Saturday in the Second Week
MATTINS
After the Six Psalms and the Great Litany, we sing Alleluia in TONE TWO, with the appointed verses (see p. 66), and then the following troparia:
TONE TWO
Apostles, martyrs and prophets, hierarchs, holy monks and righteous men, who have fought the good fight to the end and kept the faith: since ye have boldness in the presence of the Saviour, we entreat you, pray to Him on our behalf for the salvation of our souls.
Glory be to the Father…
For the Dead
Remember Thy servants, O Lord, in Thy love, and forgive them all the sins that they committed in this life, for none is without sin but Thee, who hast power to give rest to the departed.
Both now…
Theotokion
O holy Mother of the ineffable Light, with angelic hymns we honour and magnify thee.
After the first reading from the Psalter (the sixteenth kathisma), we sing three sessional hymns to the Martyrs; Glory be to the Father…; the sessional hymn for the Dead; Both now…; and the Theotokion, all in the Tone of the week (see pp. 595 ff).
Then we read the seventeenth kathisma (Psalm 118), dividing it into two parts, as on the Saturday of the Dead (see pp. 66 ff), and between the two parts the priest says the Small Litany for the Dead.
After this we sing the Evlogitaria of the Dead (see p. 67), and then again the Small Litany for the Dead, followed by the sessional hymn:
TONE FIVE
Give rest with the righteous to Thy servants, O our Saviour, and make them dwell in Thy courts, as it is written, in Thy goodness passing over all their transgressions, voluntary or involuntary, every sin committed in knowledge or in ignorance, O Thou who lovest mankind.
Glory be to the Father… Both now…
Theotokion
O Christ our God who from a Virgin hast shone forth upon the world, and through her hast made us sons of light, have mercy on us.
Psalm 50.
The Canon
Up to the end of Canticle Five we use the Canon to the saint of the day from the Menaion, with six troparia (including the irmos), and the Canon to the patron saint of the church or monastery, with four troparia. Starting at Canticle Six, we omit the Canon to the patron saint, and use first the Canon from the Menaion with six troparia, and then the two four-canticled Canons from the Triodion, with eight troparia.
Canticle Six
First Canon
TONE EIGHT
by Joseph
Irmos: I pour out my prayer unto the Lord…
Because of the many torments that they suffered, the saints were counted worthy to overthrow many thousands of the enemy, and they received, O Saviour, many blessings from Thee. At their intercessions, in Thy love wash me clean from all my sins.
Let us all sing the praises of the victorious martyrs of Christ, and let us cry to them with one accord: O followers of Christ’s Passion, heal the passions of our souls and give us strength to abstain from every evil way.
Sleeping in the tomb, Thou hast transformed the sorrow of death into a sleep, and hast given life to the departed. O Saviour, grant to those who have gone from us a place with Thine elect, at the prayers of Thy holy martyrs.
Theotokion
Ineffably, O Virgin, thou hast borne the Word made flesh, who is all-powerful and sinless: give me strength to fast and to abstain from every sin; and, O Undefiled, grant me tears to wash away my filthiness.
Another Canon
TONE THREE
by Theodore
Irmos: The deep waters of the passions…
Come, all who love the martyrs, let us celebrate their memory with prayers to God. In gladness let us crown them with our hymns and bless Christ who has rewarded them for their suffering.
First ye were scourged, then stoned, or sawn asunder, or given as food to the wild beasts. Ye were slaughtered as the sheep of Christ, but ye live for ever, O victorious martyrs.
Glory be to the Father…
I unite the Three in the one Nature of the Godhead, and divide the One into three Persons; and I reject equally the opposing heresies of Sabellius and Arius.
Both now…
Theotokion
Thou art a virgin, and after childbearing thou still remainest pure; yet thou hast truly given birth. Strange is the mystery that is revealed in thee, Mother of God, and beyond words and understanding.
℣. God is wonderful in His saints, the God of Israel.
To the Martyrs
O martyrs, the blood of your patient suffering makes unceasing intercession to the Lord on our behalf. Pray for us now, that we may keep a fast from shameful passions.
℣. Their souls shall dwell in prosperity.
For the Dead
O Lord all-merciful, who shalt come to judge the whole world in the presence of ten thousands of the angels, grant to those who have fallen asleep in faith, that they may stand then before Thee uncondemned.
