Weekday Vespers

50
A Small Octoechos Parakletike Weekday Vespers Translated from Greek, preserving the original meter, by Fr. Seraphim Dedes Fourth Edition 2003

Transcript of Weekday Vespers

Page 1: Weekday Vespers

A Small Octoechos Parakletike

Weekday Vespers

Translated from Greek preserving the original meter

by Fr Seraphim Dedes

Fourth Edition

2003

Copyright copy 2003 by F Seraphim Dedes All rights reserved

FOREWORD

In every successive generation of Orthodox Christians in the English speaking world the need for suitable texts in English for use in corporate and private worship is becoming increasingly more acute Such texts are neces-sary inasmuch as the prayers and hymnology of our Church offer a sure safe and most delightful way to approach our God to meet the Saints and to learn about and improve on our selves And this is so because the poets who originally composed these texts nearly all of them monastics were God-bearers exponents and defenders of Ortho-doxy mystics of eternal truth and Saints in their own right Countless thousands of Orthodox Christians over the centuries were nurtured on these divine texts and translated into various languages they are recited and sung by Orthodox believers throughout the world to this day

One of the wonderful hymnals of our Church is the Octoechos (the Book of Eight Modes) also called the Parakletike (the Book of Solace and Solicitation) Herein are found hymns to be chanted morning and evening on every day of the week according to the eight Modes of our ecclesiastical music The better known of these hymns are the Resurrectional anthems appointed for the services on Saturday evening and Sunday morning But there are many more chanted on the other days of the week These hymns are exhortations to repentance samples of healthy self-reproach prayers for divine aid and means of extolling the Mother of God and the Saints Through them one learns the dogmas of our faith how to understand the Bible and the truths about the past the present and the things to come

Such an abundance of spiritual food And yet alas hardly anyone knows about it or takes advantage of it But should not we also in the English speaking world have the benefit Although it is inconceivable and inexcusable that our clergy and those aspiring to it and even our pious laity should not be fortified daily by the rich liturgical life of our holy Church yet the sad truth is that most are not

Pondering on this and knowing what benefit I received from hearing and chanting these hymns all those years on the Holy Mountain I decided to apply myself with Godrsquos help and to produce some suitable translations that may help cover this need of our people and especially of our priests and monastics and our beloved seminarians

The present volume contains a translation of a selection of troparia from the Octoechos appointed for Vespers on the weekdays in the eight Modes It is designed to be used in conjunction with the Menaion on evenings when there is no great feast or highly celebrated Saint and the rubrics call for three Stichera from the Octoechos (in the Mode of the week) and three from the Menaion and when the Menaion does not provide Aposticha

The troparia have been rendered in such a way so as to be chanted according to the Mode and the traditional melodies1 as indicated When no special melody is indicated as is the case with most of the Aposticha then the tro-parion is to be chanted simply according to its Mode The so-called Dogmatic Theotokion of each Mode has been included at each Friday Vespers since it is the practice in many places to chant it on Friday evening irregardless of the Mode of the troparion from the Menaion that precedes it

Please forgive the lack of linguistic elegance and any oversights in this work and concentrate on the deeper meaning and purpose of the hymns adding to this your own reverence and fervor I am sure that in this way you will quickly begin to enjoy the vivifying waters of Orthodox piety

The hope is through many such seemingly insignificant but nonetheless earnest efforts from various quarters that even the English speaking world will be infused with the Orthodox ethos and in turn produce the fruits of the Kingdom of Heaven by the grace of our Triune God to Whom be glory forever Amen

Fr Seraphim Dedes St Gregory Palamas Monastery September 2000

1 The music in Western notation for these special melodies called Automela in Greek is available in another work of mine called Original Melodies

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction If You should mark iniquities O Lord O Lord

who shall stand For with You is expiation O Martyrs extolled2

Lord in Your goodness by Your Word and Your Spirit You brought forth all

things and then You created me the living being whom You endowed with reason so that I should glorify Your holy name O Master all-powerful And yet instead alas I dishonor You continually with my foul deeds O spare me I supplicate

Because of Your Name I have waited for You O Lord my soul has waited for Your word my soul hoped in the Lord

Same Melody ome to know O miserable soul your divine nobility and incorruptible fa-

therland and hasten constantly through good deeds and virtues to possess it once again Become attached to nothing corrupti-ble Your lot is there on high but your body being earth decays Let the worse not prevail over the better part

For the Angels Same Melody

From the morning watch until night from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord

Angels Archangels and the Thrones Powers and Authorities and you O

six-winged Seraphim and many-eyed divine instruments of wisdom Cherubim and most divine Dominions and sublime Prin-cipalities do intercede with Christ and be- 2Πανεύφηmicroοι Μάρτυρες

seech Him that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

Aposticha of Compunction he sea of my transgressions O Savior is immense and I am drowning griev-

ously in my iniquities Save me give Your hand to me O God as to Peter and have mercy on me

Unto You have I lifted up mine eyes unto You that dwell in heaven Behold as the eyes of servants look unto the hands of their masters as the eyes of the hand-maid look unto the hands of her mistress so do our eyes look unto the Lord our God until He take pity on us

am condemned O Savior for wicked thoughts and deeds Therefore O God

implant in me the thought of turning back that I may cry to You my good Benefactor Save me and have mercy on me

Have mercy on us O Lord have mercy on us for greatly are we filled with abasement Greatly has our soul been filled therewith let reproach come upon them that prosper and abasement on the proud

For the Martyrs hrough the intercessions O Lord of all the Saints and the Theotokos grant

Your peace unto us and have mercy on us only Compassionate One

Glory both now Theotokion Original Melody3

or the celestial orders you are exultant joy and for earth-dwelling people the

almighty protection Pure and holy Virgin save us we pray as for refuge we flee to you O Theotokos for verily after God do we put our every hope in you

3Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγmicroάτων

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction For the celestial orders

am engulfed by the ocean of my iniquities and overwhelmed completely by the sea

of transgressions I cry to You the Master Deliver me from the various difficult trials of life and temptations O gracious Lord and the fire that will never end

Same Melody eing immersed in the deep of despair and hopelessness replete with thoughts of

evil and with negative feelings in You alone O Logos of God have I the most wretched one set my hopes From the as-saults of my visible and unseen vicious enemies deliver me

For the Forerunner O Martyrs extolled

Baptist and Forerunner of Christ I im-plore you fervently By your entreaties

induce my heart that has been withered up through unseemly conduct to incessantly pour out a stream of tears O wonderful Prophet John that having gained through you my salvation I who am distressed may give glory to Him who has glorified you

Aposticha of Compunction he sea of my transgressions O Savior is immense and I am drowning griev-

ously in my iniquities Save me give Your hand to me O God as to Peter and have mercy on me

am condemned O Savior for wicked thoughts and deeds Therefore O God

implant in me the thought of turning back that I may cry to You my good Benefactor Save me and have mercy on me

For the Martyrs Saints your confession of faith in the arena disconcerted the power of the

demons and it freed the people from delu-sion And so you cried aloud as you were beheaded Let the sacrifice of our souls be acceptable before You O Master for in longing for You O Lover of man we have despised this temporal life

Glory both now Theotokion ince you accept the entreaties of sinners and overlook not the sighs of the afflicted

intercede with Him who came from your undefiled loins O all-holy Virgin that we may gain salvation

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Martyrs extolled

ou stretched out Your undefiled hands on the Cross O Christ our God and

stained your fingers with blood thus wishing to redeem the work of Your own divine hands Adam who was being held a hos-tage in the kingdom of death because of dis-obedience and You raised him in Your love for man by Your sovereign almighty authority

Same Melody Christ You were nailed unto the Cross as a man and yet as God You deified

human nature and when You had put to death the arch-evil serpent You released us from the curse that issued from the tree for You had yourself become a curse O Lord and You grant Your blessing to the world and great mercy for You are compassionate

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

o terrible passions I succumbed for being a terrible delinquent I had com-

mitted deeds most shameful and depraved And the lurid idols of these acts and fanta-sies within my sensing heart still unsettle me and alter me and turn my volition to-wards enjoyment of sinful pleasure But save me O Virgin pure

Aposticha of the Cross he Cross was firmly planted on Calvary and from the ever-flowing fountain of the

side of the Savior for us it blossomed im-mortality

or us the precious Cross of the Savior is a rampart impregnable for therein be-

lieving do we all gain salvation

For the Martyrs h what an excellent transaction you made O Saints For you invested

blood and inherited the heavens Tempor-arily tested you rejoice eternally Good in-deed was your enterprise For by relin-quishing things corruptible you received in return things that perish not And now ex-ulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Martyrs extolled

eholding Him hanging on the tree of the Cross the Virgin cried aloud to

Christ O beloved Son a sword has finally pierced through my heart O Master and is tearing it apart as Symeon of old once foretold to me But hasten now to rise O Immortal One and glorify with yourself me Your Mother and servant I pray

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles O Martyrs extolled

glorious Apostles of Christ and Disci-ples called by God inspired teachers of

all the world when you had found the Lord as the mediator between God and man you cleaved to Him in such a manner appropri-ate to His divinity And you preached Him to the universe to be God and manifestly perfect man

Same Melody wisest Apostles of the Lord intercede on my behalf that I might shake off the

mindlessness of my bedarkened soul You indeed are wisdomrsquos mystics and interpret-ers for you have lit the light of the Para-clete4 And once you burn away the corrup-tion that is in my mind count me worthy to praise you and call you blest

For Saint Nicholas For the celestial orders

s you are hovering over the flowers of the Church being yourself a fledgling

of the nest of the Angels O Nicholas thrice blessed you ever cry unto God on behalf of all who in temptations and perils invoke your aid and you rescue them by fervent prayers

Aposticha of the Apostles he most melodious harp of the Apostles set in motion by the Holy Spirit abol-

ished the rites of the odious demons and by preaching faith in the only Lord it re-deemed the nations from the delusion of the idols and taught them to worship the con-substantial Trinity

4 Paraclete = Holy Spirit

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For the celestial orders et us with one voice together extol Saints Peter and Paul with Luke and Mark and

Matthew John and Andrew and Thomas Iakovos and Philip Bartholomew also Simon and Thaddaeus and let us worthily praise the entire choir of divinely called Disciples of Christ

For the Martyrs Original Melody5

Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

Glory both now Theotokion Same Melody

ll-laudable Virgin Moses saw with his own prophetic eyes of old the mystery

wrought in you when he beheld the bush unconsumed though burning For in you the fire of Divinity in no way consumed your womb And therefore we entreat you the Mother of our Lord and God to grant mercy O pure one and peace to your world

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross For the celestial orders

hen did the forefather taste death at the for-bidden tree but now are all believers

freed from deathrsquos condemnation by the Tree of honor O every breath let us glorify and extol Him who was willingly crucified for our sake and enlightened all the ends of the earth 5 Πανεύφηmicroοι Μάρτυρες

Same Melody most compassionate Master we all take pride in Your Cross and thereby dev-

astating the delusion of Satan we cease-lessly extol You for on the Cross You were lifted up willingly and thus You wrought our salvation O gracious Lord in the mid-dle of the earth O Christ

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ll-holy Virgin and Lady I now invoke you again against this fearsome passion

the desire for money For truly I am fearful of its attacks more than those of a wild beast since it is counted as avarice unto them who begrudge even the smallest things

Aposticha of the Cross he Cross was firmly planted on Calvary and from the ever-flowing fountain of the

side of the Savior for us it blossomed im-mortality

or us the precious Cross of the Savior is a rampart impregnable for therein be-

lieving do we all gain salvation

For the Martyrs hrough the intercessions O Lord of all the Saints and the Theotokos grant

Your peace unto us and have mercy on us only Compassionate One

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Martyrs extolled

y tasting the vinegar and gall as You hang upon the Cross as a condemned

man O righteous Judge and sweetest Child of mine You have sweetened Adamrsquos former taste of bitterness But seeing now Your Passion has poisoned me so sweeten me O Lord by arising as Omnipotent Thus the Virgin lamented while shedding tears

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FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera O Martyrs extolled

ithdrawing from everything my soul hold within your memory your final

hour and be vigilant and ever be prepared for your own departure lest arriving sud-denly and finding you unready your death might come and take you by surprise So be watchful and unceasingly to the Lord pray and pour out a stream of tears

Same Melody ortify O pre-eternal God the mind-set agreeing with the carnal passions

perturbing me and by divine command quiet the unruly movements in my flesh and grant forgiveness of my sins inasmuch as You are quickly reconciled and compas-sionate and merciful in the wealth of Your goodness and love for man

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ake me O all-holy Bride of God chaste and meek and self-controlled

decent and quiet and decorous straightfor-ward and devout truthful and courageous sensible longsuffering and lenient and gentle and moderate blameless impeccable irreproachable and grant to me in addi-tion residence in Paradise

Glory both now Theotokion s the universal glory the Maiden born of human parents and who gave birth to the

Master and is the gateway to heaven let us extol the Virgin Mary the song of the bodi-less powers and the believersrsquo ornament She it is who was shown to be a heaven and a temple of the Godhead She it is who break-ing down the middle wall of enmity brought peace in its stead and opened the Kingdom

Therefore in possessing her the anchor of our faith we have as a Champion the Lord who was born of her Take courage therefore take courage O people of God For surely He will make war against the enemies as the Almighty One

Aposticha of the Martyrs Saints your confession of faith in the arena disconcerted the power of the

demons and it freed the people from delu-sion And so you cried aloud as you were beheaded Let the sacrifice of our souls be acceptable before You O Master for in longing for You O Lover of man we have despised this temporal life

God is wondrous in His saints h what an excellent transaction you made O Saints For you invested

blood and inherited the heavens Temporar-ily tested you rejoice eternally Good in-deed was your enterprise For by relin-quishing things corruptible you received in return things that perish not And now ex-ulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

Original Melody Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord hich delight of life remains untouched by sorrow Which earthly glory con-

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tinues immovable All these are dimmer than a shadow all more illusory than a dream In a single moment death succeeds them all But O Christ repose those whom You have taken in the light of Your coun-tenance and in the sweetness of Your hand-someness as the Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice O holy Virgin Theotokos the distinguished treasure of all the universe

the unextinguished lamp the container of the Uncontainable the indestructible tem-ple Rejoice from whom the Lamb was born Who takes away the sins of the world

R

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You6

rant thoughts of repentance unto me also grant the love for contrition unto my

humble soul Rouse me from the sleep of grave insensibility and the darkness of lazi-ness drive out from within me and dispel the gloom created by despondency so that looking up I the wretched might cling fast to You and according to Your holy will pro-ceed O Word of God

Same Melody ow do I confess to You my God eve-rything of which I am guilty my sins

against You in word deed and recollection all do I declare to You I have passed the entire day and all of my lifersquos time now I have arrived at night still full of wickedness Therefore I fall down to You crying Master O my Master and Savior I have sinned forgive and save me Lord my God

For the Angels Same Melody

ome and singing spiritual songs let us now extol the commanders of the angelic

hosts For being preeminent among the bodiless choirs they were both designated as Archangels and Generals Foremost in

6 Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου

the period of grace is Gabriel while in the Old Testament era of the Law and prior to Moses prominent is Michael the Arch-angelsrsquo chief

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Theotokion impassable gate mystically sealed bless-ed Virgin Theotokos accept our suppli-

cations and present them unto your Son and God that through you He save our souls

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Mode Two

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You

s the only sinless One O Christ the only forbearing the only wellspring of

charity see my tribulation see my strait perplexity Wipe away from my wounded soul the scars and the bruises and save me Your servant in Your tender mercy O Lord so that with the clouds of depression gone away I might offer glory unto You my Savior most benevolent

Same Melody have brought corruption on my soul and I have polluted my body and with my

sordid thoughts I have wounded grievously my heart and senses all I have sorely defiled my eyes my ears have I tainted and my tongue have I befouled I am completely depraved Therefore I fall down to You crying I have sinned against You O Master I have sinned forgive and save me Christ my God

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ave me from the everlasting fire from the lightless darkness from hardships and

all necessity from all tribulation and from all perplexing straits I beseech you O Baptist John and by your entreaties grant me who am self-condemned in my iniquities surely to belong to the portion of the saved wherein are the choirs of the Saints and joy that is ineffable

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

avior when You hung upon the Cross seeing You the sun became darkened from

overwhelming fear and the curtain of the Temple then was torn in two and the earth shook in every place and likewise in horror rocks and boulders split apart unable to be-hold hanging on a cross their Creator will-fully to suffer unjustly nor the lawless men humiliating You

Same Melody ou received a verdict only King who yourself at Your second coming will

judge the universe and You wore a crown of thorns O Savior on Your head thus O Lover of humankind completely uprooting the thorn of deception by Your mighty sov-ereignty thereupon implanting the knowl-edge of Your great compassion within all who worship Your crucifixion faithfully

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

s if to a haven have I run underneath your holy protection O Virgin Mother

pure Have compassion I entreat you and reject me not rather save me your servant from this present affliction being as you are by nature moved to sympathy Always intercede and deliver us your servants from every trial as you are the Mother of the Most High God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

t the crucifixion of your Son and your God immaculate Lady you suffered

much distress Groaning you lamented and you cried tearfully Sweetest Child of mine alas How suffer You wrongly wishing to redeem the sons of Adam born on earth Therefore moved by faith we entreat you fervently O all-holy Virgin cause Him to be clement when He deals with us

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When he took You

divine Apostles you were seen as the trumpets of the divine Word Who had

appeared on earth You declared His saving dispensation unto all By your preaching did you destroy the bastions of error congre-gating peoples unto pious faith in God Therefore you the blessed Disciples wor-thily were given the honors and received the laurel crowns triumphantly

Same Melody egions of the Angels in the heights ap-plauded the holy Disciples and truly they

rejoiced seeing them proclaim the incarna-tion of the Lord with great freedom and confidence declaring to all men This is our God the One who is before all time who assumed our flesh of His own will and who shares the throne with the Father being with the Spirit honored equally

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ince you have been granted grace from God you dispense all manner of heal-

ings under your patronage unto all who run to you divine Saint Nicholas For you ban-ish incurable demonical passions curing all whom you receive into your custody Therefore do we also implore you Pray the Lord that all who extol you always be deliv-ered from impending harm

Aposticha of the Apostles ou have magnified the names of the chief Apostles O Savior throughout the

world They learned the sacred mysteries of heaven they granted healings to those on earth and their shadows alone cured the ill-nesses He who was a fisherman did mira-

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cles and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace Through them grant Your great mercy unto us O compassionate Lord

ressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds we flee for refuge

unto You who indeed are God Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say Save us O Master we are perish-ing We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils by the interces-sions of the Apostles overlooking sins with great benevolence Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs reat is the glory that you O Saints obtained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant heal-ings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion When he took You

ll those who for refuge flee with faith unto you O good one you shelter be-

neath your mighty hand We your servants have no other intercessor like you always praying to God for us in dangers and sor-rows sinners that we are bent down be-cause of many misdeeds Therefore we fall prostrate before you Rescue us from every affliction since you are the Mother of the Most High God

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

ince You have been lifted on the Cross O Lover of man the malignant serpent

has utterly been cast down to earth com-pletely overthrown and he lies as a fallen monstrosity while Adam the former con-vict from the curse is loosed and he is being saved Therefore do we also beseech You Save us and take pity on all men and Your blessed Kingdom do vouchsafe to us

