PRIEST READER - OMHKSEAa raging and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are...

Great Hours on Friday Morning

1

THE SERVICE OF THE HOURSON GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY

By Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria.FIRST HOUR

PRIESTBlessed is our God always, now and ever,

and to the ages of ages.

READERAmen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, our God. Glory to You. (CoG)

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth,present in all places and filling all things,treasury of good things and giver of life: come;take Your abode in us; cleanse us of everystain, and save our souls, O Good one.

READERTrisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to Father and the Son and the HolySpirit. Both now and ever and to the ages ofages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us.Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon ourtransgressions. Holy One, visit and heal ourinfirmities for your name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.Lord, have mercy.


Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowedbe Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy willbe done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us

this day our daily bread; and forgive us ourtrespasses, as we forgive those who trespassagainst us. And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.

PRIESTFor thine is the Kingdom and the power

and the glory of the Father, and the Son andthe Holy Spirit, now and forever and to theages of ages.

READERAmen.

Lord, have mercy. (12)


Come, let us worship and bow downbefore God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow downbefore Christ God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow downbefore Him, Christ our King and God.

Psalm 5.Give ear to my words, O Lord, Hear my

cry. Give heed to the voice of my supplication,my King and my God, for to You will I pray,O Lord. In the morning You shall hear myvoice; in the morning I will stand beforeYou, and I will watch. for You are not a Godwho wills lawlessness, nor shall the evildoerdwell with You. The lawless shall not standbefore Your eyes; You hate all the workersof lawlessness; You shall destroy all whospeak falsehood; the Lord abhors the manof violence and deceit. But as for me, in thefullness of Your mercy I will come into Yourhouse; in fear of You I will worship toward


2

Your holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in Yourrighteousness because of my enemies; makestraight Your way before me. for there is notruth in their mouth; their heart is vain; theirthroat is an open grave; they deal deceptivelywith their tongues. Judge them, O God. Letthem fall by their false accusations; Cast themout in the multitude of their ungodliness; forthey provoked You, O Lord. But let all whohope in You be glad; they will greatly rejoiceforever, for You will dwell in them; and allwho love Your name will boast in You. forYou will bless the righteous; O Lord, Youcrowned us with the shield of Your goodwill.

Psalm 2.Why do the nations rage, and the people

meditate on vain things? The kings of theearth set themselves, and the rulers gathertogether Against the Lord and against Hisanointed, saying, "Let us break their bands,and cast away their yokes from us." He whosits in the heavens shall laugh at them; theLord shall mock them. Then shall He speakto them in His wrath and trouble them in Hisanger, "But I was established as King by HimoverHis holy hill of Zion, Declaring the Lord'sdecree. The Lord said to Me, 'You are My Son,todayI have begotten You; ask of Me, and Iwill give You The nations for Your inheritanceand the ends of the earth for Your possession.You shall shepherd them with an iron staff;You shall shatter them like a potter's vessel.'"And now, O kings, understand; be instructed,all you judges of the earth. Serve the Lordwith fear and rejoice in Him with trembling.Lay hold of His instruction, lest the Lord beangry, and you perish from the righteous

way when His fury shall be quickly kindled.Blessed are all who trust in Him.

Psalm 21 (22).O God, my God, hear me; why have You

forsaken me? The words of my transgressionsare far from my salvation. O my God, I willcry out by day, but You will not hear me; andby night, but not for a lack of understandingin me. But You dwell among the saints, Opraise of Israel. Our fathers hoped in You;they hoped in You, and You delivered them.They cried out to You and were saved; theyhoped in You and were not ashamed. ButI am a worm, and not a man; a reproach ofman and despised by the people. All who seeme mock me; they speak with their lips andshake their head, saying, "He hoped in theLord, let Him rescue him; let Him save himsince He delights in him." for You are He whodrew me from the womb, my hope from mymother's breasts; I was cast upon You from thewomb, from my mother's womb You are myGod. Do not stand off from me, for afflictionis near; there is no one to help. Many youngbulls surrounded me; fat bulls encircled me.They opened their mouths against me Likea raging and roaring lion. I am poured outlike water, and all my bones are shattered; myheart is like wax, melting into my stomach.My strength is dried up like an earthen vessel;my tongue cleaves to my throat; and Youled me into the dust of death. for many dogssurrounded me; an assembly of evildoersenclosed me; they pierced my hands and myfeet. I numbered all my bones, and they lookand stare at me. They divided my garmentsamong themselves, and for my clothing theycast lots. But You, O Lord, do not remove


3

Your help from me; attend to my aid. Delivermy soul from the sword and my only-begottenfrom the hand of the dog; Save me from thelion's mouth, my humiliation from the hornsof the unicorns. I will declare Your nameto my brethren; in the midst of the churchI will sing to You. You who fear the Lord,praise Him. All you seed of Jacob, glorifyHim; fear Him, all you seed of Israel. for Hehas not despised nor scorned the beggar'ssupplication, nor has He turned away His facefrom me; and when I cried out to Him, Heheard me. My praise is from You in the greatchurch; I will pay my vows before those whofear Him. The poor shall eat and be well-filled,and those who seek Him will praise the Lord;their hearts will live unto ages of ages. All theends of the world shall remember and turnto the Lord; and all families of the Gentilesshall worship before You, for the kingdomis the Lord's; and He is the Master of theGentiles. All the prosperous of the earth ateand worshiped; all going down into the earthshall bow down before Him, and my soul liveswith Him. And my seed shall serve Him; thecoming generation shall be told of the Lord,and they will declare His righteousness to apeople who will be born, because the Lordmade them.


Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You,O God. (3)


Glory to Father and the Son and the HolySpirit.

Troparion.When You were crucified, O Christ, the

enemy's tyranny was lifted and his powerwas crushed. For it was no Angel nor mereman, but You, the Lord himself, who saved us.Glory to You!

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages.Amen.

Theotokion.What shall we call you, O Lady full of

grace? Heaven? For you gave rise to the Sun ofrighteousness. Paradise? For you blossomedthe flower of incorruption. Virgin? For youremained incorrupt. Pure Mother? For youheld in your holy embrace a Son who is theGod of all. Entreat Him to save our souls.

CHOIRIdiomela.

Mode pl. 4.Today, the veil of the Temple is torn in

two, as a reproof to the transgressors. And thesun hides its rays, beholding the Master on theCross. (SD)

Twice, with no verse. Then:

Mode pl. 4.

Verse: Why do the nations rage, and thepeople meditate on vain things?

You were led as a sheep to slaughter, OChrist the King, and as an innocent lamb, Youwere nailed to a cross by lawless men, for oursins, O Lord who love humanity. (SD)


4

Verse: The kings of the earth set themselves,and the rulers gather together against the Lord andagainst His anointed, saying.

Repeat the same hymn. Then:

Glory. Mode pl. 4.

