Tone V

Tuesday

Monday Evening at Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”: 3 stichera of repentance, in Tone V.· Special Melody: “Rejoice,…”—

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

Woe unto me who have angered Thee, my merciful God and Lord! How many times have I promised to repent, O Christ, and have been found to be a senseless liar? I have soiled my first baptismal raiment, and have forsaken my covenant with Thee, and this second commandment, which I confessed before Thee in the presence of men and angels, have I also abandoned, clad in a lamentable form. Setting this aside, O Savior, leave me not to perish utterly.

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.

What answer shalt thou find on the day of judgment, O wretched soul? Who will deliver thee from condemnation to everlasting fire and other torments? No-one, if thou thyself dost not placate the Compassionate One, forsaking thine evil deeds and acquiring a right pleasing life, every day weeping over thy countless transgressions, which thou committest at every hour in deed, word and thought, and beseeching Christ to grant thee the complete forgiveness thereof.

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

Let sinful habit not seize me, dragging me down, O Savior, nor let the demon, which ever wageth war on me and subjecteth me to his will, gain dominance over me; but rescue me from his dominion with Thy mighty hand, O Almighty One Who lovest mankind, and reign Thou within me. Vouchsafe that I may be wholly Thine, may live according to Thy will, O Word, may rest in Thee, and may find cleansing, salvation and great mercy for myself.

Then the stichera for the saint, from the Menaion; or if there is no Menaion, these stichera for the Forerunner, in Tone V, 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.

O blessed Forerunner and martyr of Christ, heal me who am wholly bowed down to the earth and am incurably broken, yet who flee with faith to thy godly protection. And rescue me, I pray thee, on the dread day, when I shall come to stand before His judgment-seat, and shall be given over to torments; and as thou hast unashamed boldness, O wise one, deliver me from standing on the left hand of Christ, entreating Him Who granteth great mercy to the world.

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

As a most radiant luminary of the Sun, O wise Forerunner of Christ, shine thou a ray of light upon me who have fallen down into the darkness of countless evils, I pray thee. Raise me up out of the pit of sin, guiding me by thy sweet voice. O thou who of old loosed the voice of thy father by thy birth, direct now my voice, I pray thee, that with faith and love I may glorify God the Savior, Who loveth mankind and granteth the world great mercy.

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

Thou wast the divine temple of God, the Bestower of life upon all, O blessed prophet, Forerunner and herald, and didst have Him living in thy heart. Him do thou ever entreat, O John most rich, that those who have recourse to thy holy temple and honor thee may become temples of the Spirit and draw nigh unto God, that in hymns we may honor thy help and fervent supplication, for He bore witness that thou art the greatest of all men, O right wondrous one.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

From my childhood I have been shown to be a tireless committer of sins; I have been grievously wounded in mind and have lovingly remained therein with my many evil habits. Downcast, I now weep over my cruel deception, mine evil habits and mindlessness, and the destruction of my soul. O Mistress, disdain me not who am perishing evilly, but, taking pity, deliver me from every assault of the passions by thine aid, that if only in old age I may repent before God.

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

Aposticha stichera of repentance, in Tone V—

I cease not to commit sins, O Lord, and I heed not that I have been vouchsafed Thy love for mankind. Overcome my perplexity, O only Good One, and have mercy upon 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.

I fear the fear of Thee, O Lord, yet I cease not to do evil. Who will not be afraid before the tribunal of the Judge, and who desireth healing yet driveth the physician away, as do I? O long-suffering Lord, take pity on my weakness, and have mercy upon me.

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 put on the breastplate of faith and armed themselves with the image of the Cross, Thy saints, O Lord, manfully gave themselves over to torments and cast down the pride and deception of the devil. As God almighty, send down peace upon the world through their entreaties, and great mercy upon our souls.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Ease thou the pangs of my much-sighing soul, O thou who hast wiped every tear from the face of the earth; for thou drivest away men’s pain and freest sinners from tribulation. For thee have we all acquired as our hope and confirmation, O all-holy Virgin Mother.