Same Melody avior and the Life of all the world when the lawless people suspended You

on a wooden cross all creation horrified then quaked in fear and awe By Your might and divinity the kingdom of Hades disap-peared accompanied by the dominion of death Then too did the forefather Adam joyfully cry out to You Glory to Your con-descension Lord who love mankind

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ure one we entreat you to incline unto our petition and grant us your servants

founts of tears so that we may weep and thereby wash away the stains of our sins O all-blameless one and also extinguish the flame of the never-ending and most bitter fire For indeed you answer the prayers of those who wholeheartedly call on you the holy Mother of our Lord and God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed

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him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

ure one when you saw the Bunch of grapes hanging on the Cross wholly rip-

ened which without being tilled you had carried in your womb that is your Son and God you lamented and mourned aloud and cried O my Child let the new sweet wine drip forth O Benefactor by which all intoxication of passions may be swept away in Your mercy through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera When he took You

hen You come again O Christ our God with Your holy Angels in glory to

judge the universe when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed there to render a full account for their every ac-tion then O Word include me in the num-ber of Your sheep granting me from now absolution of my every sin and transgres-sion which I have committed in this present life

Same Melody s the only Lover of mankind break apart the chains of my passions dry up

the festering of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction O Lord and illumine my darkened heart I fervently pray You and deliver me from all adverse predicaments turmoils and unhappy disasters and from all the cunning temptations of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world

For the Theotokos Same Melody

tand by me all-holy Bride of God when my wretched soul is about to be parted

forcibly from the members of my body Also frustrate the plans of the bodiless ene-mies and shatter the fangs of those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly so that having nothing to block me I may unimpededly rise past the rulers of darkness standing in the air

Glory both now Theotokion he shadow of the Law has passed away with the coming of grace For as the burn-

ing bush was not consumed even though it was flaming likewise you gave birth as a virgin and remained a virgin still Instead of the pillar of fire has arisen the Sun of Righteousness instead of Moses is Christ the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

God is wondrous in His saints he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

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The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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Mode Three

14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

T

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

E

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Mode Three

17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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18

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

R

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Mode Four

20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

OO

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Mode Four

23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

S

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24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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25

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

Y

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26

For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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Grave Mode

40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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Grave Mode

41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

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45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 2: Weekday Vespers

Copyright copy 2003 by F Seraphim Dedes All rights reserved

FOREWORD

In every successive generation of Orthodox Christians in the English speaking world the need for suitable texts in English for use in corporate and private worship is becoming increasingly more acute Such texts are neces-sary inasmuch as the prayers and hymnology of our Church offer a sure safe and most delightful way to approach our God to meet the Saints and to learn about and improve on our selves And this is so because the poets who originally composed these texts nearly all of them monastics were God-bearers exponents and defenders of Ortho-doxy mystics of eternal truth and Saints in their own right Countless thousands of Orthodox Christians over the centuries were nurtured on these divine texts and translated into various languages they are recited and sung by Orthodox believers throughout the world to this day

One of the wonderful hymnals of our Church is the Octoechos (the Book of Eight Modes) also called the Parakletike (the Book of Solace and Solicitation) Herein are found hymns to be chanted morning and evening on every day of the week according to the eight Modes of our ecclesiastical music The better known of these hymns are the Resurrectional anthems appointed for the services on Saturday evening and Sunday morning But there are many more chanted on the other days of the week These hymns are exhortations to repentance samples of healthy self-reproach prayers for divine aid and means of extolling the Mother of God and the Saints Through them one learns the dogmas of our faith how to understand the Bible and the truths about the past the present and the things to come

Such an abundance of spiritual food And yet alas hardly anyone knows about it or takes advantage of it But should not we also in the English speaking world have the benefit Although it is inconceivable and inexcusable that our clergy and those aspiring to it and even our pious laity should not be fortified daily by the rich liturgical life of our holy Church yet the sad truth is that most are not

Pondering on this and knowing what benefit I received from hearing and chanting these hymns all those years on the Holy Mountain I decided to apply myself with Godrsquos help and to produce some suitable translations that may help cover this need of our people and especially of our priests and monastics and our beloved seminarians

The present volume contains a translation of a selection of troparia from the Octoechos appointed for Vespers on the weekdays in the eight Modes It is designed to be used in conjunction with the Menaion on evenings when there is no great feast or highly celebrated Saint and the rubrics call for three Stichera from the Octoechos (in the Mode of the week) and three from the Menaion and when the Menaion does not provide Aposticha

The troparia have been rendered in such a way so as to be chanted according to the Mode and the traditional melodies1 as indicated When no special melody is indicated as is the case with most of the Aposticha then the tro-parion is to be chanted simply according to its Mode The so-called Dogmatic Theotokion of each Mode has been included at each Friday Vespers since it is the practice in many places to chant it on Friday evening irregardless of the Mode of the troparion from the Menaion that precedes it

Please forgive the lack of linguistic elegance and any oversights in this work and concentrate on the deeper meaning and purpose of the hymns adding to this your own reverence and fervor I am sure that in this way you will quickly begin to enjoy the vivifying waters of Orthodox piety

The hope is through many such seemingly insignificant but nonetheless earnest efforts from various quarters that even the English speaking world will be infused with the Orthodox ethos and in turn produce the fruits of the Kingdom of Heaven by the grace of our Triune God to Whom be glory forever Amen

Fr Seraphim Dedes St Gregory Palamas Monastery September 2000

1 The music in Western notation for these special melodies called Automela in Greek is available in another work of mine called Original Melodies

1

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction If You should mark iniquities O Lord O Lord

who shall stand For with You is expiation O Martyrs extolled2

Lord in Your goodness by Your Word and Your Spirit You brought forth all

things and then You created me the living being whom You endowed with reason so that I should glorify Your holy name O Master all-powerful And yet instead alas I dishonor You continually with my foul deeds O spare me I supplicate

Because of Your Name I have waited for You O Lord my soul has waited for Your word my soul hoped in the Lord

Same Melody ome to know O miserable soul your divine nobility and incorruptible fa-

therland and hasten constantly through good deeds and virtues to possess it once again Become attached to nothing corrupti-ble Your lot is there on high but your body being earth decays Let the worse not prevail over the better part

For the Angels Same Melody

From the morning watch until night from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord

Angels Archangels and the Thrones Powers and Authorities and you O

six-winged Seraphim and many-eyed divine instruments of wisdom Cherubim and most divine Dominions and sublime Prin-cipalities do intercede with Christ and be- 2Πανεύφηmicroοι Μάρτυρες

seech Him that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

Aposticha of Compunction he sea of my transgressions O Savior is immense and I am drowning griev-

ously in my iniquities Save me give Your hand to me O God as to Peter and have mercy on me

Unto You have I lifted up mine eyes unto You that dwell in heaven Behold as the eyes of servants look unto the hands of their masters as the eyes of the hand-maid look unto the hands of her mistress so do our eyes look unto the Lord our God until He take pity on us

am condemned O Savior for wicked thoughts and deeds Therefore O God

implant in me the thought of turning back that I may cry to You my good Benefactor Save me and have mercy on me

Have mercy on us O Lord have mercy on us for greatly are we filled with abasement Greatly has our soul been filled therewith let reproach come upon them that prosper and abasement on the proud

For the Martyrs hrough the intercessions O Lord of all the Saints and the Theotokos grant

Your peace unto us and have mercy on us only Compassionate One

Glory both now Theotokion Original Melody3

or the celestial orders you are exultant joy and for earth-dwelling people the

almighty protection Pure and holy Virgin save us we pray as for refuge we flee to you O Theotokos for verily after God do we put our every hope in you

3Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγmicroάτων

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2

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction For the celestial orders

am engulfed by the ocean of my iniquities and overwhelmed completely by the sea

of transgressions I cry to You the Master Deliver me from the various difficult trials of life and temptations O gracious Lord and the fire that will never end

Same Melody eing immersed in the deep of despair and hopelessness replete with thoughts of

evil and with negative feelings in You alone O Logos of God have I the most wretched one set my hopes From the as-saults of my visible and unseen vicious enemies deliver me

For the Forerunner O Martyrs extolled

Baptist and Forerunner of Christ I im-plore you fervently By your entreaties

induce my heart that has been withered up through unseemly conduct to incessantly pour out a stream of tears O wonderful Prophet John that having gained through you my salvation I who am distressed may give glory to Him who has glorified you

Aposticha of Compunction he sea of my transgressions O Savior is immense and I am drowning griev-

ously in my iniquities Save me give Your hand to me O God as to Peter and have mercy on me

am condemned O Savior for wicked thoughts and deeds Therefore O God

implant in me the thought of turning back that I may cry to You my good Benefactor Save me and have mercy on me

For the Martyrs Saints your confession of faith in the arena disconcerted the power of the

demons and it freed the people from delu-sion And so you cried aloud as you were beheaded Let the sacrifice of our souls be acceptable before You O Master for in longing for You O Lover of man we have despised this temporal life

Glory both now Theotokion ince you accept the entreaties of sinners and overlook not the sighs of the afflicted

intercede with Him who came from your undefiled loins O all-holy Virgin that we may gain salvation

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Martyrs extolled

ou stretched out Your undefiled hands on the Cross O Christ our God and

stained your fingers with blood thus wishing to redeem the work of Your own divine hands Adam who was being held a hos-tage in the kingdom of death because of dis-obedience and You raised him in Your love for man by Your sovereign almighty authority

Same Melody Christ You were nailed unto the Cross as a man and yet as God You deified

human nature and when You had put to death the arch-evil serpent You released us from the curse that issued from the tree for You had yourself become a curse O Lord and You grant Your blessing to the world and great mercy for You are compassionate

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3

For the Theotokos Same Melody

o terrible passions I succumbed for being a terrible delinquent I had com-

mitted deeds most shameful and depraved And the lurid idols of these acts and fanta-sies within my sensing heart still unsettle me and alter me and turn my volition to-wards enjoyment of sinful pleasure But save me O Virgin pure

Aposticha of the Cross he Cross was firmly planted on Calvary and from the ever-flowing fountain of the

side of the Savior for us it blossomed im-mortality

or us the precious Cross of the Savior is a rampart impregnable for therein be-

lieving do we all gain salvation

For the Martyrs h what an excellent transaction you made O Saints For you invested

blood and inherited the heavens Tempor-arily tested you rejoice eternally Good in-deed was your enterprise For by relin-quishing things corruptible you received in return things that perish not And now ex-ulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Martyrs extolled

eholding Him hanging on the tree of the Cross the Virgin cried aloud to

Christ O beloved Son a sword has finally pierced through my heart O Master and is tearing it apart as Symeon of old once foretold to me But hasten now to rise O Immortal One and glorify with yourself me Your Mother and servant I pray

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles O Martyrs extolled

glorious Apostles of Christ and Disci-ples called by God inspired teachers of

all the world when you had found the Lord as the mediator between God and man you cleaved to Him in such a manner appropri-ate to His divinity And you preached Him to the universe to be God and manifestly perfect man

Same Melody wisest Apostles of the Lord intercede on my behalf that I might shake off the

mindlessness of my bedarkened soul You indeed are wisdomrsquos mystics and interpret-ers for you have lit the light of the Para-clete4 And once you burn away the corrup-tion that is in my mind count me worthy to praise you and call you blest

For Saint Nicholas For the celestial orders

s you are hovering over the flowers of the Church being yourself a fledgling

of the nest of the Angels O Nicholas thrice blessed you ever cry unto God on behalf of all who in temptations and perils invoke your aid and you rescue them by fervent prayers

Aposticha of the Apostles he most melodious harp of the Apostles set in motion by the Holy Spirit abol-

ished the rites of the odious demons and by preaching faith in the only Lord it re-deemed the nations from the delusion of the idols and taught them to worship the con-substantial Trinity

4 Paraclete = Holy Spirit

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4

For the celestial orders et us with one voice together extol Saints Peter and Paul with Luke and Mark and

Matthew John and Andrew and Thomas Iakovos and Philip Bartholomew also Simon and Thaddaeus and let us worthily praise the entire choir of divinely called Disciples of Christ

For the Martyrs Original Melody5

Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

Glory both now Theotokion Same Melody

ll-laudable Virgin Moses saw with his own prophetic eyes of old the mystery

wrought in you when he beheld the bush unconsumed though burning For in you the fire of Divinity in no way consumed your womb And therefore we entreat you the Mother of our Lord and God to grant mercy O pure one and peace to your world

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross For the celestial orders

hen did the forefather taste death at the for-bidden tree but now are all believers

freed from deathrsquos condemnation by the Tree of honor O every breath let us glorify and extol Him who was willingly crucified for our sake and enlightened all the ends of the earth 5 Πανεύφηmicroοι Μάρτυρες

Same Melody most compassionate Master we all take pride in Your Cross and thereby dev-

astating the delusion of Satan we cease-lessly extol You for on the Cross You were lifted up willingly and thus You wrought our salvation O gracious Lord in the mid-dle of the earth O Christ

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ll-holy Virgin and Lady I now invoke you again against this fearsome passion

the desire for money For truly I am fearful of its attacks more than those of a wild beast since it is counted as avarice unto them who begrudge even the smallest things

Aposticha of the Cross he Cross was firmly planted on Calvary and from the ever-flowing fountain of the

side of the Savior for us it blossomed im-mortality

or us the precious Cross of the Savior is a rampart impregnable for therein be-

lieving do we all gain salvation

For the Martyrs hrough the intercessions O Lord of all the Saints and the Theotokos grant

Your peace unto us and have mercy on us only Compassionate One

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Martyrs extolled

y tasting the vinegar and gall as You hang upon the Cross as a condemned

man O righteous Judge and sweetest Child of mine You have sweetened Adamrsquos former taste of bitterness But seeing now Your Passion has poisoned me so sweeten me O Lord by arising as Omnipotent Thus the Virgin lamented while shedding tears

L

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Mode One

5

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera O Martyrs extolled

ithdrawing from everything my soul hold within your memory your final

hour and be vigilant and ever be prepared for your own departure lest arriving sud-denly and finding you unready your death might come and take you by surprise So be watchful and unceasingly to the Lord pray and pour out a stream of tears

Same Melody ortify O pre-eternal God the mind-set agreeing with the carnal passions

perturbing me and by divine command quiet the unruly movements in my flesh and grant forgiveness of my sins inasmuch as You are quickly reconciled and compas-sionate and merciful in the wealth of Your goodness and love for man

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ake me O all-holy Bride of God chaste and meek and self-controlled

decent and quiet and decorous straightfor-ward and devout truthful and courageous sensible longsuffering and lenient and gentle and moderate blameless impeccable irreproachable and grant to me in addi-tion residence in Paradise

Glory both now Theotokion s the universal glory the Maiden born of human parents and who gave birth to the

Master and is the gateway to heaven let us extol the Virgin Mary the song of the bodi-less powers and the believersrsquo ornament She it is who was shown to be a heaven and a temple of the Godhead She it is who break-ing down the middle wall of enmity brought peace in its stead and opened the Kingdom

Therefore in possessing her the anchor of our faith we have as a Champion the Lord who was born of her Take courage therefore take courage O people of God For surely He will make war against the enemies as the Almighty One

Aposticha of the Martyrs Saints your confession of faith in the arena disconcerted the power of the

demons and it freed the people from delu-sion And so you cried aloud as you were beheaded Let the sacrifice of our souls be acceptable before You O Master for in longing for You O Lover of man we have despised this temporal life

God is wondrous in His saints h what an excellent transaction you made O Saints For you invested

blood and inherited the heavens Temporar-ily tested you rejoice eternally Good in-deed was your enterprise For by relin-quishing things corruptible you received in return things that perish not And now ex-ulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

Original Melody Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord hich delight of life remains untouched by sorrow Which earthly glory con-

W

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Mode One

6

tinues immovable All these are dimmer than a shadow all more illusory than a dream In a single moment death succeeds them all But O Christ repose those whom You have taken in the light of Your coun-tenance and in the sweetness of Your hand-someness as the Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice O holy Virgin Theotokos the distinguished treasure of all the universe

the unextinguished lamp the container of the Uncontainable the indestructible tem-ple Rejoice from whom the Lamb was born Who takes away the sins of the world

R

7

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You6

rant thoughts of repentance unto me also grant the love for contrition unto my

humble soul Rouse me from the sleep of grave insensibility and the darkness of lazi-ness drive out from within me and dispel the gloom created by despondency so that looking up I the wretched might cling fast to You and according to Your holy will pro-ceed O Word of God

Same Melody ow do I confess to You my God eve-rything of which I am guilty my sins

against You in word deed and recollection all do I declare to You I have passed the entire day and all of my lifersquos time now I have arrived at night still full of wickedness Therefore I fall down to You crying Master O my Master and Savior I have sinned forgive and save me Lord my God

For the Angels Same Melody

ome and singing spiritual songs let us now extol the commanders of the angelic

hosts For being preeminent among the bodiless choirs they were both designated as Archangels and Generals Foremost in

6 Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου

the period of grace is Gabriel while in the Old Testament era of the Law and prior to Moses prominent is Michael the Arch-angelsrsquo chief

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Theotokion impassable gate mystically sealed bless-ed Virgin Theotokos accept our suppli-

cations and present them unto your Son and God that through you He save our souls

G

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Mode Two

8

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You

s the only sinless One O Christ the only forbearing the only wellspring of

charity see my tribulation see my strait perplexity Wipe away from my wounded soul the scars and the bruises and save me Your servant in Your tender mercy O Lord so that with the clouds of depression gone away I might offer glory unto You my Savior most benevolent

Same Melody have brought corruption on my soul and I have polluted my body and with my

sordid thoughts I have wounded grievously my heart and senses all I have sorely defiled my eyes my ears have I tainted and my tongue have I befouled I am completely depraved Therefore I fall down to You crying I have sinned against You O Master I have sinned forgive and save me Christ my God

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ave me from the everlasting fire from the lightless darkness from hardships and

all necessity from all tribulation and from all perplexing straits I beseech you O Baptist John and by your entreaties grant me who am self-condemned in my iniquities surely to belong to the portion of the saved wherein are the choirs of the Saints and joy that is ineffable

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

avior when You hung upon the Cross seeing You the sun became darkened from

overwhelming fear and the curtain of the Temple then was torn in two and the earth shook in every place and likewise in horror rocks and boulders split apart unable to be-hold hanging on a cross their Creator will-fully to suffer unjustly nor the lawless men humiliating You

Same Melody ou received a verdict only King who yourself at Your second coming will

judge the universe and You wore a crown of thorns O Savior on Your head thus O Lover of humankind completely uprooting the thorn of deception by Your mighty sov-ereignty thereupon implanting the knowl-edge of Your great compassion within all who worship Your crucifixion faithfully

A

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Mode Two

9

For the Theotokos Same Melody

s if to a haven have I run underneath your holy protection O Virgin Mother

pure Have compassion I entreat you and reject me not rather save me your servant from this present affliction being as you are by nature moved to sympathy Always intercede and deliver us your servants from every trial as you are the Mother of the Most High God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

t the crucifixion of your Son and your God immaculate Lady you suffered

much distress Groaning you lamented and you cried tearfully Sweetest Child of mine alas How suffer You wrongly wishing to redeem the sons of Adam born on earth Therefore moved by faith we entreat you fervently O all-holy Virgin cause Him to be clement when He deals with us

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When he took You

divine Apostles you were seen as the trumpets of the divine Word Who had

appeared on earth You declared His saving dispensation unto all By your preaching did you destroy the bastions of error congre-gating peoples unto pious faith in God Therefore you the blessed Disciples wor-thily were given the honors and received the laurel crowns triumphantly

