Tone III

Friday

Thursday Evening at Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”: 3 stichera of the Cross, in Tone III: Special Melody: “They set up…”—

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

O Lord, Who in Thy divine nature art beyond suffering, Thou didst endure suffering in Thy human nature, being nailed to the Cross and pierced in the side by a spear, pouring forth upon me two rivers of ineffable mysteries therefrom.

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.

With mockery Thou wast wounded by the crown plaited of thorns, O King and Savior of all, Who hast torn apart the proscription of thorny sin; and taking the reed in Thy hands, in the book of heaven Thou hast recorded all of us who believe on Thee.

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

The undeserved envy of the Jews who crucified Thee did not cease even when Thou wast dead, O innocent Christ; but the wicked ones slandered Thee as a liar and asked Pilate to guard Thy tomb. O wrath incurable!

Then the stichera for the saint, from the Menaion; or if there is no Menaion, these stichera of the Theotokos, in the same tone—

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.

When thou didst behold setting upon the Cross the never-setting Sun, Who shone forth from thy womb and sustaineth the brilliance of the sun, thou didst cry out, thy soul weighed down by ten thousand griefs: “O Thou Who hast set of Thine own will, Thou shalt shine forth again, for the enlightenment of me and the world!”

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

O Mistress who gavest birth unto Him Who will come to judge the living and the dead: Through repentance and by the divine blood which flowed from the side of thy Son enliven my soul, which hath been done to death by sickness, and show me to be a doer of His commandments of life.

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

The Ewe-lamb and Mother, who painlessly gave Thee birth as a child, said: “Then I escaped sorrow and the gloom of griefs; but as I behold Thee now uplifted upon the Cross, my womb and heart are wounded with bitter arrows, O Master, and I am sunk in immeasurable grief.”

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

“Through Thy crucifixion the world hath found mercy, creation hath been illumined, and the nations have received salvation, O Master, ” the all-pure one cried; “But I am now rent apart, beholding Thy voluntary suffering.”

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

Aposticha stichera of the Cross, in Tone III—

I bow down, O Christ, before Thy precious Cross: the guardian of the world, the salvation of us sinners, the great purification and boast of the whole world.

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.

Lifting up his arms in the form of the Cross on the mountain, Moses vanquished Amalek; and Thou, O Savior, stretched out upon the precious Cross, didst embrace me, saving me from slavery to the enemy, and didst give it to me as the sign of life, enabling me to evade the arrows of mine adversaries. Wherefore, O Word, I bow down before Thy precious Cross.

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: Great is the power of Thy Cross! For it was planted in one place, yet worketh throughout the world; and it made apostles of fishermen and martyrs of the heathen, that they might pray in behalf of our souls.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

The most immaculate one, beholding Thee uplifted upon the Tree, cried out, weeping maternally: “O mine all-good Christ, my Son most beloved! How hath the iniquitous assembly lifted Thee up upon the Cross?”

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: He Who of old gathered the waters into one at His divine behest and parted the sea for the people of Israel, is our God and is most glorious. To Him let us chant, for He hath been glorified!

I entreat thee, O all-pure one, thou mountain overshadowed which the Prophet Habbakuk beheld in the Spirit, that thou cover me who am burned by the heat of the passions, and that I be delivered from the deadly shadow of grievous misfortunes.

With the sprinkling of the divine blood which flowed from the divine side of thy Son, O pure one, wash thou the wounds of my heart, that I may magnify and glorify thee, the ever-blessed and all-immaculate one, as is meet.

Glory…: Thou gavest birth to the Word Who is equally active with the Father and hath deified the nature of men. Him do thou beseech, O pure one, that He vouchsafe divine ease unto me who am confused and weakened by the wiles of the enemy.

Now & ever…: Grant me cleansing of transgressions by thy divine supplications, O Virgin, for thou art possessed of powerful entreaty. O Mistress, from transgressions, sufferings, sorrows and evil circumstances deliver those who hymn thee.

