The Second Sunday in Lent
ON WHICH WE CELEBRATE THE MEMORY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS, ARCHBISHOP OF THESSALONICA
VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING
After the Psalm of Introduction (Psalm 103) and the Great Litany, we read Blessed is the man (the first kathisma of the Psalter).
To Lord, I have cried, ten stichera are sung, six of the Resurrection in the Tone of the week from the Octoechos, and the following three in honour of the saint, the first of them being repeated:
TONE TWO
What hymns of praise shall we sing in honour of the holy bishop? He is the trumpet of theology, the herald of the fire of grace, the honoured vessel of the Spirit, the unshaken pillar of the Church, the great joy of the inhabited earth, the river of wisdom, the candlestick of the light, the shining star that makes glorious the whole creation (twice).
What words of song shall we weave as a garland, to crown the holy bishop? He is the champion of true devotion and the adversary of ungodliness, the fervent protector of the Faith, the great guide and teacher, the well-tuned harp of the Spirit, the golden tongue, the fountain that flows with waters of healing for the faithful, Gregory the great and marvellous.
With what words shall we who dwell on earth praise the holy bishop? He is the teacher of the Church, the herald of the light of God, the initiate of the heavenly mysteries of the Trinity, the chief adornment of the monastic life, renowned alike in action and in contemplation, the glory of Thessalonica; and now he dwells in heaven with the great and glorious martyr Demetrius, whose relics flow with holy oil.
Glory be to the Father…
TONE SIX
Thrice-blessed saint, most holy father, good shepherd and disciple of Christ the Chief Shepherd, thou hast laid down thy life for thy sheep. And now in thine intercessions, O God-bearing Gregory our father, pray that great mercy may be granted to our souls.
Both now…
Then the Theotokion (Dogmatikon) in the Tone of the week from the Octoechos, followed by the Entrance, O joyful Light, and the Prokimenon of the day, The Lord is King.
At the Lity we sing the stichera of the patron saint of the church or monastery, and then:
Glory be to the Father…
TONE SIX
Full of grace are thy lips, holy father; thou hast become shepherd of the Church of Christ, teaching thy spiritual flock to believe in the Trinity, consubstantial in one Godhead.
Both now…
Theotokion
Christ the Lord, my Maker and Deliverer, came forth from thy womb, all-hallowed Queen, and clothing Himself in me He delivered Adam from the curse of old. Therefore with never-silent voices we praise thee as true Mother of God and Virgin, and with the salutation of the Angel we cry unto thee: Hail, Lady, guardian and protection and salvation of our souls.
We sing the Aposticha in the Tone of the week from the Octoechos, and then:
Glory be to the Father…
TONE EIGHT
Thy tongue, watchful in teaching, rings in the ears of our heart and awakens the souls of the slothful. Thy words, inspired by God, are a ladder leading us from earth to heaven. O Gregory, wonder of Thessaly, pray to Christ without ceasing, that we who honour thee may be illumined with the divine light.
Both now…
Theotokion
O Virgin who hast not known a man, Mother of the most high God, thou hast ineffably conceived God in the flesh. O Undefiled, accept the supplications of thy servants, for to all thou grantest cleansing from their sins. Receive our prayers and intercede for the salvation of us all.
The apolytikion Hail, Theotokos Virgin, Mary full of grace (three times), and the rest of Vespers.
MATTINS
After the Six Psalms and the Great Litany, we sing The Lord is God, followed by the troparion (apolytikion) of the Resurrection in the Tone of the week (twice); Glory be to the Father…; and the troparion (apolytikion) of the saint:
TONE EIGHT
O Gregory the Wonderworker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, glory of monks and invincible protector of theologians, pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, pray without ceasing for the salvation of our souls.
Both now…
Theotokion
SAME TONE
O loving Lord, for our sakes Thou wast born of a Virgin and hast endured Crucifixion, despoiling death by death, and as God Thou hast revealed the Resurrection. Despise not Thy handywork, but show Thy love for man, O merciful Lord. Accept the intercessions made on our behalf by the Theotokos who bore Thee; and save, O our Saviour, Thy people from despair.
