Tone VIII

Thursday

Wednesday Evening at Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”: 3 stichera of the holy apostles, in Tone VIII: Special Melody: “O Lord, though Thou didst stand forth before the tribunal…”—

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

O Lord, Thou didst enlighten Thine apostles with the beams of the Comforter, with the noetic radiance of the knowledge of Thee setting them as beacons unto the confirmation of the Faith, O Master; wherefore, we bow down before Thine ineffable love for mankind.

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.

By the supplications of Thine apostles, O Lord, Thou hast protected this Thy flock, preserving it unharmed by the temptations of the enemy; for with Thy precious blood Thou didst redeem it from enslavement to the enemy, in that Thou art compassionate and lovest mankind.

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

Together ye were shown to be like precious stones set in the foundation of the Church, with radiant brilliance shining forth upon the whole world the knowledge of God, O divine apostles, who stand before the Trinity and pray for our souls.

Then the stichera for the saint, from the Menaion; or if there is no Menaion, these stichera for the holy & great wonderworker Nicholas, in Tone VIII—

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 Lord, Thou hast glorified thine honored and holy hierarch Nicholas to the ends of the earth, imparting to him the grace of miracles; and Thou didst show him to be the champion of those in grievous misfortunes, and those who have fallen into tribulations and afflictions, and who ever ask his help.

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

O Lord, have pity on Thy servants through the divine entreaties of Thy holy hierarch, and free us from all misfortune, all affliction, and every attack, for with faith do we bow down before Thine invincible might.

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

Having thee as an intercessor and fervent ally before the Master, O Nicholas, we flee to thee with faith, and cry: Turn us not away unavailed of thy protection, but show that thy lovingkindness extendeth to thy servants.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Behold the sighing of my contrite heart, O pure Virgin Mary, Bride of God, and accept the work of my hands, in that thou lovest mankind, and reject it not, O most immaculate one, that I may hymn and magnify thee, whom all generations have magnified.

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

Aposticha stichera of the apostles, in Tone VIII—

Ardently loving Thee on earth, O Lord, Thine apostles considered all but dung, that they might acquire Thee alone; and they gave their bodies over to wounds for Thee; wherefore, glorified, they pray for our souls.

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.

O Lord, Thou didst magnify the memory of the apostles on earth, for assembling together thereon, we all glorify Thee; for for their sake Thou grantest us healings, and peace and great mercy to the whole world through their supplications.

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: What virtue, what praise is due the saints? For they bowed their heads beneath the sword for the sake of Thee Who bowed down the heavens and descended; they shed their blood for Thee Who emptied Thyself and assumed the form of a servant; they humbled themselves even unto death, emulating Thy poverty. By their supplications, O God, have mercy upon us in the multitude of Thy compassions.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

I flee to thy protection, O holy Virgin Theotokos, for I know that through thee I shall obtain salvation; for thou art able to help me, O pure one.

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

Wednesday Night at Compline

Canon of Supplication to the All-Holy Theotokos 

Ode I

Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a wonder, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh, and saved Israel who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.

In manner transcending nature, O Virgin Theotokos, thou gavest birth to God, the Word incarnate, Who before was incorporeal, yet came to dwell in the world as God and man; wherefore, we all glorify thee who, after God, art our help.

Arrayed in vesture of divers hues, O blessed one who art full of the grace of God, in manner past understanding and recounting thou gavest birth to the Word of the Father, Who became flesh in His ineffable lovingkindness; and thou didst remain an undefiled virgin.

Glory…: From a royal root thou didst put forth Christ the King, the Word of God, in manner past understanding and comprehension, O pure one, and gavest birth to Him, incarnate of thy pure blood, revealed in two natures, but in a single Hypostasis.

Now & ever…: He who proclaimeth thee the Theotokos, O all-pure one, prevaileth over every heresy; wherefore, O Theotokos, thou gavest birth unto the eternal Word of God Who immutably became flesh, yet is higher than all creation.