Same Melody egions of the Angels in the heights ap-plauded the holy Disciples and truly they

rejoiced seeing them proclaim the incarna-tion of the Lord with great freedom and confidence declaring to all men This is our God the One who is before all time who assumed our flesh of His own will and who shares the throne with the Father being with the Spirit honored equally

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ince you have been granted grace from God you dispense all manner of heal-

ings under your patronage unto all who run to you divine Saint Nicholas For you ban-ish incurable demonical passions curing all whom you receive into your custody Therefore do we also implore you Pray the Lord that all who extol you always be deliv-ered from impending harm

Aposticha of the Apostles ou have magnified the names of the chief Apostles O Savior throughout the

world They learned the sacred mysteries of heaven they granted healings to those on earth and their shadows alone cured the ill-nesses He who was a fisherman did mira-

A

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Mode Two

10

cles and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace Through them grant Your great mercy unto us O compassionate Lord

ressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds we flee for refuge

unto You who indeed are God Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say Save us O Master we are perish-ing We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils by the interces-sions of the Apostles overlooking sins with great benevolence Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs reat is the glory that you O Saints obtained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant heal-ings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion When he took You

ll those who for refuge flee with faith unto you O good one you shelter be-

neath your mighty hand We your servants have no other intercessor like you always praying to God for us in dangers and sor-rows sinners that we are bent down be-cause of many misdeeds Therefore we fall prostrate before you Rescue us from every affliction since you are the Mother of the Most High God

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

ince You have been lifted on the Cross O Lover of man the malignant serpent

has utterly been cast down to earth com-pletely overthrown and he lies as a fallen monstrosity while Adam the former con-vict from the curse is loosed and he is being saved Therefore do we also beseech You Save us and take pity on all men and Your blessed Kingdom do vouchsafe to us

Same Melody avior and the Life of all the world when the lawless people suspended You

on a wooden cross all creation horrified then quaked in fear and awe By Your might and divinity the kingdom of Hades disap-peared accompanied by the dominion of death Then too did the forefather Adam joyfully cry out to You Glory to Your con-descension Lord who love mankind

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ure one we entreat you to incline unto our petition and grant us your servants

founts of tears so that we may weep and thereby wash away the stains of our sins O all-blameless one and also extinguish the flame of the never-ending and most bitter fire For indeed you answer the prayers of those who wholeheartedly call on you the holy Mother of our Lord and God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed

P

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Mode Two

11

him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

ure one when you saw the Bunch of grapes hanging on the Cross wholly rip-

ened which without being tilled you had carried in your womb that is your Son and God you lamented and mourned aloud and cried O my Child let the new sweet wine drip forth O Benefactor by which all intoxication of passions may be swept away in Your mercy through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera When he took You

hen You come again O Christ our God with Your holy Angels in glory to

judge the universe when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed there to render a full account for their every ac-tion then O Word include me in the num-ber of Your sheep granting me from now absolution of my every sin and transgres-sion which I have committed in this present life

Same Melody s the only Lover of mankind break apart the chains of my passions dry up

the festering of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction O Lord and illumine my darkened heart I fervently pray You and deliver me from all adverse predicaments turmoils and unhappy disasters and from all the cunning temptations of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world

For the Theotokos Same Melody

tand by me all-holy Bride of God when my wretched soul is about to be parted

forcibly from the members of my body Also frustrate the plans of the bodiless ene-mies and shatter the fangs of those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly so that having nothing to block me I may unimpededly rise past the rulers of darkness standing in the air

Glory both now Theotokion he shadow of the Law has passed away with the coming of grace For as the burn-

ing bush was not consumed even though it was flaming likewise you gave birth as a virgin and remained a virgin still Instead of the pillar of fire has arisen the Sun of Righteousness instead of Moses is Christ the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

God is wondrous in His saints he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

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12

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

G

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13

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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Mode Three

14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

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17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

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24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

Y

D

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32

Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

O

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33

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

G

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34

they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

M

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35

attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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O

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36

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

Y Y

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L

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Mode Pl IV

45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

O

Page 3: Weekday Vespers

FOREWORD

In every successive generation of Orthodox Christians in the English speaking world the need for suitable texts in English for use in corporate and private worship is becoming increasingly more acute Such texts are neces-sary inasmuch as the prayers and hymnology of our Church offer a sure safe and most delightful way to approach our God to meet the Saints and to learn about and improve on our selves And this is so because the poets who originally composed these texts nearly all of them monastics were God-bearers exponents and defenders of Ortho-doxy mystics of eternal truth and Saints in their own right Countless thousands of Orthodox Christians over the centuries were nurtured on these divine texts and translated into various languages they are recited and sung by Orthodox believers throughout the world to this day

One of the wonderful hymnals of our Church is the Octoechos (the Book of Eight Modes) also called the Parakletike (the Book of Solace and Solicitation) Herein are found hymns to be chanted morning and evening on every day of the week according to the eight Modes of our ecclesiastical music The better known of these hymns are the Resurrectional anthems appointed for the services on Saturday evening and Sunday morning But there are many more chanted on the other days of the week These hymns are exhortations to repentance samples of healthy self-reproach prayers for divine aid and means of extolling the Mother of God and the Saints Through them one learns the dogmas of our faith how to understand the Bible and the truths about the past the present and the things to come

Such an abundance of spiritual food And yet alas hardly anyone knows about it or takes advantage of it But should not we also in the English speaking world have the benefit Although it is inconceivable and inexcusable that our clergy and those aspiring to it and even our pious laity should not be fortified daily by the rich liturgical life of our holy Church yet the sad truth is that most are not

Pondering on this and knowing what benefit I received from hearing and chanting these hymns all those years on the Holy Mountain I decided to apply myself with Godrsquos help and to produce some suitable translations that may help cover this need of our people and especially of our priests and monastics and our beloved seminarians

The present volume contains a translation of a selection of troparia from the Octoechos appointed for Vespers on the weekdays in the eight Modes It is designed to be used in conjunction with the Menaion on evenings when there is no great feast or highly celebrated Saint and the rubrics call for three Stichera from the Octoechos (in the Mode of the week) and three from the Menaion and when the Menaion does not provide Aposticha

The troparia have been rendered in such a way so as to be chanted according to the Mode and the traditional melodies1 as indicated When no special melody is indicated as is the case with most of the Aposticha then the tro-parion is to be chanted simply according to its Mode The so-called Dogmatic Theotokion of each Mode has been included at each Friday Vespers since it is the practice in many places to chant it on Friday evening irregardless of the Mode of the troparion from the Menaion that precedes it

Please forgive the lack of linguistic elegance and any oversights in this work and concentrate on the deeper meaning and purpose of the hymns adding to this your own reverence and fervor I am sure that in this way you will quickly begin to enjoy the vivifying waters of Orthodox piety

The hope is through many such seemingly insignificant but nonetheless earnest efforts from various quarters that even the English speaking world will be infused with the Orthodox ethos and in turn produce the fruits of the Kingdom of Heaven by the grace of our Triune God to Whom be glory forever Amen

Fr Seraphim Dedes St Gregory Palamas Monastery September 2000

1 The music in Western notation for these special melodies called Automela in Greek is available in another work of mine called Original Melodies

1

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction If You should mark iniquities O Lord O Lord

who shall stand For with You is expiation O Martyrs extolled2

Lord in Your goodness by Your Word and Your Spirit You brought forth all

things and then You created me the living being whom You endowed with reason so that I should glorify Your holy name O Master all-powerful And yet instead alas I dishonor You continually with my foul deeds O spare me I supplicate

Because of Your Name I have waited for You O Lord my soul has waited for Your word my soul hoped in the Lord

Same Melody ome to know O miserable soul your divine nobility and incorruptible fa-

therland and hasten constantly through good deeds and virtues to possess it once again Become attached to nothing corrupti-ble Your lot is there on high but your body being earth decays Let the worse not prevail over the better part

For the Angels Same Melody

From the morning watch until night from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord

Angels Archangels and the Thrones Powers and Authorities and you O

six-winged Seraphim and many-eyed divine instruments of wisdom Cherubim and most divine Dominions and sublime Prin-cipalities do intercede with Christ and be- 2Πανεύφηmicroοι Μάρτυρες

seech Him that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

Aposticha of Compunction he sea of my transgressions O Savior is immense and I am drowning griev-

ously in my iniquities Save me give Your hand to me O God as to Peter and have mercy on me

Unto You have I lifted up mine eyes unto You that dwell in heaven Behold as the eyes of servants look unto the hands of their masters as the eyes of the hand-maid look unto the hands of her mistress so do our eyes look unto the Lord our God until He take pity on us

am condemned O Savior for wicked thoughts and deeds Therefore O God

implant in me the thought of turning back that I may cry to You my good Benefactor Save me and have mercy on me

Have mercy on us O Lord have mercy on us for greatly are we filled with abasement Greatly has our soul been filled therewith let reproach come upon them that prosper and abasement on the proud

For the Martyrs hrough the intercessions O Lord of all the Saints and the Theotokos grant

Your peace unto us and have mercy on us only Compassionate One

Glory both now Theotokion Original Melody3

or the celestial orders you are exultant joy and for earth-dwelling people the

almighty protection Pure and holy Virgin save us we pray as for refuge we flee to you O Theotokos for verily after God do we put our every hope in you

3Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγmicroάτων

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction For the celestial orders

am engulfed by the ocean of my iniquities and overwhelmed completely by the sea

of transgressions I cry to You the Master Deliver me from the various difficult trials of life and temptations O gracious Lord and the fire that will never end

Same Melody eing immersed in the deep of despair and hopelessness replete with thoughts of

evil and with negative feelings in You alone O Logos of God have I the most wretched one set my hopes From the as-saults of my visible and unseen vicious enemies deliver me

For the Forerunner O Martyrs extolled

Baptist and Forerunner of Christ I im-plore you fervently By your entreaties

induce my heart that has been withered up through unseemly conduct to incessantly pour out a stream of tears O wonderful Prophet John that having gained through you my salvation I who am distressed may give glory to Him who has glorified you

Aposticha of Compunction he sea of my transgressions O Savior is immense and I am drowning griev-

ously in my iniquities Save me give Your hand to me O God as to Peter and have mercy on me

am condemned O Savior for wicked thoughts and deeds Therefore O God

implant in me the thought of turning back that I may cry to You my good Benefactor Save me and have mercy on me

For the Martyrs Saints your confession of faith in the arena disconcerted the power of the

demons and it freed the people from delu-sion And so you cried aloud as you were beheaded Let the sacrifice of our souls be acceptable before You O Master for in longing for You O Lover of man we have despised this temporal life

Glory both now Theotokion ince you accept the entreaties of sinners and overlook not the sighs of the afflicted

intercede with Him who came from your undefiled loins O all-holy Virgin that we may gain salvation

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Martyrs extolled

ou stretched out Your undefiled hands on the Cross O Christ our God and

stained your fingers with blood thus wishing to redeem the work of Your own divine hands Adam who was being held a hos-tage in the kingdom of death because of dis-obedience and You raised him in Your love for man by Your sovereign almighty authority

Same Melody Christ You were nailed unto the Cross as a man and yet as God You deified

human nature and when You had put to death the arch-evil serpent You released us from the curse that issued from the tree for You had yourself become a curse O Lord and You grant Your blessing to the world and great mercy for You are compassionate

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

o terrible passions I succumbed for being a terrible delinquent I had com-

mitted deeds most shameful and depraved And the lurid idols of these acts and fanta-sies within my sensing heart still unsettle me and alter me and turn my volition to-wards enjoyment of sinful pleasure But save me O Virgin pure

Aposticha of the Cross he Cross was firmly planted on Calvary and from the ever-flowing fountain of the

side of the Savior for us it blossomed im-mortality

or us the precious Cross of the Savior is a rampart impregnable for therein be-

lieving do we all gain salvation

For the Martyrs h what an excellent transaction you made O Saints For you invested

blood and inherited the heavens Tempor-arily tested you rejoice eternally Good in-deed was your enterprise For by relin-quishing things corruptible you received in return things that perish not And now ex-ulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Martyrs extolled

eholding Him hanging on the tree of the Cross the Virgin cried aloud to

Christ O beloved Son a sword has finally pierced through my heart O Master and is tearing it apart as Symeon of old once foretold to me But hasten now to rise O Immortal One and glorify with yourself me Your Mother and servant I pray

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles O Martyrs extolled

glorious Apostles of Christ and Disci-ples called by God inspired teachers of

all the world when you had found the Lord as the mediator between God and man you cleaved to Him in such a manner appropri-ate to His divinity And you preached Him to the universe to be God and manifestly perfect man

Same Melody wisest Apostles of the Lord intercede on my behalf that I might shake off the

mindlessness of my bedarkened soul You indeed are wisdomrsquos mystics and interpret-ers for you have lit the light of the Para-clete4 And once you burn away the corrup-tion that is in my mind count me worthy to praise you and call you blest

For Saint Nicholas For the celestial orders

s you are hovering over the flowers of the Church being yourself a fledgling

of the nest of the Angels O Nicholas thrice blessed you ever cry unto God on behalf of all who in temptations and perils invoke your aid and you rescue them by fervent prayers

Aposticha of the Apostles he most melodious harp of the Apostles set in motion by the Holy Spirit abol-

ished the rites of the odious demons and by preaching faith in the only Lord it re-deemed the nations from the delusion of the idols and taught them to worship the con-substantial Trinity

4 Paraclete = Holy Spirit

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For the celestial orders et us with one voice together extol Saints Peter and Paul with Luke and Mark and

Matthew John and Andrew and Thomas Iakovos and Philip Bartholomew also Simon and Thaddaeus and let us worthily praise the entire choir of divinely called Disciples of Christ

For the Martyrs Original Melody5

Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

Glory both now Theotokion Same Melody

ll-laudable Virgin Moses saw with his own prophetic eyes of old the mystery

wrought in you when he beheld the bush unconsumed though burning For in you the fire of Divinity in no way consumed your womb And therefore we entreat you the Mother of our Lord and God to grant mercy O pure one and peace to your world

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross For the celestial orders

hen did the forefather taste death at the for-bidden tree but now are all believers

freed from deathrsquos condemnation by the Tree of honor O every breath let us glorify and extol Him who was willingly crucified for our sake and enlightened all the ends of the earth 5 Πανεύφηmicroοι Μάρτυρες

Same Melody most compassionate Master we all take pride in Your Cross and thereby dev-

astating the delusion of Satan we cease-lessly extol You for on the Cross You were lifted up willingly and thus You wrought our salvation O gracious Lord in the mid-dle of the earth O Christ

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ll-holy Virgin and Lady I now invoke you again against this fearsome passion

the desire for money For truly I am fearful of its attacks more than those of a wild beast since it is counted as avarice unto them who begrudge even the smallest things

Aposticha of the Cross he Cross was firmly planted on Calvary and from the ever-flowing fountain of the

side of the Savior for us it blossomed im-mortality

or us the precious Cross of the Savior is a rampart impregnable for therein be-

lieving do we all gain salvation

For the Martyrs hrough the intercessions O Lord of all the Saints and the Theotokos grant

Your peace unto us and have mercy on us only Compassionate One

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Martyrs extolled

y tasting the vinegar and gall as You hang upon the Cross as a condemned

man O righteous Judge and sweetest Child of mine You have sweetened Adamrsquos former taste of bitterness But seeing now Your Passion has poisoned me so sweeten me O Lord by arising as Omnipotent Thus the Virgin lamented while shedding tears

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FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera O Martyrs extolled

ithdrawing from everything my soul hold within your memory your final

hour and be vigilant and ever be prepared for your own departure lest arriving sud-denly and finding you unready your death might come and take you by surprise So be watchful and unceasingly to the Lord pray and pour out a stream of tears

Same Melody ortify O pre-eternal God the mind-set agreeing with the carnal passions

perturbing me and by divine command quiet the unruly movements in my flesh and grant forgiveness of my sins inasmuch as You are quickly reconciled and compas-sionate and merciful in the wealth of Your goodness and love for man

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ake me O all-holy Bride of God chaste and meek and self-controlled

decent and quiet and decorous straightfor-ward and devout truthful and courageous sensible longsuffering and lenient and gentle and moderate blameless impeccable irreproachable and grant to me in addi-tion residence in Paradise

Glory both now Theotokion s the universal glory the Maiden born of human parents and who gave birth to the

Master and is the gateway to heaven let us extol the Virgin Mary the song of the bodi-less powers and the believersrsquo ornament She it is who was shown to be a heaven and a temple of the Godhead She it is who break-ing down the middle wall of enmity brought peace in its stead and opened the Kingdom

Therefore in possessing her the anchor of our faith we have as a Champion the Lord who was born of her Take courage therefore take courage O people of God For surely He will make war against the enemies as the Almighty One

Aposticha of the Martyrs Saints your confession of faith in the arena disconcerted the power of the

demons and it freed the people from delu-sion And so you cried aloud as you were beheaded Let the sacrifice of our souls be acceptable before You O Master for in longing for You O Lover of man we have despised this temporal life

God is wondrous in His saints h what an excellent transaction you made O Saints For you invested

blood and inherited the heavens Temporar-ily tested you rejoice eternally Good in-deed was your enterprise For by relin-quishing things corruptible you received in return things that perish not And now ex-ulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

Original Melody Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord hich delight of life remains untouched by sorrow Which earthly glory con-

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6

tinues immovable All these are dimmer than a shadow all more illusory than a dream In a single moment death succeeds them all But O Christ repose those whom You have taken in the light of Your coun-tenance and in the sweetness of Your hand-someness as the Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice O holy Virgin Theotokos the distinguished treasure of all the universe

the unextinguished lamp the container of the Uncontainable the indestructible tem-ple Rejoice from whom the Lamb was born Who takes away the sins of the world

R

7

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You6

rant thoughts of repentance unto me also grant the love for contrition unto my

humble soul Rouse me from the sleep of grave insensibility and the darkness of lazi-ness drive out from within me and dispel the gloom created by despondency so that looking up I the wretched might cling fast to You and according to Your holy will pro-ceed O Word of God

Same Melody ow do I confess to You my God eve-rything of which I am guilty my sins

against You in word deed and recollection all do I declare to You I have passed the entire day and all of my lifersquos time now I have arrived at night still full of wickedness Therefore I fall down to You crying Master O my Master and Savior I have sinned forgive and save me Lord my God

For the Angels Same Melody

ome and singing spiritual songs let us now extol the commanders of the angelic

hosts For being preeminent among the bodiless choirs they were both designated as Archangels and Generals Foremost in

6 Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου

the period of grace is Gabriel while in the Old Testament era of the Law and prior to Moses prominent is Michael the Arch-angelsrsquo chief

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Theotokion impassable gate mystically sealed bless-ed Virgin Theotokos accept our suppli-

cations and present them unto your Son and God that through you He save our souls

G

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8

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You

s the only sinless One O Christ the only forbearing the only wellspring of

charity see my tribulation see my strait perplexity Wipe away from my wounded soul the scars and the bruises and save me Your servant in Your tender mercy O Lord so that with the clouds of depression gone away I might offer glory unto You my Savior most benevolent

Same Melody have brought corruption on my soul and I have polluted my body and with my

sordid thoughts I have wounded grievously my heart and senses all I have sorely defiled my eyes my ears have I tainted and my tongue have I befouled I am completely depraved Therefore I fall down to You crying I have sinned against You O Master I have sinned forgive and save me Christ my God