Ode III

Irmos: O Most High, Thou Ruler of all, Who out of nonexistence hast brought all things, which are fashioned by Thy Word and made perfect by the Spirit: Confirm me in Thy love!

As thou art merciful, O all-pure one, entreat Him Who is ineffable in mercy and rich in compassions, that He take pity upon us, the oppressed.

As thou art the temple of the Creator of all, entreat the Comforter, that He make His abode within me who have become the den of soul-destroying brigands, O pure Virgin.

Glory…: At the behest of Him Who as God upholdest all, Whom thou didst bear in thine arms, O Theotokos, look upon me and deliver me from looking upon the passions as I ought not to do.

Now & ever…: O all-pure Theotokos, open unto me the lovingkindness of thy mercy, and show thyself to be my fervent helper and salvation amid perils.

Ode IV

Irmos: Thou hast shown us constant love, O Lord, for Thou didst give Thine only-begotten Son over to death for us. Wherefore, in thanksgiving we cry to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

O only all-merciful Christ Who as God willingly endured wounds and execution, by the supplications of her who gave Thee birth heal my soul, which hath been wounded by the robbers’ afflictions of the demons.

I am the work and creation of Thy hands, O Creator, but the malice of the serpent hath broken me through the pleasures of life. Wherefore, O Christ the Word, do Thou renew me through the entreaties of her who gave Thee birth.

Glory…: In manner past describing thou gavest birth to the Word Who looseth men from all irrationality. Him do thou earnestly entreat, that He free me who am enslaved by irrational pleasures, O only Ever-virgin.

Now & ever…: O most sacred tabernacle wholly filled with light, thou dost ever cause healing to gush forth upon us from thy hand, pouring forth fragrant myrrh upon all, O most pure Bride of God.

Ode V

Irmos: In a vision Isaiah beheld God exalted upon a throne borne aloft by angels of glory, and he cried: O accursed am I, for I have beheld beforehand the incarnate God, the unwaning Light, Who reigneth with peace!

Transform the pangs of my flesh and the grief of my soul, and drive away the clouds of despondency, O Virgin, thou cloud of the Light; and grant health and release from pain to me who hymn and glorify thee with love.

Full of every sin, I now set thee as mediatress and advocate before Him Who was born of thee. O Virgin, be thou the correction of my life and my guide to the path of divine understanding.

Glory…: Sanctify my mind, enlighten my soul, and make of me a partaker of divine glory, O Virgin. For, lo! I have been filled to repletion with evils and am in thrall to all manner of pleasures; yet do I offer thee my defiled conscience.

Now & ever…: O holy Virgin Maiden, thou divine vine who produced the beautiful Grapes which pour forth abundant drink upon our souls: give me to drink of His sweetness, take thou the drunkenness of the passions away from me, and save me.

Ode VI

Irmos: O Thou Who lovest mankind, disdain not those who have reached the end of time and are assailed with destruction by the three-fold billows of perils, yet cry: O Savior, save us, as Thou didst save the prophet from the sea monster!

Ever arrogant, I have surpassed the haughty Pharisee in mind and have joined myself to the defiles of boundless transgressions. O thou who alone art pure, deliver and take pity on me who am grievously humbled.

O thou whose conceiving and birthgiving were all-wondrous, show forth now the wonder of thy mercies upon me, wretch though I am; for I have been conceived and born in iniquities, and have become enslaved by pleasures.

Glory…: I lament, weep and groan when I remember the dread judgment; for I have amassed only evil deeds. Yet stand up for me at that awesome hour, O Virgin Mother of God who knewest not man.

Now & ever…: No mind can understand or describe the strange and all-glorious miracle wrought in thee, O pure Virgin. How didst thou give birth, yet remainest pure still? God it is Who was born of thee in essence.

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

Sessional hymn, in Tone III—

Beholding Thee hanging dead upon the Tree, O Christ, Thy pure Mother who knew not wedlock said, lamenting maternally: “How hath the iniquitous and ungrateful assembly of the Jews rewarded Thee, having enjoyed Thy many and great gifts, O my Son? I hymn Thy divine condescension!”