Then the two readings from the Psalter, with the sessional hymns of the Resurrection in the Tone of the week; the Polyeleos (or Psalm 118), the Evlogitaria, the Ypakoë, the Hymn of Degrees and the Prokimenon in the Tone of the week, and the appointed Morning Gospel. We then sing We have seen the Resurrection of Christ, followed by Psalm 50, and then, as on previous Sundays:
Glory be to the Father…
TONE EIGHT
Open unto me, O Giver of Life, the gates of repentance: for early in the morning my spirit seeks Thy holy temple, bearing a temple of the body all defiled. But in Thy compassion cleanse it by Thy loving-kindness and Thy mercy.
Both now…
SAME TONE
Guide me in the paths of salvation, O Theotokos: for I have befouled my soul with shameful sins and have wasted all my life in slothfulness. By thine intercessions deliver me from all uncleanness.
Have mercy upon me, O God, in Thy great mercy: and according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
TONE SIX
As I ponder in my wretchedness the many evil things that I have done, I tremble for the fearful day of judgement. But trusting in Thy merciful compassion, like David do I cry to Thee: Have mercy upon me, O God, in Thy great mercy.
The Canon
We use four troparia (including the irmos) from the Canon of the Resurrection in the Tone of the week, from the Octoechos; four troparia from the first canon in the Triodion, and six troparia from the second canon, in honour of the saint.
Canticle One
First Canon
TONE EIGHT
by Theophanes
Irmos: The rod of Moses working wonders…
Shedding fervent tears, let us cry to Thee with the words of the Prodigal, O Father and God of all, and let us fall down before Thee, saying: We have sinned, departing far from Thee, and we have made ourselves the slaves of lust; accept our repentance.
Thou hast conferred upon me a royal birthright, becoming man for my sake, O Word; but I have despised Thy gift, and I am bitterly condemned to feed swine, the offspring of my sins. But in Thy compassion spare me, O Saviour.
I kneel before Thee, as the Prodigal Son of old, O Lord and Master: run out to meet me and receive me, and taking me in Thine embrace grant me the tokens of Thy salvation. Instead of a hired servant make me once again Thy son, O Saviour who lovest mankind.
Theotokion
O Virgin full of divine grace, through thee human nature was counted worthy of God’s revelation, for thou art the only mediator between God and man; and rightly thou art glorified by all of us as the Mother of God.
Canon of the Saint
TONE FOUR
by George
Irmos: I shall open my mouth…
O orators who speak of things divine, O chosen theologians and every tongue inspired by God, come and unite together, that ye may rightly sing in praise of holy Gregory, the herald of the Spirit.
Let us praise Gregory the great, the pillar of the Faith, the champion of the Church, the good shepherd of Thessalonica and the true glory of the order of bishops.
From earliest childhood thou hast desired the higher life and the path of perfection, O holy father Gregory, and thou hast proved a true follower and companion of thy namesake Gregory the Theologian.
Theotokion
O Undefiled, be thou to me a path of life, guiding me to the dwelling-place of God. For I have wandered astray and fallen into the pit of evil: through thy mediation, lead me back.
Katavasia: I shall open my mouth and the Spirit will inspire it, and I shall utter the words of my song to the Queen and Mother: I shall be seen radiantly keeping feast and joyfully praising her wonders.
Canticle Three
Irmos: O Lord, Thou builder of the vault of heaven…
When I consider my actions, and how I have departed far from Thee, wasting in prodigal desires the wealth which Thou hast given me, I am filled with fear and in repentance I cry out to Thee, my Father and my God: I have sinned, save me.
Sinning on earth, I am afraid of heaven; for at the Last Day it will be my accuser, O Word of God, when all things stand before Thee and submit to Thy righteous judgement.
I fed on dark and swinish thoughts when, like the Prodigal, I left Thee, O Saviour, and went into a far country; but now I cry: I have sinned against Thee, I have sinned; save me, for fervently I run for refuge to Thy tender mercy.
Theotokion
Adam’s nature was made godlike, O Virgin, when without undergoing change God took flesh within thy womb; and we who were deceived of old by the hope of becoming gods, have been set free from the ancient condemnation.
Second Canon
Irmos: O Mother of God, thou living and plentiful fount…
Holding fast to thy inspired teaching, we reject every false invention of the heretics, and we put them all to flight with thy holy writings, O Gregory.
O blessed of God, thou hast refuted the foolish wisdom of the heretics. He who is Himself the true Wisdom came to dwell in thy heart, and with His aid triumphantly thou hast broken their rebellious pride.