As You permitted the transgressors toarrest You, Lord, You said to them, "Eventhough you struck the shepherd and scatteredthe sheep, namely My twelve Disciples, Icould summon more than twelve legions ofangels. But I forbear, so that the unknown andsecret things that I showed you through Myprophets may be fulfilled." Glory to You, OLord! (SD)

Both now. Repeat.

THE PROPHECYREADER

Prokeimenon. Mode 4.He went forth and spoke the same.Verse: Blessed is he who understands the

poor and needy; the Lord will deliver him in an evilday.

The reading is from the Prophecy ofZechariah.

PRIESTWisdom! Let us be attentive!

READER(11:10-13)

Thus says the Lord: I shall take my staffBeauty, and I shall cast it away, to break mycovenant which I made with all the people.And in that day they will be scattered about.And the Canaanites shall know the flock iskept safe, for this is the word of the Lord.And I shall say to them, "If it is fitting in yourjudgment, give me my payment, or refuse it."

And they established my wage at thirty piecesof silver. And the Lord said to me, "Dropthem into the smelting furnace and see if it isproven, as in the same manner I was provenfor their sake." And I took the thirty piecesof silver and threw them into the smeltingfurnace in the house of the Lord, as the Lordcommanded me. (SAAS)

THE EPISTLEThe reading is from Paul's Letter to the

Galatians.

PRIESTLet us be attentive! Wisdom! Let us be

attentive!

READER(6:14-18)

Brethren, far be it from me to glory exceptin the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whichthe world has been crucified to me, and I tothe world. For neither circumcision countsfor anything, nor uncircumcision, but a newcreation. Peace and mercy be upon all whowalk by this rule, upon the Israel of God.Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bearon my body the marks of Jesus. The graceof our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,brethren. Amen

PRIESTPeace be to you the reader.

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. (HC)

PRIESTWisdom! Arise! Let us hear the holy

Gospel.

Peace be with all.

(And with your spirit.)


5

PRIESTThe reading is from the holy Gospel

according to Matthew. Let us be attentive!

(Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.)

PRIEST(27:1-56)

When morning came, all the chief priestsand the elders of the people took counselagainst Jesus to put him to death; and theybound him and led him away and deliveredhim to Pilate the governor. When Judas, hisbetrayer, saw that he was condemned, herepented and brought back the thirty piecesof silver to the chief priests and the elders,saying, "I have sinned in betraying innocentblood." They said, "What is that to us? See toit yourself." And throwing down the piecesof silver in the temple, he departed; andhe went and hanged himself. But the chiefpriests, taking the pieces of silver, said, "Itis not lawful to put them into the treasury,since they are blood money." So they tookcounsel, and bought with them the potter'sfield, to bury strangers in. Therefore that fieldhas been called the Field of Blood to this day.Then was fulfilled what had been spokenby the prophet Jeremiah, saying, "And theytook the thirty pieces of silver, the price ofhim on whom a price had been set by someof the sons of Israel, and they gave them forthe potter's field, as the Lord directed me."Now Jesus stood before the governor; andthe governor asked him, "Are you the King ofthe Jews?" Jesus said, "You have said so." Butwhen he was accused by the chief priests andelders, he made no answer. Then Pilate saidto him, "Do you not hear how many thingsthey testify against you?" But he gave him

no answer, not even to a single charge; sothat the governor wondered greatly. Nowat the feast the governor was accustomed torelease for the crowd any one prisoner whomthey wanted. And they had then a notoriousprisoner, called Barabbas. So when they hadgathered, Pilate said to them, "Whom doyou want me to release for you, Barabbas orJesus who is called Christ?" For he knew thatit was out of envy that they had deliveredhim up. Besides, while he was sitting on thejudgment seat, his wife sent word to him,"Have nothing to do with that righteous man,for I have suffered much over him today in adream." Now the chief priests and the elderspersuaded the people to ask for Barabbasand destroy Jesus. The governor again said tothem, "Which of the two do you want me torelease for you?" And they said, "Barabbas."Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do withJesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Lethim be crucified." And he said, "Why, whatevil has he done?" But they shouted all themore, "Let him be crucified." So when Pilatesaw that he was gaining nothing, but ratherthat a riot was beginning, he took water andwashed his hands before the crowd, saying,"I am innocent of this man's blood; see to ityourselves." And all the people answered,"His blood be on us and on our children!"Then he released for them Barabbas, andhaving scourged Jesus, delivered him to becrucified. Then the soldiers of the governortook Jesus into the praetorium, and theygathered the whole battalion before him.And they stripped him and put a scarlet robeupon him, and plaiting a crown of thornsthey put it on his head, and put a reed in his


6

right hand. And kneeling before him theymocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"And they spat upon him, and took the reedand struck him on the head. And when theyhad mocked him, they stripped him of therobe, and put his own clothes on him, and ledhim away to crucify him. As they went out,they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon byname; this man they compelled to carry hiscross. And when they came to a place calledGolgotha (which means the place of a skull),they offered him wine to drink, mingled withgall; but when he tasted it, he would not drinkit. And when they had crucified him, theydivided his garments among them by castinglots; then they sat down and kept watch overhim there. And over his head they put thecharge against him, which read, "This is Jesusthe King of the Jews." Then two robbers werecrucified with him, one on the right and oneon the left. And those who passed by deridedhim, wagging their heads and saying, "Youwho would destroy the temple and build it inthree days, save yourself! If you are the Sonof God, come down from the cross." So alsothe chief priests, with the scribes and elders,mocked him, saying, "He saved others; hecannot save himself. He is the King of Israel;let him come down now from the cross, andwe will believe in him. He trusts in God; letGod deliver him now, if he desires him; for hesaid, 'I am the Son of God.'" And the robberswho were crucified with him also reviled himin the same way. Now from the sixth hourthere was darkness over all the land untilthe ninth hour. And about the ninth hourJesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lamasabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why

hast thou forsaken me?" And some of thebystanders hearing it said, "This man is callingElijah." And one of them at once ran and tooka sponge, filled it with vinegar, and put it ona reed, and gave it to him to drink. But theothers said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijahwill come to save him." And Jesus cried againwith a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.And behold, the curtain of the temple wastorn in two, from top to bottom; and the earthshook, and the rocks were split; the tombsalso were opened, and many bodies of thesaints who had fallen asleep were raised, andcoming out of the tombs after his resurrectionthey went into the holy city and appeared tomany. When the centurion and those whowere with him, keeping watch over Jesus,saw the earthquake and what took place, theywere filled with awe, and said, "Truly thiswas the Son of God!" There were also manywomen there, looking on from afar, who hadfollowed Jesus from Galilee, ministering tohim; among whom were Mary Magdalene,and Mary the mother of James and Joseph,and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.


READER

Direct my steps according to Yourteaching and let no lawlessness rule over me.

