Thursday in the First Week
MATTINS
After the first reading from the Psalter, the sessional hymns of the Apostles in the Tone of the week.
After the second reading from the Psalter, the following sessional hymns:
TONE TWO
O Word of God, Thou hast made Thy disciples as the stars and by their preaching they have illumined the ends of the earth: enlighten our hearts with the light of the virtues and cleanse us through fasting, granting to Thy servants repentance and conversion, that we may glorify Thee, O Saviour, who art alone supreme in love.
Glory be to the Father…
Repeat.
Both now…
Theotokion
I need thy help, O Theotokos, disregard me not, for my soul trusts in thee: have mercy upon me.
After the third reading from the Psalter, the following sessional hymns:
TONE FIVE
We entreat you, O ye twelve apostles, intercede for us that peacefully we may practise abstinence, the most glorious of the virtues, that has its dwelling-place in heaven, and so may gain the fruits of salvation. For ye are in very truth a strong support to us on earth and a refuge for our souls.
Glory be to the Father…
Repeat.
Both now…
Theotokion
Confessing thee to be in truth more holy than the cherubim and higher than the heavens, O Theotokos worthy of all praise, we sinners gain salvation and, when tempted, find protection. Cease not to intercede on our behalf, for thou art a strong support and a refuge for our souls.
The Canon
We use the Canon to the saint of the day from the Menaion, and the two three-canticled Canons from the Triodion; we sing the fourth Biblical Canticle (Habakkuk 3:1–19).
Canticle Four
First Canon
TONE TWO
by Joseph
Irmos: Thou hast come forth from a Virgin…
Receiving the shining rays of abstinence, O my soul, become as lightning, and flee from the obscurity of sin: that through the divine Spirit the light of forgiveness may illuminate thee as the rising sun.
The deceiver enticed me with the hook of pleasure and made me captive. But, O apostles who by your preaching have caught the whole world in your net, deliver me from his malice.
O glorious apostles, ye shine as rays from the Sun of glory, dispelling the eclipse of error. Let your light also fall on me, for I am darkened by every evil.
Theotokion
In my affliction I cry unto thee night and day. Fenced round by thy help and strength, O Virgin, I shall be saved and shall leap over the wall of sensual pleasure.
Another Canon
TONE FIVE
by Theodore
Irmos: The works of Thy providence…
Shining with the radiance of the Sun of righteousness, O ye apostles, ye give light to this earthly world and drive away the gloom of error.
O ye apostles, ye are the Saviour’s lyre, on which the Spirit plays; preaching in all the earth, ye sing a song melodious to the ear and convert the world to God.
Glory be to the Father…
Let us glorify the Trinity in Unity of Essence; let us sing the praises of the one Lord God, the Father unbegotten, the Son begotten and the Spirit of life.
Both now…
Theotokion
A Virgin has conceived, O Lord, and given birth to Thee who art Emmanuel; for Thou art come to bring salvation to Thy people, and to save all Thine anointed in Thy love for mankind. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O divine and honoured company of the twelve apostles, we entreat you, pray to Christ on our behalf, that we may pass with firm resolve through the period of the forty days.
Irmos: The works of Thy providence, O Lord, filled the Prophet Habakkuk with wonder: for Thou hast come to bring salvation to Thy people and to save all Thine anointed.
Canticle Eight
Irmos: The three holy Children were not obedient to the decree of the tyrant…
Let us abstain from every pleasure; through fasting let us enrich our powers of perception, and gladly let us drink the cup of compunction, as we sing: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
O ye apostles, when ye sit with Christ to judge mortal men, though I deserve condemnation for my many sins, do ye intercede for me, that I may be granted a place at His right hand.
Cleansed by the Fast, let us go up into the chariot of the divine virtues, and let us make our mind ascend on wings to the height of heaven, as we sing: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
Theotokion
O Virgin, thou hast borne the fire of the Godhead and yet remained unconsumed. Bum up the passions of our souls, for in faith we call upon thee with the salutation of the Angel, O thou who alone dost bring us joy.