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

Monday Night at Compline

Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos 

Ode I

Irmos: Bringing battles to naught with His upraised arm, Christ hath overthrown horse and rider in the Red Sea, and hath saved Israel, who chanteth a hymn of victory.

O good and all-immaculate one, grant me contrition of soul, humility of heart, purity of mind, correction of life, remission of transgressions and fountains of tears.

Behold my tribulation and compunction, heal thou the stripes of mine ancient transgressions, and grant me time to repent and confess my sins.

Glory…: Pondering the abyss of mine evils, O most immaculate one, I weep for myself before my departure; wherefore, I beseech thee: Entreat thy Son, that He deliver me from torment.

Now & ever…: As thou hast time for repentance, O my soul, depart from all evil and cry out with tears to thy Creator: O my God, save me by the entreaties of her who gave Thee birth!

Ode III

Irmos: O Christ Who by Thy command fixed the earth upon naught and suspended its weight unsupported: establish Thou Thy Church upon the immovable rock of Thy commandments, O Thou Who alone art good and lovest mankind.

The foremost of my passions have seized me, O all-pure one, and have filled me with shame who have been created according to the image and likeness of God; yet deliver me from the harm thereof, for I hymn thee in compunction.

The enemy wickedly seeketh to hunt me down, desiring to show me utterly consumed in everlasting flame, O all-pure one; yet set at naught his wiles and counsels, that, rejoicing, I may glorify thee.

Glory…: The enemies of the righteous have deceitfully set me in the uttermost pit of many offenses, yet as one now helpless and wholly wounded, I call upon thy supplication: O all-immaculate Mistress, save me!

Now & ever…: I have wasted my life in slothfulness, wretch that I am, and have now arrived at the gates of death; and, terrified of the assault of the enemy, I cry unto thee: deliver me from their temptations, that saved, I may glorify thee.

Ode IV

Irmos: Perceiving Thy divine condescension prophetically, O Christ, Habbakuk cried out to Thee with trembling: Thou art come for the salvation of Thy people, to save Thine anointed ones!

I have been wounded by the darts of sin, and wounds now cover mine entire body; wherefore, I cry out to thee, O all-pure one: with thy speedy supplications heal thou the wounds of my soul.

Have mercy upon thy servants, O pure one; for we have acquired thee as our mediatress before God, and we pray that we be delivered from all want and everlasting torment.

Glory…: O good one, thou art my hope, shield and confirmation, my deliverance from evils, the enlightenment of my soul, my boast, bulwark and might.

Now & ever…: Prodigally have I wasted the riches of good works which Christ gave me, in that He is good. Yet disdain me not, O all-pure Maiden, for I am perishing of hunger.

Ode V

Irmos: O Thou Who art clothed in light as with a garment: I rise at dawn unto Thee, and to Thee do I cry: enlighten Thou my gloom-enshrouded soul, O Christ, in that Thou alone art compassionate!

Behold the weakness of my lowly soul, O Mistress, the infirmity of my flesh and the captivity of my mind, and save me who am bereft of hope.

God to Whom thou gavest birth do thou ever entreat, that He save all of us who confess thee to be the Theotokos, and glorify thy birthgiving, O all-pure one.

Glory…: Who doth not call thee blessed, O most immaculate one? For thou didst ineffably give birth to the one Master, the Savior of the whole world.

Now & ever…: O all-pure one, send down upon me streams of tears, that, having purified myself of the defilements and blemishes of my sins, I may hymn the magnitude of thy goodness.

Ode VI

Irmos: O Christ Master, still Thou the sea of the passions which rageth with a soul-destroying tempest, and lead me up from corruption, in that Thou art compassionate.

I have been cast into the abyss of transgressions and iniquities, O most immaculate one; yet stretch forth thy hand, and lead me up from the despair of hades.

I know the multitude of the offenses and thoughts which vex me; wherefore, haste thou and deliver me therefrom, O all-pure one.

Glory…: Take pity on thy servant, O Christ Master, through the entreaties of her who in purity gave Thee birth, when Thou shalt come to judge the world which Thou hast created.