Ransom me from the slander of men, and Iwill keep Your commandments.

Make Your face shine upon Your servantand teach me Your ordinances.

Let my mouth be filled with Your praise,O Lord, that I may sing of Your glory and ofYour magnificence all the day long.


7

Trisagion Prayers.Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,

have mercy on us. (3)





Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowedbe Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy willbe done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give usthis day our daily bread; and forgive us ourtrespasses, as we forgive those who trespassagainst us. And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.



READERAmen.

Kontakion.Come, let us all extol Him who was

crucified for us. Mary beheld Him on theCross and she said, "Though You endure theCross, You are my Son and my God."


O Christ our God, who at all times and atevery hour, both in heaven and on earth, areworshipped and glorified, long suffering andplenteous in mercy and compassion; who lovethe just and show mercy to the sinners; whocall all men to salvation through the promiseof the blessings to come: Do you, the sameLord, receive also our supplications at thispresent time, and direct our lives accordingto your commandments. Sanctify our souls;purify our bodies; set our minds right; clearup our thoughts, and deliver us from everysorrow, evil and distress. Surround us withyour holy Angels so that being guarded andguided by their presence, we may arrive at theunity of the faith and the knowledge of yourineffable glory; for blessed are you unto theages of ages. Amen.



Greater in honor than the Cherubim, andin glory greater beyond compare than theSeraphim; you without corruption gave birthto God the Word, and are truly Theotokos.You do we magnify.

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIESTMay God have compassion on us and

bless us; may his face shine upon us and havemercy on us.

READERAmen.

O Christ, the true light that enlightensand sanctifies every man who comes into


8

the world, let the light of Your countenanceshine on us, that in it we may behold theunapproachable light. And direct oursteps to keep Your commandments, by theintercessions of Your all-immaculate Motherand all the saints. Amen.

THIRD HOUR










READERAmen.






Psalm 34 (35).O Lord, judge those who injure me;

make war on those who make war on me.Take hold of weapon and shield, and riseup to my help. bring forth the sword, andconfine those in opposition who pursue me;say to my soul, "I am your salvation." Letthose who seek my soul be dishonored andshamed; let those who plot evils against mebe turned backward and disappointed. Letthem be like dust in the wind's face, and letthe Angel of the Lord afflict them. Let theirway be dark and slippery, and let the Angelof the Lord pursue them. for without causethey hid the destruction of their trap forme; in vain they reproached my soul. Let atrap they do not know catch them, and theythemselves shall fall into the same trap. Butmy soul shall greatly rejoice in the Lord; mysoul shall delight in His salvation. All mybones shall say, "O Lord, who is like You?You who deliver a poor man from handsstronger than he, and a poor and needyman from those who plunder him." Unjust


9

witnesses rose up against me, asking methings I knew nothing about; they repaid meevil for good, and bereavement for my soul.But I put on sackcloth when they troubledme, and I humbled my soul with fasting; andmy prayer will return into my bosom. Like aneighbor, like our brother, so they were well-pleasing; like one who laments and is of a sadcountenance, so I humbled myself. But theywere delighted, and were gathered togetheragainst me; whips were gathered togetheragainst me, but I did not know it; they weretorn asunder, yet they were not pierced tothe heart. They tempted me; they mockedand sneered at me; they gnashed their teethat me. O Lord, when will You look on this?Restore my soul from their malice, my only-begotten from the lions. I will give thanks toYou, O Lord, in the great church; I will praiseYou among a mighty people. Let them notrejoice over me, those who are unjustly myenemies, those who hate me without a cause,and wink with their eyes. for they spoke peaceto me, but in their wrath they schemed deceit,and opened wide their mouth at me, saying,"Well done! Well done! Our eyes saw it!"You saw this, O Lord; do not keep silence; OLord, do not be far from me. Arise, O Lord,attend to my judgment, my God and myLord, to my cause. Judge me according toYour righteousness, O Lord my God, and letthem not rejoice against me; let them not sayin their hearts, "Well done! Well done, oursoul!" Let them not say, "We swallowed himup!" May those who rejoice at my troubles bealtogether dishonored and shamed; let thosewho boast against me be clothed with shameand humiliation. Let those who desire my

righteousness greatly rejoice, and be glad,and let them say continually, "The Lord bemagnified," Those who desire His servant'speace. And my tongue shall meditate on Yourrighteousness, and on Your praise all the daylong.

Psalm 108 (109).O God, do not pass over my praise in

silence, for the mouth of the sinner and themouth of the deceitful man opened againstme; They spoke against me with a deceitfultongue; and they surrounded me with wordsof hatred, and warred against me withoutcause. Instead of loving me, they falselyaccused me, But I continued to pray; so theyrepaid me evil for good, and hatred for mylove. Set a sinner over him, and let the devilstand at his right hand. And when he isjudged, may he go forth condemned, and lethis prayer become sin. Let his days be veryfew, and may a different man receive hisoffice; let his children be fatherless and hiswife a widow; let his children wander aboutand be beggars; let them be cast out of theirhouses. Let the creditor search out whateverpossessions he has; let strangers plunder hislabors; let there be no helper for him, nor acompassionate one for his fatherless children;let his children be utterly destroyed; in asingle generation, let his name be blottedout. May the lawlessness of his fathers beremembered before the Lord, and may thesin of his mother not be blotted out; let thembe continually before the Lord, and may theremembrance of them be utterly destroyedfrom the earth, because he did not rememberto show mercy, But persecuted a poor andneedy man, and one pierced to the heart, that


10

he might kill him. And he loved cursing, andit came to him, and he did not desire blessing,so it shall be far from him. So he clothedhimself with cursing like a garment, and itentered like water into his bowels and like oilinto his bones; let it be for him like a garmentthat clothes him, and like a belt that girds himcontinually. This is the work of those whofalsely accuse me before the Lord, and of thosewho speak evil things against my soul. ButYou, O Lord, O Lord, deal mercifully with mefor Your name's sake, for Your mercy is good.Save me, for I am poor and needy, and myheart is troubled within me. I was removedlike a shadow when it declines; I was shakenoff like the locusts. My knees were weak fromfasting, and my flesh was changed because ofthe oil. And I became an object of reproach tothem; They saw me; they shook their heads.Help me, O Lord my God; Save me accordingto Your mercy; Then let them know this isYour hand, and You, O Lord, did this. Theythemselves shall curse, but You shall bless; letthose who rise up against me be put to shame,But let Your servant be glad. Let those whofalsely accuse me be clothed with shame, andlet them be covered with their dishonor likea double cloak. I will give thanks to the Lordabundantly with my mouth, and in the midstof many I will praise Him, because He stood atthe right hand of a poor man, to save me fromthose who persecute my soul.