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ave me from the everlasting fire from the lightless darkness from hardships and

all necessity from all tribulation and from all perplexing straits I beseech you O Baptist John and by your entreaties grant me who am self-condemned in my iniquities surely to belong to the portion of the saved wherein are the choirs of the Saints and joy that is ineffable

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

avior when You hung upon the Cross seeing You the sun became darkened from

overwhelming fear and the curtain of the Temple then was torn in two and the earth shook in every place and likewise in horror rocks and boulders split apart unable to be-hold hanging on a cross their Creator will-fully to suffer unjustly nor the lawless men humiliating You

Same Melody ou received a verdict only King who yourself at Your second coming will

judge the universe and You wore a crown of thorns O Savior on Your head thus O Lover of humankind completely uprooting the thorn of deception by Your mighty sov-ereignty thereupon implanting the knowl-edge of Your great compassion within all who worship Your crucifixion faithfully

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9

For the Theotokos Same Melody

s if to a haven have I run underneath your holy protection O Virgin Mother

pure Have compassion I entreat you and reject me not rather save me your servant from this present affliction being as you are by nature moved to sympathy Always intercede and deliver us your servants from every trial as you are the Mother of the Most High God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

t the crucifixion of your Son and your God immaculate Lady you suffered

much distress Groaning you lamented and you cried tearfully Sweetest Child of mine alas How suffer You wrongly wishing to redeem the sons of Adam born on earth Therefore moved by faith we entreat you fervently O all-holy Virgin cause Him to be clement when He deals with us

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When he took You

divine Apostles you were seen as the trumpets of the divine Word Who had

appeared on earth You declared His saving dispensation unto all By your preaching did you destroy the bastions of error congre-gating peoples unto pious faith in God Therefore you the blessed Disciples wor-thily were given the honors and received the laurel crowns triumphantly

Same Melody egions of the Angels in the heights ap-plauded the holy Disciples and truly they

rejoiced seeing them proclaim the incarna-tion of the Lord with great freedom and confidence declaring to all men This is our God the One who is before all time who assumed our flesh of His own will and who shares the throne with the Father being with the Spirit honored equally

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ince you have been granted grace from God you dispense all manner of heal-

ings under your patronage unto all who run to you divine Saint Nicholas For you ban-ish incurable demonical passions curing all whom you receive into your custody Therefore do we also implore you Pray the Lord that all who extol you always be deliv-ered from impending harm

Aposticha of the Apostles ou have magnified the names of the chief Apostles O Savior throughout the

world They learned the sacred mysteries of heaven they granted healings to those on earth and their shadows alone cured the ill-nesses He who was a fisherman did mira-

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10

cles and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace Through them grant Your great mercy unto us O compassionate Lord

ressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds we flee for refuge

unto You who indeed are God Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say Save us O Master we are perish-ing We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils by the interces-sions of the Apostles overlooking sins with great benevolence Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs reat is the glory that you O Saints obtained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant heal-ings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion When he took You

ll those who for refuge flee with faith unto you O good one you shelter be-

neath your mighty hand We your servants have no other intercessor like you always praying to God for us in dangers and sor-rows sinners that we are bent down be-cause of many misdeeds Therefore we fall prostrate before you Rescue us from every affliction since you are the Mother of the Most High God

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

ince You have been lifted on the Cross O Lover of man the malignant serpent

has utterly been cast down to earth com-pletely overthrown and he lies as a fallen monstrosity while Adam the former con-vict from the curse is loosed and he is being saved Therefore do we also beseech You Save us and take pity on all men and Your blessed Kingdom do vouchsafe to us

Same Melody avior and the Life of all the world when the lawless people suspended You

on a wooden cross all creation horrified then quaked in fear and awe By Your might and divinity the kingdom of Hades disap-peared accompanied by the dominion of death Then too did the forefather Adam joyfully cry out to You Glory to Your con-descension Lord who love mankind

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ure one we entreat you to incline unto our petition and grant us your servants

founts of tears so that we may weep and thereby wash away the stains of our sins O all-blameless one and also extinguish the flame of the never-ending and most bitter fire For indeed you answer the prayers of those who wholeheartedly call on you the holy Mother of our Lord and God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed

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Mode Two

11

him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

ure one when you saw the Bunch of grapes hanging on the Cross wholly rip-

ened which without being tilled you had carried in your womb that is your Son and God you lamented and mourned aloud and cried O my Child let the new sweet wine drip forth O Benefactor by which all intoxication of passions may be swept away in Your mercy through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera When he took You

hen You come again O Christ our God with Your holy Angels in glory to

judge the universe when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed there to render a full account for their every ac-tion then O Word include me in the num-ber of Your sheep granting me from now absolution of my every sin and transgres-sion which I have committed in this present life

Same Melody s the only Lover of mankind break apart the chains of my passions dry up

the festering of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction O Lord and illumine my darkened heart I fervently pray You and deliver me from all adverse predicaments turmoils and unhappy disasters and from all the cunning temptations of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world

For the Theotokos Same Melody

tand by me all-holy Bride of God when my wretched soul is about to be parted

forcibly from the members of my body Also frustrate the plans of the bodiless ene-mies and shatter the fangs of those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly so that having nothing to block me I may unimpededly rise past the rulers of darkness standing in the air

Glory both now Theotokion he shadow of the Law has passed away with the coming of grace For as the burn-

ing bush was not consumed even though it was flaming likewise you gave birth as a virgin and remained a virgin still Instead of the pillar of fire has arisen the Sun of Righteousness instead of Moses is Christ the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

God is wondrous in His saints he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

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The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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Mode Three

14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

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17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

OO

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Mode Four

23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

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24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 4: Weekday Vespers

1

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction If You should mark iniquities O Lord O Lord

who shall stand For with You is expiation O Martyrs extolled2

Lord in Your goodness by Your Word and Your Spirit You brought forth all

things and then You created me the living being whom You endowed with reason so that I should glorify Your holy name O Master all-powerful And yet instead alas I dishonor You continually with my foul deeds O spare me I supplicate

Because of Your Name I have waited for You O Lord my soul has waited for Your word my soul hoped in the Lord

Same Melody ome to know O miserable soul your divine nobility and incorruptible fa-

therland and hasten constantly through good deeds and virtues to possess it once again Become attached to nothing corrupti-ble Your lot is there on high but your body being earth decays Let the worse not prevail over the better part

For the Angels Same Melody

From the morning watch until night from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord

Angels Archangels and the Thrones Powers and Authorities and you O

six-winged Seraphim and many-eyed divine instruments of wisdom Cherubim and most divine Dominions and sublime Prin-cipalities do intercede with Christ and be- 2Πανεύφηmicroοι Μάρτυρες

seech Him that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

Aposticha of Compunction he sea of my transgressions O Savior is immense and I am drowning griev-

ously in my iniquities Save me give Your hand to me O God as to Peter and have mercy on me

Unto You have I lifted up mine eyes unto You that dwell in heaven Behold as the eyes of servants look unto the hands of their masters as the eyes of the hand-maid look unto the hands of her mistress so do our eyes look unto the Lord our God until He take pity on us

am condemned O Savior for wicked thoughts and deeds Therefore O God

implant in me the thought of turning back that I may cry to You my good Benefactor Save me and have mercy on me

Have mercy on us O Lord have mercy on us for greatly are we filled with abasement Greatly has our soul been filled therewith let reproach come upon them that prosper and abasement on the proud

For the Martyrs hrough the intercessions O Lord of all the Saints and the Theotokos grant

Your peace unto us and have mercy on us only Compassionate One

Glory both now Theotokion Original Melody3

or the celestial orders you are exultant joy and for earth-dwelling people the

almighty protection Pure and holy Virgin save us we pray as for refuge we flee to you O Theotokos for verily after God do we put our every hope in you

3Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγmicroάτων

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction For the celestial orders

am engulfed by the ocean of my iniquities and overwhelmed completely by the sea

of transgressions I cry to You the Master Deliver me from the various difficult trials of life and temptations O gracious Lord and the fire that will never end

Same Melody eing immersed in the deep of despair and hopelessness replete with thoughts of

evil and with negative feelings in You alone O Logos of God have I the most wretched one set my hopes From the as-saults of my visible and unseen vicious enemies deliver me

For the Forerunner O Martyrs extolled

Baptist and Forerunner of Christ I im-plore you fervently By your entreaties

induce my heart that has been withered up through unseemly conduct to incessantly pour out a stream of tears O wonderful Prophet John that having gained through you my salvation I who am distressed may give glory to Him who has glorified you

Aposticha of Compunction he sea of my transgressions O Savior is immense and I am drowning griev-

ously in my iniquities Save me give Your hand to me O God as to Peter and have mercy on me

am condemned O Savior for wicked thoughts and deeds Therefore O God

implant in me the thought of turning back that I may cry to You my good Benefactor Save me and have mercy on me

For the Martyrs Saints your confession of faith in the arena disconcerted the power of the

demons and it freed the people from delu-sion And so you cried aloud as you were beheaded Let the sacrifice of our souls be acceptable before You O Master for in longing for You O Lover of man we have despised this temporal life

Glory both now Theotokion ince you accept the entreaties of sinners and overlook not the sighs of the afflicted

intercede with Him who came from your undefiled loins O all-holy Virgin that we may gain salvation

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Martyrs extolled

ou stretched out Your undefiled hands on the Cross O Christ our God and

stained your fingers with blood thus wishing to redeem the work of Your own divine hands Adam who was being held a hos-tage in the kingdom of death because of dis-obedience and You raised him in Your love for man by Your sovereign almighty authority

Same Melody Christ You were nailed unto the Cross as a man and yet as God You deified

human nature and when You had put to death the arch-evil serpent You released us from the curse that issued from the tree for You had yourself become a curse O Lord and You grant Your blessing to the world and great mercy for You are compassionate

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3

For the Theotokos Same Melody

o terrible passions I succumbed for being a terrible delinquent I had com-

mitted deeds most shameful and depraved And the lurid idols of these acts and fanta-sies within my sensing heart still unsettle me and alter me and turn my volition to-wards enjoyment of sinful pleasure But save me O Virgin pure

Aposticha of the Cross he Cross was firmly planted on Calvary and from the ever-flowing fountain of the

side of the Savior for us it blossomed im-mortality

or us the precious Cross of the Savior is a rampart impregnable for therein be-

lieving do we all gain salvation

For the Martyrs h what an excellent transaction you made O Saints For you invested

blood and inherited the heavens Tempor-arily tested you rejoice eternally Good in-deed was your enterprise For by relin-quishing things corruptible you received in return things that perish not And now ex-ulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Martyrs extolled

eholding Him hanging on the tree of the Cross the Virgin cried aloud to

Christ O beloved Son a sword has finally pierced through my heart O Master and is tearing it apart as Symeon of old once foretold to me But hasten now to rise O Immortal One and glorify with yourself me Your Mother and servant I pray

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles O Martyrs extolled

glorious Apostles of Christ and Disci-ples called by God inspired teachers of

all the world when you had found the Lord as the mediator between God and man you cleaved to Him in such a manner appropri-ate to His divinity And you preached Him to the universe to be God and manifestly perfect man

Same Melody wisest Apostles of the Lord intercede on my behalf that I might shake off the

mindlessness of my bedarkened soul You indeed are wisdomrsquos mystics and interpret-ers for you have lit the light of the Para-clete4 And once you burn away the corrup-tion that is in my mind count me worthy to praise you and call you blest

For Saint Nicholas For the celestial orders

s you are hovering over the flowers of the Church being yourself a fledgling

of the nest of the Angels O Nicholas thrice blessed you ever cry unto God on behalf of all who in temptations and perils invoke your aid and you rescue them by fervent prayers

Aposticha of the Apostles he most melodious harp of the Apostles set in motion by the Holy Spirit abol-

ished the rites of the odious demons and by preaching faith in the only Lord it re-deemed the nations from the delusion of the idols and taught them to worship the con-substantial Trinity

4 Paraclete = Holy Spirit

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Mode One

4

For the celestial orders et us with one voice together extol Saints Peter and Paul with Luke and Mark and

Matthew John and Andrew and Thomas Iakovos and Philip Bartholomew also Simon and Thaddaeus and let us worthily praise the entire choir of divinely called Disciples of Christ

For the Martyrs Original Melody5

Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

Glory both now Theotokion Same Melody

ll-laudable Virgin Moses saw with his own prophetic eyes of old the mystery

wrought in you when he beheld the bush unconsumed though burning For in you the fire of Divinity in no way consumed your womb And therefore we entreat you the Mother of our Lord and God to grant mercy O pure one and peace to your world

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross For the celestial orders

hen did the forefather taste death at the for-bidden tree but now are all believers

freed from deathrsquos condemnation by the Tree of honor O every breath let us glorify and extol Him who was willingly crucified for our sake and enlightened all the ends of the earth 5 Πανεύφηmicroοι Μάρτυρες

Same Melody most compassionate Master we all take pride in Your Cross and thereby dev-

astating the delusion of Satan we cease-lessly extol You for on the Cross You were lifted up willingly and thus You wrought our salvation O gracious Lord in the mid-dle of the earth O Christ

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ll-holy Virgin and Lady I now invoke you again against this fearsome passion

the desire for money For truly I am fearful of its attacks more than those of a wild beast since it is counted as avarice unto them who begrudge even the smallest things

Aposticha of the Cross he Cross was firmly planted on Calvary and from the ever-flowing fountain of the

side of the Savior for us it blossomed im-mortality

or us the precious Cross of the Savior is a rampart impregnable for therein be-

lieving do we all gain salvation

For the Martyrs hrough the intercessions O Lord of all the Saints and the Theotokos grant

Your peace unto us and have mercy on us only Compassionate One

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Martyrs extolled

y tasting the vinegar and gall as You hang upon the Cross as a condemned

man O righteous Judge and sweetest Child of mine You have sweetened Adamrsquos former taste of bitterness But seeing now Your Passion has poisoned me so sweeten me O Lord by arising as Omnipotent Thus the Virgin lamented while shedding tears

L

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Mode One

5

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera O Martyrs extolled

ithdrawing from everything my soul hold within your memory your final

hour and be vigilant and ever be prepared for your own departure lest arriving sud-denly and finding you unready your death might come and take you by surprise So be watchful and unceasingly to the Lord pray and pour out a stream of tears

Same Melody ortify O pre-eternal God the mind-set agreeing with the carnal passions

perturbing me and by divine command quiet the unruly movements in my flesh and grant forgiveness of my sins inasmuch as You are quickly reconciled and compas-sionate and merciful in the wealth of Your goodness and love for man

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ake me O all-holy Bride of God chaste and meek and self-controlled

decent and quiet and decorous straightfor-ward and devout truthful and courageous sensible longsuffering and lenient and gentle and moderate blameless impeccable irreproachable and grant to me in addi-tion residence in Paradise

Glory both now Theotokion s the universal glory the Maiden born of human parents and who gave birth to the

Master and is the gateway to heaven let us extol the Virgin Mary the song of the bodi-less powers and the believersrsquo ornament She it is who was shown to be a heaven and a temple of the Godhead She it is who break-ing down the middle wall of enmity brought peace in its stead and opened the Kingdom

Therefore in possessing her the anchor of our faith we have as a Champion the Lord who was born of her Take courage therefore take courage O people of God For surely He will make war against the enemies as the Almighty One

Aposticha of the Martyrs Saints your confession of faith in the arena disconcerted the power of the

demons and it freed the people from delu-sion And so you cried aloud as you were beheaded Let the sacrifice of our souls be acceptable before You O Master for in longing for You O Lover of man we have despised this temporal life

God is wondrous in His saints h what an excellent transaction you made O Saints For you invested

blood and inherited the heavens Temporar-ily tested you rejoice eternally Good in-deed was your enterprise For by relin-quishing things corruptible you received in return things that perish not And now ex-ulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

Original Melody Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord hich delight of life remains untouched by sorrow Which earthly glory con-

W

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Mode One

6

tinues immovable All these are dimmer than a shadow all more illusory than a dream In a single moment death succeeds them all But O Christ repose those whom You have taken in the light of Your coun-tenance and in the sweetness of Your hand-someness as the Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice O holy Virgin Theotokos the distinguished treasure of all the universe

the unextinguished lamp the container of the Uncontainable the indestructible tem-ple Rejoice from whom the Lamb was born Who takes away the sins of the world

R

7

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You6

rant thoughts of repentance unto me also grant the love for contrition unto my

humble soul Rouse me from the sleep of grave insensibility and the darkness of lazi-ness drive out from within me and dispel the gloom created by despondency so that looking up I the wretched might cling fast to You and according to Your holy will pro-ceed O Word of God

Same Melody ow do I confess to You my God eve-rything of which I am guilty my sins

against You in word deed and recollection all do I declare to You I have passed the entire day and all of my lifersquos time now I have arrived at night still full of wickedness Therefore I fall down to You crying Master O my Master and Savior I have sinned forgive and save me Lord my God

For the Angels Same Melody

ome and singing spiritual songs let us now extol the commanders of the angelic

hosts For being preeminent among the bodiless choirs they were both designated as Archangels and Generals Foremost in

6 Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου

the period of grace is Gabriel while in the Old Testament era of the Law and prior to Moses prominent is Michael the Arch-angelsrsquo chief

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Theotokion impassable gate mystically sealed bless-ed Virgin Theotokos accept our suppli-

cations and present them unto your Son and God that through you He save our souls

G

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Mode Two

8

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You

s the only sinless One O Christ the only forbearing the only wellspring of

charity see my tribulation see my strait perplexity Wipe away from my wounded soul the scars and the bruises and save me Your servant in Your tender mercy O Lord so that with the clouds of depression gone away I might offer glory unto You my Savior most benevolent

Same Melody have brought corruption on my soul and I have polluted my body and with my

sordid thoughts I have wounded grievously my heart and senses all I have sorely defiled my eyes my ears have I tainted and my tongue have I befouled I am completely depraved Therefore I fall down to You crying I have sinned against You O Master I have sinned forgive and save me Christ my God

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ave me from the everlasting fire from the lightless darkness from hardships and

all necessity from all tribulation and from all perplexing straits I beseech you O Baptist John and by your entreaties grant me who am self-condemned in my iniquities surely to belong to the portion of the saved wherein are the choirs of the Saints and joy that is ineffable

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

avior when You hung upon the Cross seeing You the sun became darkened from

overwhelming fear and the curtain of the Temple then was torn in two and the earth shook in every place and likewise in horror rocks and boulders split apart unable to be-hold hanging on a cross their Creator will-fully to suffer unjustly nor the lawless men humiliating You

Same Melody ou received a verdict only King who yourself at Your second coming will

judge the universe and You wore a crown of thorns O Savior on Your head thus O Lover of humankind completely uprooting the thorn of deception by Your mighty sov-ereignty thereupon implanting the knowl-edge of Your great compassion within all who worship Your crucifixion faithfully

A

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Mode Two

9

For the Theotokos Same Melody

s if to a haven have I run underneath your holy protection O Virgin Mother

pure Have compassion I entreat you and reject me not rather save me your servant from this present affliction being as you are by nature moved to sympathy Always intercede and deliver us your servants from every trial as you are the Mother of the Most High God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

t the crucifixion of your Son and your God immaculate Lady you suffered

much distress Groaning you lamented and you cried tearfully Sweetest Child of mine alas How suffer You wrongly wishing to redeem the sons of Adam born on earth Therefore moved by faith we entreat you fervently O all-holy Virgin cause Him to be clement when He deals with us

