Tuesday in the Third Week
MATTINS
After the first reading from the Psalter, the sessional hymns of repentance in the Tone of the week.
After the second reading from the Psalter, the following sessional hymns:
TONE ONE
Let us cleanse ourselves by fasting and by prayer, and serve God through acts of mercy to the poor. Let us lament and groan with fervent tears, while we still have time for conversion, that we may be delivered from everlasting lamentation in the flames of hell. And let us give glory to Christ who has ordained repentance for all mortal men, calling upon them to turn back in righteousness.
Glory be to the Father… Repeat. Both now…
Theotokion
O most holy Virgin, thou hast carried in thine arms the Creator, God made flesh. Stretch our those arms towards Him and entreat Him to deliver us from every passion, danger and temptation, for with love we praise thee and we cry aloud: Glory be to Him who dwelt in thee; glory be to Him who from thee came forth; glory be to Him who through thy childbearing has set us free.
After the third reading from the Psalter, the following sessional hymns:
TONE THREE
Gladdened by the Fast and greatly rejoicing in song, gaining mastery over all the passions through our prayers, let us trample underfoot the snares of the devil, and cry aloud with one accord to Christ: Count us worthy to look upon Thy Cross, in Thy compassion granting us great mercy.
Glory be to the Father… Repeat. Both now…
Theotokion
O Virgin Mother, blessed of God, cure the sickness of my soul, for I am held prisoner by my sins; and sighing from my heart I cry to thee: All-blameless Theotokos, I have greatly sinned; accept me, that with boldness I may call upon thee: Hail, dwelling-place of God.
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 read the second Biblical Canticle.
Canticle Two
First Canon
TONE ONE
by Joseph
Irmos: See now, see that I am God, who saved the people of Israel when they were in bondage, and appointed Moses to lead them in the wilderness, for I am mighty in My power.
The Father in His great love has adopted me as His son through the washing of Baptism, and has bestowed upon me the riches of His many blessings. But by mine own free choice I have become enslaved to fruitless thoughts, and so have fallen into poverty.
Be merciful, O Lord, be merciful, be merciful; do not pass judgement on me, righteous Judge, but in Thy great compassion accept my feeble cry of sorrow and reject me not, O Christ.
Putting off the loathsome garment of self-indulgence, let us put on the shining robe of abstinence, and so in joy and glory let us come to the brightness of the Redeemer’s Resurrection.
Theotokion
Save me, O save me, Mother of the Saviour. O pure Lady, look on my distress, for each day the countless number of my sins brings my unhappy soul to despair.
Another Canon
TONE THREE
by Theodore
Irmos: See now, see, that I am the Saviour…
See now, see, that I am your God, the spring that flows with salvation for you: let every mortal man through abstinence draw water from this fountain.
See now, see, that I have appointed for you this holy season of the Fast as a spiritual banquet.
Glory be to the Father…
Let us glorify the Trinity and worship the Unity: the only-begotten Son without beginning from the Father without beginning, and the Spirit enthroned with the Son and coeternal with the Father.
Both now…
Theotokion
O all-blameless Virgin, intercede before the Saviour without ceasing on behalf of those who confess thee to be truly Theotokos in body and soul, that they may be delivered from all distress.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Great art Thou, O Lord, and marvellous are Thy works: of old Thou hast saved Daniel from being eaten in the lions’ den, for he was protected by fasting.
Irmos: See now, see, that I am the Saviour of the world, the true Light, the Fountain of life, the Son of God.
Canticle Eight
Irmos: Him before whom the angels and all the hosts of heaven…
I lament and weep as I think of the hour when I shall stand before the fearful throne, and be called to account for the many evil deeds that I have done in ignorance and in knowledge.
Moses, having found in fasting a means of purification, spoke with God who alone is pure. O my soul, be purified by fasting, and so draw near to the God of love.
Let us love fasting, the mother of virtues, and hate pleasure, the begetter of passions; and let us cry: Father who art in heaven, save us, O save us, at the prayers of Thy saints.