Second Canon
Irmos: Thy holy Children…
We praise the trumpets of the Spirit, the disciples of Christ, and we cry aloud: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
We praise the disciples of Christ who offer intercession for the world and drive away all error, and we cry aloud: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
We bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We praise the all-holy Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit, and we sing: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
Both now…
Theotokion
With all mankind we sing the praises of thine ineffable childbearing, and with true devotion we cry aloud, pure Virgin: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O ye apostles, pray for us that we may complete in peace these days of propitiation, as we cry aloud: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
We praise, bless and worship the Lord…
Irmos: Thy holy Children sang Thy praises, O Christ, in the furnace, and they said: O ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
Canticle Nine
Irmos: Thou hast enclosed within thy womb…
Cast into the yawning deep of sensual pleasure, upon the abyss of Thy tender mercies do I call: O Helmsman, save me.
O Fountain of compassion, give me compunction and cries of sorrow, that I may lament the endless ocean of my evil deeds.
At the holy prayers of Thy disciples, O Jesus, grant me to venerate Thy divine Passion and Thy dread Resurrection.
Theotokion
O Virgin undefiled, thou hast made our earthly nature heavenly, for God took up His dwelling in thy womb: deliver us all from danger.
Second Canon
Irmos: O Christ, we magnify…
From the fountain of the Saviour, the apostles prophetically drew the water of immortality, and they always give the thirsty drink from the teachings of life.
O ye apostles, princes of the King of heaven, ye have subdued the whole inhabited earth, so that it honours Him alone, and glorifies and worships Him as God.
Glory be to the Father…
O Trinity, undivided Unity, all-creative and all-powerful, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Thou art my God and Lord and Light; I sing Thy praises and I worship Thee.
Both now…
Theotokion
We and every generation shall call thee blessed, O pure Virgin Mother, for thou art the mercy-seat of the world, who ineffably hast borne the Saviour and Creator.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O choir of the apostles, keep safe those that praise you, and grant that they may pass with contrite heart through all the days of the light-giving Fast.
Irmos: O Christ, we magnify Thine all-blameless and pure Mother: for in ways past nature she bore according to the flesh Thee who hast delivered us from all error and corruption.
Aposticha:
TONE THREE
O Lord, Thou hast appointed repentance for me a sinner, wishing in Thy boundless mercy to save me though unworthy. I fall down before Thee and I pray: Humble my soul through fasting, for I flee to Thee for refuge, who alone art rich in mercy (twice).
To the Martyrs
O holy martyrs who have fought the good fight, ye shine even after death as lights in the world: with boldness pray to Christ for mercy on our souls.
Glory be to the Father… Both now…
Theotokion
O Theotokos, the protection of all who ask thy prayers, in thee we trust, in thee we boast, in thee is all our hope: pray to thy Son for thine unprofitable servants.
SIXTH HOUR
Troparion of the Prophecy:
TONE ONE
Deliver us, O Lord, from enemies visible and invisible; let not the heathen say: ‘Where is their God?’ Let them know, O Master, that Thou dost forgive the sins of Thy people that repent.
Glory be to the Father… Both now…
Repeat.
Prokimenon (Psalm 13):
TONE ONE
When the Lord has turned back the captivity of His people, Jacob shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad.
℣. The fool has said in his heart, There is no God.
Lesson: Isaiah 2:11–21.
Prokimenon (Psalm 14):
TONE FOUR
O Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? And who shall dwell in Thy holy mountain?
℣. He that walks blamelessly, and works righteousness.
VESPERS
To Lord, I have cried, six stichera are sung, the first three being from the Triodion:
TONE TWO
by Joseph
O my Christ, when Thou wast hanging on the Cross, Thou hast made dark the sun, and shone upon the faithful with the true light of forgiveness: illumine me, for I am darkened by the delusions of the adversary; that, walking in the light of Thy commandments, I may come in purity unto the saving dawn of Thy Resurrection.
Hanging as a vine upon the Wood, O Christ our Saviour, Thou hast made the ends of the earth to drink from the wine of incorruption. Therefore do I cry aloud: I am darkened always by the hateful drunkenness of sin; give me to drink from the sweet wine of true compunction, and grant me now the strength, O Saviour, to fast from sensual pleasures, for Thou art good and lovest mankind.