Ode VII

Irmos: The three children in the furnace prefigured the Trinity: they trampled the threat of the fire underfoot and cried aloud, chanting: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

There are no works fit for salvation within me, O Mistress, for I add sins unto sins and heap evil upon evil. O pure one, by thy supplication stand before me and save me.

The judgment is at the gates, the tribunal hath been made ready, O my lowly soul. But cry: When Thou shalt judge me, O Word, condemn me not, through the supplications of her who gave Thee birth!

Glory…: Laying hold of the fruits of sin, I have been slain; yet do I offer thee my barren soul, and cry to thee, O all-pure one: Show me to be fruitful, O thou who by thy Fruit hast destroyed corruption!

Now & ever…: O strange mystery! O awesome concept! How hath God appeared on earth as a man? As He knoweth, as He desireth, as is His good pleasure: for He acteth as He wisheth.

Ode VIII

Irmos: United in the unbearable fire, yet unharmed by its flame, the pious youths chanted a divine hymn in intercession: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

As thou art wholly good, having become the favorite of the King of all, O Theotokos, fill me with good works, who have lived in evil and have reached the end of my life in slothfulness, that I may glorify thee for all ages.

As of old thou didst all-gloriously deliver the prophet from the belly of the sea monster, O Word of God, so deliver my soul, O Word, which hath been plunged into the abyss of destruction, for I have thee pray for me, the Virgin who gave birth without knowing wedlock.

Glory…: The workers of evil, finding me clad in beautiful raiment, have stripped me thereof; yet do thou thyself, O Virgin Theotokos, array me in divine vesture through repentance, through thy supplications, O Theotokos.

Now & ever…: O pure one, thou didst hold in thine arms Him before Whom every creature doth tremble, Who for our sake became a babe in His lovingkindness. Him do thou beseech, that He save all who cry out with faith: Thee do we exalt supremely, O all-pure one, for all ages!

Ode IX

Irmos: In the shadow and the writings of the law do we behold an image, O ye faithful: every male child which openeth the womb is consecrated to God. Wherefore, we magnify the firstborn Word of the unoriginate Father, the firstborn Son of the Mother Who knew not man.

O incorrupt and immaculate Virgin, disdain me not who have become corrupt in mind and soul, have defiled my conscience with evil and am shown to be devoid of all good deeds; but adorn me with the works of piety.

I have been filled with evils and am full to repletion with thoughts which alienate me from Thee Who lovest mankind. Wherefore, I groan and cry: Accept me who repent, and reject me not, through the entreaties of her who gave Thee birth, O greatly merciful Benefactor!

Glory…: Through thy supplications, O most immaculate Maiden, may I be delivered from all wrath, deadly sufferings, the cruel fire of Gehenna, unjust men and evil enemies, for I flee to thy protection and cry out to thee for aid.

Now & ever…: The All-beauteous One, having found thee to be beautiful of soul, beautiful of mind, and comely of body, became incarnate of thy virginal womb in a way which He alone knew, thereby adorning our ugliness. O Virgin, entreat Him, that we be saved.

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

Friday Morning at Matins

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

The Cross was planted in the earth yet touched the heavens, not because it reached the full stature of a tree, but because thereon Thou didst fulfill all things. Glory to Thee, O Lord!

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

O Thou Who didst consent to suffer the Cross and death, Thou didst endure them between two of Thy creatures; and when Thou wast well-pleased for Thy body to be pierced by nails, O Savior, the sun hid its rays. Then, beholding this, the thief reverently hymned Thee on his cross: “Remember me, O Lord!”; and believing, he received paradise.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

When the unblemished Ewe-lamb of the Word, the incorrupt Virgin Mother, beheld Him Who had sprung forth from her without pain hanging upon the Cross, she cried out, lamenting as befitteth a mother: “Woe is me, O my Child! How is it that Thou sufferest of Thine own will, desiring to deliver man from the disgrace of the passions?”

