look unto the Lord our God, until He take pity on us.

They who ever enjoyed Thy gifts cried out, “Crucify Him!”; they who slew the righteous ones asked that a malefactor be released unto them instead of the Benefactor. But Thou didst keep silence, O Christ, enduring their savagery, desiring to suffer and thus save us, in that Thou lovest mankind.

Stichos: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for greatly are we filled with abasement. Greatly hath our soul been filled therewith; let reproach come upon them that prosper, and abasement on the proud.

Martyricon: Having hated the pleasures of life, the passion-bearers were vouchsafed the good things of heaven and have made their abode together with the angels. By their supplications, O Lord, have mercy and save us.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

When iniquitous men raised Thee, the Life of all, up upon the Tree, O Savior, Thy pure and all-immaculate Mother, standing forth and lamenting, exclaimed: “O my sweet Child, light of mine eyes, woe is me! How hast Thou suffered to be nailed to the Cross between two evildoers, O Thou Who hast suspended the earth upon the waters?”

Then, Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart…; Trisagion through Our Father…; Troparia. Litany, and Dismissal. 

Thursday Night at Compline

Canon of Supplication to the All-Holy Theotokos

Ode I

Irmos: Once, almighty power overwhelmed the whole army of Pharaoh in the deep, and the incarnate Word destroyed pernicious sin. All-glorious is the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified.

God chose thee as beauteous, all-comely, immaculate among women, and made His abode within thine immaculate womb. Him do thou beseech, O most immaculate one, that He deliver all who hymn thee from the disgrace of sins.

According to the psalm, thou dost stand as Queen at the right hand of the King Who shone forth from thy womb, O pure one. Him do thou beseech, O most immaculate one, that on the day of retribution He set me to stand on the right side.

Glory…: O thou who gavest birth to the Rain of heaven, thou hast renewed the nature of man which hath become dry because of unseemly deeds; wherefore, I pray: Show forth the dry furrows of my soul to be fertile, O Bride of God.

Now & ever…: We who were slain by the tree of knowledge have been called to life ever-lasting by Christ God, the Tree of life, Who blossomed forth from thee, O pure one, in manner past understanding. Entreat Him with boldness, that our souls be saved.

Ode III

Irmos: The desert, the barren Church of the nations, bloomed like a lily at Thine advent, O Lord; and therein hath my heart been established.

Issuing forth from thy womb, O all-pure one, the Creator clothed Himself in me, a man, granting the raiment of incorruption to me who have been stripped naked by my manifold evil deeds.

Thou gavest birth to the all-honored Word of God, O Mistress. Him do thou earnestly beseech, that He have pity on my lowly soul, which is beset by the indignity of pleasures.

Glory…: Heal thou the wounds of my soul, O all-pure one, and with thine effective therapy cure my lowly heart, which hath been afflicted by the venom of the serpent.

Now & ever…: As thou hast boldness before thy Son, O Mistress and Mother, beg help for thine oppressed people and cast down the arrogance of the iniquitous.

Ode IV

Irmos: Thou didst come forth from the Virgin, neither a mediator nor an angel, but Thyself incarnate, O Lord, and hast saved me, the whole man; wherefore, I cry to thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Let fall upon me a drop of compunction, O Mistress, easing all the burning heat of my heart and dispelling my grief and the buffeting assaults.

Disdain me not, who have been pierced by the sword of pleasure and lie in my wounds, O all-pure one, but heal me with the spear and blood of thy crucified Son and our God.

Glory…: O thou who hast been enriched by all the edification of the Master, vouchsafe divine grace unto me who am grievously impoverished, that I may magnify thee as my good helper, O most immaculate one.

Now & ever…: Christ, the Effulgence of the Father, shone forth from thy womb, O Maiden who knewest not wedlock, and, crucified, hath enlightened the whole world and destroyed the darkness of the demons.

Ode V

Irmos: Thou art a Mediator between God and man, O Christ God; for by Thee, O Master, are we led up out of the night of ignorance to Thy Father, the Source of light.

O all-pure one who gavest birth to the Way of life, direct me not to the narrow path, for unknowingly I have stumbled headlong into a trackless waste and the brink of grievous falls.

Having mindlessly estranged myself from the understanding of God, I have lived prodigally, lost in the far country of the passions; yet, having brought me back, O pure Virgin, save me by thy consolation.