Ode III

Irmos: O Christ, Who in the beginning established the heavens in wisdom and founded the earth upon the waters, make me steadfast upon the rock of Thy commandments; for none is holy as Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

God made His abode within thy holy womb, O Mother of God, and became incarnate in a manner He Himself knew, and hath saved us by His life-bearing sufferings; wherefore, we glorify thee as the portal of salvation.

The All-divine One, Who hath breathed the spirit [of life] into all men, became incarnate on earth and dwelt with men, having been produced by thy womb without seed; wherefore, all of us, the faithful, bless thee with hymns, O pure one.

Glory…: Having conceived in thy womb, without knowing man, Him Who was begotten of the Father before time began, O Virgin, thou gavest birth for us to Him as both God and man, perfect and indivisible in both natures.

Now & ever…: O pure and divinely blessed Virgin, we all know thee to be the rod which budded forth Christ, the Flower of incorruption, and the golden censer who bore the burning Coal of the divine Essence in thine arms.

Ode IV

Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord, Thou art my power; Thou art my God, Thou art my joy, Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, hast visited our lowliness. Wherefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Of old the ark which received the divinely written law prefigured the life-creating Word Who was ineffably conceived in thy womb, O all-immaculate one, and richly nourisheth the souls of those who chant: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Thou alone wast the true source of salvation, O Mother of God, who through thine all-pure blood gavest flesh to the Creator and Fashioner, and through whom the gates of death have been broken down and life given to men.

Glory…: That in the richness of thy goodness Thou mightest seek out Thine image which was buried by the passions, Thou madest Thine abode within the Virgin’s womb, and of her Thou, the Wisdom of God, didst make a temple; and having thereby come to dwell with men, O Compassionate One, Thou hast saved the ends of the world.

Now & ever…: After God it is thee whom we have acquired as intercessor, O all-immaculate one; for thou wast the Mother of God the Creator and Fashioner, Who took upon Himself our form, saved it from corruption and tribulations, and glorified it with divine glory.

Ode V

Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.

The generations of all men bless thee as the one who gave birth to the Creator, Fashioner and Lord, O all-pure one, and the noetic leaders of the incorporeal hosts glorify thee as the Mother of God.

The armies of the hosts on high bless thee, O all-pure one; for through thee alone have we on earth been united to those in heaven, and we hymn thy birthgiving.

Glory…: In an ineffable manner, O Virgin, did He Who alone is compassionate, the Word Who shone forth from the Father before time began, make His abode within thee and become man, delivering men from corruption and leading them up to the life of incorruption.

Now & ever…: With the beauties of virginity wast thou clothed, O all-pure Virgin, and thou hast done away with the nakedness of the first Eve, having given birth to Christ Who bestoweth the vesture of incorruption upon those who hymn thee.

Ode VI

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried’ and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.

He Who upholdeth all things with His omnipotent power arrayed Himself in the weakness of the flesh through thee, O most immaculate Virgin, for the good of men, in that He loveth mankind.

The all-accomplishing Spirit descended upon thee, O most immaculate one, and the Word of God made His abode within thee and ineffably assumed the flesh, though He remained immutable.

Glory…: Illumine the souls of those who hymn thee in Orthodox manner, O Bride of God, for the sayings of the prophets proclaimed beforehand thine all-pure conception and birthgiving, which are beyond recounting.

Now & ever…: We piously hymn the all-pure Mary, the truly divine and all-honored dwelling-place of God; for she contained God, receiving Him Who is infinite and unapproachable.

Then, Lord, have mercy! thrice. Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn, in Tone VIII—

As the most immaculate Bride of the Creator, as the Mother of the Deliverer who knewest not man, as the vessel of the Comforter’ O all-hymned one, haste thou to deliver me, who am the vile habitation of iniquity and am become in mind the plaything of the demons, from their machinations; and show me to be a splendid dwelling-place of the virtues, O unblemished light-bearer. Drive away the cloud of the passions and, by thy supplications, vouchsafe me to share in the never-waning light of the Most High.