In thy wisdom thou hast put to death every lust of the flesh that is condemned to perish, and through asceticism thou hast brought thy soul to life, devoting all its powers to the contemplation of God.
Theotokion
With full knowledge and by my own free choice, I have eagerly desired a shameful and prodigal life; but through thy holy intercessions, O Virgin and Bride of God, bind my heart with divine love.
Katavasia: O Mother of God, thou living and plentiful fount, give strength to those united in spiritual fellowship, who sing hymns of praise to thee: and in thy divine glory vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.
Kontakion
TONE FOUR
The season of the virtues now has come, and the Judge is at the door. Let us not hold back with darkened face, but let us keep the Fast, offering tears, contrition and almsgiving; and let us cry: our sins are more in number than the sand of the sea; but, Deliverer of all, forgive each one of us, that we may receive an incorruptible crown.
Another Sessional Hymn, of the Saint:
SAME TONE
O wise Gregory, thou hast burnt up the error of the heretics, and hast revealed in its true beauty the faith of the Orthodox, bringing light to all the world. Thou art triumphantly victorious, a pillar of the Church and a true bishop. Never cease to intercede with Christ, that we may all be saved.
Glory be to the Father…
Repeat O wise Gregory…
Both now…
Theotokion
SAME TONE
Be swift to receive our prayers, O Lady, and bring them to thy Son and God, all-blameless Queen; repel the attacks of those who blaspheme with evil words; bring to nothing their devices, and cast down the impudence of the ungodly who attack thy servants, O most pure Virgin.
Canticle Four
Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord…
I have neglected Thy fatherly commandments and wasted in sensual pleasure the wealth Thou gavest me; stripped of every gift of grace, in my wretchedness I am brought to utter poverty. I come to Thee in repentance and confession: abhor me not, O Master and Lord.
When I was an exile far from Thee, Thou hast taken on Thyself my poverty. Thou hast assumed all my human nature in Thyself, and for my sake Thou offerest Thy divine body in sacrifice out of love for man, making it, O Word of God, my restoration and my joy.
That we may be delivered from the everlasting torment that God has prepared for the evil spirits, with unceasing tears let us cry like the Prodigal: We have sinned against Thee, O Father, but accept us all, for we take refuge in Thy mercy.
Theotokion
The Word who dwells with the Father and the Spirit is born from a Virgin yet undergoes no change. He remains what He was, yet preserves for ever what He took from us: for He is one Son in two natures, guarding unimpaired the distinctive qualities of each.
Second Canon
Irmos: Perceiving the unsearchable purpose…
O wise father, thou hast opened thy mouth and preached the wisdom of God that was ever in thy heart; and thou hast proved Barlaam foolish and devoid of understanding.
O beloved Sun, by the law of nature thou hast sunk beneath the earth, but in the morning thou shalt rise again with Christ, the Sun that knows no evening. At thine intercessions He watches over all of us.
O blessed saint, by the grace of God thou hast become the great glory and strong support of the Orthodox, a good shepherd, a second Gregory the Theologian, and the ever-watchful guardian of thy flock.
Theotokion
Open the ears of my soul, O Mother of God, for thou hast borne the Lord who once opened the ears of the deaf; enable us to hear the Word of God and keep it.
Katavasia: Perceiving the unsearchable purpose of God concerning Thine Incarnation from a Virgin, O Most High, the prophet Habakkuk cried: Glory to Thy power, O Lord.
Canticle Five
Irmos: O Light that never sets…
I have rejected with contempt the wealth and gifts of grace that God conferred upon me, and have come to a country cursed by famine, empty of life-giving blessings; but, Father, in Thy goodness and compassion restore to me the glory and the joy that once was mine.
Having spent our life in self-indulgence, let us make our own the resolve of the Prodigal; let us run to the merciful Father with undoubting faith and contrite hearts, that we may receive forgiveness of our sins.
Tarry not, O my soul, that dwellest an exile in a far country, but run swiftly and call upon thy God and Father; and thou shalt receive forgiveness for the sins which thou hast committed, wasting thy life as the Prodigal.
Theotokion
O all-holy Virgin, thou art a cloud of light, bearing the Sun of righteousness. He dispels the dark ignorance of idolatry, and shines upon us with the light of divine knowledge.