Theotokion
O pure Virgin Mary, at the hour of judgement pray to the Judge whom thou hast borne, that He may take pity on me and save me from condemnation; for thou art the only protection of mankind.
Second Canon
Irmos: In His divine power the Lord descended into the flames…
Entering as initiates into the dazzling grace of the Fast, let us shine as lightning with the virtues, and by our peaceful faces and our peaceful way of life let us display the peace that is within our souls.
By fasting Elisha gave back to the Shunnamite her child alive. From this let us learn, O brethren, how great a blessing is the Fast, and how it is a grace given by God.
We bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit…
With the Father we worship the Son and the Holy Spirit in unity of essence, and from our mouths of clay we cry with the angels: Glory in the highest to God in Trinity.
Both now…
Theotokion
Thou alone, O full of divine grace, hast given birth while still remaining virgin. O great mystery, dread and marvellous! For thou hast borne God made flesh, the Saviour of the world.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O brethren, let not one of us be sunk in idleness and sloth. This is the time for work, the hour of solemn festival. Who, then, is wise and in one day will gain eternal life?
We praise, bless and worship the Lord…
Irmos: In His divine power the Lord descended into the flames and was seen walking with the Children of the Hebrews: O ye priests, bless and exalt Him above all for ever.
Canticle Nine
Irmos: Let us glorify the cloud of light…
Having fallen into a sea of sin, a deep of despair, a tempest of thoughts and a storm of passions, to Thee I raise my cry: O Abyss of mercy, help me and in Thy compassion grant me, as the rain from heaven, cleansing for my sins.
O ye faithful, let us cleanse the body through fasting, the spirit through abstinence, and the soul through tears. So in purity let us go with joy to meet Him who is pure, and to look upon the saving Passion that the Redeemer endured for our sake.
I groan like the Publican; I weep like the Harlot; and I cry out like the Thief, ‘Remember me, O merciful Lord.’ With the blind man I call unto Thee, O Son of God, ‘Open the eyes of my soul, for they are blinded by the wickedness of the deceitful enemy who makes me stumble.’
Theotokion
O ye faithful, let us bless the Virgin, for she is the Mountain not cut by hand of man, the Gate through which none may pass; she is higher than the heaven and all creation, the beauty and the excellency of Jacob, the golden Vessel of manna, the Bridge, and the Mother of the Creator.
Second Canon
Irmos: In the bush upon Mount Sinai…
Knowing the present days to be sacred above all others, let us offer up prayers to God with a pure conscience, kneeling often on the ground, and let us say: O Lord, accept at all times the petitions and entreaties of Thy servants.
The people, so it is written, sat down to eat and drink, and then rose up to dance and worship the carved image of Belphegor. Behold the grievous fruits of gluttony! But let us fast, and we shall be glorified like great Moses.
Glory be to the Father…
The Trinity supreme in Godhead is by Essence an undivided Unity; though single in Nature, it is distinguished in Persons; though indivisible, it is divided; though one, it is three: Father, Son and Spirit of Life, together guarding all things.
Both now…
Theotokion
Who has ever heard of a virgin that bore child and a mother that knew not man? O Mary, this miracle hast thou accomplished, but tell me how? ‘Do not enquire into the mystery of my childbearing: it is altogether true, yet beyond man’s understanding.’
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Lord, since Thy wrath against sinners is not to be endured, who shall stand unafraid when it threatens him? Boundless is Thy mercy: save me in Thy compassion, and judge me not according to my many sinful works.
Irmos: In the bush upon Mount Sinai Moses saw thee, who hast conceived within thy womb the fire of the Godhead, and yet wast not consumed. Daniel saw thee as a mountain not cut by hand of man, and Isaiah proclaimed thee as the Rod that blossomed from the root of David.