Glory…: With thy living waters give drink to thy servant who burneth with the flame of sin and am consumed by the assaults of the demons, O all-pure Virgin Mother.

Now & ever…: Lo! thou didst have Christ God in thy womb in manner past recounting, O all-pure Theotokos, as Isaiah proclaimed, and thou gavest birth to Him supernaturally, O Theotokos.

Ode VI

Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unfathomable abyss of Thy lovingkindness: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

Let me not be shown to be a delight for the demons at the judgment which is to come, O Mistress, but directing upon me a gaze of reconciliation, entreat the Judge, thy Son.

Having driven Thee away with my wicked thoughts and mine impure acts, O Lord, I bring before Thee Thy Mother to make supplication. Have pity and save me!

Glory…: From condemnation, O Mistress, deliver me who have condemned myself through my transgressions, for thou gavest birth to the Judge and God of all, O all-hymned one.

Now & ever…: Beseech Jesus the Savior to Whom thou gavest birth supernaturally in the flesh, O all-pure Virgin Mother, that thy servants be delivered from misfortunes.

Then, “Lord, have mercy!”: thrice. Glory…, Now & ever…

Sessional hymn, in Tone II: Special Melody: “As thou art full of lovingkindness…”—

Thy Virgin Mother, beholding Thee, O Christ, stretched out dead upon the Tree, said, weeping bitterly: “O my Son, what is this strange mystery? How is it that Thou Who grantest life everlasting unto all dost of Thine own will die a shameful death upon the Cross?”

Ode VII

Irmos: The command of the iniquitous tyrant, opposed to God, raised a lofty a flame; but Christ spread a spiritual dew upon the reverent youths: He Who is blessed and most glorious.

As thou art my strength and song, my salvation, firm help and invincible bulwark, O Mistress, vanquish the demons which war against me, ever seeking to slay me.

Giving flesh to God of thy virginal blood, O Virgin, thou hast deified mankind; wherefore, I pray thee: by thy supplications deliver me, who have been defiled by the passions and corrupted by the wiles of the enemy.

Glory…: The furnace prefigured thy birthgiving, O most immaculate one, for it did not consume the children, just as the unbearable Fire did not consume thy womb. Wherefore, we entreat thee: Deliver thy servants from eternal fire.

Now & ever…: Remaining a virgin, thou alone didst show forth an all-pure conception and an incorrupt birthgiving, for thou didst conceive Christ, Who is God over all and became man, O pure one, for the salvation and deliverance of the faithful.

Ode VIII

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fiery furnace divided its activity, consuming the Chaldæans at the command of God, but bedewing the faithful, who chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Be zealous for good works, O my soul, withdrawing from evils with care for godly acts, having the Theotokos praying for thee, the unashamed helper of all, in that she is merciful and loving.

Thou hast broken the bonds of men’s ancient condemnation; wherefore, I beseech thee, O Theotokos: Loose all the evil bonds of my heart, binding me with the divine love of the Creator, O all-pure one.

Glory…: Having given birth to the Effulgence of the Father’s glory, O Theotokos, illumine my heart, which hath become downcast because of the infamy of my transgressions, and show me forth to share in everlasting glory, that I may glorify thee with faith.

Now & ever…: Through thee, O Theotokos, hath the true Sun of righteousness been revealed to us, illumining all things with rays of divinity. Him, the Most High incarnate, do we hymn.

Ode IX

Irmos: Our God and Lord, the Son of the unoriginate Father, hath revealed Himself to us incarnate of the Virgin, to enlighten those in darkness and to gather the dispersed. Wherefore, let us magnify the all-hymned Theotokos.

Having tasted of the food mingled with death, Adam was seized by bitterness through the tree; but thy Son Who was nailed to the Tree, O all-pure one, hath poured forth the sweetness of immortality. Wherefore, we praise thee.

Thou art the Queen, having in manner past recounting given birth to Christ, the King and Lord, Who hath destroyed the realm of death. Him do thou earnestly entreat, O Maiden, that He vouchsafe the kingdom on high unto all who honor thee.

Glory…: As thou art the Mother of the Good One and art wholly good, bless thou my lowly heart, which is oppressed by attacks of pleasure, and lead me through the portals of good unto repentance.