Second Canon
Irmos: The whole world was amazed at Thy divine glory…
With the sickle of thy words and with thy holy writings thou hast cut down the thorns of heresy and the tares of falsehood, and thou hast sown holy seeds of Orthodoxy, O Bishop Gregory.
Gregory most wise, thy words and sacred writings are dew from heaven, honey from the rock, the bread of angels unto those that hear or read, sweet nectar and ambrosia, and a fount of living water.
Earth and sea acknowledge thee as their common teacher, as the holy pillar of Orthodoxy and the sacred armoury of divine dogmas, as a wise and saintly theologian, as the comrade and companion of the apostles.
Theotokion
O Virgin undefiled, with the waters of compunction wash the filth from my heart, and bestow on me repentance through thy holy prayers to the compassionate God, whom thou hast borne ineffably.
Katavasia: The whole world was amazed at thy divine glory: for thou, O Virgin, who hast not known wedlock, hast held in thy womb the God of all, and hast given birth to an eternal Son, who rewards with salvation all who sing thy praises.
Canticle Six
Irmos: I pour out my prayer unto the Lord…
I was Thy younger son, and I wasted the wealth Thou gavest me, withdrawing far from Thee into an evil life; and now I am starved and hungry for Thy blessings, O Lord who lovest mankind. To Thee I come, my Father and my God, asking forgiveness.
I dwell in cruel exile and am condemned to feed the swine, for I have wasted, O Father, the riches that Thou gavest me in Thy loving kindness; and I am stripped of everything. But do Thou, O God, take pity on me.
In my sinfulness, O Lord who lovest mankind, I dare not look up to the boundless height of heaven nor call myself Thy son, prodigal that I am. I have no right to ask forgiveness: but take pity on me in Thy boundless mercy.
Theotokion
Ineffable and beyond the power of human speech is the manner of thy childbearing, O Virgin. For in ways past understanding thou hast given birth to God, and yet preserved thy virginity inviolate. Therefore, as is right, let us all glorify thee as Theotokos in very truth.
Second Canon
Irmos: As we celebrate this sacred and solemn feast…
The empty boasts of foolish Barlaam were broken in pieces by the words and teachings and the sharp understanding of the most wise Emperor and of thee, O Gregory.
Let us honour in hymns the divine harp of the Spirit, the trumpet that plainly proclaimed the mysteries of the Lord, the Bishop of Thessalonica, the tongue that spoke of God.
Leading the people as a pillar of fire, thou hast burnt up the enemies of the Faith and enlightened the congregation of the true believers, O Gregory our father, wise in God.
Theotokion
Be unto me, all-holy Lady, quietness and a haven of consolation; lead me to a peaceful anchorage in God, and calm the raging of my passions.
Katavasia: As we celebrate this sacred and solemn feast of the Mother of God, let us come, clapping our hands, O people of the Lord, and give glory to God who was born of her.
Kontakion
TONE EIGHT
Holy and divine instrument of wisdom, joyful trumpet of theology, with one accord we sing thy praises, O Gregory inspired by God. But since thou standest now in mind and spirit before the Original Mind, guide our minds to Him, O father, that we may cry to thee: Hail, preacher of grace.
Ikos
Thou hast appeared on earth as an angelic messenger, proclaiming unto mortal men the mysteries of God. Endowed with a human mind and flesh, yet speaking with the voice of the bodiless powers, thou hast filled us with amazement, O saint inspired by God, and made us cry aloud to thee:
Hail, for through thee the darkness is dispelled:
Hail, for through thee the light has returned.
Hail, messenger of the uncreated Godhead:
Hail, reprover of created folly.
Hail, height impossible to climb, that tells us of God’s nature:
Hail, depth hard to scan, that speaks of His energy.
Hail, for thou hast rightly proclaimed God’s glory:
Hail, for thou hast denounced the opinions of evildoers.
Hail, torch that shows us the Sun:
Hail, cup filled with nectar.
Hail, for through thee the truth has shone forth:
Hail, for through thee falsehood has been plunged in darkness.
Hail, preacher of grace!
Canticle Seven
Irmos: The Children of Judaea, who dwelt of old in Babylon…
I dare not call myself Thy son, O Father who lovest mankind; I ask to be as one of Thy hired servants. Reject me not, as I cry out to Thee: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Defiled by our past actions, we have lost the nobility that was ours at first. But in fervent repentance let us hasten to our only Father and God, that we may receive salvation.