Aposticha:
TONE SEVEN
I confess to Thee, O Lord, that I have sinned as the Prodigal. I dare not raise my eyes to heaven, whence I have fallen in my wretchedness. I have sinned against heaven and before Thee, and am not worthy to be called Thy son. I openly proclaim my guilt; I have no need of others to accuse me or bear witness; for my own life of sinful prodigality triumphantly condemns me; my evil habits cry aloud against me; my nakedness puts me to shame, and the rags which clothe me bring disgrace upon me. O compassionate Father, only-begotten Son, and Holy Spirit, receive me in repentance and have mercy upon me (twice).
To the Martyrs
In the midst of the arena, before the lawless pagans, the victorious martyrs cried aloud rejoicing: ‘O Lord, glory to Thee.’
Glory be to the Father… Both now…
Theotokion
Thou wast born, O Christ, of a Virgin in ways surpassing all interpretation; Thou hast brought light to those in darkness, and they cry: ‘O Lord, glory to Thee.’
SIXTH HOUR
Troparion of the Prophecy:
TONE SEVEN
O Lord, Thou art our salvation and protector in the day of trouble. Have mercy upon us according to Thy great mercy, for Thou lovest mankind.
Glory be to the Father… Both now… Repeat.
Prokimenon (Psalm 45):
TONE FOUR
The Lord of Hosts is with us: our helper is the God of Jacob.
℣. God is our refuge and strength.
Lesson: Isaiah 9:9–10:4.
Prokimenon (Psalm 46):
TONE THREE
O sing praises, sing praises unto our God: O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.
℣. O clap your hands, all ye nations: shout unto God with a voice of triumph.
VESPERS
To Lord, I have cried, six stichera are sung, the first three being from the Triodion:
TONE THREE
by Joseph
O Lord, who by Thy Cross hast slain the deceiver, deliver me from his delusion, for I have sinned and been beguiled. Cleanse me by the Fast and grant me to do Thy will, O Master, that I may look with joy upon Thy Holy Passion.
I have been wounded by the sword of pleasure, O Lord, and a shameful death has befallen me. O Master, pierced by a spear, who as Saviour bringest healing to those wounded by the arrows of the enemy, heal and restore to life my humble soul, and grant me to share in Thy Holy Passion.
TONE TWO
by Theodore
May the Fast bring light to our souls, O Lord, and do Thou count us worthy uncondemned and with rejoicing to behold Thy Cross, and to worship it with fear; and in Thy love for man grant us to attain Thy voluntary Passion.
Then three stichera to the saint of the day from the Menaion. Glory be to the Father… Both now…; and the Stavrotheotokion.
Prokimenon (Psalm 47):
TONE THREE
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God.
℣. In the city of our God and in His holy mountain.
Lesson: Genesis 7:1–5.
Prokimenon (Psalm 48):
TONE TWO
My mouth shall speak of wisdom: and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
℣. O hear ye this, all ye people: ponder it with your ears, all ye that dwell in the world.
Lesson: Proverbs 8:32–9:11.
Aposticha:
TONE TWO
Though I am a creature born on earth, yet sharing in Thine image, O Lord, I dare to call upon Thee, the Creator, as my Father. Living as the Prodigal I have lost the grace of sonship, and forgetful of Thy gifts I have wasted mine inheritance. Yet disown me not, for Thou wast pleased to send Thine only-begotten Son, to suffer for my sake crucifixion in the flesh and death: but in Thy love for man bring me back from evil and make me Thine own (twice).
To the Martyrs
The company of martyrs resisted tyrants, saying: ‘We are soldiers of the Ruler of the powers on high; though ye give us up to fire and torment, we shall not deny the power of the Trinity.’
Glory be to the Father… Both now…
Stavrotheotokion
O Saviour, when the lawless people nailed Thee to the Tree, who art the Life of all, Thy pure and holy Mother, standing beside Thee, cried aloud lamenting: ‘Woe is me, beloved Child, the light of mine eyes! Thou hast hung the earth above the waters: how then canst Thou endure to be nailed upon the Tree between two evildoers!’