Now & ever…: Thou Who wast suspended aloft, dead, upon the Cross hast therewith slain the serpent. Wherefore, I cry out to Thee: Have mercy, O Word, upon my soul which hath been slain by my wicked deeds, and give life to it through the supplications of her who gave Thee birth.

Then, “It is truly meet…”: and a prostration. Trisagion through Our Father. And the rest as usual. Dismissal. 

Friday Morning at Matins

After the first chanting of the Psalter, these Sessional hymns of the Cross, in Tone II—

Thou didst work salvation in the midst of the earth, O Christ God, and on the Cross didst stretch out Thine all-pure hands, gathering to Thee all the nations, who cry: Glory to Thee, O Lord!

Stichos: Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship the footstool of His feet, for it is holy.

Just as the enemy made Adam captive by the fruit of the tree, so didst Thou Thyself make the enemy captive by the tree of the Cross and Thy suffering, O Lord; for Thou earnest as the Second Adam for this purpose: to seek out the lost and bring life to the dead. Glory to Thee, O Lord!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

The Virgin, Thy Mother, O Christ, beholding Thee stretched out dead upon the Cross, said, bitterly weeping: “O my Son, what is this awesome mystery? How is it that Thou, Who givest life everlasting unto all, dost willingly die a violent death?”

After the second chanting of the Psalter, these Sessional hymns, in Tone II—

The life-creating Cross of Thy goodness, which Thou hast given unto us, the unworthy, O Lord, do we offer unto Thee in supplication: Save Thy city, granting it peace for the sake of the Theotokos, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind.

Stichos: God is our King before the ages; He hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.

We bow down before Thine all-pure image, O Good One, asking forgiveness for our transgressions, O Christ God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver that which Thou didst create from slavery to the enemy. Wherefore, we cry out to Thee in thanksgiving: O our Savior, Who camest to save the world, Thou hast filled all with joy!

Stichos: Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel.

Martyricon: Having Thee Who clothed the sky in clouds as their vesture in the world, the saints endured torments at the hands of the iniquitous, and abolished the deception of idolatry. By their supplications free us also from the invisible foe, O Savior, and save us.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

Standing before Thy Cross, she who gave birth to Thee without seed was unable to watch Thee suffering unjustly, O Christ, and she lamented and, weeping, cried out to Thee: “How is it Thou sufferest, O my Son most sweet, Who by nature art dispassionate? I hymn Thy surpassing goodness!”

After the third chanting of the Psalter, these Sessional hymns, in Tone II—

Like the thief do I confess and cry out to Thee, the Good One: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom! Reckon me with him, O Thou Who didst willingly accept sufferings for our sake.

O good Shepherd, Who hast enlightened mortals and summoned sinners by the Cross, cull me not off from Thy flock, but seek me out who am lost, O Master, and number me among Thy sheep, O Thou Who alone art good and lovest mankind.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

Preserved by the precious Cross of thy Son, O pure Mistress Theotokos, we all easily prevail over every attack of the enemy; wherefore, as is meet, we bless thee as the Mother of God, the only hope of our souls.

Ode I

Canon of the precious & life-creating Cross, the acrostic whereof is “When the Cross was planted, the deception of the demons fell”: the composition of Joseph, in Tone II—

Irmos: Traversing the impassable, uncommon path of the sea dryshod, Israel the chosen cried aloud: Let us chant unto the Lord, for He hath been glorified!

Thou didst accept crucifixion, being ignominiously pierced with nails, O Word, desiring to honor all men who glorify Thy voluntary sufferings.

Thou didst stretch out Thy hands upon the Cross, O Savior Who stretched out the sky like a skin, and thereby didst embrace the nations and men who glorify Thy voluntary sufferings.

Martyricon: Shouldering their cross, the passion-bearers earnestly followed the crucified Christ, conforming themselves to His divine sufferings.

Martyricon: Beholding your sufferings, the angelic hosts sang, but the multitude of the demons lamented, O victorious martyrs who gaze upon God.

Theotokion: The word of the honorable prophet hath been fulfilled, for a sword pierced thy heart, O Mistress, when thou didst see thy Son nailed to the Cross.

Another canon, of the all-holy Theotokos, in Tone II—

Irmos: Come, ye people, let us chant a hymn to Christ God, Who divided the sea and guided the people whom He had led forth from the bondage of Egypt, for He hath been glorified.