Psalm 50 (51).Have mercy on me, O God, according

to Your great mercy; and according to theabundance of Your compassion, blot out mytransgression. Wash me thoroughly from mylawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. for

I know my lawlessness, and my sin is alwaysbefore me. Against You only have I sinnedand done evil in Your sight; that You may bejustified in Your words, and overcome whenYou are judged. for behold, I was conceivedin transgressions, and in sins my mother boreme. Behold, You love truth; You showedme the unknown and secret things of Yourwisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop,and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, andI will be made whiter than snow. You shallmake me hear joy and gladness; my bonesthat were humbled shall greatly rejoice. TurnYour face from my sins, and blot out all mytransgressions. Create in me a clean heart,O God, and renew a right spirit within me.Do not cast me away from Your presence,and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit.I will teach transgressors Your ways, andthe ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliverme from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God ofmy salvation, and my tongue shall greatlyrejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, Youshall open my lips, and my mouth will declareYour praise. for if You desired sacrifice, Iwould give it; You will not be pleased withwhole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to Godis a broken spirit, a broken and humbledheart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord,in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let thewalls of Jerusalem be built; then you will bepleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, withofferings and whole burnt offerings; then shallthey offer young bulls on Your altar.


11





Troparion.Lord, the Jews condemned You to death,

You the Life of all. They who walked acrossthe Red Sea by the rod of Moses, had Younailed to a cross; and they who sipped honeyfrom a rock gave you gall. But You willinglyendured it, in order to free us from slavery tothe enemy. O Christ our God, glory to You!


Theotokion.Theotokos, you are the true vine that

produced the fruit of life. Lady, we ferventlyentreat you to intercede along with theApostles and all the saints, that our souls betreated mercifully.

CHOIRIdiomela.

Mode pl. 4.For fear of the Jews, Your friend and

neighbor Peter denied You, O Lord. Then helamented and said, "Do not be silent at mytears. I know I said I would keep the faith, butI did not keep it, O merciful One." Accept ourrepentance as well, and have mercy on us. (SD)


Mode pl. 4.

Verse: Give ear to my words, O Lord, hearmy cry.

Before Your venerable crucifixion, soldierswere mocking You, O Lord; and the angelicranks were astounded. You who adorned theearth with flowers put on a crown of insult.You who cover the world with clouds put onthe robe and were ridiculed. Such was Yourplan, and by it Your compassion was known,O Christ, the great mercy. Glory to You! (SD)

Verse: Give heed to the voice of mysupplication, my King and my God, for to You willI pray, O Lord.


Glory. Mode pl. 1.

As You were led to the cross, O Lord,You said something like this, "For which deeddo you wish to crucify Me, O Jews? Is it forbracing your paralytics, or for raising yourdead as if from sleep? I cured the womanwith the flow of blood, I had mercy on theCanaanite woman. For which of My deeds doyou wish to murder Me, O Jews? But you willlook on Me, the Christ, whom you now pierce,O transgressors of the Law." (SD)

Both now. Repeat.

THE PROPHECYREADER

Prokeimenon. Mode 4.For I am ready for wounds, and my pain

is continually with me.Verse: O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your

wrath, nor chasten me in Your anger.The reading is from the Prophecy of

Isaiah.


12


READER(50:4-11)

"The Lord gives Me the tongue of thelearned, so as to know when to speak a wordat a fitting time; and He causes My ear tolisten each morning. The Lord's instructionopens My ears, and I am not disobedient, nordo I contradict Him. I gave My back to whips,and My cheeks to blows; and I turned notaway My face from the shame of spitting. TheLord became My helper; therefore, I was notdisgraced. But I made My face like a solid rockand knew I would not be ashamed. For Hewho pronounces Me righteous draws near.Who is he who judges Me? Let him oppose Meat the same time. Who is he who judges Me?Let him come near Me. Behold, the Lord willhelp Me. Who will harm Me? Behold, all ofyou will grow old like a garment, and old agewill devour you, as a moth does a garment.Who among you fears the Lord? Let him listento the voice of His Servant. You who walk inthe darkness and have not light, trust in thename of the Lord and rely upon God. Behold,all of you kindle a fire and feed a flame. Walkin the light of your fire and the flame youkindled. This happened to you for My sake,and you shall lie down in sorrow." (SAAS)


Romans.


attentive!

READER(5:6-10)

Brethren, we were still weak, at the righttime Christ died for the ungodly. Why, onewill hardly die for a righteous man—thoughperhaps for a good man one will dare evento die. But God shows his love for us in thatwhile we were yet sinners Christ died for us.Since, therefore, we are now justified by hisblood, much more shall we be saved by himfrom the wrath of God. For if while we wereenemies we were reconciled to God by thedeath of his Son, much more, now that we arereconciled, shall we be saved by his life.


CHOIR



Gospel.

Peace be with all.



according to Mark. Let us be attentive!


PRIEST(15:16-41)

And the soldiers led him away insidethe palace (that is, the praetorium); and theycalled together the whole battalion. And theyclothed him in a purple cloak, and plaiting acrown of thorns they put it on him. And theybegan to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"And they struck his head with a reed, and spatupon him, and they knelt down in homage to


13

him. And when they had mocked him, theystripped him of the purple cloak, and put hisown clothes on him. And they led him out tocrucify him. And they compelled a passer-by,Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from thecountry, the father of Alexander and Rufus,to carry his cross. And they brought him tothe place called Golgotha (which means theplace of a skull). And they offered him winemingled with myrrh; but he did not takeit. And they crucified him, and divided hisgarments among them, casting lots for them,to decide what each should take. And it wasthe third hour, when they crucified him. Andthe inscription of the charge against him read,"The King of the Jews." And with him theycrucified two robbers, one on his right andone on his left. And those who passed byderided him, wagging their heads, and saying,"Aha! You who would destroy the templeand build it in three days, save yourself, andcome down from the cross!" So also the chiefpriests mocked him to one another with thescribes, saying, "He saved others; he cannotsave himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel,come down now from the cross, that we maysee and believe." Those who were crucifiedwith him also reviled him. And when thesixth hour had come, there was darkness overthe whole land until the ninth hour. And atthe ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which means,"My God, my God, why hast thou forsakenme?" And some of the bystanders hearing itsaid, "Behold, he is calling Elijah." And oneran and, filling a sponge full of vinegar, put iton a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying,"Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to

take him down." And Jesus uttered a loud cry,and breathed his last. And the curtain of thetemple was torn in two, from top to bottom.And when the centurion, who stood facinghim, saw that he thus breathed his last, hesaid, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"There were also women looking on from afar,among whom were Mary Magdalene, andMary the mother of James the younger andof Joses, and Salome, who, when he was inGalilee, followed him, and ministered to him;and also many other women who came upwith him to Jerusalem.


READER

Blessed is the Lord from day to day; theGod of our salvation will bring prosperityupon us; our God is the God Who saves us.