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

Thou wast uplifted upon the cypress, the pine and the cedar, O Lamb of God, that Thou mightest save those who worship Thy voluntary crucifixion with faith. Glory to Thee, O Christ God!

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

Beholding Thine infinite authority and voluntary crucifixion, the angelic armies marveled: How is He who is invisible wounded in the flesh, desiring to deliver mankind from corruption? Wherefore, we cry out to Thee as the Bestower of life: Glory to Thy lovingkindness, O Christ!

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

Martyricon: The goodly courage of your endurance vanquished the wiles of the enemy, the author of evil, O all-praised martyrs; wherefore, ye have been vouchsafed eternal blessedness. As ye are witnesses to the Truth, pray ye to the Lord, that He save the flock of Christ-loving people.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

In Thy crucifixion Thou didst of Thine own will endure a violent death, O compassionate One; and when she who gave Thee birth, O Christ, beheld it, she was wounded. At her entreaties, O only all-good Lord Who lovest mankind and takest away the sins of the world, in the lovingkindness of Thy mercy have pity and save the world.

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

In Thine ineffable lovingkindness, O Sinless One, Thou didst endure the Cross, an instrument of cursing, and didst free the first-created man from the primal curse. Wherefore, we worship Thine honored sufferings, glorifying Thy holy dispensation, which Thou alone, in the lovingkindness of Thy mercy, hast fulfilled, saving Thy creation.

Smitten on the cheek for the human race, Thou wast not angered. Free Thou our life from corruption, O Lord, and have mercy on us, in that Thou lovest mankind.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

Those who have acquired the Cross of thy Son as a rod, O Theotokos, thereby lay low the arrogance of the enemy, unceasingly magnifying thee with love.

Ode I

Canon of the precious & life-creating Cross, the acrostic whereof is 
“The Cross is the boast and glory of the faithful”: the composition of Joseph, in Tone III—

Irmos: The sun once passed over dry land born of the deep, for the water became firm as a wall on either side when the people traversed the sea, chanting in God-pleasing manner: Let us sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

Making the waves of the sea solid by the staff of Moses, Thou didst lead the people across, prefiguring Thy Cross, O Compassionate One, whereby Thou hast parted the water of falsehood and led over to the land of divine knowledge all who hymn Thy power with faith.

O Thou Who created the deep by Thy command, Who with strength didst cover Thy chambers with waters and suspend the earth upon the waters: Thou didst hang suspended upon the Cross, yet didst shake all creation; and Thou dost establish the hearts of all in the fear of Thee.

Martyricon: Ye became children by fellowship, O godly martyrs of Christ, and inhabitants and inheritors of the heavenly Sion, wherein ye wear crowns, crying out with splendor: Let us sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

Martyricon: Cruelly maimed, ye endured the severing of your hands and feet; and though ye were cast into the fire, ye in nowise denied Christ, the God of all, but cried out fervently: Let us sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

Theotokion: O all-beauteous Virgin Mistress, beholding Him to Whom thou gavest birth uplifted of His own will upon the Tree, thou didst exclaim, weeping and crying out in pain: “O compassionate God of all, as Thou art the Lord of glory, how dost Thou suffer these things, O Master?”

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

Irmos: He Who of old gathered the waters into one at His divine behest and parted the sea for the people of Israel, is our God and is most glorious. To Him let us chant, for He hath been glorified!

By thy divine entreaties, O Virgin, grant me cleansing of transgressions; for thy supplication is powerful, O all-pure one, and thou deliverest those who honor thee from offenses, the passions, tribulations and evil circumstances.

With the waters of thy prayers, O Virgin, bedew my lowly soul, which hath withered under the burning heat of my countless offenses and passions, that, having received divine coolness, I may in hymns magnify thee as my fervent intercessor.

Stretching forth the hand of thy lovingkindness, O pure Mistress, draw up to the heights of repentance me who am wholly drowning in sins and am full of despair, and grant me a fountain of tears.