O Maiden, who gavest birth to the Source of dispassion, heal me who am wounded by the passions, and rescue me from the everlasting fire, O thou who alone art full of divine joy.

Deliver me from bodily illness, and cure the unseemly passions of my soul, and rescue me from everlasting fire, O thou who alone art full of the grace of God.

I flee now beneath thy goodness, O all-pure Virgin Mother: Deliver thy servant from pain of soul, from spiritually corrupting passions and everlasting fire.

O Mistress, thou art my fervent sanctuary: unto thee do I flee and am saved, and acquire salvation of soul. For thou canst save all, in that thou art the Mother of God.

Ode III

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: Establishing me upon the rock of faith, Thou hast enlarged my mouth against mine enemies, for my spirit doth exult when I chant: There is none holy as our God, and none righteous save Thee, O Lord!

Hanging upon the Tree, the incorrupt Grapes—Jesus, the Deliverer of our souls—exuded the divine sweetness which gladdeneth the hearts of men and which by grace taketh away the drunkenness of evil.

Of Thine own will Thou wast raised up upon the Tree, O Jesus, and didst foil all the malefactions of the devil; and Thou didst raise up men who had fallen into destruction through their depraved minds, O greatly Merciful One.

Martyricon: Enkindled by the fire of divine love, the valiant ones were undaunted by the fire and unafraid of death, trusting that they would receive gifts of immortality, endless joy and never-waning light.

Martyricon: Having dyed an all-splendid robe in their own blood and clothed themselves therein, and holding the divine Cross in their hands like a scepter, the passion-bearers ever reign with the Lord.

Theotokion: The ranks of incorporeal beings honor thee, for thou, O Maiden Bride of God, gavest birth to the incarnate Master Who by the Tree hath released all who were bound and hath bound the faithful to His love.

Canon of the Theotokos 

Irmos: Same as the foregoing.

Unto the King, Who is without beginning and Who had received flesh from thee, O Virgin Mother, thou gavest birth. Entreat Him as the One Who loveth mankind, that He save thy servant from all tribulation and the damnation which is to come.

Resolve the perplexity of my heart, heal my wounds and rid me of festering corruption by thy divine power; and grant me a stream of compunction, O thou who gavest birth to the Source of everlasting life.

O Theotokos, heal my soul, which hath become sick through despondency and the assaults of the demons; grant tears of repentance to my heart, and plant therein the fear of my Master, O all-pure one.

Having wasted my life in slothfulness and defiled my heart with the passions, I come to thee in compunction of soul, O Mistress, and pray: Have pity and save me, making me steadfast by models of repentance.

Ode IV

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: Thou didst come forth from the Virgin, neither a mediator nor an angel, but Thyself incarnate, O Lord, and hast saved me, the whole man; wherefore, I cry to thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Thou wast suspended upon the Tree, O Almighty, Who suspended the earth upon the waters; and, pierced in the side by a spear, Thou didst pour forth blood and water for the salvation of all.

When Thy side was pierced, it healed my sickness; when thou wast smitten on the cheek by the hand of man, I received freedom; and by Thy tasting of gall, O Christ, we have been delivered from the sweet taste of the fruit in Eden.

Martyricon: Having been lashed by the whips of the deceiving serpent, ye heal the stripes of our hearts, ever pouring forth grace from the well-springs of the Savior, O divine martyrs.

Martyricon: Bloodied by your wounds, stretched out upon crosses, and maimed, ye dealt a blow to the whole body of the enemy, O most honored passion-bearers who behold God.

Theotokion: The Most High became incarnate of thine all-pure blood; and beholding Him, unjustly suspended upon the Tree, O all-pure one, thou didst groan, weeping, and didst magnify His lovingkindness.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: I hymn Thee, O Lord, for I heard report of Thee, and I was afraid; for Thou comest to me, seeking me who have strayed. Wherefore, I glorify Thy great condescension toward me, O greatly Merciful One.

I truly hymn thee, O most hymned one, who supernaturally gavest birth to the all-hymned Word of God; and I pray: Heal the pangs of my lowly soul, and deliver me from grievous condemnation.

Rain down upon us the riches of thy mercy, as is thy wont, O Virgin, ending our infirmities and loosing the divers passions of our souls; and free my heart from the bonds of sin and from many pangs.