Trisagion Prayers.






Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowedbe Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will


14

be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give usthis day our daily bread; and forgive us ourtrespasses, as we forgive those who trespassagainst us. And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.



READERAmen.











READERAmen.

O Master God, Father Almighty, Lordonly-begotten Son Jesus Christ, and HolySpirit, one Godhead, one Power: have mercyon me a sinner, and by the judgments whichYou know, save me Your unworthy servant;for blessed are You to the ages of ages. Amen.

SIXTH HOUR






15






READERAmen.






Psalm 53 (54).Save me, O God, in Your name, and

judge me in Your power. O God, hear myprayer; give ear to the words of my mouth. forstrangers rise up against me, and the powerfulseek after my soul; They have not set God

before them. for behold, God is my helper;The Lord is the protector of my soul. He willreturn evils to my enemies; Utterly destroythem in Your truth. I will sacrifice to Youvoluntarily; I will give thanks to Your name,O Lord, for it is good. You delivered me fromall my afflictions, and my eye looked upon myenemies. SAAS

Psalm 139 (140).Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man,

rescue me from the unjust man, Who devisedwrongdoing in their heart; They arrayedthemselves for war all day long; Theysharpened their tongue like a serpent; Thevenom of asps was under their lips. Keep me,O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; Deliverme from unjust men Who plotted to trip upmy steps; The arrogant hid a trap for me, andthey stretched out ropes as snares for my feet;They set a stumbling block for me near mypath. I said to the Lord, "You are my God; giveear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication. OLord, O Lord, the power of my salvation, Youovershadowed my head in the day of war.Because of my desire, O Lord, do not hand meover to the sinner; They plotted against me;do not forsake me, lest they be exalted. "Asfor the head of those who encircle me, The toilof their lips shall cover them. Coals shall fallupon them; You shall overthrow them withfire; do not let them withstand hardships."A talkative man shall not prosper on earth;Evils shall hunt the unjust man to destruction.I know the Lord will maintain the cause of thepoor man and the justice of the needy. Surelythe righteous shall give thanks to Your name,


16

and the upright shall dwell in Your presence.SAAS

Psalm 90 (91).He Who dwells in the help of the Most

High Shall lodge in the shelter of the God ofheaven. He shall say to the Lord, "You are myprotector and my refuge, my God; I will hopein Him; for He shall free me from the snare ofthe hunters, and from every troubling word."He shall overshadow you with His shoulders,and under His wings you shall hope; His truthshall encircle you with a shield. You shall notbe frightened by fear at night, nor from anarrow that flies by day, nor by a thing movingin darkness, nor by mishap and a demon ofnoonday. A thousand shall fall at your sideand ten thousand at your right hand, yet itshall not come near you; but you shall observewith your eyes, and you shall see the rewardof sinners. for You, O Lord, are my hope; Youmade the Most High your refuge. Evils shallnot come to you, and a scourge shall not drawnear your dwelling; for He shall commandHis angels concerning you, to keep you in allyour ways; in their hands they shall bear youup, lest you strike your foot against a stone;You shall tread upon the asp and the basilisk,and you shall trample the lion and the dragon."For he hoped in Me, and I will deliver him; Iwill shelter him, because he knew My name.He shall call upon Me, and I will hear him; Iam with him in affliction, and I will deliverand glorify him. With length of days I willsatisfy him, and show him My salvation."SAAS





Troparion.You worked salvation in the midst of

the earth, O Christ our God. You stretchedout your immaculate hands on the Cross,and gathered all the nations, who cry to You:"Lord, glory to You!"


Theotokion.Since we may not presume to speak

because of our many sins, will you beseechyour Son, O Virgin Theotokos. For the requestof a mother can do much to pacify the Master.Do not despise the prayers of us sinners, all-noble Lady. He is merciful and able to save us;after all, He accepted to suffer for our sake.

CHOIRIdiomela.

Mode pl. 4.Thus says the Lord to the Jews, "O my

people, what have I done to you, how haveI upset you? I gave sight to your blind; Icleansed your lepers; I raised the man who layparalyzed on his bed. O my people, what haveI done to you, and how have you repaid me?Instead of manna, you fed Me gall; instead ofwater, you gave Me vinegar; instead of lovingMe, you nailed Me to the Cross. So, I will no


17

longer hold back, but I will call My Gentiles,and they will glorify Me and the Father andthe Spirit; and I will grant them eternal life."(SD)


Mode pl. 4.

Verse: They gave me gall for my food, andthey gave me vinegar for my drink.

O lawmakers of Israel, Judeans, andPharisees, the chorus of Apostles calls out toyou, "Behold, the Temple that you destroyed;behold, the Lamb that you crucified. Youdelivered Him to the grave, but He has risenby His own power. Do not deceive yourselves,Judeans; for He is the One who saved youin the sea, and fed you in the desert. He isthe Life, and the Light, and the Peace of theworld." (SD)

Verse: Save me, O God, for the waters floodmy soul.


Glory. Mode pl. 1.

Come, O Christ-bearing people, let uscontemplate how Judas the Betrayer and theunlawful priests conspired against our Savior.Today, they declared the immortal Logos asdeserving death. They delivered Him to Pilateand had Him crucified on The Place of theSkull. And yet, as the Savior was sufferingthese things, He cried aloud and said, "Father,forgive them this sin, so that the Gentiles maycome to know my resurrection from the dead."(SD)

Both now. Repeat.

THE PROPHECYREADER

Prokeimenon. Mode 4.O Lord, our Lord, how wondrous is Your

name in all the earth.Verse: For Your splendor is exalted far

beyond the heavens.The reading is from the Prophecy of

Isaiah.


READER(52:13 – 54:1)

Thus says the Lord: Behold My Servantshall have wisdom, and He shall be exaltedand glorified exceedingly. Just as many shallbe astonished at You, so Your form and gloryshall be dishonored by men. Thus manynations shall marvel at Him, and kings shallshut their mouth, because they to whom noreport was brought concerning Him shall see;and they who did not hear shall understand.O Lord, who has believed our report, and towhom was the arm of the Lord revealed? Weproclaimed His presence as a Child, as a Rootin a thirsty land. He had no form or glory, andwe saw Him; and He had no form or beauty.But in comparison to all men, His form waslacking in honor. He was a man in sufferingand knew how to bear sickness. His facewas turned away, and He was dishonoredand not esteemed. He bears our sins andsuffers for us, yet we considered Him to bein pain, suffering, and ill-treatment. But Hewas wounded because of our lawlessness,and became sick because of our sins. Thechastisement of our peace was upon Him, andby His bruise we are healed. All we like sheep


18

have gone astray. Man has gone astray in hisway, and the Lord delivered Him over for oursins. Although He was ill-treated, He openednot His mouth. He was led as a sheep to theslaughter, and as a lamb is silent before hisshearers, so He opens not His mouth. In Hishumiliation His judgment was taken away,and who will declare His generation? For Hislife is taken from the earth, and because of thelawlessness of My people He was led to death.I will appoint evil men for His burial and richmen for His death, because He committedno lawlessness, nor was deceit found in Hismouth. The Lord wishes to cleanse Him ofHis wound, and if You give an offering forsin, Your soul shall see a long-lived seed.The Lord wishes to take away the pain of Hissoul, to show Him light, to form Him withunderstanding, and to pronounce righteousthe Righteous One who serves many well; andHe shall bear their sins. Therefore He shallinherit many, and will divide the spoil withthe strong, because His soul was deliveredover to death. He was considered amongthe lawless, and He bore the sins of many,and was delivered over because of their sins."Be glad, O barren woman who does notbear; break forth and cry out, you who arenot in travail, for more are the children ofthe desolate than the children of the marriedwoman," says the Lord. (SAAS)


Hebrews.


attentive!