SAME TONE
by Theodore
Great is the power of Thy Cross! It has made the flower of abstinence to grow within the Church; it has stripped bare and uprooted the sinful greed that Adam showed in Eden. Adam’s greed brought death to men, but the Cross brings immortality and incorruption to the world. As though from some new river of Paradise, there flows from it the quickening stream of Thy Blood mingled with water, restoring all to life. Through this Thy Cross make sweet the Fast for us, O God of Israel, great in mercy.
Then three stichera to the saint of the day from the Menaion.
Glory be to the Father… Both now…; and the Stavrotheotokion from the Menaion.
Prokimenon (Psalm 15):
TONE FOUR
I will bless the Lord who has given me understanding.
℣. Keep me, O Lord, for in Thee have I put my trust.
Lesson: Genesis 2:4–19.
Prokimenon (Psalm 16):
TONE FOUR
Keep me, O Lord, as the apple of an eye.
℣. Hearken, O Lord of my righteousness.
Lesson: Proverbs 3:1–18.
Aposticha:
TONE FOUR
If we desire to partake of the divine Passover that comes not from Egypt but from Zion, let us through repentance put away the leaven of sin. Let us gird our loins through the mortification of sensual pleasure; let us make our feet beautiful with shoes that keep us from straying into evil paths; and let us take as our support the staff of faith. Let us not emulate the enemies of the Master’s Cross, whose god is their belly, but let us follow the Saviour of our souls, who by fasting showed us how to gain the victory against the devil (twice).
To the Martyrs
Thou art glorified in the memorials of Thy saints, O Christ our God: at their intercessions send down upon us Thy great mercy.
Glory be to the Father… Both now…
Stavrotheotokion
When the Ewe-Lamb, Thy Mother, saw Thee nailed to the Cross, O Lord, in dismay she said: ‘O my beloved Son, what is this I see? Though they delighted in Thy many miracles, such is the reward that the lawless and disobedient people has given Thee in return! But glory be to Thine ineffable self-abasement, O Master.’
GREAT COMPLINE
We start as on Monday. After Psalm 69 we begin the fourth section of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete.
TONE SIX
Canticle One
Irmos: He is for me unto salvation Helper and Protector. He is my God and I glorify Him, God of my fathers is He and I exalt Him, for He is greatly glorified.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of all, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion give me tears of compunction.
I fall down, Jesus, at Thy feet: I have sinned against Thee, be merciful to me. Take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion, O God, accept me in repentance.
Enter not into judgement with me, bringing before me the things I should have done, examining my words and correcting my impulses. But in Thy mercy overlook my sins and save me, O Lord almighty.
It is time for repentance: to Thee I come, my Creator. Take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion give me tears of compunction.
As the Prodigal, O Saviour, I have wasted the substance of my soul in sin, and I am barren of the virtues of holiness. In my hunger I cry: O Giver of mercy, come quickly out to meet me and take pity on me.
Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.
Bowing before the divine laws of Christ, thou hast drawn near to Him, forsaking the unbridled longings of sensual pleasure; and in the fear of God thou hast gained all the virtues as if they were one.
Glory be to the Father…
Trinity beyond all being, worshipped in Unity, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of compunction.
Both now…
Theotokion
O Theotokos, the hope and protection of those who sing thy praises, take from me the heavy yoke of sin and, pure Lady, accept me in repentance.
Canticle Two
Irmos: See now, see that I am God, who rained down manna in the days of old, and made springs of water flow from the rock, for My people in the wilderness, by My right hand and by My power alone.
‘I have slain a man to my grief and wounding’, said Lamech, ‘and a young man to my hurt’; and he cried aloud lamenting. Dost thou not tremble then, my soul, for thou hast defiled thy flesh and polluted thy mind?
Skilfully hast thou planned to build a tower, O my soul, and to establish a stronghold for thy lusts; but the Creator confounded thy designs and dashed thy devices to the ground.
Ah, how I have emulated Lamech, the murderer of old, slaying my soul as if it were a man, and my mind as if it were a young man. With sensual longings I have killed my body, as Cain the murderer killed his brother.
Roused to anger by their transgressions, the Lord once rained down fire from heaven and burnt up the men of Sodom. And thou, my soul, hast kindled the fire of Gehenna, and there to thy bitter sorrow thou shalt burn.
I am wounded and smitten: see the enemy’s arrows which have pierced my soul and body. See the wounds, the open sores and the injuries, that cry out to God against the blows inflicted by my freely-chosen passions.
Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.
Sunk in the abyss of wickedness, O Mary, thou hast lifted up thine hands to the merciful God. And, as to Peter, in His loving-kindness He stretched out His hand to thee in help, seeking in every way thy conversion.
Glory be to the Father…
O Trinity uncreated and without beginning, O undivided Unity, accept me in repentance and save me, a sinner. I am Thy creation, reject me not; but spare me and deliver me from the fire of condemnation.
Both now…
Theotokion
Most pure Lady, Mother of God, the hope of those who run to thee and the haven of the storm-tossed: pray to the merciful God, thy Creator and thy Son, that He may grant His mercy even to me.
Canticle Three
Irmos: O Lord, upon the rock of Thy commandments make firm my wavering heart, for Thou alone art Holy and Lord.
O my soul, thou hast become like Hagar the Egyptian: thy free choice has been enslaved, and thou hast borne as thy child a new Ishmael, stubborn wilfulness.
Thou knowest, my soul, the ladder that was shown to Jacob, reaching up from earth to heaven. Why hast thou not provided a firm foundation for it through thy godly actions?
Follow the example of Melchizedek, the priest of God, the king set apart, who was an image of the life of Christ among men in the world.
Turn back, wretched soul, and lament, before the fair-ground of life comes to an end, before the Lord shuts the door of the bridarchamber.
Do not look back, my soul, and so be turned into a pillar of salt. Fear the example of the people of Sodom, and take refuge in Zoar.
Reject not, O Master, the prayer of those who sing Thy praises, but in Thy loving-kindness be merciful and grant forgiveness to them that ask with faith.
Glory be to the Father…
O simple Unity praised in Trinity of Persons, uncreated Nature without beginning, save us who in faith worship Thy power.
Both now…
Theotokion
O Mother of God, without knowing man thou hast given birth within time to the Son, who was begotten outside time from the Father; and, strange wonder! thou givest suck while still remaining Virgin.
Canticle Four
Irmos: The prophet heard of Thy coming, O Lord, and he was afraid: how Thou wast to be born of a Virgin and revealed to men, and he said: ‘I have heard the report of Thee and I was afraid.’ Glory to Thy power, O Lord.
The time of my life is short, filled with trouble and evil. But accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food of the enemy; but do Thou, O Saviour, take pity on me.
A man of great wealth and righteous, abounding in riches and cattle, clothed in royal dignity, in crown and purple robe, Job became suddenly a beggar, stripped of wealth, glory and kingship.
If he who was righteous and blameless above all men did not escape the snares and pits of the deceiver, what wilt thou do, wretched and sin-loving soul, when some sudden misfortune befalls thee?
Now I speak boastfully, with boldness of heart; yet all to no purpose and in vain. O righteous Judge, who alone art compassionate, do not condemn me with the Pharisee; but grant me the abasement of the Publican and number me with him.
I know, O compassionate Lord, that I have sinned and violated the vessel of my flesh. But accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food of the enemy; but do Thou, O Saviour, take pity on me.
I have become mine own idol, utterly defiling my soul with the passions. But accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food of the enemy; but do Thou, O Saviour, take pity on me.
I have not hearkened to Thy voice, I have not heeded Thy Scripture, O Giver of the Law. But accept me in repentance and call me back to knowledge. Let me not become the possession and food of the enemy; but do Thou, O Saviour, take pity on me.
Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.
Thou wast brought down into an abyss of great iniquity, yet not held fast within it: but with better intent thou hast mounted through action to the height of virtue, past all expectation: and the angels, O Mary, were amazed at thee.
Glory be to the Father…
Undivided in Essence, unconfused in Persons, I confess Thee as God: Triune Deity, one in kingship and throne; and to Thee I raise the great thrice-holy hymn that is sung on high.
Both now…
Theotokion
Thou givest birth and art a virgin, and in both thou remainest by nature inviolate. He who is born makes new the laws of nature, and the womb brings forth without travail. When God so wills, the natural order is overcome: for He does whatever He wishes.
Canticle Five
Irmos: From the night I seek Thee early, O Lover of mankind: give me light, I pray Thee, and guide me in Thy commandments, and teach me, O Saviour, to do Thy will.