Ode VII

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fire stood in awe of the condescension of God; wherefore, the youths, dancing with joyous step in the furnace’ as m a meadow, chanted: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

O all-pure Mistress who conceived the Deliverer of all, vouchsafe ineffable and divine deliverance unto me who cry aloud and chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Now have all things been filled with divine light through thee, O all-pure one; for thou hast been shown to be the door through which God held converse, enlightening those who cry out with faith: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Glory…: Lo! the divine prophecy of the godly David hath now been fulfilled: They truly entreat thy countenance who have acquired the riches of grace, O pure Theotokos, and now bless the God of our fathers.

Now & ever…: O all-pure one, thou didst conceive Him Who is God and Lord over all, Whose good pleasure it was to save the human race from death and corruption; and hymning Him as is meet, we cry aloud: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Ode VIII

Irmos: Becoming vanquishers of the tyrant and the flame by Thy grace, taking exceeding care to keep Thy commandments, the children cried out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Cleanse thou the wounds of my soul and the stripes of my sins, O blessed, pure and all-pure Maiden, who from thy virginal womb which knew not wedlock gavest birth to Him Who is God over all. Him do the children bless and exalt supremely forever.

Resplendent with the beauties of virginity, thou becamest the receptacle of the never-waning Light, O most pure one, and hast enlightened all who with all their soul confess thee to be the true Theotokos, and who cry: Ye children bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely forever!

Glory…: Sanctified by the Holy Spirit, O most immaculate Theotokos, thou didst truly receive in thy womb the beginningless Son Who with the Father is equally eternal, Who became incarnate within thee, O pure one, for the benefit of those who cry out with faith: Ye children bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely forever!

Now & ever…: In that thou gavest birth to God in manner past recounting and understanding, O all-pure Mother of God, Him do thou beseech, that all of us who are unworthy He may treat with lenience at the time of His awesome and dread coming, when He shall judge human nature, and all will stand naked before Him and will be judged with fear.

Ode IX

Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God hath appeared in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.

All of us who have rejected eternal life and have fallen, accursed, into death thou hast called again, O all-pure Mother of the Deliverer, and hast vouchsafed to hasten to our former homeland; wherefore, O Mother of God, we unceasingly magnify thee.

Readily grant that I may pass over the waves of the perils of this life and its present sufferings, O Theotokos, stilling them, in that thou art good, and guiding me to the virtues of the way of heaven, that I may unceasingly magnify thee as my benefactress.

Glory…: O pure and all-glorious Mother of God, from perils save those who hymn thee with love, mercifully subduing our turmoil, in that thou gavest birth unto God; for thou canst freely do all that thou dost desire, O Virgin. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.

Now & ever…: The honored Church which Christ thy Son hath acquired with His precious blood, and hath saved from misfortunes and the violence which assaileth us, in that He is good, do thou show forth as victorious over the heresy of the young, O joyous Mistress.

Then, It is truly meet…, and Trisagion through Our Father…Troparion, and the rest as usual. Dismissal.

Thursday Morning at Matins

After the first chanting of the Psalter, these Sessional hymns of the apostles, in Tone VIII—

Let us hymn the divine disciples of our God, who as beacons for the world and guides to our salvation, from the beginning shone forth upon us who were in darkness, and told all of the Sun of righteousness. And preaching the Trinity in a single Godhead, they cast down the falsehood of idolatry. Wherefore, we beseech you, O apostles: Entreat Christ God, that He grant us remission of sins and great mercy.

Stichos: Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Your all-wise sound, which truly went forth to all the ends of the earth, O all-praised apostles of the Lord, manifestly proclaimed the knowledge of God unto all, and transformed heathen ignorance into understanding; wherefore, dispelling the darkness of idolatry, it shone forth the light of knowledge upon those in darkness. For this cause we pray: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who with love honor your holy memory.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Having been made to fall into subtle temptations by enemies, visible and invisible, I am beset by the tempest of my countless sins, O all-holy one, and I flee to the haven of thy goodness as to a fervent help and protection. Wherefore, entreat Him Who became incarnate of thee without seed, O all-pure one, in behalf of all thy servants who unceasingly hymn thee, O all-pure Theotokos, and earnestly beseech Him, that He grant remission of offenses unto those who with faith bow down before thy birthgiving.