READER(2:11-18)

Brethren, he who sanctifies and thosewho are sanctified have all one origin. That iswhy he is not ashamed to call them brethren,saying, "I will proclaim thy name to mybrethren, in the midst of the congregation Iwill praise thee." And again, "I will put mytrust in him." And again, "Here am I, and thechildren God has given me." Since thereforethe children share in flesh and blood, hehimself likewise partook of the same nature,that through death he might destroy him whohas the power of death, that is, the devil, anddeliver all those who through fear of deathwere subject to lifelong bondage. For surelyit is not with angels that he is concerned butwith the descendants of Abraham. Thereforehe had to be made like his brethren in everyrespect, so that he might become a mercifuland faithful high priest in the service of God,to make expiation for the sins of the people.For because he himself has suffered and beentempted, he is able to help those who aretempted.


CHOIR



Gospel.

Peace be with all.



according to Luke. Let us be attentive!


19


PRIEST(23:32-49)

Two others also, who were criminals,were led away to be put to death with him.And when they came to the place which iscalled The Skull, there they crucified him, andthe criminals, one on the right and one on theleft. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; forthey know not what they do." And they castlots to divide his garments. And the peoplestood by, watching; but the rulers scoffed athim, saying, "He saved others; let him savehimself, if he is the Christ of God, his ChosenOne!" The soldiers also mocked him, comingup and offering him vinegar, and saying, "Ifyou are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"There was also an inscription over him, "Thisis the King of the Jews." One of the criminalswho were hanged railed at him, saying, "Areyou not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do younot fear God, since you are under the samesentence of condemnation? And we indeedjustly; for we are receiving the due rewardof our deeds; but this man has done nothingwrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember mewhen you come into your kingdom." 43 Andhe said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today youwill be with me in Paradise." It was now aboutthe sixth hour, and there was darkness overthe whole land until the ninth hour, whilethe sun’s light failed; and the curtain of thetemple was torn in two. Then Jesus, cryingwith a loud voice, said, "Father, into thy handsI commit my spirit!" And having said this hebreathed his last. Now when the centurionsaw what had taken place, he praised God,

and said, "Certainly this man was innocent!"And all the multitudes who assembled tosee the sight, when they saw what had takenplace, returned home beating their breasts.And all his acquaintances and the womenwho had followed him from Galilee stood at adistance and saw these things.


READER

Let Your mercies quickly overtake us, forwe have become very poor. Help us, O Godour savior; because of the glory of Your name,O Lord, save us, and be merciful to our sinsbecause of Your name.

Trisagion Prayers.






Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowedbe Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy willbe done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give usthis day our daily bread; and forgive us ourtrespasses, as we forgive those who trespass


20

against us. And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.



READERAmen.











READERAmen.

God and Lord of hosts and Maker of allcreation, in Your unfathomable compassionand mercy You sent down Your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for thesalvation of the human race; and by Hisprecious Cross You tore up the record of oursins, and triumphed over the principalitiesand powers of darkness. O Lord and Lover ofmankind, accept the thanksgiving and ferventprayers even of us sinners. Deliver us fromevery dark and destructive transgression andfrom all the visible and invisible enemies thatseek to harm us. Nail our flesh with the fearof You, and do not incline our hearts to evilwords or thoughts; but rather prick our soulswith love for You, so that always looking toYou, and guided by Your light, and gazing onYou, the eternal and ineffable Light, we maysend up unceasing praise and thanksgiving toYou, the Father without beginning, and YourOnly-Begotten Son, and Your all-holy, good


21

and life-giving Spirit, now and forever and toages of ages. Amen.

NINTH HOUR










READERAmen.






Psalm 109 (110)The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right

hand, Until I make Your enemies the footstoolof Your feet." The Lord shall send forth therod of Your power from Zion, and rule inthe midst of Your enemies. With You is thebeginning in the day of Your power, in thebrightness of Your saints; "I have begottenYou from the womb before the morning star."The Lord swore and will not repent, "Youare a priest forever according to the order ofMelchizedek." The Lord at Your right handcrushed kings in the day of His wrath; Heshall judge among the nations; He shall fillthem with dead bodies; He shall crush theheads of many on earth. He shall drink fromthe brook on the way; therefore, He shall raiseHis head high. SAAS

Psalm 110 (111).I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with

my whole heart, in the council of the uprightand in the assembly. Great are the works ofthe Lord, sought out in all things with regardto His will; Thanksgiving and majesty areHis work, and His righteousness continuesunto ages of ages. He made a remembranceof His wonders; The Lord is merciful and


22

compassionate; He gave food to those whofear Him; He shall remember His covenantforever. He declared the strength of Hisworks to His people, so as to give them theinheritance of the nations. The works of Hishands are truth and judgment; Faithful are allHis commandments, Established unto ages ofages, Made in truth and uprightness. He sentredemption to His people; He commandedHis covenant forever; Holy and fearful is Hisname. The beginning of wisdom is the fear ofthe Lord; a good understanding is in all whopractice it. His praise continues unto ages ofages. SAAS

Psalm 85 (86).Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear me,

for I am poor and needy. Guard my soul, for Iam holy; O my God, save Your servant, Whohopes in You. Have mercy on me, O Lord,for all the day long I will cry to You. Gladdenthe soul of Your servant, O Lord, for to You,O Lord, I lift up my soul. for You, O Lord,are kind and good, and very merciful to allWho call upon You. Give ear, O Lord, to myprayer and heed the voice of my supplication.In the day of my affliction I cried to You, forYou heard me. There is none like You amongthe gods, O Lord, and there are no workslike Your works. All the Gentiles You madeshall come and worship before You, O Lord,and they shall glorify Your name; for You aregreat, doing wonders; You alone are the greatGod. Lead me in Your way, O Lord, and I willwalk in Your truth; Gladden my heart so asto fear Your name. I will give thanks to You,O Lord my God, with my Whole heart, andI shall glorify Your name forever; for greatis Your mercy to me, and You rescued my

soul from the lowest Hades. O God, lawlessmen rose up against me, and a gathering ofstrong men sought my soul; and they did notset You before them. But You, O Lord, arecompassionate and merciful, Longsufferingand very merciful and truthful. Look upon meand have mercy; give Your strength to Yourservant, and save the son of Your handmaid.Work a sign in my midst for good, and letthose Who hate me see it and be disgraced; forYou, O Lord, helped me and comforted me.