As thou hast the boldness before thy Son to pray earnestly for us, O all-pure one, by thy supplications tear apart the record of my sins and transgressions, for thee do we Christians have as a helper.

Ode III

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: O Lord, Thou confirmation of those who trust in Thee, establish the Church which Thou hast acquired with Thy precious blood.

Possessing a single compound composition, O Word, Thou didst endure a most ignominious crucifixion. Yet vouchsafe honor unto those who honor Thee.

The curse of mortal men was abolished when Thou, O Master, wast accursed and poured forth blessing through the Cross.

Martyricon: Having been wanderers throughout the earth, ye truly were shown to be citizens of heaven and fellow-heirs with Christ, O most lauded ones.

Martyricon: Having acquired the Cross as a most mighty weapon, the martyrs utterly vanquished all the power of the destructive foe.

Theotokion: O pure one who gavest birth unto God incarnate, Who of His own will wast nailed to the Cross: Thou wast preserved a virgin even after giving birth.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: O Most High, Thou Ruler of all, Who out of nonexistence hast brought all things, which are fashioned by Thy Word and made perfect by the Spirit: Confirm me in Thy love!

Quickly open unto me the compassion of thy lovingkindness, I pray, O all-pure Theotokos, and show thyself to me as a fervent helper and salvation amid temptations.

Deliver me from every cruel tempest of sin which besetteth me, thy servant, O all-pure one, and by thy supplications guide me to the harbor of salvation.

O pure Virgin Mother, save me from the filthy effluvia of my passions, which now surround my lowly soul and oppress it.

Grant me a torrent of tears, O good one, and therewith quench the furnace of my passions, and wash away all the defilements of my soul, O Theotokos.

Ode IV

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: Thy virtue hath covered the heavens, O Christ; for having issued forth from Thine immaculate Mother, the ark of Thy holiness, Thou hast appeared in the temple of Thy glory as a babe borne in arms, and all things have been filled with Thy praise.

As the new Adam, Thou alone didst set aright the fall of Adam when, as Thou didst will, Thy hands were nailed to the Cross and Thou wast beaten with the reed and didst taste of vinegar and gall, O Thou Who transcendest the heights of Thy kingdom.

O Word of God, the prophet foresaw Thee as sheep and sacrifice, as a lamb who struggled not, neither cried out; for Thou didst willingly endure crucifixion, that Thou mightest deliver and save those who have sinned of their own will, O loving Lord.

Martyricon: Having tilled their souls with the plough of faith, with patience the martyrs of Christ sowed the seed of torments and reaped in abundance the grain of martyrdom which feedeth the assemblies of the faithful; wherefore, they are ever glorified.

Martyricon: Hemmed in by the oppression of unbearable torments, in the expectation of beautiful things the martyrs manifestly attained unto the broad expanse of the heavenly kingdom, that they might enlarge my mouth to hymn their contests unceasingly.

Theotokion: The Virgin Mother, who like tongs received the divine Coal, Who in nowise consumed her divine and seedless womb, but instead bedewed it, beholding Him suspended in the flesh of His own will upon the Tree, glorified Him in song.

Canon of the Theotokos 

Irmos: Thou hast shown us constant love, O Lord, for Thou didst give Thine only-begotten Son over to death for us. Wherefore, in thanksgiving we cry to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

All my hope have I set on thee, O Mistress, and falling down, I pray from the depths of my soul: Deliver me from deadly pain, leading me up to the life of salvation, O thou who gavest birth unto Life.

O pure Mistress, mighty helper of the world: Cast me not away from thee, neither banish me in disgrace from thy presence, nor show me to be the object of the demons’ jubilation.

Wretch that I am, I am wholly denuded of godly works and have been riddled with the sharp arrows of pleasures and wounded; wherefore, I cry to thee, O Mistress: Save me, O all-pure one!

The waters of unseemly deeds have flooded my wretched soul, O pure one, and, stuck fast in thoughts of clay, I cry unto thee in pain: O Mistress, disdain not me, thy servant!