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

The sound of the all-wise apostles went forth unto all the earth, as said the prophet; for preaching the Word, they enlightened all the nations; wherefore, praising them with hymns, we honor them as is meet, for they ever entreat Christ that our souls be saved.

Stichos: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth the work of His hands.

Receiving the commandments of the Lord in their souls with faith, like a rich treasury, the apostles showed themselves to all as benefactors, dispelling the poverty of the demons and enriching all with divine wealth. To them let us all cry out: With works of the virtues enrich us also, who are now impoverished, we pray.

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

Martyricon: Mortifying the fiery form and movements of the passions with temperance, the martyrs received the grace of Christ, to drive infirmities from the sick, and to work miracles, in that they are alive even after death. O what a truly all-glorious wonder it is that bare bones pour forth healings! Glory to the one all-wise Creator and God!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

O Virgin Theotokos, intercessor for the faithful, joy of the sorrowful, and great consolation of those who weep: With the holy apostles in our behalf unceasingly entreat Him Who was supernaturally born of thy most holy womb, that He deliver us at the hour of trial from grievous condemnation.

After the third chanting of the Psalter, these Sessional hymns, in Tone VIII: Special Melody: “Pondering what was mystically commanded…”—

Ye were shown to be radiant beacons ever enlightening the whole earth and dispelling the darkness of polytheism with the light of piety through your teachings, O ye who beheld Christ with your own eyes; wherefore, by your holy prayers enlighten me also, who am in the darkness of the passions, that I may walk without fear, O God-bearing apostles.

Trawling for reason-endowed fish with the net of divine words, ye brought the firstfruits thereof to our God; and loving the wounds of Christ, ye arrayed yourselves therein, and showed yourselves to be emulators of His sufferings. Wherefore, assembling as is meet, we now celebrate your festival, O glorious apostles, and cry out together: Entreat Christ God, that remission of transgressions be given to those who with love honor your holy memory.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

With the apostles, O Theotokos, entreat the unapproachable Word, the Son of God, Who was ineffably born of thee in manner past understanding, that He grant pure peace to the whole world, give us forgiveness of our transgression before the end, and in His extreme goodness vouchsafe thy servants the kingdom of heaven.

Ode I

Canon of the holy, glorious & most laudable apostles, 
the composition of Theophanes, in Tone VIII—

Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

O radiant choir of the apostles who stand before the great Light, illumine my darkened heart, and guide me to the paths of salvation. Twice

O true friends of the Deliverer, from the love of the passions deliver me who have been beguiled by the many deceits of life and am covered by the night of ignorance.

As arrows of the Mighty One, O divine apostles, with your keen blades cure those wounded by the evil one, who flee under your protection with faith.

Theotokion: Full of divine majesty, the Fruit of thy womb issueth forth, O pure Mother, saving those beguiled by the malice of the serpent.

Another canon, of the holy wonderworker Nicholas, in Tone VIII—

Irmos: That which had been hewn down cut through the undivided, and the sun saw land which it had not seen before; the water engulfed the cruel enemy, and Israel traversed the impassable, and chanted the hymn: Let us sing to the Lord, for gloriously is He glorified!

Standing before the King of all with the choirs of the heavenly hosts, O blessed Nicholas, from every evil temptation save us on earth who ever call upon thee; and ask release from our transgressions.

Enriched by thee, our intercessor, O Nicholas, we cry out to thee with faith day and night: Go now before us who are greatly afflicted by the wicked attacks of the demons and corrupt men, that, finding tranquillity, we may praise thee.

With the mighty cords of thy prayers, O Nicholas, give over to utter suffocation those who seek to strangle us, from their wicked assault delivering us who cry out in praise: Let us sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

Theotokion: In manner transcending the laws of nature thou gavest birth to God the Bestower of the law, Who became a man. As thou art good, O most immaculate one, entreat Him to overlook the iniquities of us who ever cry out: Let us sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

Ode III

Canon of the Apostles

Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of those who have recourse to Thee, O Lord; Thou art the light of the benighted; and my spirit doth hymn Thee.