Work a sign in my midst for good, and letthose Who hate me see it and be disgraced; forYou, O Lord, helped me and comforted me.SAAS





Troparion.When the Robber saw he Author of life

hanging on the Cross, he said, "If he who wascrucified with me were not God, then the sunwould not have hidden its rays and the earthwould not have quaked. I pray You, whoendures all: Remember me, O Lord, in Yourkingdom."



23

Theotokion.Born of a Virgin, O Good One who also

endured crucifixion for our sake, who bydeath took the spoils of death as plunder andshowed resurrection, being God, O despisenot the ones that You formed with Your ownhand. Demonstrate Your love for man, OLord of mercy, and accept Your Mother, theTheotokos, who intercedes on our behalf, OSavior, and save us a despairing people.

CHOIRIdiomela.

Grave Mode.It was shocking to see the Creator of

heaven and earth hanging on the Cross, thesun darkened, and day turned into night; andearth sending up from the graves the bodiesof the dead. With them we also worship You.Save us. (SD)


Mode 2.

Verse: They divided my garments amongthemselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.

When the transgressors of the Law hadYou nailed to the Cross -- You who are theKing of glory, You said to them, "How haveI vexed you, or with what did I provoke youto anger? Before Me, who delivered you fromaffliction? And now, how do you repay Me?Evil instead of good. In return for the pillar offire, you nailed Me to a cross; in return for thecloud, you dug a grave for Me. In return forthe manna, you fed Me gall, and in return forthe water, you gave Me vinegar to drink. So, Iwill call the Gentiles, and they will glorify Me,with the Father and the Holy Spirit." (SD)

Verse: They gave me gall for my food, andthey gave me vinegar for my drink.


Glory. Both now. Mode pl. 2.

The Reader (or one of the chanters) stands in the centerof the solea in front of the Crucifix and facing east, andreverently intones the following hymn in the same style asthe Epistle Readings. When he is finished, the choirs sing thehymn antiphonally, verse by verse.

Today, He who suspended the earth inthe waters is suspended on a cross. (3) TheKing of the Angels wears a crown of thorns.He who wraps the sky in clouds is wrapped ina fake purple robe. He who freed Adam in theJordan accepts to be slapped. The Bridegroomof the Church is fixed with nails to the cross.The Son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear.We worship Your Passion, O Christ. (3) Showus also Your glorious Resurrection.

THE PROPHECYREADER

Prokeimenon. Mode 4.The fool says in his heart, "There is no

God." they are corrupt, they are abominable intheir habits.

Verse: There is none, not even one, who doesgood.

The reading is from the Prophecy ofJeremiah.


READER(11:17-22; 12:1-5, 9-11, 14-15.)

O Lord, teach me, and I will know. ThenI saw their purpose. For I did not know I waslike an innocent lamb led to be sacrificed.They plotted an evil device against me,saying, "Come, let us put wood in his bread,


24

and destroy him root and branch from theland of the living, so his name might not beremembered any longer." But, O Lord, Youwho judge righteously, who tests minds andhearts, let me see Your vengeance on them,for I have revealed my righteous plea to You.Therefore thus says the Lord against the menof Anathoth, against those who seek my life,and who say, "Do not prophesy in the nameof the Lord, lest you die by our hands"—"Behold, I will visit them. The young menshall die by the sword, and their sons anddaughters shall die by famine. There shall beno remnant of them, for I will bring calamitieson the inhabitants of Anathoth in the year oftheir visitation." O Lord, You are righteous,that I may plead my case with You, to speakto You concerning judgments. Why does theway of the ungodly prosper, and all who dealtreacherously flourish? You planted them,and they took root. They bear children andare fruitful. You are near in their mouth, butfar from their mind. But You, O Lord, knowme. You have proven my heart before You.Set them apart for the day of slaughter. Howlong will the land mourn and the grass ofthe field wither, because of the vices of thosewho dwell in it? The cattle and the birdsare destroyed, because they said, "God willnot see our ways." "Your feet run and growweary. Gather together all the wild beasts ofthe field and let them come to devour her.Many shepherds destroyed My vineyard anddefiled My portion. They turned My pleasantportion into an impassable desert. It wasmade a complete ruin." For thus says the Lord:"Concerning all the evil neighbors who touchMy inheritance, which I divided to My people

Israel—behold, I shall draw them away fromtheir land and will cast out Judah from theirmidst. Then it shall come to pass, after I castthem out, that I will return them and havemercy on them. I will settle them, each in hisinheritance and each in his land." (SAAS)


Hebrews.


attentive!

READER(10:19-31)

Brethren, since we have confidence toenter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, bythe new and living way which he opened forus through the curtain, that is, through hisflesh, and since we have a great priest overthe house of God, let us draw near with atrue heart in full assurance of faith, with ourhearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscienceand our bodies washed with pure water.Let us hold fast the confession of our hopewithout wavering, for he who promised isfaithful; and let us consider how to stir up oneanother to love good works, not neglectingto meet together, as is the habit of some, butencouraging one another, and all the more asyou see the Day drawing near. For if we sindeliberately after receiving the knowledge ofthe truth, there no longer remains a sacrificefor sins, but a fearful prospect of judgment,and a fury of fire which will consume theadversaries. A man who has violated the lawof Moses dies without mercy at the testimonyof two or three witnesses. How much worsepunishment do you think will be deserved


25

by the man who has spurned the Son of God,and profaned the blood of the covenant bywhich he was sanctified, and outraged theSpirit of grace? For we know him who said,"Vengeance is mine, I will repay." And again,"The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearfulthing to fall into the hands of the living God.


CHOIR


THE GOSPELPRIEST

Wisdom! Arise! Let us hear the holyGospel.

Peace be with all.



according to John. Let us be attentive!