I have defiled my soul with the passions; but do thou, who becamest the most pure dwelling-place of the All-pure One, O Theotokos, cleanse me, guiding me to the light of repentance and rescuing me from the fire which is to come.

Enlighten my mind, O all-pure Mistress, I pray thee; and still the waves of my passion-plagued heart, putting down carnal desires and leading me to the divine haven.

Ode V

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: The Sun—the live Coal which was revealed beforehand to Isaiah—shone forth from the Virgin’s womb, granting the enlightenment of divine knowledge to those gone astray in darkness.

Having accepted the Cross in Thy lovingkindness, O Master, Thou didst draw me forth from the abyss of evils, and by sitting with the Father Thou didst honor me, who of mine own will have become dishonored.

Crowned with thorns, O Word who crownest the whole world with flowers, Thou dost hew down the thorns of my passions at the root, and plantest the understanding of Thee within me.

Martyricon: Arrayed of your own will in the strength of your weakness, O holy martyrs, fortified, ye destroyed the might of the demons therewith.

Martyricon: Having struggled greatly upon the earth, O saints, ye have found great glory in the heavens, and deliver from great misfortunes us who honor you.

Theotokion: He Who in the heavens is divinely borne upon the shoulders of the cherubim, and who truly sat upon thine arm, O all-pure one, when He was crucified delivered all from corruption.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: O Christ my Savior, enlightenment of those who lie in darkness and salvation of the despairing: rising early unto Thee, O King of the world, may I be enlightened by Thy radiance, for I know none other God than Thee.

O most immaculate Mistress Theotokos, who gavest birth to the hypostatic Life of all, enliven me who have been done to death by the assaults and pursuit of the deceiver, that I may piously hymn thee, the most hymned one.

As the Virgin Mother of the Lamb and Shepherd, shepherd me whose conduct is wrongful, and vouchsafe that on the day of judgment I may be reckoned with the lambs on the right hand of God, that I may hymn thy saving grace.

By thine entreaties, O Maiden, deliver me, I pray, from the darkness of the passions, from temptations caused by the assaults of the alien one, and from the everlasting torments which await sinners.

O Bride of God, in whom dwelt the one divine Word Who enlighteneth the whole world: Shine upon me the radiance of true repentance, and illumine me with beams of salvation, dispelling the darkness of my passions by thine entreaties, I pray.

Ode VI

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: Hearkening to the sound of the cries of entreaty which issue forth from a soul in pain, O Master, deliver me from my grievous sins, for Thou alone art the Cause of our salvation.

Having given Thy shoulders over to stripes, Thy cheek to buffeting, and Thy face to spitting, O Savior, Thou didst save me who have sinned greatly against Thee in knowledge and in ignorance.

Thou wast led like a lamb to the slaughter, O Christ my God, leading back to life those who had been slain by the poisonous bite of the noetic wolf. Glory to Thy crucifixion!

Martyricon: Observing the laws of the Master, the martyrs utterly rejected the iniquitous counsel of the violators of the law; and, dying, they received the life which is to come.

Martyricon: Having arrayed yourselves, rejoicing, against the adverse princes, O saints, ye vanquished them with the weaponry of God, and have received from Him crowns of victory.

Theotokion: That He might deify man, O Virgin, God was born of thee, and crucified, and tasted death, by His Cross slaying him who of old brought death upon me.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unfathomable abyss of Thy lovingkindness: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

I flee now unto thee, O all-hymned one. Save and preserve me by thy supplications; for whatsoever thou desirest, thou canst do, in that thou art the Mother of Him Who strengtheneth all.

O Virgin Theotokos, save thy servant, who am bestormed by the tempest of griefs and am overwhelmed by the battery of threefold waves.

Vouchsafe thy lovingkindness unto me who am an object of pitilessness and malice; and rescue me from the retribution which lieth before me and from everlasting fire.

O most immaculate one who, having conceived, gavest birth to the all-pure Lamb Who taketh away the sins of the world, cease not to pray to Him, that He grant me the forgiveness of my sins.

Ode VII

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: The command of the iniquitous tyrant, opposed to God, raised up a lofty flame; but Christ, Who is blessed and all-glorious, spread a spiritual dew upon the pious youths.