Harsh is the citizen whom in my wretchedness I am condemned to serve; cruel is the hunger that I suffer as I feed the swine. But cause me to turn back from exile, O Father, and have mercy upon me.
Theotokion
Thou hast restored to life our nature that was dead, O Virgin Theotokos, for thou alone hast borne the Life. Therefore with all the faithful we acknowledge the salvation that we have received through thee, and we cry: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Second Canon
Irmos: The holy Children bravely trampled upon the threatening fire…
All who study thy words and writings, O Gregory, are initiated into the knowledge of God and filled with spiritual wisdom; and they become theologians of the uncreated grace and energy of God.
Thou hast broken in pieces the sword and the bow of those who believe falsely, O holy hierarch, and thou hast shattered the arrogance of Barlaam and all the power of the heretics, as a great rock shatters a spider’s web.
The faith of the Orthodox is sealed by thy words and teachings and writings, O Gregory; thou hast humbled the boldness of heresy, brought to an end the denial of the true Faith, and overthrown those who believe falsely.
Theotokion
Withered by the sickness of the passions, truly we have found in thee a fountain of healing, from which we draw the waters of divine salvation, and we cry: O all-pure Virgin, blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Katavasia: The holy Children bravely trampled upon the threatening fire, refusing to worship created things in place of the Creator, and they sang in joy: ‘Blessed art Thou and praised above all, O Lord God of our fathers.’
Canticle Eight
Irmos: The Chaldaean tyrant in his madness…
We who believe in Thee know the wealth of Thy great and measureless compassion, O Master. With the Prodigal Son, in deep sincerity we all bow down before Thee. Accept us, sinners that flee to Thee for refuge, for there is no sin, O compassionate Lord, that can overcome Thy love for mankind.
Humbling Thyself because of Thy compassion, O Master, Thou hast spoken with kindness to Thy fallen sons. For in Thy love for mankind Thou goest out to meet the sinful, and embracing them Thou grantest them salvation. And if any man reproaches Thee for this, in Thy tender love Thou art not angry with him, for Thou alone art measureless in mercy.
Most terrible will be the judgement passed upon me, O Master; for though I see that Thou art longsuffering and full of love for men, I do not run to Thee and call upon Thee with the words of the Prodigal, but I spend my life in carelessness. Be merciful to me, O compassionate Lord, and save me through repentance from condemnation on the Last Day.
To the Trinity
Most Holy Trinity, glory to Thee.
We glorify not three Gods but one Godhead; we honour three Persons in very truth, the Father unbegotten, the Son begotten from the Father, and the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father, One God in Three; and with true faith and glory we ascribe to each the title God.
Theotokion
O Virgin undefiled, I am beset by many trials and overwhelmed in the waves of tribulation. Thou art a haven of salvation: through thine intercessions deliver me and save me from all danger, O Theotokos, that for ever I may glorify thee as my sure protection.
Second Canon
Irmos: The Offspring of the Theotokos…
Thou standest now in worship before the throne of the all-merciful God with the theologian saints, for thou wast their equal in thy way of life, O wise Gregory, hierarch of Thessalonica, glory of the episcopate, adorned with the dignity of the high priesthood.
Before thy conception in the womb, God knew the purity of thine understanding; and He revealed clearly to the faithful Emperor that thou art an invincible champion of the Church; and so through an assured and lawful consecration thou wast sealed with the chrism of the high priesthood.
The harmful faction of Akindynos was utterly defeated and vanished as the smoke, confounded by thy voice of thunder and by the wisdom of thy teaching, O glorious Gregory, Bishop of Thessalonica.
Theotokion
In thy womb, O Virgin, the Word of God reshaped man’s nature that was crushed beneath the passions, and in His infinite love He renewed it wholly and sanctified it. Through thee have we been saved, and we glorify thee unto all the ages.
Katavasia: The Offspring of the Theotokos saved the holy Children in the furnace. He who was then prefigured has since been born on earth, and He gathers together all the creation to sing: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.
Canticle Nine
Irmos: Heaven was amazed at this…
For my sake, O Lord, sacrifice the fatted calf, and fill with joy and gladness all the holy souls that dwell with Thee. I was lost: receive me back. I was dead: lead me to life and clothe me with incorruption, putting on me the divine robe of salvation.