Now & ever…: O pure Mistress, my soul hath been dragged down into the abyss of transgressions, to become food for the demons; wherefore, save me who am beyond hope.

Then, “Lord, have mercy!”: thrice.

Glory…, Now & ever…Sessional hymn, in Tone V.· Special Melody: “The Word Who is equally unoriginate…”—

The greatly painful passions of my soul and the infirmities of my flesh do thou quickly heal; still thou the wandering of my mind, O all-immaculate Theotokos, and vouchsafe that in serenity of thought I may offer pure supplications unto the King, and ask remission of offenses.

Ode VII

Irmos: The supremely exalted Lord of our fathers quenched the flame and bedewed the children, who sang together: Blessed art Thou, O God!

When I bring to mind the multitude of mine unseemly deeds and transgressions, O most immaculate one, I am afraid and horrified. O Virgin, by thy supplications free me from them.

The sleepless word and the unquenchable fire ever erode and devour my soul. Let me not become food for them, O all-holy Theotokos.

Glory…: O most immaculate Virgin, from the outmost darkness and dread torment deliver thy servants who cry out to thy Son: Blessed art Thou, O God!

Now & ever…: I have defiled my flesh with shameful passions, and have darkened by mind with vile thoughts; yet take pity, O pure one, and save me, thy useless servant.

Ode VIII

Irmos: The children, forming a universal chorus in the furnace, chanted to Thee, the Creator of all: Hymn the Lord, all ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Unto thee, the Theotokos, do I bring the weakness of my lowly soul, the infirmity of my heart and the deception of my mind; and I cry aloud, asking thine aid, O Virgin.

Be Thou merciful to Thy servants, O Word, through the supplications of her who gave Thee birth, and save those who chant: O all ye works of the Lord, hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely forever!

Glory…: O thou who gavest birth to Him Who hath willed mercy, have mercy upon all who chant with faith: O all ye works of the Lord, hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely forever!

Now & ever…: Deliver me from the outermost darkness and the worm which sleepeth not, O good Virgin, in that thou hast given birth to the Creator of the world; for all things soever He desireth, He will accomplish through thy supplications.

Ode IX

Irmos: Rejoice, O Isaiah! The Virgin hath conceived in her womb and borne a Son, Immanuel, both God and man. Orient is His name; and, magnifying Him, we call the Virgin blessed.

God to Whom thou ineffably gavest birth, O pure Mistress, do thou earnestly beseech, that He deliver us from misfortunes and sorrows, and from the dread judgment which is to come; and vouchsafe unto us the splendors of His saints.

I have sinned more than all others, disobeying Thy life-creating commandments, O Christ, and I have made myself like unto the irrational beasts; yet by the supplications of Thy Mother, O Word, take me not unrepentant from this life.

Glory…: In that thou gavest birth to the Word of God, the Abyss of mercy, O good one, have mercy upon the souls of all who flee beneath thy protection; for thee have we all acquired as an unashamed intercessor before God.

Now & ever…: Ask now for us purification and remission, deliverance from all needs, and correction of life which is pure and radiant, O Mother of God, that we may glorify thy great goodness.

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

Tuesday Morning at Matins

After the first chanting of the Psalter, these Sessional hymns of repentance, in Tone V—

When the Judge taketh His seat and the angels stand before Him, when the trumpet soundeth and the flame is kindled, what shalt thou do, O my soul, when thou art brought to judgment? For then thine evils will confront thee, and thy secret sins will be laid bare. Wherefore, before the end cry out to the Judge: Cleanse me, O God, and save me!

Stichos: O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, nor chasten me in Thy wrath.

Let us all keep vigil and greet Christ with a multitude of oil and radiant lamps, that we may be vouchsafed to enter the bridal-chamber; for he who findeth himself outside the gates crieth unto God in vain: Have mercy on me!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

The strange mystery of the Virgin hath shown forth the Salvation of the world; for He was born of her without seed and manifested Himself in the flesh without corruption. O Lord, Thou joy of all, glory to Thee!