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When he took You

divine Apostles you were seen as the trumpets of the divine Word Who had

appeared on earth You declared His saving dispensation unto all By your preaching did you destroy the bastions of error congre-gating peoples unto pious faith in God Therefore you the blessed Disciples wor-thily were given the honors and received the laurel crowns triumphantly

Same Melody egions of the Angels in the heights ap-plauded the holy Disciples and truly they

rejoiced seeing them proclaim the incarna-tion of the Lord with great freedom and confidence declaring to all men This is our God the One who is before all time who assumed our flesh of His own will and who shares the throne with the Father being with the Spirit honored equally

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ince you have been granted grace from God you dispense all manner of heal-

ings under your patronage unto all who run to you divine Saint Nicholas For you ban-ish incurable demonical passions curing all whom you receive into your custody Therefore do we also implore you Pray the Lord that all who extol you always be deliv-ered from impending harm

Aposticha of the Apostles ou have magnified the names of the chief Apostles O Savior throughout the

world They learned the sacred mysteries of heaven they granted healings to those on earth and their shadows alone cured the ill-nesses He who was a fisherman did mira-

A

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Mode Two

10

cles and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace Through them grant Your great mercy unto us O compassionate Lord

ressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds we flee for refuge

unto You who indeed are God Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say Save us O Master we are perish-ing We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils by the interces-sions of the Apostles overlooking sins with great benevolence Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs reat is the glory that you O Saints obtained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant heal-ings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion When he took You

ll those who for refuge flee with faith unto you O good one you shelter be-

neath your mighty hand We your servants have no other intercessor like you always praying to God for us in dangers and sor-rows sinners that we are bent down be-cause of many misdeeds Therefore we fall prostrate before you Rescue us from every affliction since you are the Mother of the Most High God

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

ince You have been lifted on the Cross O Lover of man the malignant serpent

has utterly been cast down to earth com-pletely overthrown and he lies as a fallen monstrosity while Adam the former con-vict from the curse is loosed and he is being saved Therefore do we also beseech You Save us and take pity on all men and Your blessed Kingdom do vouchsafe to us

Same Melody avior and the Life of all the world when the lawless people suspended You

on a wooden cross all creation horrified then quaked in fear and awe By Your might and divinity the kingdom of Hades disap-peared accompanied by the dominion of death Then too did the forefather Adam joyfully cry out to You Glory to Your con-descension Lord who love mankind

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ure one we entreat you to incline unto our petition and grant us your servants

founts of tears so that we may weep and thereby wash away the stains of our sins O all-blameless one and also extinguish the flame of the never-ending and most bitter fire For indeed you answer the prayers of those who wholeheartedly call on you the holy Mother of our Lord and God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed

P

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Mode Two

11

him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

ure one when you saw the Bunch of grapes hanging on the Cross wholly rip-

ened which without being tilled you had carried in your womb that is your Son and God you lamented and mourned aloud and cried O my Child let the new sweet wine drip forth O Benefactor by which all intoxication of passions may be swept away in Your mercy through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera When he took You

hen You come again O Christ our God with Your holy Angels in glory to

judge the universe when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed there to render a full account for their every ac-tion then O Word include me in the num-ber of Your sheep granting me from now absolution of my every sin and transgres-sion which I have committed in this present life

Same Melody s the only Lover of mankind break apart the chains of my passions dry up

the festering of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction O Lord and illumine my darkened heart I fervently pray You and deliver me from all adverse predicaments turmoils and unhappy disasters and from all the cunning temptations of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world

For the Theotokos Same Melody

tand by me all-holy Bride of God when my wretched soul is about to be parted

forcibly from the members of my body Also frustrate the plans of the bodiless ene-mies and shatter the fangs of those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly so that having nothing to block me I may unimpededly rise past the rulers of darkness standing in the air

Glory both now Theotokion he shadow of the Law has passed away with the coming of grace For as the burn-

ing bush was not consumed even though it was flaming likewise you gave birth as a virgin and remained a virgin still Instead of the pillar of fire has arisen the Sun of Righteousness instead of Moses is Christ the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

God is wondrous in His saints he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

T

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12

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

G

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13

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

O

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Mode Three

14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

T

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

E

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17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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18

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

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24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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2

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction For the celestial orders

am engulfed by the ocean of my iniquities and overwhelmed completely by the sea

of transgressions I cry to You the Master Deliver me from the various difficult trials of life and temptations O gracious Lord and the fire that will never end

Same Melody eing immersed in the deep of despair and hopelessness replete with thoughts of

evil and with negative feelings in You alone O Logos of God have I the most wretched one set my hopes From the as-saults of my visible and unseen vicious enemies deliver me

For the Forerunner O Martyrs extolled

Baptist and Forerunner of Christ I im-plore you fervently By your entreaties

induce my heart that has been withered up through unseemly conduct to incessantly pour out a stream of tears O wonderful Prophet John that having gained through you my salvation I who am distressed may give glory to Him who has glorified you

Aposticha of Compunction he sea of my transgressions O Savior is immense and I am drowning griev-

ously in my iniquities Save me give Your hand to me O God as to Peter and have mercy on me

am condemned O Savior for wicked thoughts and deeds Therefore O God

implant in me the thought of turning back that I may cry to You my good Benefactor Save me and have mercy on me

For the Martyrs Saints your confession of faith in the arena disconcerted the power of the

demons and it freed the people from delu-sion And so you cried aloud as you were beheaded Let the sacrifice of our souls be acceptable before You O Master for in longing for You O Lover of man we have despised this temporal life

Glory both now Theotokion ince you accept the entreaties of sinners and overlook not the sighs of the afflicted

intercede with Him who came from your undefiled loins O all-holy Virgin that we may gain salvation

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Martyrs extolled

ou stretched out Your undefiled hands on the Cross O Christ our God and

stained your fingers with blood thus wishing to redeem the work of Your own divine hands Adam who was being held a hos-tage in the kingdom of death because of dis-obedience and You raised him in Your love for man by Your sovereign almighty authority

Same Melody Christ You were nailed unto the Cross as a man and yet as God You deified

human nature and when You had put to death the arch-evil serpent You released us from the curse that issued from the tree for You had yourself become a curse O Lord and You grant Your blessing to the world and great mercy for You are compassionate

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

o terrible passions I succumbed for being a terrible delinquent I had com-

mitted deeds most shameful and depraved And the lurid idols of these acts and fanta-sies within my sensing heart still unsettle me and alter me and turn my volition to-wards enjoyment of sinful pleasure But save me O Virgin pure

Aposticha of the Cross he Cross was firmly planted on Calvary and from the ever-flowing fountain of the

side of the Savior for us it blossomed im-mortality

or us the precious Cross of the Savior is a rampart impregnable for therein be-

lieving do we all gain salvation

For the Martyrs h what an excellent transaction you made O Saints For you invested

blood and inherited the heavens Tempor-arily tested you rejoice eternally Good in-deed was your enterprise For by relin-quishing things corruptible you received in return things that perish not And now ex-ulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Martyrs extolled

eholding Him hanging on the tree of the Cross the Virgin cried aloud to

Christ O beloved Son a sword has finally pierced through my heart O Master and is tearing it apart as Symeon of old once foretold to me But hasten now to rise O Immortal One and glorify with yourself me Your Mother and servant I pray

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles O Martyrs extolled

glorious Apostles of Christ and Disci-ples called by God inspired teachers of

all the world when you had found the Lord as the mediator between God and man you cleaved to Him in such a manner appropri-ate to His divinity And you preached Him to the universe to be God and manifestly perfect man

Same Melody wisest Apostles of the Lord intercede on my behalf that I might shake off the

mindlessness of my bedarkened soul You indeed are wisdomrsquos mystics and interpret-ers for you have lit the light of the Para-clete4 And once you burn away the corrup-tion that is in my mind count me worthy to praise you and call you blest

For Saint Nicholas For the celestial orders

s you are hovering over the flowers of the Church being yourself a fledgling

of the nest of the Angels O Nicholas thrice blessed you ever cry unto God on behalf of all who in temptations and perils invoke your aid and you rescue them by fervent prayers

Aposticha of the Apostles he most melodious harp of the Apostles set in motion by the Holy Spirit abol-

ished the rites of the odious demons and by preaching faith in the only Lord it re-deemed the nations from the delusion of the idols and taught them to worship the con-substantial Trinity

4 Paraclete = Holy Spirit

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For the celestial orders et us with one voice together extol Saints Peter and Paul with Luke and Mark and

Matthew John and Andrew and Thomas Iakovos and Philip Bartholomew also Simon and Thaddaeus and let us worthily praise the entire choir of divinely called Disciples of Christ

For the Martyrs Original Melody5

Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

Glory both now Theotokion Same Melody

ll-laudable Virgin Moses saw with his own prophetic eyes of old the mystery

wrought in you when he beheld the bush unconsumed though burning For in you the fire of Divinity in no way consumed your womb And therefore we entreat you the Mother of our Lord and God to grant mercy O pure one and peace to your world

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross For the celestial orders

hen did the forefather taste death at the for-bidden tree but now are all believers

freed from deathrsquos condemnation by the Tree of honor O every breath let us glorify and extol Him who was willingly crucified for our sake and enlightened all the ends of the earth 5 Πανεύφηmicroοι Μάρτυρες

Same Melody most compassionate Master we all take pride in Your Cross and thereby dev-

astating the delusion of Satan we cease-lessly extol You for on the Cross You were lifted up willingly and thus You wrought our salvation O gracious Lord in the mid-dle of the earth O Christ

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ll-holy Virgin and Lady I now invoke you again against this fearsome passion

the desire for money For truly I am fearful of its attacks more than those of a wild beast since it is counted as avarice unto them who begrudge even the smallest things

Aposticha of the Cross he Cross was firmly planted on Calvary and from the ever-flowing fountain of the

side of the Savior for us it blossomed im-mortality

or us the precious Cross of the Savior is a rampart impregnable for therein be-

lieving do we all gain salvation

For the Martyrs hrough the intercessions O Lord of all the Saints and the Theotokos grant

Your peace unto us and have mercy on us only Compassionate One

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Martyrs extolled

y tasting the vinegar and gall as You hang upon the Cross as a condemned

man O righteous Judge and sweetest Child of mine You have sweetened Adamrsquos former taste of bitterness But seeing now Your Passion has poisoned me so sweeten me O Lord by arising as Omnipotent Thus the Virgin lamented while shedding tears

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FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera O Martyrs extolled

ithdrawing from everything my soul hold within your memory your final

hour and be vigilant and ever be prepared for your own departure lest arriving sud-denly and finding you unready your death might come and take you by surprise So be watchful and unceasingly to the Lord pray and pour out a stream of tears

Same Melody ortify O pre-eternal God the mind-set agreeing with the carnal passions

perturbing me and by divine command quiet the unruly movements in my flesh and grant forgiveness of my sins inasmuch as You are quickly reconciled and compas-sionate and merciful in the wealth of Your goodness and love for man

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ake me O all-holy Bride of God chaste and meek and self-controlled

decent and quiet and decorous straightfor-ward and devout truthful and courageous sensible longsuffering and lenient and gentle and moderate blameless impeccable irreproachable and grant to me in addi-tion residence in Paradise

Glory both now Theotokion s the universal glory the Maiden born of human parents and who gave birth to the

Master and is the gateway to heaven let us extol the Virgin Mary the song of the bodi-less powers and the believersrsquo ornament She it is who was shown to be a heaven and a temple of the Godhead She it is who break-ing down the middle wall of enmity brought peace in its stead and opened the Kingdom

Therefore in possessing her the anchor of our faith we have as a Champion the Lord who was born of her Take courage therefore take courage O people of God For surely He will make war against the enemies as the Almighty One

Aposticha of the Martyrs Saints your confession of faith in the arena disconcerted the power of the

demons and it freed the people from delu-sion And so you cried aloud as you were beheaded Let the sacrifice of our souls be acceptable before You O Master for in longing for You O Lover of man we have despised this temporal life

God is wondrous in His saints h what an excellent transaction you made O Saints For you invested

blood and inherited the heavens Temporar-ily tested you rejoice eternally Good in-deed was your enterprise For by relin-quishing things corruptible you received in return things that perish not And now ex-ulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

Original Melody Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord hich delight of life remains untouched by sorrow Which earthly glory con-

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tinues immovable All these are dimmer than a shadow all more illusory than a dream In a single moment death succeeds them all But O Christ repose those whom You have taken in the light of Your coun-tenance and in the sweetness of Your hand-someness as the Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice O holy Virgin Theotokos the distinguished treasure of all the universe

the unextinguished lamp the container of the Uncontainable the indestructible tem-ple Rejoice from whom the Lamb was born Who takes away the sins of the world

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You6

rant thoughts of repentance unto me also grant the love for contrition unto my

humble soul Rouse me from the sleep of grave insensibility and the darkness of lazi-ness drive out from within me and dispel the gloom created by despondency so that looking up I the wretched might cling fast to You and according to Your holy will pro-ceed O Word of God

Same Melody ow do I confess to You my God eve-rything of which I am guilty my sins

against You in word deed and recollection all do I declare to You I have passed the entire day and all of my lifersquos time now I have arrived at night still full of wickedness Therefore I fall down to You crying Master O my Master and Savior I have sinned forgive and save me Lord my God

For the Angels Same Melody

ome and singing spiritual songs let us now extol the commanders of the angelic

hosts For being preeminent among the bodiless choirs they were both designated as Archangels and Generals Foremost in

6 Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου

the period of grace is Gabriel while in the Old Testament era of the Law and prior to Moses prominent is Michael the Arch-angelsrsquo chief

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Theotokion impassable gate mystically sealed bless-ed Virgin Theotokos accept our suppli-

cations and present them unto your Son and God that through you He save our souls

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You

s the only sinless One O Christ the only forbearing the only wellspring of

charity see my tribulation see my strait perplexity Wipe away from my wounded soul the scars and the bruises and save me Your servant in Your tender mercy O Lord so that with the clouds of depression gone away I might offer glory unto You my Savior most benevolent

Same Melody have brought corruption on my soul and I have polluted my body and with my

sordid thoughts I have wounded grievously my heart and senses all I have sorely defiled my eyes my ears have I tainted and my tongue have I befouled I am completely depraved Therefore I fall down to You crying I have sinned against You O Master I have sinned forgive and save me Christ my God

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ave me from the everlasting fire from the lightless darkness from hardships and

all necessity from all tribulation and from all perplexing straits I beseech you O Baptist John and by your entreaties grant me who am self-condemned in my iniquities surely to belong to the portion of the saved wherein are the choirs of the Saints and joy that is ineffable

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

avior when You hung upon the Cross seeing You the sun became darkened from

overwhelming fear and the curtain of the Temple then was torn in two and the earth shook in every place and likewise in horror rocks and boulders split apart unable to be-hold hanging on a cross their Creator will-fully to suffer unjustly nor the lawless men humiliating You

Same Melody ou received a verdict only King who yourself at Your second coming will

judge the universe and You wore a crown of thorns O Savior on Your head thus O Lover of humankind completely uprooting the thorn of deception by Your mighty sov-ereignty thereupon implanting the knowl-edge of Your great compassion within all who worship Your crucifixion faithfully

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

s if to a haven have I run underneath your holy protection O Virgin Mother

pure Have compassion I entreat you and reject me not rather save me your servant from this present affliction being as you are by nature moved to sympathy Always intercede and deliver us your servants from every trial as you are the Mother of the Most High God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

t the crucifixion of your Son and your God immaculate Lady you suffered

much distress Groaning you lamented and you cried tearfully Sweetest Child of mine alas How suffer You wrongly wishing to redeem the sons of Adam born on earth Therefore moved by faith we entreat you fervently O all-holy Virgin cause Him to be clement when He deals with us

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When he took You

divine Apostles you were seen as the trumpets of the divine Word Who had

appeared on earth You declared His saving dispensation unto all By your preaching did you destroy the bastions of error congre-gating peoples unto pious faith in God Therefore you the blessed Disciples wor-thily were given the honors and received the laurel crowns triumphantly

Same Melody egions of the Angels in the heights ap-plauded the holy Disciples and truly they

rejoiced seeing them proclaim the incarna-tion of the Lord with great freedom and confidence declaring to all men This is our God the One who is before all time who assumed our flesh of His own will and who shares the throne with the Father being with the Spirit honored equally

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ince you have been granted grace from God you dispense all manner of heal-

ings under your patronage unto all who run to you divine Saint Nicholas For you ban-ish incurable demonical passions curing all whom you receive into your custody Therefore do we also implore you Pray the Lord that all who extol you always be deliv-ered from impending harm

Aposticha of the Apostles ou have magnified the names of the chief Apostles O Savior throughout the

world They learned the sacred mysteries of heaven they granted healings to those on earth and their shadows alone cured the ill-nesses He who was a fisherman did mira-

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cles and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace Through them grant Your great mercy unto us O compassionate Lord

ressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds we flee for refuge

unto You who indeed are God Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say Save us O Master we are perish-ing We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils by the interces-sions of the Apostles overlooking sins with great benevolence Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs reat is the glory that you O Saints obtained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant heal-ings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion When he took You

ll those who for refuge flee with faith unto you O good one you shelter be-

neath your mighty hand We your servants have no other intercessor like you always praying to God for us in dangers and sor-rows sinners that we are bent down be-cause of many misdeeds Therefore we fall prostrate before you Rescue us from every affliction since you are the Mother of the Most High God

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

ince You have been lifted on the Cross O Lover of man the malignant serpent

has utterly been cast down to earth com-pletely overthrown and he lies as a fallen monstrosity while Adam the former con-vict from the curse is loosed and he is being saved Therefore do we also beseech You Save us and take pity on all men and Your blessed Kingdom do vouchsafe to us

Same Melody avior and the Life of all the world when the lawless people suspended You

on a wooden cross all creation horrified then quaked in fear and awe By Your might and divinity the kingdom of Hades disap-peared accompanied by the dominion of death Then too did the forefather Adam joyfully cry out to You Glory to Your con-descension Lord who love mankind

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ure one we entreat you to incline unto our petition and grant us your servants

founts of tears so that we may weep and thereby wash away the stains of our sins O all-blameless one and also extinguish the flame of the never-ending and most bitter fire For indeed you answer the prayers of those who wholeheartedly call on you the holy Mother of our Lord and God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed

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him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

ure one when you saw the Bunch of grapes hanging on the Cross wholly rip-

ened which without being tilled you had carried in your womb that is your Son and God you lamented and mourned aloud and cried O my Child let the new sweet wine drip forth O Benefactor by which all intoxication of passions may be swept away in Your mercy through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera When he took You

hen You come again O Christ our God with Your holy Angels in glory to

judge the universe when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed there to render a full account for their every ac-tion then O Word include me in the num-ber of Your sheep granting me from now absolution of my every sin and transgres-sion which I have committed in this present life

Same Melody s the only Lover of mankind break apart the chains of my passions dry up

the festering of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction O Lord and illumine my darkened heart I fervently pray You and deliver me from all adverse predicaments turmoils and unhappy disasters and from all the cunning temptations of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world

For the Theotokos Same Melody

tand by me all-holy Bride of God when my wretched soul is about to be parted

forcibly from the members of my body Also frustrate the plans of the bodiless ene-mies and shatter the fangs of those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly so that having nothing to block me I may unimpededly rise past the rulers of darkness standing in the air

Glory both now Theotokion he shadow of the Law has passed away with the coming of grace For as the burn-

ing bush was not consumed even though it was flaming likewise you gave birth as a virgin and remained a virgin still Instead of the pillar of fire has arisen the Sun of Righteousness instead of Moses is Christ the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