O my soul, do as the woman who was bowed down to the ground. Fall at the feet of Jesus, that He may make thee straight again; and thou shalt walk upright upon the paths of the Lord.
Thou art a deep well, O Master: make springs gush forth for me from Thy pure veins, that like the woman of Samaria I may drink and thirst no more; for from Thee flow the streams of life.
O Master and Lord, may my tears be unto me as Siloam: that I also may wash clean the eyes of my heart, and with my mind behold Thee, the pre-eternal Light.
Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.
O blessed saint, with a love beyond compare thou hast longed to venerate the wood of the Cross, and thy desire was granted. Make me also worthy to attain the glory on high.
Glory be to the Father…
We glorify Thee, O Trinity, the one God. Holy, holy, holy, art Thou, Father, Son and Spirit, simple Essence and Unity, worshipped for ever.
Both now…
Theotokion
O Virgin inviolate and Mother who hast not known man, from thee has God, the Creator of the ages, taken human flesh, uniting to Himself the nature of men.
Canticle Six
Irmos: With my whole heart I cried to the all-compassionate God: and He heard me from the lowest depths of hell, and brought my life out of corruption.
O Saviour, I am the coin marked with the King’s likeness, which Thou hast lost of old. But, O Word, light Thy lamp, Thy Forerunner, and seek and find again Thine image.
Rise up and make war upon the passions of the flesh, as Joshua against Amalek, ever gaining the victory over the Gibeonites, thy deceitful thoughts.
Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.
Thy soul on fire, O Mary, thou hast ever shed streams of tears, to quench the burning of the passions. Grant the grace of these thy tears to me also, thy servant.
Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.
Through the perfection of thine earthly life, O Mother, thou hast gained a heavenly freedom from the sinfulness of passion. In thine intercessions pray that this same freedom may be given to those who sing thy praises.
Glory be to the Father…
‘I am the Trinity, simple and undivided, yet divided in Persons, and I am the Unity, by Nature one’, says the Father and the Son and the divine Spirit.
Both now…
Theotokion
Thy womb bore God for us, fashioned in our shape. O Theotokos, pray to Him as the Creator of all, that we may be justified through thine intercessions.
Kontakion
TONE SIX
My soul, O my soul, rise up! Why art thou sleeping? The end draws near, and soon thou shalt be troubled. Watch, then, that Christ our God may spare thee, for He is everywhere present and fills all things.
Canticle Seven
Irmos: We have sinned, we have transgressed, we have done evil in Thy sight; we have not kept or followed Thy commandments. But reject us not utterly, O God of our fathers.
My days have vanished as a dream of one awaking; and so, like Hezekiah, I weep upon my bed, that years may be added to my life. But what Isaiah will come to me, O my soul, except the God of all?
I fall before Thee, and as tears I offer Thee my words. I have sinned as the Harlot never sinned, and I have transgressed as no other man on earth. But take pity on Thy creature, O Master, and call me back.
I have discoloured Thine image and broken Thy commandment. All my beauty is destroyed and my lamp is quenched by the passions, O Saviour. But take pity on me, as David sings, and ‘restore to me Thy joy’.
Turn back, repent, uncover all that thou hast hidden. Say unto God, to whom all things are known: Thou alone knowest my secrets, O Saviour; ‘have mercy on me’, as David sings, ‘according to Thy mercy’.
Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.
Raising thy cry to the pure Mother of God, thou hast driven back the fury of the passions that violently assailed thee, and put to shame the enemy who sought to make thee stumble. But give thy help in trouble now to me also, thy servant.
Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.
Pray to Him whom thou hast loved, O holy Mary, whom thou hast desired, for whose sake thou hast worn out thy flesh: pray to Christ for us thy servants, that He may show mercy to us all, and grant a peaceful life to those who worship Him.
Glory be to the Father…
O simple and undivided Trinity, O holy and consubstantial Unity: Thou art praised as Light and Lights, one Holy and three Holies. Sing, O my soul, and glorify Life and Lives, the God of all.
Both now…
Theotokion
We praise thee, we bless thee, we venerate thee, O Mother of God: for thou hast given birth to One of the undivided Trinity, thy Son and God, and thou hast opened the heavenly places to us on earth.