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

When thy deeds are laid bare, O my soul, and myriads of angels stand before the Judge, what answer shalt thou find for thy shame, if thou wilt not cry out, weeping, before the end: “I have sinned, O good Lord! Have mercy on me!”?

Stichos: O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, nor chasten me in Thy wrath.

I lie upon the bed of mine offenses, robbed of my hope of salvation; for the dreaming of my slothfulness winneth torment for my soul. O God Who wast born of the Virgin, raise me up to Thy hymnody, that I may glorify Thee.

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

Martyricon: Thou hast given us an indestructible bulwark, O Christ God: the miracles of Thy holy martyrs. By their supplications make steadfast Thy faithful people, in that Thou art good and lovest mankind.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Show forth thy speedy protection, help and mercy upon thy servant, O pure Theotokos, still thou the waves of my vain thoughts, and raise up my fallen soul. For I know, I know, O Virgin, that thou canst do whatsoever thou desirest.

After the third chanting of the Psalter, these Sessional hymns, in Tone V.· Special Melody: “The Word Who with the Father and the Spirit is equally without beginning…”—

The threefold waves of despair assail me who have fallen headlong into the depths of sin; but in that Thou art almighty, O Christ, Pilot of all, go Thou before me and in Thy lovingkindness steer me to the calm harbor of dispassion, and save me by the supplications of the Forerunner, O Savior.

Elizabeth was freed from barrenness, and the Virgin remained a virgin still when she conceived in her womb at the sound of Gabriel’s voice. And the Forerunner John leapt up beforehand in his mother’s womb, perceiving in the womb of the Virgin the God and Master, Who became incarnate for our salvation.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

O thou who didst put forth the divine Flower from thy root, O ark and candlestand, golden jar, holy table holding the Bread of life as thy Son and God: Entreat Him with the holy Forerunner, that He have pity and save those who confess thee to be the Theotokos.

Ode I

Canon of repentance, the acrostic whereof is “O Christ, grant us 
cleansing of transgressions” the composition of Joseph, in Tone V—

Irmos: The land on which the sun had never shone, and which it had not seen, and the abyss which the expanse of heaven had never seen uncovered, did Israel cross dryshod, O Lord; and Thou didst lead them to the mountain of Thy holiness, as they gave praise and chanted a hymn of victory.

Grant me cleansing of the things I have done, O Savior, and absolve me before I depart from hence. Wash away my great filth, O Lord Who cleansed the lepers, and vouchsafe that I may stand blamelessly before Thee Who wilt come to judge the living and the dead.

The discharge which lieth upon the eyes of my soul preventeth me from gazing upon Thy beams, which Thou didst emit when Thou didst appear on earth, O unapproachable Sun. Wash it away, O Savior, and grant that I may contemplate the light of Thy grace, O compassionate Lord.

Martyricon: Full of vigilance, O blessed athletes, keepers of the commandments of Christ, ye lulled to sleep all the evil of the enemy; wherefore, in your divine vigilance raise me up to repentance, I pray, for I am weighed down by the sleep of sin.

Martyricon: Contending in your flesh against the adverse foe, O martyrs, ye vanquished him with the sword of the Cross and drowned him in the outpouring of your blood; and, singing and chanting a hymn of victory, ye have received from God crowns of victory.

Theotokion: Deliver me from evil habits, O pure Virgin. Upon the rock of the commandments establish me who am shaken by the machinations of him who of old caused our first parents to fall. And vouchsafe that I may please Christ, singing well and chanting a hymn of victory.

Another canon, of John the Forerunner, the acrostic whereof is 
“O Baptist, accept this entreaty”: the composition of Joseph, in Tone V—

Irmos: Bringing battles to naught with His upraised arm, Christ hath overthrown horse and rider in the Red Sea, and hath saved Israel, who chanteth a hymn of victory.

A pure way of life and an immaterial life didst thou show forth in a material body, O Forerunner; wherefore, we beseech thee: Make those who bless thee with faith emulators of thyself.

Forerunner who immersed Christ, the Abyss of compassion, in the river’s streams, entreat Him to dry up the abyss of mine evils and to enlighten my mind, I pray.