God is wondrous in His saints he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

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The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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Mode Three

14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

E

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Mode Three

17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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18

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

R

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Mode Four

20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

OO

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Mode Four

23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

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24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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25

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

Y

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26

For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Mode One

3

For the Theotokos Same Melody

o terrible passions I succumbed for being a terrible delinquent I had com-

mitted deeds most shameful and depraved And the lurid idols of these acts and fanta-sies within my sensing heart still unsettle me and alter me and turn my volition to-wards enjoyment of sinful pleasure But save me O Virgin pure

Aposticha of the Cross he Cross was firmly planted on Calvary and from the ever-flowing fountain of the

side of the Savior for us it blossomed im-mortality

or us the precious Cross of the Savior is a rampart impregnable for therein be-

lieving do we all gain salvation

For the Martyrs h what an excellent transaction you made O Saints For you invested

blood and inherited the heavens Tempor-arily tested you rejoice eternally Good in-deed was your enterprise For by relin-quishing things corruptible you received in return things that perish not And now ex-ulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Martyrs extolled

eholding Him hanging on the tree of the Cross the Virgin cried aloud to

Christ O beloved Son a sword has finally pierced through my heart O Master and is tearing it apart as Symeon of old once foretold to me But hasten now to rise O Immortal One and glorify with yourself me Your Mother and servant I pray

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles O Martyrs extolled

glorious Apostles of Christ and Disci-ples called by God inspired teachers of

all the world when you had found the Lord as the mediator between God and man you cleaved to Him in such a manner appropri-ate to His divinity And you preached Him to the universe to be God and manifestly perfect man

Same Melody wisest Apostles of the Lord intercede on my behalf that I might shake off the

mindlessness of my bedarkened soul You indeed are wisdomrsquos mystics and interpret-ers for you have lit the light of the Para-clete4 And once you burn away the corrup-tion that is in my mind count me worthy to praise you and call you blest

For Saint Nicholas For the celestial orders

s you are hovering over the flowers of the Church being yourself a fledgling

of the nest of the Angels O Nicholas thrice blessed you ever cry unto God on behalf of all who in temptations and perils invoke your aid and you rescue them by fervent prayers

Aposticha of the Apostles he most melodious harp of the Apostles set in motion by the Holy Spirit abol-

ished the rites of the odious demons and by preaching faith in the only Lord it re-deemed the nations from the delusion of the idols and taught them to worship the con-substantial Trinity

4 Paraclete = Holy Spirit

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For the celestial orders et us with one voice together extol Saints Peter and Paul with Luke and Mark and

Matthew John and Andrew and Thomas Iakovos and Philip Bartholomew also Simon and Thaddaeus and let us worthily praise the entire choir of divinely called Disciples of Christ

For the Martyrs Original Melody5

Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

Glory both now Theotokion Same Melody

ll-laudable Virgin Moses saw with his own prophetic eyes of old the mystery

wrought in you when he beheld the bush unconsumed though burning For in you the fire of Divinity in no way consumed your womb And therefore we entreat you the Mother of our Lord and God to grant mercy O pure one and peace to your world

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross For the celestial orders

hen did the forefather taste death at the for-bidden tree but now are all believers

freed from deathrsquos condemnation by the Tree of honor O every breath let us glorify and extol Him who was willingly crucified for our sake and enlightened all the ends of the earth 5 Πανεύφηmicroοι Μάρτυρες

Same Melody most compassionate Master we all take pride in Your Cross and thereby dev-

astating the delusion of Satan we cease-lessly extol You for on the Cross You were lifted up willingly and thus You wrought our salvation O gracious Lord in the mid-dle of the earth O Christ

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ll-holy Virgin and Lady I now invoke you again against this fearsome passion

the desire for money For truly I am fearful of its attacks more than those of a wild beast since it is counted as avarice unto them who begrudge even the smallest things

Aposticha of the Cross he Cross was firmly planted on Calvary and from the ever-flowing fountain of the

side of the Savior for us it blossomed im-mortality

or us the precious Cross of the Savior is a rampart impregnable for therein be-

lieving do we all gain salvation

For the Martyrs hrough the intercessions O Lord of all the Saints and the Theotokos grant

Your peace unto us and have mercy on us only Compassionate One

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Martyrs extolled

y tasting the vinegar and gall as You hang upon the Cross as a condemned

man O righteous Judge and sweetest Child of mine You have sweetened Adamrsquos former taste of bitterness But seeing now Your Passion has poisoned me so sweeten me O Lord by arising as Omnipotent Thus the Virgin lamented while shedding tears

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FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera O Martyrs extolled

ithdrawing from everything my soul hold within your memory your final

hour and be vigilant and ever be prepared for your own departure lest arriving sud-denly and finding you unready your death might come and take you by surprise So be watchful and unceasingly to the Lord pray and pour out a stream of tears

Same Melody ortify O pre-eternal God the mind-set agreeing with the carnal passions

perturbing me and by divine command quiet the unruly movements in my flesh and grant forgiveness of my sins inasmuch as You are quickly reconciled and compas-sionate and merciful in the wealth of Your goodness and love for man

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ake me O all-holy Bride of God chaste and meek and self-controlled

decent and quiet and decorous straightfor-ward and devout truthful and courageous sensible longsuffering and lenient and gentle and moderate blameless impeccable irreproachable and grant to me in addi-tion residence in Paradise

Glory both now Theotokion s the universal glory the Maiden born of human parents and who gave birth to the

Master and is the gateway to heaven let us extol the Virgin Mary the song of the bodi-less powers and the believersrsquo ornament She it is who was shown to be a heaven and a temple of the Godhead She it is who break-ing down the middle wall of enmity brought peace in its stead and opened the Kingdom

Therefore in possessing her the anchor of our faith we have as a Champion the Lord who was born of her Take courage therefore take courage O people of God For surely He will make war against the enemies as the Almighty One

Aposticha of the Martyrs Saints your confession of faith in the arena disconcerted the power of the

demons and it freed the people from delu-sion And so you cried aloud as you were beheaded Let the sacrifice of our souls be acceptable before You O Master for in longing for You O Lover of man we have despised this temporal life

God is wondrous in His saints h what an excellent transaction you made O Saints For you invested

blood and inherited the heavens Temporar-ily tested you rejoice eternally Good in-deed was your enterprise For by relin-quishing things corruptible you received in return things that perish not And now ex-ulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

Original Melody Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord hich delight of life remains untouched by sorrow Which earthly glory con-

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6

tinues immovable All these are dimmer than a shadow all more illusory than a dream In a single moment death succeeds them all But O Christ repose those whom You have taken in the light of Your coun-tenance and in the sweetness of Your hand-someness as the Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice O holy Virgin Theotokos the distinguished treasure of all the universe

the unextinguished lamp the container of the Uncontainable the indestructible tem-ple Rejoice from whom the Lamb was born Who takes away the sins of the world

R

7

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You6

rant thoughts of repentance unto me also grant the love for contrition unto my

humble soul Rouse me from the sleep of grave insensibility and the darkness of lazi-ness drive out from within me and dispel the gloom created by despondency so that looking up I the wretched might cling fast to You and according to Your holy will pro-ceed O Word of God

Same Melody ow do I confess to You my God eve-rything of which I am guilty my sins

against You in word deed and recollection all do I declare to You I have passed the entire day and all of my lifersquos time now I have arrived at night still full of wickedness Therefore I fall down to You crying Master O my Master and Savior I have sinned forgive and save me Lord my God

For the Angels Same Melody

ome and singing spiritual songs let us now extol the commanders of the angelic

hosts For being preeminent among the bodiless choirs they were both designated as Archangels and Generals Foremost in

6 Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου

the period of grace is Gabriel while in the Old Testament era of the Law and prior to Moses prominent is Michael the Arch-angelsrsquo chief

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Theotokion impassable gate mystically sealed bless-ed Virgin Theotokos accept our suppli-

cations and present them unto your Son and God that through you He save our souls

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8

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You

s the only sinless One O Christ the only forbearing the only wellspring of

charity see my tribulation see my strait perplexity Wipe away from my wounded soul the scars and the bruises and save me Your servant in Your tender mercy O Lord so that with the clouds of depression gone away I might offer glory unto You my Savior most benevolent

Same Melody have brought corruption on my soul and I have polluted my body and with my

sordid thoughts I have wounded grievously my heart and senses all I have sorely defiled my eyes my ears have I tainted and my tongue have I befouled I am completely depraved Therefore I fall down to You crying I have sinned against You O Master I have sinned forgive and save me Christ my God

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ave me from the everlasting fire from the lightless darkness from hardships and

all necessity from all tribulation and from all perplexing straits I beseech you O Baptist John and by your entreaties grant me who am self-condemned in my iniquities surely to belong to the portion of the saved wherein are the choirs of the Saints and joy that is ineffable

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

avior when You hung upon the Cross seeing You the sun became darkened from

overwhelming fear and the curtain of the Temple then was torn in two and the earth shook in every place and likewise in horror rocks and boulders split apart unable to be-hold hanging on a cross their Creator will-fully to suffer unjustly nor the lawless men humiliating You

Same Melody ou received a verdict only King who yourself at Your second coming will

judge the universe and You wore a crown of thorns O Savior on Your head thus O Lover of humankind completely uprooting the thorn of deception by Your mighty sov-ereignty thereupon implanting the knowl-edge of Your great compassion within all who worship Your crucifixion faithfully

A

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9

For the Theotokos Same Melody

s if to a haven have I run underneath your holy protection O Virgin Mother

pure Have compassion I entreat you and reject me not rather save me your servant from this present affliction being as you are by nature moved to sympathy Always intercede and deliver us your servants from every trial as you are the Mother of the Most High God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

t the crucifixion of your Son and your God immaculate Lady you suffered

much distress Groaning you lamented and you cried tearfully Sweetest Child of mine alas How suffer You wrongly wishing to redeem the sons of Adam born on earth Therefore moved by faith we entreat you fervently O all-holy Virgin cause Him to be clement when He deals with us

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When he took You

divine Apostles you were seen as the trumpets of the divine Word Who had

appeared on earth You declared His saving dispensation unto all By your preaching did you destroy the bastions of error congre-gating peoples unto pious faith in God Therefore you the blessed Disciples wor-thily were given the honors and received the laurel crowns triumphantly

Same Melody egions of the Angels in the heights ap-plauded the holy Disciples and truly they

rejoiced seeing them proclaim the incarna-tion of the Lord with great freedom and confidence declaring to all men This is our God the One who is before all time who assumed our flesh of His own will and who shares the throne with the Father being with the Spirit honored equally

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ince you have been granted grace from God you dispense all manner of heal-

ings under your patronage unto all who run to you divine Saint Nicholas For you ban-ish incurable demonical passions curing all whom you receive into your custody Therefore do we also implore you Pray the Lord that all who extol you always be deliv-ered from impending harm

Aposticha of the Apostles ou have magnified the names of the chief Apostles O Savior throughout the

world They learned the sacred mysteries of heaven they granted healings to those on earth and their shadows alone cured the ill-nesses He who was a fisherman did mira-

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10

cles and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace Through them grant Your great mercy unto us O compassionate Lord

ressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds we flee for refuge

unto You who indeed are God Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say Save us O Master we are perish-ing We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils by the interces-sions of the Apostles overlooking sins with great benevolence Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs reat is the glory that you O Saints obtained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant heal-ings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion When he took You

ll those who for refuge flee with faith unto you O good one you shelter be-

neath your mighty hand We your servants have no other intercessor like you always praying to God for us in dangers and sor-rows sinners that we are bent down be-cause of many misdeeds Therefore we fall prostrate before you Rescue us from every affliction since you are the Mother of the Most High God

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

ince You have been lifted on the Cross O Lover of man the malignant serpent

has utterly been cast down to earth com-pletely overthrown and he lies as a fallen monstrosity while Adam the former con-vict from the curse is loosed and he is being saved Therefore do we also beseech You Save us and take pity on all men and Your blessed Kingdom do vouchsafe to us

Same Melody avior and the Life of all the world when the lawless people suspended You

on a wooden cross all creation horrified then quaked in fear and awe By Your might and divinity the kingdom of Hades disap-peared accompanied by the dominion of death Then too did the forefather Adam joyfully cry out to You Glory to Your con-descension Lord who love mankind

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ure one we entreat you to incline unto our petition and grant us your servants

founts of tears so that we may weep and thereby wash away the stains of our sins O all-blameless one and also extinguish the flame of the never-ending and most bitter fire For indeed you answer the prayers of those who wholeheartedly call on you the holy Mother of our Lord and God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed

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11

him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

ure one when you saw the Bunch of grapes hanging on the Cross wholly rip-

ened which without being tilled you had carried in your womb that is your Son and God you lamented and mourned aloud and cried O my Child let the new sweet wine drip forth O Benefactor by which all intoxication of passions may be swept away in Your mercy through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera When he took You

hen You come again O Christ our God with Your holy Angels in glory to

judge the universe when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed there to render a full account for their every ac-tion then O Word include me in the num-ber of Your sheep granting me from now absolution of my every sin and transgres-sion which I have committed in this present life

Same Melody s the only Lover of mankind break apart the chains of my passions dry up

the festering of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction O Lord and illumine my darkened heart I fervently pray You and deliver me from all adverse predicaments turmoils and unhappy disasters and from all the cunning temptations of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world

For the Theotokos Same Melody

tand by me all-holy Bride of God when my wretched soul is about to be parted

forcibly from the members of my body Also frustrate the plans of the bodiless ene-mies and shatter the fangs of those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly so that having nothing to block me I may unimpededly rise past the rulers of darkness standing in the air

Glory both now Theotokion he shadow of the Law has passed away with the coming of grace For as the burn-

ing bush was not consumed even though it was flaming likewise you gave birth as a virgin and remained a virgin still Instead of the pillar of fire has arisen the Sun of Righteousness instead of Moses is Christ the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

God is wondrous in His saints he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

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The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

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17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 7: Weekday Vespers

Mode One

4

For the celestial orders et us with one voice together extol Saints Peter and Paul with Luke and Mark and

Matthew John and Andrew and Thomas Iakovos and Philip Bartholomew also Simon and Thaddaeus and let us worthily praise the entire choir of divinely called Disciples of Christ

For the Martyrs Original Melody5

Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

Glory both now Theotokion Same Melody

ll-laudable Virgin Moses saw with his own prophetic eyes of old the mystery

wrought in you when he beheld the bush unconsumed though burning For in you the fire of Divinity in no way consumed your womb And therefore we entreat you the Mother of our Lord and God to grant mercy O pure one and peace to your world

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross For the celestial orders

hen did the forefather taste death at the for-bidden tree but now are all believers

freed from deathrsquos condemnation by the Tree of honor O every breath let us glorify and extol Him who was willingly crucified for our sake and enlightened all the ends of the earth 5 Πανεύφηmicroοι Μάρτυρες

Same Melody most compassionate Master we all take pride in Your Cross and thereby dev-

astating the delusion of Satan we cease-lessly extol You for on the Cross You were lifted up willingly and thus You wrought our salvation O gracious Lord in the mid-dle of the earth O Christ

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ll-holy Virgin and Lady I now invoke you again against this fearsome passion

the desire for money For truly I am fearful of its attacks more than those of a wild beast since it is counted as avarice unto them who begrudge even the smallest things

Aposticha of the Cross he Cross was firmly planted on Calvary and from the ever-flowing fountain of the

side of the Savior for us it blossomed im-mortality

or us the precious Cross of the Savior is a rampart impregnable for therein be-

lieving do we all gain salvation

For the Martyrs hrough the intercessions O Lord of all the Saints and the Theotokos grant

Your peace unto us and have mercy on us only Compassionate One

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Martyrs extolled

y tasting the vinegar and gall as You hang upon the Cross as a condemned

man O righteous Judge and sweetest Child of mine You have sweetened Adamrsquos former taste of bitterness But seeing now Your Passion has poisoned me so sweeten me O Lord by arising as Omnipotent Thus the Virgin lamented while shedding tears

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5

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera O Martyrs extolled

ithdrawing from everything my soul hold within your memory your final

hour and be vigilant and ever be prepared for your own departure lest arriving sud-denly and finding you unready your death might come and take you by surprise So be watchful and unceasingly to the Lord pray and pour out a stream of tears

Same Melody ortify O pre-eternal God the mind-set agreeing with the carnal passions

perturbing me and by divine command quiet the unruly movements in my flesh and grant forgiveness of my sins inasmuch as You are quickly reconciled and compas-sionate and merciful in the wealth of Your goodness and love for man

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ake me O all-holy Bride of God chaste and meek and self-controlled

decent and quiet and decorous straightfor-ward and devout truthful and courageous sensible longsuffering and lenient and gentle and moderate blameless impeccable irreproachable and grant to me in addi-tion residence in Paradise

Glory both now Theotokion s the universal glory the Maiden born of human parents and who gave birth to the

Master and is the gateway to heaven let us extol the Virgin Mary the song of the bodi-less powers and the believersrsquo ornament She it is who was shown to be a heaven and a temple of the Godhead She it is who break-ing down the middle wall of enmity brought peace in its stead and opened the Kingdom

Therefore in possessing her the anchor of our faith we have as a Champion the Lord who was born of her Take courage therefore take courage O people of God For surely He will make war against the enemies as the Almighty One

Aposticha of the Martyrs Saints your confession of faith in the arena disconcerted the power of the

demons and it freed the people from delu-sion And so you cried aloud as you were beheaded Let the sacrifice of our souls be acceptable before You O Master for in longing for You O Lover of man we have despised this temporal life

God is wondrous in His saints h what an excellent transaction you made O Saints For you invested

blood and inherited the heavens Temporar-ily tested you rejoice eternally Good in-deed was your enterprise For by relin-quishing things corruptible you received in return things that perish not And now ex-ulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

Original Melody Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord hich delight of life remains untouched by sorrow Which earthly glory con-

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6

tinues immovable All these are dimmer than a shadow all more illusory than a dream In a single moment death succeeds them all But O Christ repose those whom You have taken in the light of Your coun-tenance and in the sweetness of Your hand-someness as the Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice O holy Virgin Theotokos the distinguished treasure of all the universe

the unextinguished lamp the container of the Uncontainable the indestructible tem-ple Rejoice from whom the Lamb was born Who takes away the sins of the world

R

7

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You6

rant thoughts of repentance unto me also grant the love for contrition unto my

humble soul Rouse me from the sleep of grave insensibility and the darkness of lazi-ness drive out from within me and dispel the gloom created by despondency so that looking up I the wretched might cling fast to You and according to Your holy will pro-ceed O Word of God

Same Melody ow do I confess to You my God eve-rything of which I am guilty my sins

against You in word deed and recollection all do I declare to You I have passed the entire day and all of my lifersquos time now I have arrived at night still full of wickedness Therefore I fall down to You crying Master O my Master and Savior I have sinned forgive and save me Lord my God

For the Angels Same Melody

ome and singing spiritual songs let us now extol the commanders of the angelic

hosts For being preeminent among the bodiless choirs they were both designated as Archangels and Generals Foremost in

6 Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου

the period of grace is Gabriel while in the Old Testament era of the Law and prior to Moses prominent is Michael the Arch-angelsrsquo chief

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Theotokion impassable gate mystically sealed bless-ed Virgin Theotokos accept our suppli-

cations and present them unto your Son and God that through you He save our souls