O souls that have wandered far from God and are deprived of the divine gifts of grace, come and with deep sincerity of heart let us turn back like the Prodigal and cry: O good Father who art in heaven, we have all sinned against Thee; be merciful to us and save us, for we flee for refuge to Thy mercy.
O Lord, Lord, who art rich in compassion, abhor me not. I have wasted my wealth in many pleasures, but now I cry to Thee with the voice of the Prodigal: I have sinned against Thee, Father; be merciful to me and save me, for I flee for refuge to Thy mercy.
Theotokion
Thou art a haven of salvation, O Lady, a guide and protection unto me, thy servant. With love I set all my hope in thee: through thine intercessions before God, may I be delivered from all harsh trials and temptations, and from everything which makes me stumble, that I may magnify thee with faith.
Second Canon
Irmos: Let every mortal born on earth…
Thou hast become a mirror of God, O Gregory, for thou hast kept without stain that which in thyself is according to the divine image; and bravely establishing thy mind as master over the passions of the flesh, thou hast attained that which is according to God’s likeness. So thou hast become the glorious dwelling-place of the Holy Trinity.
Inspired by the divine Spirit, as a winged angel thou hast come to the aid of the pious Emperor, fighting against the foolish-minded Barlaam, who in his madness blasphemed against the glory of God; and thou hast justly gained the victory over him.
Wholly filled with heavenly wisdom, O glorious saint, thou hast shone as a light in the world, teaching the doctrines of Orthodoxy. In thy love for true wisdom thou hast conceived the fear of God within thy heart, and given birth to the words of the Spirit.
Theotokion
We and all the faithful with one accord offer to thee a hymn of thanksgiving, for thou hast freed us from the ancient curse, O Mother of God; and we have gained through thee God’s blessing, His salvation, enlightenment, mercy and eternal joy.
Katavasia: Let every mortal born on earth, radiant with light, in spirit leap for joy; and let the hosts of the angelic powers celebrate and honour the holy feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry: Hail! Pure and blessed ever-Virgin, who gavest birth to God.
The appointed exapostilarion of the Resurrection; Glory be to the Father…; and then the exapostilarion of the saint:
Hail, glory of the fathers, voice of the theologians, tabernacle of inward stillness, dwelling-place of wisdom, greatest of teachers, deep ocean of the word. Hail, thou who hast practised the virtues of the active life and ascended to the height of contemplation; hail, healer of man’s sickness. Hail, shrine of the Spirit; hail, father who though dead art still alive.
Both now…
Theotokion
(Greek use)
Lady and Queen of all, before it is too late, come to our aid in our distress and danger. Be with us in our hour of need at the Last Day: let not Satan seize us, nor hell nor destruction. Through thine intercessions, O Lady and Mother of God, grant that we may all stand uncondemned before the fearful judgement-seat of thy Son.
(Slav use)
O Lady, Queen of all and above all, higher than all the heavenly hosts, stretch out thy powerful hand and preserve the world; bless the priests that celebrate in thine honour and forgive the monks that ask for thy prayers. Grant peace to the Orthodox people and guard this city, O holy Theotokos. And grant to us that we may see the heavenly Kingdom and the door of Paradise, when at the Second Coming the Judge shall sit on His dread throne to judge the inhabited earth, O Queen of the angels.
Lauds. Five stichera of the Resurrection in the Tone of the week, from the Octoechos, and then the following four stichera, the first three of them in honour of the saint:
TONE ONE
to the special melody O purest Virgin, thou joy of the heavenly hierarchies…
In the world thou hast lived a life of blessedness, and now in heaven thou dost rejoice in the assembly of the blessed; because thou wast meek, thou dwellest in the land that the meek inherit, O Bishop Gregory. God has made thee rich in the grace of working miracles, which thou dost bestow on those who honour thee.
℣. The mouth of the righteous shall meditate on wisdom, and his tongue shall speak of judgement (Psalm 36:30).
O blessed saint, thou hast planted the dogmas of Orthodoxy and cut down the thorns of heresy. With thy words thou hast watered the seed of the Faith, making it grow, and as an active husbandman thou hast brought to God ears of wheat increased an hundredfold.
℣. Thy priests, O Lord, shall be clothed in righteousness, and Thy saints shall rejoice (Psalm 131:9).