O Forerunner of the Savior, mediating causes of repentance for me, I pray thee: Ask and entreat Him Who loveth mankind, that I be granted the compunction which washeth away the fœtid mire of sin.

Theotokion: Without pain thou ineffably gavest birth unto Him Whom the Father incorruptibly begat before time began, O most hymned Mistress. Him do thou beseech, that He save from all harm those who have recourse unto thee.

Ode III

Canon of Repentance

Irmos: O Lord, make steadfast my heart, which is buffeted by the waves of life, guiding it into calm harbor, in that Thou art God.

I promised Thee that I would repent, O God, yet still I commit sin. What will become of me? How shall I find myself when Thou shalt come to judge the earth?

Let us offer supplication unto the Lord; let us sigh and shed the tears which wash away defilement, that we may be find deliverance in the world to come.

Martyricon: Their minds wholly dead, the violators of the law wounded the victorious martyrs who love Life and confess Christ.

Martyricon: The choirs of the martyrs have been numbered with the choirs of the noetic angels; and they are become peers of the angels through the grace of the divine Spirit.

Theotokion: Open now to me the gates of repentance, the portal of the Light, O Virgin; and forbid the passions entry into my lowly soul.

Canon of the Forerunner

Irmos: O Christ Who by Thy command fixed the earth upon naught and suspended its weight unsupported: establish Thou Thy Church upon the immovable rock of Thy commandments, O Thou Who alone art good and lovest mankind.

Ever pouring forth healings upon those who approach thy temple with faith, O wondrous Forerunner, I pray thee: Cure the passions of my heart, which most wretchedly grow within me through negligence, O thou who art most rich.

I sigh and am ever wracked by lamentations when I think of Thine implacable judgment, O only most righteous Judge. Through the entreaties of Thy Forerunner, preserve me uncondemned thereat, O Lord my God.

As the mediator between the Old and the New Covenants through thy divine mediations, O glorious Forerunner, I cry to thee: By repentance renew me who am grown old through many sins, that I may honor thee in praise.

Theotokion: O holy Virgin Mother who alone art most immaculate: Lift from us the blame of transgressions, enlighten our minds, purify our hearts, and deliver us all from everlasting condemnation, we pray.

Ode IV

Canon of Repentance

Irmos: I heard report of Thee, O Lord, and was afraid; I understood Thy dispensation, and glorified Thee, Who alone lovest mankind.

Paying no heed to Thine enlightening words, O Lord, I have committed deeds of darkness, and I fear Thy dread tribunal in the life to come.

If we give wings to the ship of our soul with the sail of the fear of God, we shall reach the havens of repentance, escaping the threefold waves of evils.

Martyricon: O martyrs, ye have been shown to be divine mountains which let fall sweetness, and the divinely-planted garden having within it the Lord, the Tree of life.

Martyricon: With arrows of patience and perseverance ye shot down the demonic foe, and have received crowns of glory.

Theotokion: O all-pure Mistress, intercessor for sinners, divine correction of those who have fallen, thou art glorified as she who gave birth to God.

Canon of the Forerunner

Irmos: Perceiving Thy divine condescension prophetically, O Christ, Habbakuk cried out to Thee with trembling: Thou art come for the salvation of Thy people, to save Thine anointed ones!

As a true warrior of Christ the King, thou hast made thine abode in the kingdom on high, O Baptist. Unceasingly entreat Him, that He have pity on those who honor thee.

Foreseeing the gratefulness of thy heart, the Lord sanctified thee from thy mother’s womb, O blessed one. Him do thou entreat, that He sanctify us all, we pray.

Unto the dead didst thou announce the coming of Him Who died for our sake. Him do thou beseech, O Forerunner, that He give life to me who have died, and save me.

Theotokion: Have mercy on me, O only all-immaculate one who ineffably gavest birth unto God Who is merciful in His surpassing goodness; and deliver me from everlasting torments.