O apostles of the Savior, with power ye gird about my heart, which hath been weakened by evil thoughts and the passions. Twice

Proclaiming the one, thrice-holy effulgence of God, the disciples dissipated the gloom of polytheism.

As divine physicians and surgeons, treat ye the evil sores of my heart, O disciples of our God. Theotokion: Save me, O pure Mistress who supernaturally gavest birth to the Deliverer, Master, Savior and Lord of all.

Canon of Saint Nicholas

Irmos: Same as the foregoing.

That we may honor and hymn thee forever, grant us a helping hand, O holy hierarch Nicholas.

By thine unsleeping supplications, O Nicholas, lull to sleep the perils which arise before us, we beseech thee.

By thy mediation, O holy Nicholas, deliver me who am wholly imperiled by the passions and the temptations of wicked men.

Theotokion: O pure one, entreat the Deliverer, that He grant me release from my sins and the cruel dangers of life.

Ode IV

Canon of the Apostles

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.

Ye have been adorned, O glorious apostles, arrayed in divine splendors and enlightened by the rays of Him Who showed you to be luminaries. Twice

O helmsmen of all, ye divine apostles, from every tempest deliver me who am imperiled upon the deep and am shaken by the dangers of life.

Roiling the sea of polytheism, O divinely chosen steeds, with your supplications ye overwhelm the deep of my transgressions.

Theotokion: In thy womb thou gavest flesh to the Word Who is equal in activity to the Father, O Virgin; wherefore, thou hast been shown to transcend all creation, O Mistress.

Canon of Saint Nicholas

Irmos: Same as the foregoing.

Because of the multitude of my transgressions I fall into many and countless tribulations. Make haste to help me, O holy Nicholas, emulating the Benefactor.

Living in slothfulness, I weep over myself, who am perishing. By thy supplications, O Nicholas, guide me to repentance.

O father Nicholas, who delivered the three youths who were to be executed, deliver me from all oppression and from everlasting condemnation.

Theotokion: O all-pure one, strengthen me to entertain heavenly thoughts, guiding the movements of my soul to the entries of life.

Ode V

Canon of the Apostles

Irmos: Waking at dawn, we cry to Thee: Save us, O Lord! For Thou art our God, and we know none other than Thee.

As helmsmen, O apostles, to the broad expanse of salvation guide me who am hemmed in by many transgressions. Twice

O apostles who beheld God with your own eyes, from every dishonorable act deliver me, who honor your most honorable council, I pray. In that ye emulated the sufferings of the Savior, O holy apostles, drive all passion for luxury from my soul.

Theotokion: Cure my sick soul, O all-pure Mistress who gavest birth to Him Who taketh away the infirmities of all.

Canon of Saint Nicholas

Irmos: Same as the foregoing.

By thy supplications, O divinely blessed Nicholas, strengthen us to keep the commandments of Christ, our one God.

Having lived in Myra, O Nicholas, with divine fragrance fill us who piously hymn thee.

Have pity on us by thy supplications, O holy hierarch Nicholas, entreating the most compassionate God, that we be delivered from misfortunes and tribulations.

Theotokion: O Maiden full of the waters of life, give drink to all of us who hymn thee with pious mind.

Ode VI

Canon of the Apostles

Irmos: I pour forth my prayer unto the Lord, and to Him do I declare my grief; for my soul is full of evil and my life hath drawn nigh unto hell, and like Jonah I pray: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

Ye cast down the temples of the idols, which shook at the sound of your supplications, O disciples of Christ. And I pray with faith: Break ye the idols of my mind, and show me to be a temple of God, though I am guilty of many sins. Twice

O chosen ones who beheld God, and who like stones were founded upon the immovable Rock, save my heart, which hath foolishly been founded upon the sand; for the rivers rage dangerously and buffet me cruelly.

O friends of Christ, from the beguiling love of the flesh deliver me, who have shown myself to be vile by my great evil; and bind me to the love of Him Who loveth sinners in the great mercy of remission.