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8

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You

s the only sinless One O Christ the only forbearing the only wellspring of

charity see my tribulation see my strait perplexity Wipe away from my wounded soul the scars and the bruises and save me Your servant in Your tender mercy O Lord so that with the clouds of depression gone away I might offer glory unto You my Savior most benevolent

Same Melody have brought corruption on my soul and I have polluted my body and with my

sordid thoughts I have wounded grievously my heart and senses all I have sorely defiled my eyes my ears have I tainted and my tongue have I befouled I am completely depraved Therefore I fall down to You crying I have sinned against You O Master I have sinned forgive and save me Christ my God

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ave me from the everlasting fire from the lightless darkness from hardships and

all necessity from all tribulation and from all perplexing straits I beseech you O Baptist John and by your entreaties grant me who am self-condemned in my iniquities surely to belong to the portion of the saved wherein are the choirs of the Saints and joy that is ineffable

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

avior when You hung upon the Cross seeing You the sun became darkened from

overwhelming fear and the curtain of the Temple then was torn in two and the earth shook in every place and likewise in horror rocks and boulders split apart unable to be-hold hanging on a cross their Creator will-fully to suffer unjustly nor the lawless men humiliating You

Same Melody ou received a verdict only King who yourself at Your second coming will

judge the universe and You wore a crown of thorns O Savior on Your head thus O Lover of humankind completely uprooting the thorn of deception by Your mighty sov-ereignty thereupon implanting the knowl-edge of Your great compassion within all who worship Your crucifixion faithfully

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9

For the Theotokos Same Melody

s if to a haven have I run underneath your holy protection O Virgin Mother

pure Have compassion I entreat you and reject me not rather save me your servant from this present affliction being as you are by nature moved to sympathy Always intercede and deliver us your servants from every trial as you are the Mother of the Most High God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

t the crucifixion of your Son and your God immaculate Lady you suffered

much distress Groaning you lamented and you cried tearfully Sweetest Child of mine alas How suffer You wrongly wishing to redeem the sons of Adam born on earth Therefore moved by faith we entreat you fervently O all-holy Virgin cause Him to be clement when He deals with us

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When he took You

divine Apostles you were seen as the trumpets of the divine Word Who had

appeared on earth You declared His saving dispensation unto all By your preaching did you destroy the bastions of error congre-gating peoples unto pious faith in God Therefore you the blessed Disciples wor-thily were given the honors and received the laurel crowns triumphantly

Same Melody egions of the Angels in the heights ap-plauded the holy Disciples and truly they

rejoiced seeing them proclaim the incarna-tion of the Lord with great freedom and confidence declaring to all men This is our God the One who is before all time who assumed our flesh of His own will and who shares the throne with the Father being with the Spirit honored equally

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ince you have been granted grace from God you dispense all manner of heal-

ings under your patronage unto all who run to you divine Saint Nicholas For you ban-ish incurable demonical passions curing all whom you receive into your custody Therefore do we also implore you Pray the Lord that all who extol you always be deliv-ered from impending harm

Aposticha of the Apostles ou have magnified the names of the chief Apostles O Savior throughout the

world They learned the sacred mysteries of heaven they granted healings to those on earth and their shadows alone cured the ill-nesses He who was a fisherman did mira-

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Mode Two

10

cles and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace Through them grant Your great mercy unto us O compassionate Lord

ressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds we flee for refuge

unto You who indeed are God Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say Save us O Master we are perish-ing We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils by the interces-sions of the Apostles overlooking sins with great benevolence Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs reat is the glory that you O Saints obtained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant heal-ings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion When he took You

ll those who for refuge flee with faith unto you O good one you shelter be-

neath your mighty hand We your servants have no other intercessor like you always praying to God for us in dangers and sor-rows sinners that we are bent down be-cause of many misdeeds Therefore we fall prostrate before you Rescue us from every affliction since you are the Mother of the Most High God

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

ince You have been lifted on the Cross O Lover of man the malignant serpent

has utterly been cast down to earth com-pletely overthrown and he lies as a fallen monstrosity while Adam the former con-vict from the curse is loosed and he is being saved Therefore do we also beseech You Save us and take pity on all men and Your blessed Kingdom do vouchsafe to us

Same Melody avior and the Life of all the world when the lawless people suspended You

on a wooden cross all creation horrified then quaked in fear and awe By Your might and divinity the kingdom of Hades disap-peared accompanied by the dominion of death Then too did the forefather Adam joyfully cry out to You Glory to Your con-descension Lord who love mankind

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ure one we entreat you to incline unto our petition and grant us your servants

founts of tears so that we may weep and thereby wash away the stains of our sins O all-blameless one and also extinguish the flame of the never-ending and most bitter fire For indeed you answer the prayers of those who wholeheartedly call on you the holy Mother of our Lord and God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed

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Mode Two

11

him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

ure one when you saw the Bunch of grapes hanging on the Cross wholly rip-

ened which without being tilled you had carried in your womb that is your Son and God you lamented and mourned aloud and cried O my Child let the new sweet wine drip forth O Benefactor by which all intoxication of passions may be swept away in Your mercy through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera When he took You

hen You come again O Christ our God with Your holy Angels in glory to

judge the universe when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed there to render a full account for their every ac-tion then O Word include me in the num-ber of Your sheep granting me from now absolution of my every sin and transgres-sion which I have committed in this present life

Same Melody s the only Lover of mankind break apart the chains of my passions dry up

the festering of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction O Lord and illumine my darkened heart I fervently pray You and deliver me from all adverse predicaments turmoils and unhappy disasters and from all the cunning temptations of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world

For the Theotokos Same Melody

tand by me all-holy Bride of God when my wretched soul is about to be parted

forcibly from the members of my body Also frustrate the plans of the bodiless ene-mies and shatter the fangs of those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly so that having nothing to block me I may unimpededly rise past the rulers of darkness standing in the air

Glory both now Theotokion he shadow of the Law has passed away with the coming of grace For as the burn-

ing bush was not consumed even though it was flaming likewise you gave birth as a virgin and remained a virgin still Instead of the pillar of fire has arisen the Sun of Righteousness instead of Moses is Christ the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

God is wondrous in His saints he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

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The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

G

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13

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

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17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

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24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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34

they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

M

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

Y

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36

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

T O

37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

Y Y

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L

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Mode Pl IV

45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 8: Weekday Vespers

Mode One

5

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera O Martyrs extolled

ithdrawing from everything my soul hold within your memory your final

hour and be vigilant and ever be prepared for your own departure lest arriving sud-denly and finding you unready your death might come and take you by surprise So be watchful and unceasingly to the Lord pray and pour out a stream of tears

Same Melody ortify O pre-eternal God the mind-set agreeing with the carnal passions

perturbing me and by divine command quiet the unruly movements in my flesh and grant forgiveness of my sins inasmuch as You are quickly reconciled and compas-sionate and merciful in the wealth of Your goodness and love for man

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ake me O all-holy Bride of God chaste and meek and self-controlled

decent and quiet and decorous straightfor-ward and devout truthful and courageous sensible longsuffering and lenient and gentle and moderate blameless impeccable irreproachable and grant to me in addi-tion residence in Paradise

Glory both now Theotokion s the universal glory the Maiden born of human parents and who gave birth to the

Master and is the gateway to heaven let us extol the Virgin Mary the song of the bodi-less powers and the believersrsquo ornament She it is who was shown to be a heaven and a temple of the Godhead She it is who break-ing down the middle wall of enmity brought peace in its stead and opened the Kingdom

Therefore in possessing her the anchor of our faith we have as a Champion the Lord who was born of her Take courage therefore take courage O people of God For surely He will make war against the enemies as the Almighty One

Aposticha of the Martyrs Saints your confession of faith in the arena disconcerted the power of the

demons and it freed the people from delu-sion And so you cried aloud as you were beheaded Let the sacrifice of our souls be acceptable before You O Master for in longing for You O Lover of man we have despised this temporal life

God is wondrous in His saints h what an excellent transaction you made O Saints For you invested

blood and inherited the heavens Temporar-ily tested you rejoice eternally Good in-deed was your enterprise For by relin-quishing things corruptible you received in return things that perish not And now ex-ulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

Original Melody Martyrs extolled in all the world you were not concealed by earth but rather

heaven admitted you The gates of Paradise unto you were opened Having gone within you now enjoy the tree of life and you in-tercede with Christ on our behalf suppli-cating that surpassing peace and great mercy be upon our souls bestowed

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord hich delight of life remains untouched by sorrow Which earthly glory con-

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6

tinues immovable All these are dimmer than a shadow all more illusory than a dream In a single moment death succeeds them all But O Christ repose those whom You have taken in the light of Your coun-tenance and in the sweetness of Your hand-someness as the Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice O holy Virgin Theotokos the distinguished treasure of all the universe

the unextinguished lamp the container of the Uncontainable the indestructible tem-ple Rejoice from whom the Lamb was born Who takes away the sins of the world

R

7

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You6

rant thoughts of repentance unto me also grant the love for contrition unto my

humble soul Rouse me from the sleep of grave insensibility and the darkness of lazi-ness drive out from within me and dispel the gloom created by despondency so that looking up I the wretched might cling fast to You and according to Your holy will pro-ceed O Word of God

Same Melody ow do I confess to You my God eve-rything of which I am guilty my sins

against You in word deed and recollection all do I declare to You I have passed the entire day and all of my lifersquos time now I have arrived at night still full of wickedness Therefore I fall down to You crying Master O my Master and Savior I have sinned forgive and save me Lord my God

For the Angels Same Melody

ome and singing spiritual songs let us now extol the commanders of the angelic

hosts For being preeminent among the bodiless choirs they were both designated as Archangels and Generals Foremost in

6 Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου

the period of grace is Gabriel while in the Old Testament era of the Law and prior to Moses prominent is Michael the Arch-angelsrsquo chief

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Theotokion impassable gate mystically sealed bless-ed Virgin Theotokos accept our suppli-

cations and present them unto your Son and God that through you He save our souls

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Mode Two

8

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You

s the only sinless One O Christ the only forbearing the only wellspring of

charity see my tribulation see my strait perplexity Wipe away from my wounded soul the scars and the bruises and save me Your servant in Your tender mercy O Lord so that with the clouds of depression gone away I might offer glory unto You my Savior most benevolent

Same Melody have brought corruption on my soul and I have polluted my body and with my

sordid thoughts I have wounded grievously my heart and senses all I have sorely defiled my eyes my ears have I tainted and my tongue have I befouled I am completely depraved Therefore I fall down to You crying I have sinned against You O Master I have sinned forgive and save me Christ my God

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ave me from the everlasting fire from the lightless darkness from hardships and

all necessity from all tribulation and from all perplexing straits I beseech you O Baptist John and by your entreaties grant me who am self-condemned in my iniquities surely to belong to the portion of the saved wherein are the choirs of the Saints and joy that is ineffable

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

avior when You hung upon the Cross seeing You the sun became darkened from

overwhelming fear and the curtain of the Temple then was torn in two and the earth shook in every place and likewise in horror rocks and boulders split apart unable to be-hold hanging on a cross their Creator will-fully to suffer unjustly nor the lawless men humiliating You

Same Melody ou received a verdict only King who yourself at Your second coming will

judge the universe and You wore a crown of thorns O Savior on Your head thus O Lover of humankind completely uprooting the thorn of deception by Your mighty sov-ereignty thereupon implanting the knowl-edge of Your great compassion within all who worship Your crucifixion faithfully

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

s if to a haven have I run underneath your holy protection O Virgin Mother

pure Have compassion I entreat you and reject me not rather save me your servant from this present affliction being as you are by nature moved to sympathy Always intercede and deliver us your servants from every trial as you are the Mother of the Most High God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

t the crucifixion of your Son and your God immaculate Lady you suffered

much distress Groaning you lamented and you cried tearfully Sweetest Child of mine alas How suffer You wrongly wishing to redeem the sons of Adam born on earth Therefore moved by faith we entreat you fervently O all-holy Virgin cause Him to be clement when He deals with us

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When he took You

divine Apostles you were seen as the trumpets of the divine Word Who had

appeared on earth You declared His saving dispensation unto all By your preaching did you destroy the bastions of error congre-gating peoples unto pious faith in God Therefore you the blessed Disciples wor-thily were given the honors and received the laurel crowns triumphantly

Same Melody egions of the Angels in the heights ap-plauded the holy Disciples and truly they

rejoiced seeing them proclaim the incarna-tion of the Lord with great freedom and confidence declaring to all men This is our God the One who is before all time who assumed our flesh of His own will and who shares the throne with the Father being with the Spirit honored equally

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ince you have been granted grace from God you dispense all manner of heal-

ings under your patronage unto all who run to you divine Saint Nicholas For you ban-ish incurable demonical passions curing all whom you receive into your custody Therefore do we also implore you Pray the Lord that all who extol you always be deliv-ered from impending harm

Aposticha of the Apostles ou have magnified the names of the chief Apostles O Savior throughout the

world They learned the sacred mysteries of heaven they granted healings to those on earth and their shadows alone cured the ill-nesses He who was a fisherman did mira-

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cles and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace Through them grant Your great mercy unto us O compassionate Lord

ressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds we flee for refuge

unto You who indeed are God Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say Save us O Master we are perish-ing We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils by the interces-sions of the Apostles overlooking sins with great benevolence Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs reat is the glory that you O Saints obtained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant heal-ings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion When he took You

ll those who for refuge flee with faith unto you O good one you shelter be-

neath your mighty hand We your servants have no other intercessor like you always praying to God for us in dangers and sor-rows sinners that we are bent down be-cause of many misdeeds Therefore we fall prostrate before you Rescue us from every affliction since you are the Mother of the Most High God

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

ince You have been lifted on the Cross O Lover of man the malignant serpent

has utterly been cast down to earth com-pletely overthrown and he lies as a fallen monstrosity while Adam the former con-vict from the curse is loosed and he is being saved Therefore do we also beseech You Save us and take pity on all men and Your blessed Kingdom do vouchsafe to us

Same Melody avior and the Life of all the world when the lawless people suspended You

on a wooden cross all creation horrified then quaked in fear and awe By Your might and divinity the kingdom of Hades disap-peared accompanied by the dominion of death Then too did the forefather Adam joyfully cry out to You Glory to Your con-descension Lord who love mankind

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ure one we entreat you to incline unto our petition and grant us your servants

founts of tears so that we may weep and thereby wash away the stains of our sins O all-blameless one and also extinguish the flame of the never-ending and most bitter fire For indeed you answer the prayers of those who wholeheartedly call on you the holy Mother of our Lord and God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed

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him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

ure one when you saw the Bunch of grapes hanging on the Cross wholly rip-

ened which without being tilled you had carried in your womb that is your Son and God you lamented and mourned aloud and cried O my Child let the new sweet wine drip forth O Benefactor by which all intoxication of passions may be swept away in Your mercy through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera When he took You

hen You come again O Christ our God with Your holy Angels in glory to

judge the universe when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed there to render a full account for their every ac-tion then O Word include me in the num-ber of Your sheep granting me from now absolution of my every sin and transgres-sion which I have committed in this present life

Same Melody s the only Lover of mankind break apart the chains of my passions dry up

the festering of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction O Lord and illumine my darkened heart I fervently pray You and deliver me from all adverse predicaments turmoils and unhappy disasters and from all the cunning temptations of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world

For the Theotokos Same Melody

tand by me all-holy Bride of God when my wretched soul is about to be parted

forcibly from the members of my body Also frustrate the plans of the bodiless ene-mies and shatter the fangs of those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly so that having nothing to block me I may unimpededly rise past the rulers of darkness standing in the air

Glory both now Theotokion he shadow of the Law has passed away with the coming of grace For as the burn-

ing bush was not consumed even though it was flaming likewise you gave birth as a virgin and remained a virgin still Instead of the pillar of fire has arisen the Sun of Righteousness instead of Moses is Christ the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

God is wondrous in His saints he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

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The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

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FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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18

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

E

Y

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30

Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

Y

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31

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

Y

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32

Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

O

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33

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

G

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T

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34

they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

M

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35

attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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O

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36

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

T O

37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

O

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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Grave Mode

40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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Grave Mode

41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 9: Weekday Vespers

Mode One

6

tinues immovable All these are dimmer than a shadow all more illusory than a dream In a single moment death succeeds them all But O Christ repose those whom You have taken in the light of Your coun-tenance and in the sweetness of Your hand-someness as the Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice O holy Virgin Theotokos the distinguished treasure of all the universe

the unextinguished lamp the container of the Uncontainable the indestructible tem-ple Rejoice from whom the Lamb was born Who takes away the sins of the world

R

7

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You6

rant thoughts of repentance unto me also grant the love for contrition unto my

humble soul Rouse me from the sleep of grave insensibility and the darkness of lazi-ness drive out from within me and dispel the gloom created by despondency so that looking up I the wretched might cling fast to You and according to Your holy will pro-ceed O Word of God

Same Melody ow do I confess to You my God eve-rything of which I am guilty my sins

against You in word deed and recollection all do I declare to You I have passed the entire day and all of my lifersquos time now I have arrived at night still full of wickedness Therefore I fall down to You crying Master O my Master and Savior I have sinned forgive and save me Lord my God

For the Angels Same Melody

ome and singing spiritual songs let us now extol the commanders of the angelic

hosts For being preeminent among the bodiless choirs they were both designated as Archangels and Generals Foremost in

6 Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου

the period of grace is Gabriel while in the Old Testament era of the Law and prior to Moses prominent is Michael the Arch-angelsrsquo chief

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Theotokion impassable gate mystically sealed bless-ed Virgin Theotokos accept our suppli-

cations and present them unto your Son and God that through you He save our souls

G

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Mode Two

8

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You

s the only sinless One O Christ the only forbearing the only wellspring of

charity see my tribulation see my strait perplexity Wipe away from my wounded soul the scars and the bruises and save me Your servant in Your tender mercy O Lord so that with the clouds of depression gone away I might offer glory unto You my Savior most benevolent

Same Melody have brought corruption on my soul and I have polluted my body and with my

sordid thoughts I have wounded grievously my heart and senses all I have sorely defiled my eyes my ears have I tainted and my tongue have I befouled I am completely depraved Therefore I fall down to You crying I have sinned against You O Master I have sinned forgive and save me Christ my God

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ave me from the everlasting fire from the lightless darkness from hardships and

all necessity from all tribulation and from all perplexing straits I beseech you O Baptist John and by your entreaties grant me who am self-condemned in my iniquities surely to belong to the portion of the saved wherein are the choirs of the Saints and joy that is ineffable

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

avior when You hung upon the Cross seeing You the sun became darkened from

overwhelming fear and the curtain of the Temple then was torn in two and the earth shook in every place and likewise in horror rocks and boulders split apart unable to be-hold hanging on a cross their Creator will-fully to suffer unjustly nor the lawless men humiliating You

Same Melody ou received a verdict only King who yourself at Your second coming will

judge the universe and You wore a crown of thorns O Savior on Your head thus O Lover of humankind completely uprooting the thorn of deception by Your mighty sov-ereignty thereupon implanting the knowl-edge of Your great compassion within all who worship Your crucifixion faithfully

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9

For the Theotokos Same Melody

s if to a haven have I run underneath your holy protection O Virgin Mother

pure Have compassion I entreat you and reject me not rather save me your servant from this present affliction being as you are by nature moved to sympathy Always intercede and deliver us your servants from every trial as you are the Mother of the Most High God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

t the crucifixion of your Son and your God immaculate Lady you suffered

much distress Groaning you lamented and you cried tearfully Sweetest Child of mine alas How suffer You wrongly wishing to redeem the sons of Adam born on earth Therefore moved by faith we entreat you fervently O all-holy Virgin cause Him to be clement when He deals with us