Ode V

Canon of Repentance

Irmos: Anticipating my need, take pity on my wretched soul, which doth battle at night with the darkness of the passions, and shine forth in me the noetic sun of the day-star, that I may distinguish night from light.

There is no salvation for me in my works, for I have committed many sins on earth, wretch that I am , and I shall tremble before Thy dread judgment-seat when thou shalt judge those who have broken Thy commandments, O God.

How mindless have I been! How dark I have become by doing evil deeds! How I have failed to understand the fear of Thee, O Christ! I have fallen face down upon the ground and made myself like the irrational beasts; yet convert me, O God of all.

Martyricon: The cloud of martyrs hath dispelled the clouds of bitter torments, hath shone forth the daylight of true understanding, destroyed the gloom of polytheism, and reached the unapproachable Light.

Martyricon: Sanctify my mind by the entreaties of Thy holy martyrs, I pray, O Christ, and show me to be full of enlightenment, a partaker of everlasting glory, that, rendering glory, I may hymn Thee, O Savior.

Theotokion: At the ineffable word [of the archangel] thou gavest birth for us, O Virgin Mother, unto God Who through thy goodly mediation giveth repentance unto all who have greatly sinned, O refuge and haven of the faithful.

Canon of the Forerunner

Irmos: O Thou Who art clothed in light as with a garment: I rise at dawn unto Thee, and to Thee do I cry: enlighten Thou my gloom-enshrouded soul, O Christ, in that Thou alone art compassionate!

The womb of the barren one gave birth unto thee, O Forerunner, through thy right fruitful words showing forth as right fertile our hearts which are barren of good works; wherefore, we call thee blessed.

In the desert places thou didst blossom like a right fragrant lily, O ever-blessed one; wherefore, we cry out to thee: Drive all the fœtor of evil from my soul, O Forerunner.

Thou didst stand between the law and grace, O all-wise one; wherefore, I cry aloud: Have pity on me who am afflicted with wretchedness and am vanquished by the law of sin, O Forerunner.

Theotokion: O all-pure one, impassable portal of glory, open unto me the gates of repentance, winning for me divine entry and rest in the life to come.

Ode VI

Canon of Repentance

Irmos: As Thou didst deliver the prophet from the beast, O Lord, so lead me up from the abyss of unrestrained pleasures, that I may dare to lift up mine eyes upon Thy holy temple.

Now is the time to convert, yet I always lie prostrate, ever stuck in great senselessness. But releasing me from the darkness of my heart, O Word, have pity on me.

Have pity on me who groan, as once Thou hadst pity on the publican, O compassionate Christ; and vouchsafe that I may weep fervent tears like the harlot, that I also may wash away the filth of my many transgressions.

Martyricon: O great martyrs of Christ, from

the great flame in Gehenna, which awaiteth me there, rescue me who have sinned greatly, that I may ever greatly glorify your memory.

Martyricon: Having struggled well, Thy passion-bearers were radiantly crowned by Thy life-creating right hand, O Lord and God. At their honored entreaties save all Thy people.

Theotokion: O divinely joyous tabernacle of sanctity, precious ark, lampstand of the Light divine, table of the Bread of life, animate palace of the Word: Show me to be a temple of the Spirit.

Canon of the Forerunner

Irmos: O Christ Master, still Thou the sea of the passions which rageth with a soul-destroying tempest, and lead me up from corruption, in that Thou art compassionate.

Resplendent with ineffable beams, O Forerunner of Christ, by thine efficacious entreaties illumine the hearts of those who piously praise thee.

O Forerunner of Christ, with grace illumining me, who am held fast in the sleep of slothfulness, assiduously rouse me to do the things which God willeth.

From every tribulation caused by the adversary deliver us who have acquired thee as a divine intercessor and advocate before the Master, O blessed one.

Theotokion: The tempest of sin assaileth me, O all-pure Theotokos. Make haste to deliver me, guiding me to the haven of repentance, O most immaculate one.

Ode VII

Canon of Repentance

Irmos: The prayer of the children quenched the fire; and the dew-bearing furnace was the herald of a miracle, for it neither consumed nor burned those who hymned the God of our fathers.