Theotokion: The Creator, choosing thee, O Maiden, as a rose, as a most pure lily, as an aroma of sweet fragrance, from the beautiful vales of the world, and making His abode in thy womb, and being born of thee, hath filled all things with sweet savor.

Canon of Saint Nicholas

Irmos: Same as the foregoing.

Thy heart, O Nicholas, was like paradise, having Christ the Deliverer within it like the tree of life. Him do thou unceasingly entreat, that He make us all dwellers in paradise, enriched by thee, our fervent helper.

I pass my life in slothfulness, and sin without fear, wretch that I am; but pondering the trial to come, which cannot be postponed, I am seized with fear. Have pity on me, O God, through the supplications of Nicholas, in that Thou art compassionate.

When the tempest of multifarious temptations suddenly assaileth me because of the multitude of mine offenses, I cry: Leave me not bereft of help, O blessed one, but as thou art merciful extend to me a helping hand, and save me.

Theotokion: Thou wast the palace and fiery throne of the King Most High, O Virgin, who art more exalted than the cherubim and seraphim. Wherefore, every breath glorifieth thee as the Mother of the Creator.

Ode VII

Canon of the Apostles

Irmos: In the furnace the Hebrew children boldly trod the flame underfoot and transformed the fire into dew, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

The night of slothfulness holdeth me, and the darkness of sin covereth me. O all-wise apostles, who were shown to be the light of the world, haste ye to illumine my darkened heart. Twice

O divinely eloquent ones, who were shown to be another heaven declaring the glory of our God, from the indignity of the passions deliver those who with faith have recourse to your mighty protection.

O apostles, who were shown to be burning coals alight with the fire of the Comforter, utterly consume all the tinder of our malice, and deliver us forever from the unquenchable fire.

Theotokion: Thou wast shown to be a mountain overshadowed and unquarried, from whence the Stone was cut; wherefore, O Mistress, grant compunction to my darkened soul, which hath been hardened by the bitter love of pleasures.

Canon of Saint Nicholas

Irmos: Same as the foregoing.

Thou didst pour forth streams of doctrine, drying up the torrents of heresies and giving abundant drink to the souls of the faithful, O sacred minister Nicholas; wherefore, we honor thee.

Enabled by the power of the Trinity, thou didst receive the strength to destroy false graven images; wherefore, I entreat thee with faith, O Father: Drive out the passionate idols of my mind.

Thou wast the primate of the people of Myra, and even after death pourest forth divine myrrh, O most blessed Nicholas, dispelling the fœtid ailments of us who approach thee with faith.

Theotokion: Thou didst stop the flow of death, O thou who gavest birth to God immortal. Him do thou beseech, O pure one, that He mortify the passions of my lowly body, and vouchsafe me life.

Ode VIII

Canon of the Apostles

Irmos: Madly did the Chaldæan tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Strengthen my soul, which is whirled about by the passions, O ye who are the unbreakable foundations and unshakable pillars of the Church, the bulwark of the faithful, who draw out those who are in the depths of perdition, the right calm harbors of those who chant with faith: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely forever! Twice

O disciples of the Savior, by your supplications raise me up who am in the grave of dark despair and lie in the netherworld, having fallen through pleasures. Have pity, O apostles who beheld God, for ye have manifestly been vouchsafed to be enriched with the Teacher’s compassion for all ages. Twice

Theotokion: As thou wast shown to be splendid in the beauties of virtue, O most pure one, within thy womb thou didst contain the beautifying majesty of the Creator of all. Him do thou earnestly entreat, that He may for all ages most majestically enlighten my soul, which is stuck fast in the sins of the passions, and seeketh its ancient beauty, O pure one.

Canon of Saint Nicholas

Irmos: Trampling down the fire and flame in the furnace, the divinely eloquent youths did chant: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!

Enlightened by the radiant beams of the three-Sunned Godhead, O divinely wise and holy hierarch Nicholas, by thy supplications dispel the darkness of my passions.