When Thou wast uplifted upon the Cross, O Word Who art the resurrection and uplifting of all, Thou didst raise me up who had fallen through disobedience; and Thou didst cast down the adversary who caused me to fall, showing him to be wholly impotent and dead. Glory to Thy dominion!

By Thy nails Thou didst transfix the sins of our forefather; and, beaten with the reed, thou didst sign a writ of manumission for all men. Glory to Thy suffering, whereby we have been delivered from the darkness of the passions!

Martyricon: The right victorious great martyrs of Christ were dismembered by the hands of vile murderers, yet in spirit they remained inseparable from God, felling and slaying the deceiving enemy with the sword of valor.

Martyricon: Possessed of the invincible might of the crucified Christ, the invincible army utterly destroyed the army of perdition; and, having suffered, they received crowns of victory and a blessed life which cannot be destroyed.

Theotokion: O Virgin, thou wast shown to be the animate palace of the King and the fiery throne, on which, having sat, He raised all men up from the primal fall and honored them by sitting with the Father.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as the foregoing.

O pure one, who for us gavest birth to the hypostatic Life Who manifestly destroyed death by His death, slay thou the passions of my soul, and grant me a fountain of tears, that I may ever glorify thee.

Hope unashamed, certain trust, an unassailable rampart, protection and helper, O most immaculate one, be thou unto me who set my hope on thee; and guide me to the light of repentance and compunction, O pure one.

That thy servant may be delivered from all the evil of the demons, from grief and damnation, and from everlasting fire, entreat thy Son, that I may ever glorify thee with faith.

Thou alone hast been shown to be the one whose conception was all-pure and whose birthgiving was incorrupt, so that thou didst remain a virgin; for thou didst conceive Christ, the God of all, Who became man, O pure one, for the salvation and deliverance of the faithful.

Ode VIII

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: The thrice-blessed youths, disdaining the golden image and beholding the immutable and living image of God, chanting in the midst of the flame: Let all existing creation hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Disobedient men, who without compunction wrought all manner of iniquities, raised up upon the Tree between two malefactors Thee, Who dost justify sinners, crucifying Thee, O Compassionate One; but all creation glorifieth Thee as Lord and Master, hymning Thy long-suffering.

Nailed to the Tree, Thou didst bloody Thy fingers, O Christ, and Thou didst bring an end to the blood sacrificed of old to the demons unto the damnation of those who offered it up. Wherefore, all creation glorifieth Thee, hymning Thy love for mankind, O God of all.

Martyricon: The immeasurable quantity of your blood quenched the fire of ungodliness and did away with the deception of pagan polytheism, O saints; and it hath illumined all the faithful, who chant: Let all creation hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Theotokion: The unblemished Ewe-lamb, the adornment of the prophets and martyrs, beholding Thee lifted up upon the Tree like a lamb, O Word Who art without beginning, wept bitterly and said: “Let all existing creation hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!”

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: God, Who descended into the fiery furnace for the Hebrew children and transformed the flame into dew, hymn ye as Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O all-pure Virgin, refuge and helper of Christians, disdain me not who am surrounded by evils and am ever beset by misfortunes and the many onslaughts of the wicked demons.

Forget not the cry of those who pray to thee, O awesome intercessor, but by thine entreaties rescue them from all pain and every threat; for thy maternal supplication inclineth God to mercy.

Still now the tempest of my passions, O pure and blessed Maiden, and vanquish all the incorporeal foes who pitilessly assail my poverty, that I may hymn thee with faith.

At the hour of mine end, O only Theotokos, intercessor for the faithful, rescue me from the furnace of temptations, the flame of sins and the fire of the passions, from Gehenna and the assaults of the demons.

We then chant the Hymn of the Theotokos [the Magnificat], with the refrain: “More honorable than the cherubim…”: and make prostrations.

Ode IX

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: Every tongue is at a loss how to praise thee as is meet, and even an intelligence from above the world is in doubt how to hymn thee, O Theotokos; yet, as thou art good, accept our faith, for thou knowest our longing inspired by God; for thou art the intercessor of Christians, and we magnify thee.

Of old, Isaac was bound, that he might provide an image of Thy suffering; and as a symbol of remission [Abraham] freed the lamb who was caught in the thicket, and then truly released the involuntary sacrifice. For when Thou wast sacrificed of Thine own will, we were freed from evils.