Ode V

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: In a vision Isaiah beheld God exalted upon a throne borne aloft by angels of glory, and he cried: O accursed am I, for I have beheld beforehand the incarnate God, the unwaning Light, Who reigneth with peace!

Falling asleep on the Tree, O Master, Thou didst grant peace unto me who am weighed down by the burden of transgressions; and having suffered reproach, O Word, Thou didst take away my reproach. I hymn Thy might and divine sufferings, O Jesus.

Thou didst light Thy flesh on the Cross as it were a torch, and didst search for the lost coin, O Thou Who lovest mankind; and Thou callest all Thy friends, all Thy hosts, to the finding thereof. We hymn the might of Thy kingdom, O Christ!

Martyricon: The deceiver is seen lying dead and unmoving at the feet of the steadfast passion-bearers of Christ; while they are surely numbered with the angels, full of ineffable joy.

Martyricon: Frozen with cold, with grievous torments and tribulations and many wounds, the saints truly passed over to the divine warmth of the heavenly kingdom, and ever show themselves to be fervent intercessors for the faithful.

Theotokion: Seeing Him crucified on the Tree Who of old fashioned Eve from the rib of Adam, His side pierced by a spear, the all-pure Virgin cried out maternally: “How dost Thou die, O my Son Who art deathless Life?”

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as the foregoing.

O Virgin, thou divine vine, who produced the beautiful Grape Who giveth divine drink unto men’s souls: Deliver my soul from the draught of bitterness, the drunkenness of passions and pleasures, and everlasting fire.

O all-pure Bride of God, out of the mire of sins pull me who have fallen into the mud of the passions; and having cleansed me of the defilements of the passions with the streams of thy supplications, clothe me in the splendid robe of salvation.

O pure Virgin, who hast given peace to the world and salvation to all, in that thou gavest birth to divine Peace, with the fear and love of Christ the Savior bring an end to the present aggression of the passions of my soul and body.

In thy lovingkindness heal my soul, which is sick of sin, O all-pure one, and, guiding me, vouchsafe that in humility I may ever do the commandments of thy Son, that I may receive His goodness.

Ode VI

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: The elder, beholding with his own eyes the salvation which hath come to me from God, cried out to Thee, O Christ: Thou art my God!

Like a lamb Thou wast slaughtered of Thine own will, O Christ, leading back to life him who of his own will was slain by the fruit of the tree. When Thou wast uplifted upon the Cross, the deception of the demons collapsed, and the multitude of the faithful was raised up, hymning Thee, O Bestower of life.

Martyricon: Arrayed in robes woven of their own blood, the martyrs stand now before the King of all, adorned with radiant crowns.

Martyricon: The relics of the holy martyrs pour forth healing upon all who approach them, and drown the multitude of the passions.

Theotokion: O Maiden, the mind of man is unable to comprehend the mystery of thy birthgiving, which transcendeth nature; for in manner past understanding thou gavest birth unto God.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The uttermost abyss of sins hath engulfed me, and my spirit doth perish. But, stretching forth Thine upraised arm, O Master, save me as Thou didst Peter, O Helmsman!

In that thou art good, O all-pure one, grant deliverance from transgressions unto me, thy servant, who with faith ask for thine aid; and rescue me from the coming judgment.

O Mistress, Mother of the Deliverer, stand before me at the hour of my departure, when I am tested by the spirits of the air concerning the things I committed with irrational mind.

Wholly wretched have I been shown to be, and ever beset by impurities; and seeing death now fast overtaking me, I cry out to thee: O Theotokos, help me!

Waves of passionate thoughts ever batter me, O all-pure one, and the temptest of evil spirits causeth me to founder; but moor me firmly to the rock of dispassion.

Ode VII

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: We hymn Thee, God the Word Who bedewed the theologizing children in the fire and dwelt within the incorrupt Virgin, and piously we chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

O Master Who art One of the Trinity, Thou wast lifted up upon the cedar, the pine and the cypress, and didst raise up those who had fallen into the depths of many pleasures. Blessed is the God of our fathers!