Canticle Eight
Irmos: The hosts of heaven give Him glory; before Him tremble cherubim and seraphim; let everything that has breath and all creation praise Him, bless Him, and exalt Him above all for ever.
As precious ointment, O Saviour, I empty on Thine head the alabaster box of my tears. Like the Harlot, I cry out to Thee, seeking Thy mercy: I bring my prayer and ask to receive forgiveness.
No one has sinned against Thee as I have; yet accept even me, compassionate Saviour, for I repent in fear and cry with longing: Against Thee alone have I sinned; I have transgressed, have mercy on me.
Spare the work of Thine own hands, O Saviour, and as shepherd seek the lost sheep that has gone astray. Snatch me from the wolf and make me a nursling in the pasture of Thine own flock.
When Thou sittest upon Thy throne, O merciful Judge, and revealest Thy dread glory, O Christ, what fear there will be then! When the furnace burns with fire, and all shrink back in terror before Thy judgement-seat.
Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.
The Mother of the Light that never sets illumined thee and freed thee from the darkness of the passions. O Mary, who hast received the grace of the Spirit, give light to those who praise thee with faith.
Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.
The holy Zosimas was struck with amazement, O Mother, beholding in thee a wonder truly strange and new. For he saw an angel in the body and was filled with astonishment, praising Christ unto all ages.
We bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Father without beginning, coeternal Son, and loving Comforter, the Spirit of righteousness; Begetter of the Word of God, Word of the eternal Father, Spirit living and creative: O Trinity in Unity, have mercy on me.
Both now…
Theotokion
As from purple silk, O undefiled Virgin, the spiritual robe of Emmanuel, His flesh, was woven in thy womb. Therefore we honour thee as Theotokos in very truth.
Canticle Nine
Irmos: Conception without seed; nativity past understanding, from a Mother who never knew a man; childbearing undefiled. For the birth of God makes both natures new. Therefore, as Bride and Mother of God, with true worship all generations magnify thee.
O Son of David, with Thy word Thou hast healed the possessed: take pity on me, save me and have mercy. Let me hear Thy compassionate voice speak to me as to the thief: ‘Verily, I say unto thee, thou shalt be with Me in Paradise, when I come in My glory.’
A thief accused Thee, a thief confessed Thy Godhead: for both were hanging beside Thee on the Cross. Open to me also, O Lord of many mercies, the door of Thy glorious Kingdom, as once it was opened to Thy thief who acknowledged Thee with faith as God.
The creation was in anguish, seeing Thee crucified. Mountains and rocks were split from fear, the earth quaked, and hell was despoiled; the light grew dark in daytime, beholding Thee, O Jesus, nailed in the flesh.
Do not demand from me worthy fruits of repentance, for my strength has failed within me. Give me an ever-contrite heart and poverty of spirit, that I may offer these to Thee as an acceptable sacrifice, O only Saviour.
O my Judge who dost know me, when Thou comest again with the angels to judge the whole world, look upon me then with Thine eye of mercy and spare me; take pity on me, Jesus, for I have sinned more than any other man.
Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.
By thy strange way of life thou hast struck all with wonder, both the hosts of angels and the gatherings of mortal men; for thou hast surpassed nature and lived as though no longer in the body. Like a bodiless angel thou hast walked upon the Jordan with thy feet, O Mary, and crossed over it.
Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us.
O holy Mother, call down the gracious mercy of the Creator upon us who sing thy praises, that we may be set free from the sufferings and afflictions that assail us; so without ceasing, delivered from temptations, we shall magnify the Lord who has glorified thee.
Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.
Venerable Andrew, father thrice-blessed, shepherd of Crete, cease not to offer prayer for us who sing thy praises; that we may be delivered from all danger and distress, from corruption and sin, who honour thy memory with faith.
Glory be to the Father…
Let us glorify the Father, let us exalt the Son, and with faith let us worship the Spirit of God, undivided Trinity and Unity in essence. Let us adore Light and Lights, Life and Lives, giving light and life to the ends of the earth.
Both now…
Theotokion
Watch over thy City, all-pure Mother of God. For by thee she reigns in faith, by thee she is made strong; by thee she is victorious, putting to flight every temptation, despoiling the enemy and ruling her subjects.
And then again the irmos, Conception without seed…
And the rest of Great Compline.