PRIEST(19:23-37)

When the soldiers had crucified Jesusthey took his garments and made four parts,one for each soldier; also his tunic. But thetunic was without seam, woven from top tobottom; so they said to one another, "Let usnot tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose itshall be." This was to fulfil the scripture, "Theyparted my garments among them, and formy clothing they cast lots." So the soldiersdid this. But standing by the cross of Jesuswere his mother, and his mother’s sister, Marythe wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple

whom he loved standing near, he said to hismother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then hesaid to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!"And from that hour the disciple took herto his own home. After this Jesus, knowingthat all was now finished, said (to fulfil thescripture), "I thirst." A bowl full of vinegarstood there; so they put a sponge full of thevinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth.When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said,"It is finished"; and he bowed his head andgave up his spirit. Since it was the day ofPreparation, in order to prevent the bodiesfrom remaining on the cross on the sabbath(for that sabbath was a high day), the Jewsasked Pilate that their legs might be broken,and that they might be taken away. So thesoldiers came and broke the legs of the first,and of the other who had been crucified withhim; but when they came to Jesus and sawthat he was already dead, they did not breakhis legs. But one of the soldiers pierced hisside with a spear, and at once there came outblood and water. He who saw it has bornewitness—his testimony is true, and he knowsthat he tells the truth—that you also maybelieve. For these things took place that thescripture might be fulfilled, "Not a bone ofhim shall be broken." 37 And again anotherscripture says, "They shall look on him whomthey have pierced."


READER

For Your name's sake, do not hand us overto he end, and do not reject Your covenant. Donot withdraw Your mercy from us for the sakeof Abraham, who is loved by You, and for the


26

sake of Isaac, Your servant, and of Israel, Yourholy one.

Trisagion Prayers.









READERAmen.


crucified for us. Mary beheld Him on the

Cross and she said, "Though You endure theCross, You are my Son and my God."










27

READERAmen.

O Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God,who are long-suffering in the face of ourtransgressions, and have led us to the presenthour, in which, as You hung upon the life-giving tree, You made a way into Paradisefor the penitent robber, and destroyed deathby death: Cleans us, Your humble, sinful andunworthy servants. For we have sinned andtransgressed and are not worthy to lift up oureyes and look at the height of heaven, for wehave abandoned the path of righteousnessand followed the desires of our hearts. So weimplore Your incomparable goodness: Spareus, O Lord, according to the abundance ofYour mercy, and save us for Your holy name'ssake, for our days have passed in vanity.Rescue us from the hand of the adversary andforgive our sins, and mortify our mind set onthe flesh; so that we may put off the old manbe clothed with the new, and live for You,our Master and Benefactor. And thus may wefollow Your commandments, and arrive atthe eternal rest, where the dwelling is of allthose who rejoice. For You are the true joy andexultation of those who love You, Christ ourGod, and we send up glory to You and Yourunoriginate Father and Your all-holy, goodand life-giving Spirit, now and forever and toages of ages. Amen.

THE BEATITUDESIn Your kingdom. Remember us, O Lord,

when You come in Your kingdom. Blessed arethe poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom ofheaven

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs isthe kingdom of heaven

Blessed are those who mourn, for theyshall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inheritthe earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirstfor righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shallobtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shallsee God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shallbe called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted forrighteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdomof heaven.

Blessed are you when men revile youand persecute you and utter all kinds of evilagainst you falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward isgreat in heaven.

Remember us, O Lord, when You come inYour kingdom.

Remember us, O Master, when You comein Your kingdom.

Remember us, O Holy One, when Youcome in Your kingdom.

The heavenly choir extols you and says:Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord Sabaoth; heaven andearth are full of Your glory.

Come to Him, and be enlightened, and yourface shall never be ashamed.


28

The heavenly choir extols you and says:Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord Sabaoth; heaven andearth are full of Your glory.

Glory.The choir of holy Angels and Archangels,

with all the heavenly Powers, extols you andsays: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord Sabaoth; heavenand earth are full of Your glory.

Both now.I believe in one God, Father Almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth and of all thingsvisible and invisible. And in one Lord JesusChrist, the only-begotten Son of God, begottenof the Father before all ages. Light of Light,true God of true God, begotten not created, ofone essence with the Father through Whomall things were made. Who for us men and forour salvation came down from heaven andwas incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the VirginMary and became man. He was crucifiedfor us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered andwas buried. And He rose on the third day,according to the Scriptures. He ascended intoheaven and is seated at the right hand of theFather. And He will come again with gloryto judge the living and dead. His kingdomshall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, theLord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds fromthe Father, Who together with the Father andthe Son is worshipped and glorified, Whospoke through the prophets. In one, holy,catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess onebaptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look forthe resurrection of the dead and the life of theage to come. Amen.

Pardon, remit, forgive, O God, ouroffences, both voluntary and involuntary, in

deed and word, in knowledge and ignorance,by night and by day, in mind and thought;forgive us all things, since You are good andlove mankind.




READERAmen.




Blessed be the name of the Lord from thispresent time and unto the ages. (3)

Glory. Both now.Psalm 33 (34).

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praiseshall continually be in my mouth. My soulshall be praised in the Lord; let the gentlehear, and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord withme, and let us exalt His name together. Isought the Lord, and He heard me; and Hedelivered me from all my sojourning. Cometo Him, and be enlightened, and your face


29

shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried,and the Lord heard him, and saved him fromall his afflictions. The Angel of the Lord shallencamp around those who fear Him, and Hewill deliver them. Oh, taste and see that theLord is good; blessed is the man who hopes inHim. Fear the Lord, you His saints, for thereis no want for those who fear Him. Rich menturned poor and went hungry; but those whoseek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.Come, you children, listen to me; I will teachyou the fear of the Lord. Who is the man whodesires life, who loves to see good days? Keepyour tongue from evil, and your lips fromspeaking deceit. Shun evil and do good; seekpeace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord areupon the righteous, and His ears are open totheir supplications. The Lord's face is againstthose who do evil, so as to destroy theirremembrance from the earth. The righteouscried, and the Lord heard them; and Hedelivered them from all their afflictions. TheLord is near those who are brokenhearted,and He will save the humble in spirit. Manyare the afflictions of the righteous, but He willdeliver them from them all. The Lord shallguard all their bones; not one of them shall bebroken. The death of sinners is evil, and thosewho hate the righteous shall go wrong. TheLord will redeem the souls of His servants,and all who hope in Him shall not go wrong.

Glory. Both now. Lord, havemercy. (3) Father, bless!

PRIESTHe who endured spittings, and

scourgings, and buffetings, and the Cross anddeath, for our salvation, Christ our true God,through the intercessions of his most pure

and holy Mother, the power of the preciousand life-giving Cross, the protection of thehonorable, bodiless powers of heaven, thesupplications of the honorable, gloriousprophet and forerunner John the Baptist, theholy, glorious, and praiseworthy Apostles, theholy, glorious, and triumphant Martyrs, ourholy and God-bearing Fathers, (local patronsaint); the holy and righteous ancestors ofGod Joachim and Anna, and all the saints,have mercy on us and save us, as a good,loving and merciful God.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers,Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on usand save us.

(Amen.)

PRIEST READER - OMHKSEAa raging and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are...

Documents

Transcript of PRIEST READER - OMHKSEAa raging and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are...