By Thy precious blood Thou didst cleanse creation of the blood offered to the vile demons, O Lord; and when Thou wast slaughtered like an innocent lamb, O Word of God, Thou didst abolish their abominable sacrifices. Glory to Thy dominion!

Martyricon: The athletes stood before the torturers like immovable pillars, causing deception to quake, but making steadfast the hearts of the faithful, and chanting: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Martyricon: Having acquired a will hotter than fire, O crowned passion-bearers of Christ, ye were not consumed by the fire, and cried out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Theotokion: O only pure one who gavest flesh to the Master Who was crucified, thy conceiving was incomparable and thy birthgiving ineffable; chanting to Him, we cry out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: As of old Thou didst bedew the three pious children in the Chaldæan flame, with the radiant fire of Thy divinity illumine us who cry: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Unto thee, the pure and immaculate Mother of God do I pray, who am defiled in body and soul and bemired by unclean acts; and I set my hope on thy mercy. O all-pure Mistress, have pity on me!

The multitude of my transgressions and experience of evils sorely afflict me with perplexity and drag me into the depths of despair. O all-pure Mistress, save me who am perishing and cruelly drowning!

O good one, have mercy on my soul, which hath been brought low by wicked acts; guide me to the path of repentance, direct me in doing the will of thy Son, and deliver me from torments.

In the multitude of the goodness of thy compassions, O good one, overlook the multitude of our sins, and be thou speedily reconciled with those who cry out unceasingly: Blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, O all-pure one!

Ode VIII

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: United in the unbearable fire, yet unharmed by its flame, the pious youths chanted a divine hymn in intercession: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The disobedient and foolish people condemned Thee to death, Who in Thy right obedient character didst desire to be crucified, O Word, that Thou mayest give life to those dead in will, who hymn and exalt Thee supremely forever.

Stretching out Thy hands upon the Cross, O Master, Thou didst heal the hands of the first-created man, which stretched out unrestrainedly to pluck the fruit of the tree; and seeing Thee, the sun hid its rays in fear and all creation trembled.

Martyricon: With the rays of their sacred struggles the passion-bearers dried up the streams of impiety and the outpourings of ungodliness, and poured forth springs of healings, which wash away the defilement of the passions and give drink in abundance to the hearts of the faithful.

Martyricon: United in your honored sufferings and fulfilling the divine commandments, O passion-bearers, ye have become fellow citizens with the incorporeal ones, and have now been enrolled in the city on high. Entreat God in behalf of those who honor you for all ages.

Theotokion: All of us, the faithful, call thee the golden jar and lampstand, the table and staff, the divine mountain and cloud, the palace of the King and fiery throne, the Theotokos who was kept a virgin even after giving birth.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: O ye priests, bless the Lord Who with divine power descended unto the Hebrew children in the flame and hath manifested Himself as Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages.

Having passed through the bitterness of pleasures and all the bodily senses, I bemire my soul in unseemly manner and drag it toward death. O Mistress of the world, be thou my salvation!

Unto thee have I committed my heart, soul and body, O Mistress, for I have no other hope than thee, through whom I receive mercy; wherefore, grant me thy rich goodness.

The serpent hath filled me with his venom and hath cruelly slain my wretched soul with carnal pleasure; but restore it to life with the serum of thy supplications, O pure one.

The cruel night of transgressions lieth heavily upon me, O holy Mistress, for I have no lamps to shed light on my soul with the oil of good works; wherefore, I have been turned away from the bridal-chamber of the Most High.

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: In the shadow and the writings of the law do we behold an image, O ye faithful: every male child which openeth the womb is consecrated to God. Wherefore, we magnify the firstborn Word of the unoriginate Father, the firstborn Son of the Mother Who knew not man.