Glory to Thy lovingkindness, O only loving Lord Christ, Who art comely in beauty more than the sons of men, yet wast bereft of form and beauty when Thou wast hung upon the tree of the Cross, transforming the ugliness of the whole human race into beauty!

Martyricon: Ye were shown to be divine inhabitants of the heavenly Sion and fellow citizens equal in honor with the angels, O martyrs; and ye illumine with splendor the Church of the firstborn, O saints, shining with light divine, wearing your torments as crowns.

Martyricon: O holy martyrs and beloved friends of the Lord Who all-gloriously loved you: Deliver me from the friendship of the deceiver, which is of the flesh; and ask that sanctification, enlightenment and the remission of transgressions be given to all who keep your memory.

Theotokion: The beauty of the heavenly orbs left its usual course when they beheld Thee, the Sun of righteousness, uplifted upon the Cross of Thine own will; and with the virginal disciple the Virgin exclaimed, weeping and crying aloud: “Woe is me! What is this strange sight?”

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: God the Lord, the Son of the unoriginate Father, hath revealed Himself to us incarnate of the Virgin, to enlighten those in darkness and to gather the dispersed. Wherefore, we magnify the all-hymned Theotokos.

In manner past understanding and recounting thou gavest birth to the only greatly merciful Lord Who loveth mankind. Him do thou beseech, O Virgin, that at the dread hour of judgment He deliver thy servant from everlasting fire.

O Bride of God, from heaven grant remission of evil unto us who hymn thee, who glorify thee with faith, and ever hasten to thy divine protection; and deliver us from the despotic passions, from torments and judgment.

The fruit of sin which brought death upon me was beautiful to behold, yet most bitter to taste; yet because I ate of it to satiety, I await the dread judgment. But rescue me therefore, O all-holy Virgin Mother.

In that thou didst bear the Good One and art wholly good, O all-pure one, bless my lowly heart, which hath been restrained by the bars of the pleasures; and lead me through the beautiful doors unto repentance.

Then, “It is truly meet to bless thee…”: and a prostration. Litany, exapostilarion, and the usual psalms.

Aposticha stichera of the Cross, in Tone II—

O Christ God, Thou hast shown the tree of Thy Cross to be a tree of life for us who believe on Thee; and thereby Thou hast abolished the dominion of death and brought life unto us who have been slain by sin. Wherefore, we cry out to Thee: O Lord, Benefactor of all, glory 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 didst humble us, for the years wherein we saw evils. And look upon Thy servants, and upon Thy works, and do Thou guide their sons.

Having willingly impoverished Thyself for the sake of Adam’s poverty, O Christ God, Thou didst come to earth and wast incarnate of the Virgin; and Thou didst accept crucifixion, that Thou mightest free us from slavery to the enemy. Glory to Thee, O Lord!

Stichos: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and the works of our hands do Thou guide aright upon us, yea, the work of our hands do Thou guide aright.

Martyricon: Having suffered like Christ even unto death, O passion-bearing martyrs, your souls are in heaven, in the hand of God, and your relics are venerated throughout the world. The priests bow down, and all of us, the people, cry aloud, rejoicing: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the repose of His saints!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

When the unblemished Ewe-lamb beheld her Lamb of His own will led as a man to the slaughter, she said, lamenting: “Dost Thou hasten now to leave me childless who gave Thee birth, O Christ? What is this that Thou hast done, O Deliverer of all? Yet do I hymn and glorify Thine utter goodness, which passeth understanding and recounting, O Thou Who lovest mankind.”

Then, “It is good to give thanks…” Trisagion through Our Father…Troparion. Litany. First Hour, and Dismissal.

Friday at Divine Liturgy

On the Beatitudes, these troparia, in Tone II—

We offer Thee the cry of the thief, and we pray: In Thy kingdom have mercy upon us, O Savior!

Thou didst uproot the thorns of evil when of Thine own will Thou didst wear the crown of thorns, O long-suffering Master.

When Thou wast crucified on Golgotha, O Sinless One, Thou didst crush the head of the serpent and save all men.

Martyricon: Broken, O martyrs, ye broke all the power of the enemy and have received crowns of victory.

Glory…: Enlightened by the sprinkling of the divine Blood, we, the faithful, honor the one Godhead in three Persons.

Now & ever…: Beholding Christ hanging like a lamb upon the Tree, the most immaculate one, lamenting and weeping, magnified Him.