Forgive Thou mine iniquities, mine injustices and my countless offenses, O Christ, and in the greatness of Thy compassions, O God, deliver me from the torment which is to come.

Like the prodigal I have now squandered all the wealth I once received, and I am beset by starvation, deprived of divine food. Accept me, the penitent, O Savior, and save me.

Martyricon: Your members mortified by many tortures, ye rendered dead the warring foe, O right wondrous martyrs of the Lord; wherefore, we, the faithful, piously hymn you.

Martyricon: O martyrs, with patience and valor ye impaled the hordes of the demons and all the multitude of tormentors, and have now been transported to true Life.

Theotokion: Thou hast been shown to be a haven of salvation for all, O pure one, stilling the tempest of the passions and leading to tranquillity all who are humble on the earth, O pure Theotokos.

Canon of the Forerunner

Irmos: The supremely exalted Lord of our fathers quenched the flame and bedewed the children, who sang together: Blessed art Thou, O God!

With words we entreat thee who art the Forerunner of the Word: As thou didst loose the voice of thy father at thy birth, so loose thou the snares of our transgressions.

O most radiant sun who shinest the radiance of salvation upon me, deliver me from the darkness of the passions which vex my darkened heart.

I have acquired an unfruitful soul and a barren heart, O divine offspring of the barren woman. O Baptist of Christ, pray thou without ceasing, that I may produce the fruits of repentance.

Triadicon: Let us glorify the Son Who is equal to the Father, and the Holy Spirit, the indivisible Trinity, chanting in godly manner: Blessed art Thou, O God!

Theotokion: O most immaculate one, thou gavest birth to Christ as a little Child, Who worketh the renewal of us who have grown old through the ancient transgression.

Ode VIII

Canon of Repentance

Irmos: Ye assembly of angels and council of men, ye priests, hymn the King and Creator of all! Ye Levites, bless Him! Ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Behold, the sores of my soul have putrefied and grown fœtid, O Christ, and I have suffered and been brought low thereby; but treat me, O Savior, with the medicines of repentance.

By deception the most wicked serpent defrauded me and filled me with evils; but, sighing, I cry: O Word, reject me not, who am condemned and brought low!

Martyricon: Ye turned not away from a higher standing, O most lauded ones, and ye cast down the enemies of the Cross who sought to undermine you, utterly vanquishing them, O all-wise ones.

Martyricon: O all-praised martyrs of the Lord, neither fire, nor the sword, nor wild beasts, nor starvation, nor the crushing wheel, nor any other torture was able to separate you from Christ Who loveth mankind.

Theotokion: O Mother of God, boast of angels and salvation of men, be thou a surety for me, that I may find and receive remission of the sins I have committed in the past, in knowledge and in ignorance.

Canon of the Forerunner

Irmos: The children, forming a universal chorus in the furnace, chanted to Thee, the Creator of all: Hymn the Lord, all ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Thou didst wash the assembly of the people in the streams of the Jordan, preaching repentance, O great Forerunner; wherefore, I cry out to thee: Dry up the stream of my passions, sending forth well-springs of tears upon me.

Be thou wholly atremble, O my soul, pondering the judgment-seat of the Almighty; and cry out: O Compassionate One, for the sake of Thy Forerunner have pity and save me, and deliver me from torments.

I move mine unclean lips and defiled tongue in prayer to thee, O holy Forerunner: Haste thou quickly, and help me, who am unceasingly shaken by all the assaults of the deceiver.

Triadicon: O consubstantial Trinity—Father, Son and Spirit—rain down upon us remission of offenses, that, having received perfect salvation, we may exalt Thee supremely for all ages.

Theotokion: O divinely joyous one, by thine exalted birthgiving thou hast raised us up from the pit into which we have fallen; wherefore, with grateful voices, O Maiden, we hymn thee with faith for all ages.

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 Repentance

Irmos: In that the Mighty One hath done great things to thee, revealing thee to be a pure virgin even after giving birth, as thou gavest birth to thine own Creator without seed, we therefore magnify thee, O Theotokos.