Nailed to the Cross, O Jesus Christ Who founded the whole earth upon nothing, in that Thou art good have pity and draw me forth, who by my wicked character am become stuck in the mire of sin, for by Thine ignominious death Thou hast brought honor to me, O greatly Merciful One.

Though Thou art God Who is invisible by nature, yet didst Thou become visible, exalted in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver the visible world from the invisible foe, O Christ, and make heavenly those who are below, who glorify the dominion of Thy great authority.

Martyricon: O most glorious passion-bearers of the Savior, ye have been shown to be a sacred army, chosen like the holy angels; a garden of paradise having Christ, the Tree of Life, in your midst; an honored regiment of the divinely adorned Church.

Martyricon: Standing joyfully before the throne of the Master, O saints, be ye mindful of us who remember you on earth; and richly illumine us with rays therefrom, that we may receive release from our debts.

Theotokion: “Beholding Thy crucifixion, O my Son, the sun and the moon withdrew their light. How then hath the unbelieving assembly of the Jews not faded away, having given Thee, the Author of life, over to death?” the Theotokos cried out, whom we unceasingly magnify.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Thee, the unconsumed bush, the holy Virgin, the Mother of the Light, the Theotokos, the hope of us all, do we magnify!

Having cleansed my mind of the defilement of passionate thoughts, O pure one, clothe me in the splendid robe of dispassion.

Open unto me the divine gates of repentance, O Virgin, shutting the gates of my passions and pleasures, closing them by thy power.

Hearken unto the sound of my groaning and the voice of my weeping, O most immaculate Virgin, and grant cleansing and salvation to my wretched soul.

I am wholly in despair, wretch that I am, and am filled with consternation as I ponder my wicked deeds. Freely have pity on me, O Mistress, and save me!

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

Aposticha stichera of the Cross, in Tone III—

The tree of disobedience put forth death for the world; but the Tree of the Cross put forth life and incorruption. Wherefore, we worship the crucified Lord, crying: Let the light of Thy countenance be signed upon us!

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.

Coveting bliss, I was banished, undergoing a great fall; yet Thou didst not despise me, O Master: for, assuming what is mine for my sake, Thou art crucified and savest me, and Thou leadest me into glory. O my Deliverer, glory to Thee!

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: Come, all ye people, let us honor the memory of the holy passion-bearers, for, having become a spectacle for angels and men, they received crowns of victory from Christ, and they pray in behalf of our souls.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

The most immaculate one, beholding Him Who was born of her hanging upon the Tree, exclaimed, crying aloud: “O my sweet Child, whither hath gone the luminous beauty of Thee Who didst create the human race?”

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 III—

Thou didst banish from paradise our forefather Adam, who had broken Thy commandment, O Christ; but Thou didst cause to dwell therein the thief who confessed Thee on the cross, crying: Remember me, O Savior, in Thy kingdom!

Beholding Thee, the never-setting Sun, upon the Cross, the sun dimmed its light, the stones split asunder and the earth quaked, O Master and Savior; and the veil of the temple was rent in twain, seeing Thee suffering unjustly, which none can comprehend.

Thou wast led forth to die for all, O Jesus, Life of the living, that by Thy divine sufferings Thou mightest as God save those slain by the fruit of old, and mightest show them to be dwellers in paradise; wherefore, we now glorify Thy sufferings with faith.

Martyricon: Emulating the sufferings of Him Who of His own will suffered for our sake and took away the reproaches of men, O martyrs, by your many tortures ye cast down the enemy and received glory on high. Wherefore, ye are glorified in godly manner.

Glory…: O all ye faithful, let us worship the Father, the Son and the upright Spirit, the Comforter: the one Godhead. And let us chant in godly manner and cry out piously with an Orthodox understanding: Remember us in Thy kingdom!

Now & ever…: Beholding her Son on the Cross, enduring suffering in the flesh of His own will, the most immaculate and pure one was wholly troubled and cried out, weeping: “Woe is me, O my Child! How art Thou done to death, Who desirest to bring life to those who have grievously died?”