O Nicholas, initiate of the sacred mysteries, who delivered the three generals from death by thine awesome appearance, deliver us also from all deadly harm.

By thy supplications, O most blessed Nicholas, make steadfast those who are beset by the temptations of the demons and oppressive men, and save us unharmed.

Theotokion: Bring entreaty to the Lord, that He have pity and save those who have recourse to thee with faith, O all-holy Virgin, helper of men.

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 Apostles

Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God hath appeared in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.

With the power of God ye broke the jaws of the soul-destroying lions, O apostles, for ye were ordained by Christ to be princes on earth, piously submitting in hymnody to this Spirit; wherefore, make the disorderly movements of my heart subject to the laws of God.

Preaching the Word of God, Who is more comely than all the sons of men, and Who appeared in the world, ye made beautiful your feet, as ones proclaiming peace and life; wherefore, by your supplications bring peace to my soul, which is vexed by the passions.

Having mortified your members on earth, ye clothed yourselves in all life, emulating the honored Passion by your sufferings; wherefore, O divinely blessed apostles, with the remedy of true repentance give life to me who have been wounded by the darts of the evil one’s malice.

Theotokion: In that thou art merciful, O thou who gavest birth to the all-good God, heal my soul, which hath become sick through grievous passions; and ever deliver me from enemies who goad and attack me, O all-pure one, that, saved, I may diligently magnify thee, whom our generation hath magnified.

Canon of Saint Nicholas

Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.

As thou art the deliverer of those who with faith pray to thee in their sorrow, O Nicholas, deliver me from all malice, entreating the Lord God in prayer.

O most holy father Nicholas, who art now with the heavenly choirs, beseech the good God, that He save us.

Judgment is at the gates! Be watchful, O my soul, and cry out to God the Judge: Through the prayers of Nicholas save me, O Lord!

Theotokion: As the receptacle of the Light, O Virgin, enlighten my soul, which hath been darkened by the passions, that I may ever glorify thee with faith and love.

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

Aposticha stichera of the apostles, in Tone VIII—

Ardently loving Thee on earth, O Lord, Thine apostles considered all but dung, that they might acquire Thee alone; and they gave their bodies over to wounds for Thee; wherefore, glorified, they pray for our souls.

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.

O Lord, Thou didst magnify the memory of the apostles on earth, for assembling together thereon, we all glorify Thee; for for their sake Thou grantest us healings, and peace and great mercy to the whole world through their supplications.

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: Arrayed well in the breastplate of the Faith, having armed yourselves with the Cross as a sword, ye showed yourselves to be mighty warriors, manfully opposed the tyrants, and cast down the deception of the devil; and, victorious, ye were vouchsafed crowns. Pray ye ever in our behalf, that our souls be saved.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Rescue me, O Mistress, from the hands of the serpent, the slayer of men, who in his wickedness desireth to devour me utterly. Crush thou his jaws, I pray thee, and set at naught his wiles, that, delivered from his talons, I may magnify thine aid.

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

Thursday at Divine Liturgy

On the Beatitudes, these troparia, in Tone VIII—

Remember us, O Christ, Savior of the world, as Thou didst remember the thief on the tree; and vouchsafe unto all Thy heavenly kingdom, O only Compassionate One.

Like trumpets, O apostles of Christ, ye wakened those lying in the graves of ungodliness and brought them to share in life divine.

With the mystic seed of the Word, O divinely eloquent ones, ye rendered the barren hearts of all the nations fruitful with divine understanding; wherefore, ye are fittingly called blessed.

Martyricon: Having stripped yourselves of all evil, ye strode forth valiantly in the midst of evil men, and clothed yourselves in the robe of salvation from heaven, O athletes.

Glory…: By the supplications of Thy divine apostles mortify the uprisings of the evil passions of my wretched soul, O worshipful and most Holy Trinity, that, saved, I may glorify Thee.

Now & ever…: Rejoice, tongs of the divine Coal! Rejoice, seal of the prophets and teaching of the apostles, O all-pure Theotokos, because of whom we have been freed from corruption!