That I may magnify Thy long-suffering, I cry to Thee: O Jesus, be Thou yet patient with me, and hew me not down like the barren fig-tree, but let me produce for Thee the fruits of repentance.

How awesome art Thou, O Thou Who alone art mighty and powerful! Who will withstand the dread threat of Thee when Thou Thyself shalt come to sit in judgment? When that shall take place, preserve me uncondemned.

Martyricon: By your divine pangs ye take away the pain of my body, O athletes of the Lord; wherefore, heal the most grievous passions of my soul, in that ye are most skilled physicians.

Martyricon: The shrines of your relics shine forth more brightly than the rays of the sun with rays of divine grace, and enlighteneth the hearts and illumineth the souls of those who praise you with faith, O passion-bearers.

Theotokion: O thou who art full of the grace of God, thou hast truly been shown to be the radiant cloud which leadeth the new people to the promised land, and the gate which leadeth to life; wherefore, we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Canon of the Forerunner

Irmos: Rejoice, O Isaiah! The Virgin hath conceived in her womb and borne a Son, Immanuel, both God and man. Orient is His name; and, magnifying Him, we call the Virgin blessed.

Lo! the majesty of thy temple is acknowledged to be heaven on earth, O Forerunner of Christ, and with divine rays thou enlightenest those who approach it and who now bless thee therein every day.

As the true friend of the Master, O most blessed Baptist, strengthen me to love Him without wavering, and with an upright character, and to spurn the corrupting passions which force me into the pit of perdition.

Thou wast not a reed shaken by contrary winds, O all-wise one, but rather our divine confirmation and the unshakable fortification of the Church, which do thou preserve unshaken by thy supplications, causing every temptation to cease.

The coming of the Creator is at hand! Why, therefore, dost thou not weep over thyself, O my wretched soul who livest indifferently. But arise, and cry out to the Lord: Have pity on me, O Savior, through the entreaties of the Forerunner, in that Thou lovest mankind!

Theotokion: Thou hast been shown to be the radiant chariot of the Sun Who shone forth from thy womb and broke the cruel darkness of deception, O most immaculate and pure one. Wherefore, with faith we bless thee as is meet.

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

Aposticha stichera of repentance, in Tone V—

Overlook the multitude of my transgressions, O Lord Who wast born of the Virgin; and cleanse me of all my sins, granting me the thought of converting, in that Thou alone lovest mankind. And have mercy on me, I pray 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.

Woe is me! To whom have I likened myself? To the barren fig-tree! And I fear lest I be cursed and cut down. But do Thou, O Christ God, heavenly Husbandman, show my hardened soul to be fruitful, accept me as Thou didst the prodigal son, and have mercy on me.

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: Thy passion-bearers, O Lord, emulators of the angelic ranks, endured tortures as though incorporeal, in oneness of mind possessed of the hope that they would enjoy the good things promised them. By their supplications, O Christ God, grant peace to Thy world and great mercy to our souls.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

O joyous one, mediate with thy supplications, and ask for our souls a multitude of compassions and the cleansing of our many transgressions, we pray.

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

Tuesday at Divine Liturgy

On the Beatitudes, these troparia, in Tone V—

Believing Thee to be God, the thief on the cross confessed Thee, O Christ, crying out in purity from the depths of his heart: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom!

As Thou didst justify the harlot who wept from the depths of her soul, O Christ, so do Thou rescue from all torment me, who am in despair, O good Master, I entreat Thee.

Together let us bless John, who went before Christ and prepared His goodly ways, that through his divine supplications we may be delivered from transgressions.

Martyricon: O holy martyrs, who drained the cup of Christ with ardent soul: With the downpour of your divine prayers deliver us from turbid sins and ailments.

Glory…: O unapproachable God, almighty Trinity and Unity: By the supplications of Thy Forerunner save me, delivering me from darkness and the flame which awaiteth me.

Now & ever…: Ever defiled by wicked acts, I beseech thee, the undefiled Mother of the Master: Cleanse me of all defilement, O Mistress!