Irmos: The deep waters of the passions and a storm of adverse winds have risen up against me. Make haste, O Saviour, to save me, and to deliver me from corruption, as Thou hast delivered the Prophet from the whale.
Kontakion
TONE EIGHT
With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life without end.
Ikos
Thou only art immortal, who hast created and fashioned man: but we are mortal, formed from the earth, and to this same earth shall we return, as Thou hast commanded when Thou madest me, saying: ‘Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.’ There shall all we mortals go, and for our funeral dirge we sing: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Canticle Seven
Irmos: The Hebrew Children in the furnace…
O martyrs worthy of all honour, with your blood ye quenched the flame of errors. Through your prayers to Christ, deliver us from the fire that is to come, O victorious servants of the Lord.
O triumphant martyrs, ye stopped the mouths of lions and endured the fire of torture, and now ye have been granted the true joy of heaven. Pray that we also may for ever share in this joy.
O courageous martyrs, illumined by the fullness of the Spirit’s light, pray that the departed faithful may receive repose, and entry into Paradise, and a share in life.
Theotokion
To thee I bring a hymn, pure Virgin. I am held fast by evil: reject me not, but grant me perfect amendment through fasting and a righteous way of life.
Second Canon
Irmos: Thou hast shed dew upon the furnace…
Fire and sword and wild beasts ye counted as a joy, O martyrs, and ye filled your murderers with amazement as ye sang in praise to the God of our fathers.
Cut in pieces and burnt, O martyrs, ye were offered as a fragrant sacrifice to Christ: intercede with Him at all times on our behalf.
Glory be to the Father…
I glorify one God in Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit, simple Unity, holy Triad, Source without beginning, single in Essence.
Both now…
Theotokion
Most holy Lady Theotokos, accept the prayers of thy servants and bring them to the God of all, that He may save us from every trial and temptation.
℣. To the saints that are in the earth, the Lord has shown the wonders of His will.
To the Martyrs
O company of martyrs, come from heaven to our aid: bless and sanctify us as we sing your praises, that with willing hearts we may complete the season of the Fast.
℣. Blessed are they whom Thou hast chosen and taken to Thyself, O Lord.
For the Dead
O God, who knowest men’s works, forgive the sins voluntary and involuntary of the faithful who have gone to dwell with Thee, and grant them rest.
Irmos: Thou hast shed dew upon the furnace and saved the Children from its flames: blessed art Thou for ever, O Lord God of our fathers.
Canticle Eight
Irmos: Victors over fire and torment…
After enduring many torments in the weakness of your body, O victorious martyrs, now ye are revealed as physicians of the sick. Therefore I cry: My soul is sick; heal it through repentance during the time of the Fast.
Alas! How have all my days passed by in carelessness. I have accomplished nothing good: and see, the end is near at hand. O martyrs who have fought the good fight and finished the course, pray for me, that I may make a good end.
With the drops of your blood ye quenched the fire of godlessness, O victorious martyrs: pray for those who have departed from this life, that God may grant them rest and eternal remission of their sins.
Theotokion
Ezekiel saw thee, O pure Virgin, as the gate through which none may pass; and thou openest the gates of repentance unto all those in despair. Therefore I entreat thee: open unto me the paths that lead to rest eternal.
Second Canon
Irmos: Begotten as God before all ages…
Ye endured many bitter torments: some of you were burnt, others sawn asunder or cut in pieces. But now ye rejoice, O victorious martyrs, and sing to Christ: Praise, bless and exalt Him above all for ever.
Through your blood ye sanctify the ends of the earth and bring healing unto all, O martyrs blessed throughout the world, and continually ye cry aloud: Praise, bless and exalt Him above all for ever.
We bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
O Unity in three Persons, Father, Son and living Spirit, one Godhead and one Kingdom, the hosts of angels glorify Thee as the Light that never sets; and we on earth praise, bless and exalt Thee above all for ever.
Both now…
Theotokion
Behold, with all generations we call thee blessed, O Virgin undefiled, seeing the great things God has done to thee. For in ways surpassing nature thou hast borne the Maker of all, who is both God and man. Therefore we bless and exalt thee above all for ever.
℣. God is wonderful in His saints, the God of Israel.
To the Martyrs
O choir of martyrs, pray for our salvation, we entreat you, and beseech the Saviour that we may offer Him true worship through our abstinence. Praise, bless and exalt Him above all for ever.