The glory of thy blameless life, O blessed saint, amazed both angels and mankind. With steadfast purpose thou hast laboured in the ascetic life, and shown thyself a worthy hierarch and minister of God, and His true friend.
℣. Arise, O Lord my God, lift up Thine hand: forget not Thy poor for ever (Psalm 9:33).
TONE SIX
In this season of abstinence, O Christ, Thou hast shone as a light on those that walk in the darkness of sin. Bring us to the holy day of Thy Passion, that we may cry to Thee: Arise, O God, and have mercy on us.
Glory be to the Father…
Repeat In this season of abstinence…
Both now…
Most blessed art thou, O Virgin Theotokos…
Great Doxology, the two Litanies, and the Dismissal.
DIVINE LITURGY
The Typika (Psalms 102 and 145) and the Beatitudes. With the Beatitudes we sing four troparia in the Tone of the week from the Octoechos, and four troparia from Canticle Six of the Canon of the saint.
Prokimenon:
TONE FIVE
Thou shalt keep us, O Lord: Thou shalt preserve us from this generation for ever (Psalm 11:8).
℣. Save me, O Lord, for there is no godly man left upon earth (Psalm 11:2).
Prokimenon of the saint:
TONE ONE
My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Epistle: (Far the day) Hebrews 1:10–2:3.
(For the saint) Hebrews 7:26–8:2.
Alleluia:
TONE FIVE
℣ 1. I will sing of Thy mercies, O Lord, for ever (Psalm 88:2).
℣ 2. For Thou hast said: Mercy shall be established for ever (Psalm 88:3).
Gospel: (For the day) Mark 2:1–12.
(For the saint) John 10:9–16.
Communion verse: Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise Him in the heights. Alleluia.
And: The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance: he will not be afraid of any evil tidings. Alleluia.
VESPERS ON SUNDAY EVENING
There is no reading from the Psalter.
To Lord, I have cried, ten stichera are sung: four penitential stichera in the Tone of the week, and then three stichera from the Triodion:
TONE EIGHT
by Joseph
I have sinned against Thee countless times, and I await countless torments: gnashing of teeth and weeping that finds no comfort, the fire of Gehenna, darkness and the dwelling of the damned. Give me tears, O righteous Judge, that I may gain remission and release from my wickedness, as I fast and cry to Thee: Take pity on me, Christ my Master, in Thy great and abundant mercy.
I have gone astray upon the mountains of bitter sin: seek me, O Word, and call me back to Thee, and drive out from my understanding all the ways of wickedness. Restore me from death to life and cleanse me by fasting, as I weep unceasingly and cry to Thee: Take pity on me, Christ my Master, in Thy great and abundant mercy.
SAME TONE
by Theodore
As we start upon the third week of the Fast, O ye faithful, let us glorify the Holy Trinity, and joyfully pass through the time that still remains. Causing passions of the flesh to wither from our souls, let us gather divine flowers, weaving garlands for the queen of days, that with crowns upon our heads we may sing in praise of Christ the Victor.
Then three stichera to the saint of the day from the Menaion; Glory be to the Father… Both now…; and the Theotokion from the Menaion.
Entrance, O joyful light…
Great Prokimenon (Psalm 68):
TONE EIGHT
Turn not away Thy face from Thy servant, for I am in trouble; hear me speedily: hearken unto my soul, and deliver it.
℣ 1. Let Thy salvation, O God, succour me.
℣ 2. Let the poor see it and be glad.
℣ 3. Seek God, and your soul shall live.
Aposticha:
TONE EIGHT
Throwing off from my unruly mind the bridle of the Father, I have lived with bestial thoughts of sin, and in my misery like the Prodigal I have wasted all my life. Forsaking the food that gives strength to man’s heart, I have fed upon the pleasure that gives passing satisfaction. Yet, good Father, shut not against me the door of Thy compassionate love, but opening it wide receive me as the Prodigal Son and save me (twice).
To the Martyrs
O martyrs of the Lord, ye hallow every place and heal every ill: and now we entreat you to pray that our souls may be delivered from the snares of the enemy.
Glory be to the Father… Both now…
Theotokion
The heavenly powers praise thee, O Virgin Mother full of grace, and we also glorify thy childbearing that none can understand. O Theotokos, pray for the salvation of our souls.
And the rest of Vespers as on the two preceding Sundays.