℣. Their souls shall dwell in prosperity.
For the Dead
To those who have fallen asleep in the true faith and in the hope of resurrection, grant, O Lord, that they may awaken to eternal life; and they will magnify Thee in sincerity and offer Thee this psalm of glory: Praise, bless and exalt Him above all for ever.
We praise, bless and worship the Lord…
Irmos: Begotten as God before all ages from the Father without beginning, He has in the last times clothed Himself in flesh taken from the Theotokos: O sing His praises as true man and perfect God, and bless and exalt Him above all for ever.
Canticle Nine
Irmos: Thou hast surpassed the bounds of nature…
O brave martyrs, ye are divine coals, burning up the evil substance of godlessness. Ye have cut down the ranks of demons with the sword, and ye give light to our souls.
O brave martyrs, ye have passed through the darkness of torment and gone to dwell in spiritual light: enlighten my humiliated soul that is darkened by sin.
The glorious martyrs endured the pain inflicted on their bodies; and now they intercede for the faithful departed, praying that they may enjoy painless repose and the delight of Paradise.
Theotokion
O all-pure Lady, come to the aid of thine unworthy servants during this season of abstinence, and bring our prayers to the Lord and King of all the ages.
Second Canon
Irmos: Thou art the immortal fountain…
As fire sent by God on the earth, ye have burnt up all the error of idolatry and kindled the light of the true faith in the farthest regions of the world, O martyrs of Christ.
Neither flame nor slaughter, nor wheel nor rack, nor catapult nor saw nor any other torture, however bitter, could separate you from the love of Christ, O holy martyrs.
Glory be to the Father…
With true faith I praise the Godhead, one in three, united in Essence yet distinct in Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit—these are one.
Both now…
Theotokion
Thou hast borne the Rod from the root of Jesse and of David the forefather: we magnify thee, undefiled and pure, for thou dost save our souls.
℣. To the saints that are in the earth, the Lord has shown the wonders of His will.
To the Martyrs
O honoured multitude of martyrs, pray to Christ on our behalf, that we may complete the course of the Fast in peace, and may behold and venerate His Passion.
℣. Blessed are they whom Thou hast chosen and taken to Thyself, O Lord.
For the Dead
As God of the dead and the living, who hast slain death and by Thy Rising granted life to all, give rest, O Christ, to Thy departed servants.
Irmos: Thou art the immortal fountain, who through the saints givest healing unto all mankind: we magnify thee, O pure Virgin, for thou dost save our souls.
The Hymn of Light in the Tone of the week (twice), and the exapostilarion for the Dead, O Thou who hast authority as God… (see p. 73).
Lauds: We sing four stichera to the Martyrs; Glory be to the Father…; the appointed verse for the Dead; Both now…; and the Theotokion, all in the Tone of the week (see pp. 595 ff).
Aposticha for the Dead in the Tone of the week, by Theophanes (see pp. 595 ff).
Then It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord…; and the rest of Mattins, as outside Lent, with the troparion, Apostles, martyrs and prophets…; Glory be to the Father…; Remember Thy servants, O Lord…; Both now…; O holy Mother of the ineffable Light… (see p. 240), and the usual Litany, Have mercy upon us, O God…
DIVINE LITURGY
The Typika (Psalms 102 and 145) and the Beatitudes. With the Beatitudes we sing six troparia in the Tone of the week, from the Octoechos.
Prokimenon:
TONE SIX
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, ye righteous: and be joyful, all ye that are upright of heart (Psalm 31:11).
℣. Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven (Psalm 31:1).
Another Prokimenon:
SAME TONE
Their souls shall dwell in prosperity (Psalm 24:13).
Epistle: For the day: Hebrews 3:12–16.
For the Dead: l Thessalonians 4:13–17.
Alleluia:
TONE SIX
℣ 1. The righteous cried and the Lord heard them (Psalm 33:18).
℣ 2. Blessed are they whom Thou hast chosen and taken to Thyself, O Lord (Psalm 64:5).
Gospel: For the day: Mark 1:35–44.
For the Dead: John 5:24–30.
Communion verse:
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: it is fitting for the just to give praise. Alleluia.
And:
Blessed are they whom Thou hast chosen and taken to Thyself, O Lord: their memorial is from generation to generation. Alleluia.