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When he took You

divine Apostles you were seen as the trumpets of the divine Word Who had

appeared on earth You declared His saving dispensation unto all By your preaching did you destroy the bastions of error congre-gating peoples unto pious faith in God Therefore you the blessed Disciples wor-thily were given the honors and received the laurel crowns triumphantly

Same Melody egions of the Angels in the heights ap-plauded the holy Disciples and truly they

rejoiced seeing them proclaim the incarna-tion of the Lord with great freedom and confidence declaring to all men This is our God the One who is before all time who assumed our flesh of His own will and who shares the throne with the Father being with the Spirit honored equally

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ince you have been granted grace from God you dispense all manner of heal-

ings under your patronage unto all who run to you divine Saint Nicholas For you ban-ish incurable demonical passions curing all whom you receive into your custody Therefore do we also implore you Pray the Lord that all who extol you always be deliv-ered from impending harm

Aposticha of the Apostles ou have magnified the names of the chief Apostles O Savior throughout the

world They learned the sacred mysteries of heaven they granted healings to those on earth and their shadows alone cured the ill-nesses He who was a fisherman did mira-

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10

cles and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace Through them grant Your great mercy unto us O compassionate Lord

ressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds we flee for refuge

unto You who indeed are God Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say Save us O Master we are perish-ing We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils by the interces-sions of the Apostles overlooking sins with great benevolence Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs reat is the glory that you O Saints obtained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant heal-ings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion When he took You

ll those who for refuge flee with faith unto you O good one you shelter be-

neath your mighty hand We your servants have no other intercessor like you always praying to God for us in dangers and sor-rows sinners that we are bent down be-cause of many misdeeds Therefore we fall prostrate before you Rescue us from every affliction since you are the Mother of the Most High God

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

ince You have been lifted on the Cross O Lover of man the malignant serpent

has utterly been cast down to earth com-pletely overthrown and he lies as a fallen monstrosity while Adam the former con-vict from the curse is loosed and he is being saved Therefore do we also beseech You Save us and take pity on all men and Your blessed Kingdom do vouchsafe to us

Same Melody avior and the Life of all the world when the lawless people suspended You

on a wooden cross all creation horrified then quaked in fear and awe By Your might and divinity the kingdom of Hades disap-peared accompanied by the dominion of death Then too did the forefather Adam joyfully cry out to You Glory to Your con-descension Lord who love mankind

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ure one we entreat you to incline unto our petition and grant us your servants

founts of tears so that we may weep and thereby wash away the stains of our sins O all-blameless one and also extinguish the flame of the never-ending and most bitter fire For indeed you answer the prayers of those who wholeheartedly call on you the holy Mother of our Lord and God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed

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Mode Two

11

him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

ure one when you saw the Bunch of grapes hanging on the Cross wholly rip-

ened which without being tilled you had carried in your womb that is your Son and God you lamented and mourned aloud and cried O my Child let the new sweet wine drip forth O Benefactor by which all intoxication of passions may be swept away in Your mercy through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera When he took You

hen You come again O Christ our God with Your holy Angels in glory to

judge the universe when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed there to render a full account for their every ac-tion then O Word include me in the num-ber of Your sheep granting me from now absolution of my every sin and transgres-sion which I have committed in this present life

Same Melody s the only Lover of mankind break apart the chains of my passions dry up

the festering of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction O Lord and illumine my darkened heart I fervently pray You and deliver me from all adverse predicaments turmoils and unhappy disasters and from all the cunning temptations of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world

For the Theotokos Same Melody

tand by me all-holy Bride of God when my wretched soul is about to be parted

forcibly from the members of my body Also frustrate the plans of the bodiless ene-mies and shatter the fangs of those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly so that having nothing to block me I may unimpededly rise past the rulers of darkness standing in the air

Glory both now Theotokion he shadow of the Law has passed away with the coming of grace For as the burn-

ing bush was not consumed even though it was flaming likewise you gave birth as a virgin and remained a virgin still Instead of the pillar of fire has arisen the Sun of Righteousness instead of Moses is Christ the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

God is wondrous in His saints he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

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The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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Mode Three

14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

E

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Mode Three

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FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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18

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

E

Y

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30

Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

Y

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31

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

Y

D

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32

Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

O

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33

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

G

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T

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34

they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

M

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35

attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

Y

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O

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36

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

T O

37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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Grave Mode

40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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Grave Mode

41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 10: Weekday Vespers

7

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You6

rant thoughts of repentance unto me also grant the love for contrition unto my

humble soul Rouse me from the sleep of grave insensibility and the darkness of lazi-ness drive out from within me and dispel the gloom created by despondency so that looking up I the wretched might cling fast to You and according to Your holy will pro-ceed O Word of God

Same Melody ow do I confess to You my God eve-rything of which I am guilty my sins

against You in word deed and recollection all do I declare to You I have passed the entire day and all of my lifersquos time now I have arrived at night still full of wickedness Therefore I fall down to You crying Master O my Master and Savior I have sinned forgive and save me Lord my God

For the Angels Same Melody

ome and singing spiritual songs let us now extol the commanders of the angelic

hosts For being preeminent among the bodiless choirs they were both designated as Archangels and Generals Foremost in

6 Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου

the period of grace is Gabriel while in the Old Testament era of the Law and prior to Moses prominent is Michael the Arch-angelsrsquo chief

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Theotokion impassable gate mystically sealed bless-ed Virgin Theotokos accept our suppli-

cations and present them unto your Son and God that through you He save our souls

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8

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You

s the only sinless One O Christ the only forbearing the only wellspring of

charity see my tribulation see my strait perplexity Wipe away from my wounded soul the scars and the bruises and save me Your servant in Your tender mercy O Lord so that with the clouds of depression gone away I might offer glory unto You my Savior most benevolent

Same Melody have brought corruption on my soul and I have polluted my body and with my

sordid thoughts I have wounded grievously my heart and senses all I have sorely defiled my eyes my ears have I tainted and my tongue have I befouled I am completely depraved Therefore I fall down to You crying I have sinned against You O Master I have sinned forgive and save me Christ my God

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ave me from the everlasting fire from the lightless darkness from hardships and

all necessity from all tribulation and from all perplexing straits I beseech you O Baptist John and by your entreaties grant me who am self-condemned in my iniquities surely to belong to the portion of the saved wherein are the choirs of the Saints and joy that is ineffable

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

avior when You hung upon the Cross seeing You the sun became darkened from

overwhelming fear and the curtain of the Temple then was torn in two and the earth shook in every place and likewise in horror rocks and boulders split apart unable to be-hold hanging on a cross their Creator will-fully to suffer unjustly nor the lawless men humiliating You

Same Melody ou received a verdict only King who yourself at Your second coming will

judge the universe and You wore a crown of thorns O Savior on Your head thus O Lover of humankind completely uprooting the thorn of deception by Your mighty sov-ereignty thereupon implanting the knowl-edge of Your great compassion within all who worship Your crucifixion faithfully

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9

For the Theotokos Same Melody

s if to a haven have I run underneath your holy protection O Virgin Mother

pure Have compassion I entreat you and reject me not rather save me your servant from this present affliction being as you are by nature moved to sympathy Always intercede and deliver us your servants from every trial as you are the Mother of the Most High God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

t the crucifixion of your Son and your God immaculate Lady you suffered

much distress Groaning you lamented and you cried tearfully Sweetest Child of mine alas How suffer You wrongly wishing to redeem the sons of Adam born on earth Therefore moved by faith we entreat you fervently O all-holy Virgin cause Him to be clement when He deals with us

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When he took You

divine Apostles you were seen as the trumpets of the divine Word Who had

appeared on earth You declared His saving dispensation unto all By your preaching did you destroy the bastions of error congre-gating peoples unto pious faith in God Therefore you the blessed Disciples wor-thily were given the honors and received the laurel crowns triumphantly

Same Melody egions of the Angels in the heights ap-plauded the holy Disciples and truly they

rejoiced seeing them proclaim the incarna-tion of the Lord with great freedom and confidence declaring to all men This is our God the One who is before all time who assumed our flesh of His own will and who shares the throne with the Father being with the Spirit honored equally

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ince you have been granted grace from God you dispense all manner of heal-

ings under your patronage unto all who run to you divine Saint Nicholas For you ban-ish incurable demonical passions curing all whom you receive into your custody Therefore do we also implore you Pray the Lord that all who extol you always be deliv-ered from impending harm

Aposticha of the Apostles ou have magnified the names of the chief Apostles O Savior throughout the

world They learned the sacred mysteries of heaven they granted healings to those on earth and their shadows alone cured the ill-nesses He who was a fisherman did mira-

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10

cles and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace Through them grant Your great mercy unto us O compassionate Lord

ressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds we flee for refuge

unto You who indeed are God Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say Save us O Master we are perish-ing We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils by the interces-sions of the Apostles overlooking sins with great benevolence Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs reat is the glory that you O Saints obtained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant heal-ings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion When he took You

ll those who for refuge flee with faith unto you O good one you shelter be-

neath your mighty hand We your servants have no other intercessor like you always praying to God for us in dangers and sor-rows sinners that we are bent down be-cause of many misdeeds Therefore we fall prostrate before you Rescue us from every affliction since you are the Mother of the Most High God

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

ince You have been lifted on the Cross O Lover of man the malignant serpent

has utterly been cast down to earth com-pletely overthrown and he lies as a fallen monstrosity while Adam the former con-vict from the curse is loosed and he is being saved Therefore do we also beseech You Save us and take pity on all men and Your blessed Kingdom do vouchsafe to us

Same Melody avior and the Life of all the world when the lawless people suspended You

on a wooden cross all creation horrified then quaked in fear and awe By Your might and divinity the kingdom of Hades disap-peared accompanied by the dominion of death Then too did the forefather Adam joyfully cry out to You Glory to Your con-descension Lord who love mankind

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ure one we entreat you to incline unto our petition and grant us your servants

founts of tears so that we may weep and thereby wash away the stains of our sins O all-blameless one and also extinguish the flame of the never-ending and most bitter fire For indeed you answer the prayers of those who wholeheartedly call on you the holy Mother of our Lord and God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed

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11

him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

ure one when you saw the Bunch of grapes hanging on the Cross wholly rip-

ened which without being tilled you had carried in your womb that is your Son and God you lamented and mourned aloud and cried O my Child let the new sweet wine drip forth O Benefactor by which all intoxication of passions may be swept away in Your mercy through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera When he took You

hen You come again O Christ our God with Your holy Angels in glory to

judge the universe when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed there to render a full account for their every ac-tion then O Word include me in the num-ber of Your sheep granting me from now absolution of my every sin and transgres-sion which I have committed in this present life

Same Melody s the only Lover of mankind break apart the chains of my passions dry up

the festering of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction O Lord and illumine my darkened heart I fervently pray You and deliver me from all adverse predicaments turmoils and unhappy disasters and from all the cunning temptations of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world

For the Theotokos Same Melody

tand by me all-holy Bride of God when my wretched soul is about to be parted

forcibly from the members of my body Also frustrate the plans of the bodiless ene-mies and shatter the fangs of those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly so that having nothing to block me I may unimpededly rise past the rulers of darkness standing in the air

Glory both now Theotokion he shadow of the Law has passed away with the coming of grace For as the burn-

ing bush was not consumed even though it was flaming likewise you gave birth as a virgin and remained a virgin still Instead of the pillar of fire has arisen the Sun of Righteousness instead of Moses is Christ the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

God is wondrous in His saints he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

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The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

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13

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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Mode Three

14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

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Mode Three

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FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

E

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30

Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

Y

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31

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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32

Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

O

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33

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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34

they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

M

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 11: Weekday Vespers

Mode Two

8

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When he took You

s the only sinless One O Christ the only forbearing the only wellspring of

charity see my tribulation see my strait perplexity Wipe away from my wounded soul the scars and the bruises and save me Your servant in Your tender mercy O Lord so that with the clouds of depression gone away I might offer glory unto You my Savior most benevolent

Same Melody have brought corruption on my soul and I have polluted my body and with my

sordid thoughts I have wounded grievously my heart and senses all I have sorely defiled my eyes my ears have I tainted and my tongue have I befouled I am completely depraved Therefore I fall down to You crying I have sinned against You O Master I have sinned forgive and save me Christ my God

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ave me from the everlasting fire from the lightless darkness from hardships and

all necessity from all tribulation and from all perplexing straits I beseech you O Baptist John and by your entreaties grant me who am self-condemned in my iniquities surely to belong to the portion of the saved wherein are the choirs of the Saints and joy that is ineffable

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have sinned against You O Savior Accept me in

repentance O Father and have mercy on me O God

ith the Publican I cry unto You O Christ my Savior Unto me be gra-

cious as You were unto him and have mercy on me O God

For the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

avior when You hung upon the Cross seeing You the sun became darkened from

overwhelming fear and the curtain of the Temple then was torn in two and the earth shook in every place and likewise in horror rocks and boulders split apart unable to be-hold hanging on a cross their Creator will-fully to suffer unjustly nor the lawless men humiliating You

Same Melody ou received a verdict only King who yourself at Your second coming will

judge the universe and You wore a crown of thorns O Savior on Your head thus O Lover of humankind completely uprooting the thorn of deception by Your mighty sov-ereignty thereupon implanting the knowl-edge of Your great compassion within all who worship Your crucifixion faithfully

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

s if to a haven have I run underneath your holy protection O Virgin Mother

pure Have compassion I entreat you and reject me not rather save me your servant from this present affliction being as you are by nature moved to sympathy Always intercede and deliver us your servants from every trial as you are the Mother of the Most High God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

t the crucifixion of your Son and your God immaculate Lady you suffered

much distress Groaning you lamented and you cried tearfully Sweetest Child of mine alas How suffer You wrongly wishing to redeem the sons of Adam born on earth Therefore moved by faith we entreat you fervently O all-holy Virgin cause Him to be clement when He deals with us

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When he took You

divine Apostles you were seen as the trumpets of the divine Word Who had

appeared on earth You declared His saving dispensation unto all By your preaching did you destroy the bastions of error congre-gating peoples unto pious faith in God Therefore you the blessed Disciples wor-thily were given the honors and received the laurel crowns triumphantly

Same Melody egions of the Angels in the heights ap-plauded the holy Disciples and truly they

rejoiced seeing them proclaim the incarna-tion of the Lord with great freedom and confidence declaring to all men This is our God the One who is before all time who assumed our flesh of His own will and who shares the throne with the Father being with the Spirit honored equally

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ince you have been granted grace from God you dispense all manner of heal-

ings under your patronage unto all who run to you divine Saint Nicholas For you ban-ish incurable demonical passions curing all whom you receive into your custody Therefore do we also implore you Pray the Lord that all who extol you always be deliv-ered from impending harm

Aposticha of the Apostles ou have magnified the names of the chief Apostles O Savior throughout the

world They learned the sacred mysteries of heaven they granted healings to those on earth and their shadows alone cured the ill-nesses He who was a fisherman did mira-

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10

cles and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace Through them grant Your great mercy unto us O compassionate Lord

ressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds we flee for refuge

unto You who indeed are God Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say Save us O Master we are perish-ing We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils by the interces-sions of the Apostles overlooking sins with great benevolence Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs reat is the glory that you O Saints obtained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant heal-ings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion When he took You

ll those who for refuge flee with faith unto you O good one you shelter be-

neath your mighty hand We your servants have no other intercessor like you always praying to God for us in dangers and sor-rows sinners that we are bent down be-cause of many misdeeds Therefore we fall prostrate before you Rescue us from every affliction since you are the Mother of the Most High God

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

ince You have been lifted on the Cross O Lover of man the malignant serpent

has utterly been cast down to earth com-pletely overthrown and he lies as a fallen monstrosity while Adam the former con-vict from the curse is loosed and he is being saved Therefore do we also beseech You Save us and take pity on all men and Your blessed Kingdom do vouchsafe to us

Same Melody avior and the Life of all the world when the lawless people suspended You

on a wooden cross all creation horrified then quaked in fear and awe By Your might and divinity the kingdom of Hades disap-peared accompanied by the dominion of death Then too did the forefather Adam joyfully cry out to You Glory to Your con-descension Lord who love mankind

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ure one we entreat you to incline unto our petition and grant us your servants

founts of tears so that we may weep and thereby wash away the stains of our sins O all-blameless one and also extinguish the flame of the never-ending and most bitter fire For indeed you answer the prayers of those who wholeheartedly call on you the holy Mother of our Lord and God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed

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11

him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

ure one when you saw the Bunch of grapes hanging on the Cross wholly rip-

ened which without being tilled you had carried in your womb that is your Son and God you lamented and mourned aloud and cried O my Child let the new sweet wine drip forth O Benefactor by which all intoxication of passions may be swept away in Your mercy through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera When he took You

hen You come again O Christ our God with Your holy Angels in glory to

judge the universe when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed there to render a full account for their every ac-tion then O Word include me in the num-ber of Your sheep granting me from now absolution of my every sin and transgres-sion which I have committed in this present life

Same Melody s the only Lover of mankind break apart the chains of my passions dry up

the festering of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction O Lord and illumine my darkened heart I fervently pray You and deliver me from all adverse predicaments turmoils and unhappy disasters and from all the cunning temptations of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world

For the Theotokos Same Melody

tand by me all-holy Bride of God when my wretched soul is about to be parted

forcibly from the members of my body Also frustrate the plans of the bodiless ene-mies and shatter the fangs of those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly so that having nothing to block me I may unimpededly rise past the rulers of darkness standing in the air

Glory both now Theotokion he shadow of the Law has passed away with the coming of grace For as the burn-

ing bush was not consumed even though it was flaming likewise you gave birth as a virgin and remained a virgin still Instead of the pillar of fire has arisen the Sun of Righteousness instead of Moses is Christ the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

God is wondrous in His saints he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

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The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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Mode Three

14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

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Mode Three

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FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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18

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

E

Y

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30

Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

Y

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31

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

Y

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32

Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

O

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33

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

G

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T

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34

they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

M

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35

attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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36

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

T O

37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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Grave Mode

40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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Grave Mode

41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

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Page 12: Weekday Vespers

Mode Two

9

For the Theotokos Same Melody

s if to a haven have I run underneath your holy protection O Virgin Mother

pure Have compassion I entreat you and reject me not rather save me your servant from this present affliction being as you are by nature moved to sympathy Always intercede and deliver us your servants from every trial as you are the Mother of the Most High God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

t the crucifixion of your Son and your God immaculate Lady you suffered

much distress Groaning you lamented and you cried tearfully Sweetest Child of mine alas How suffer You wrongly wishing to redeem the sons of Adam born on earth Therefore moved by faith we entreat you fervently O all-holy Virgin cause Him to be clement when He deals with us

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When he took You

divine Apostles you were seen as the trumpets of the divine Word Who had

appeared on earth You declared His saving dispensation unto all By your preaching did you destroy the bastions of error congre-gating peoples unto pious faith in God Therefore you the blessed Disciples wor-thily were given the honors and received the laurel crowns triumphantly

Same Melody egions of the Angels in the heights ap-plauded the holy Disciples and truly they

rejoiced seeing them proclaim the incarna-tion of the Lord with great freedom and confidence declaring to all men This is our God the One who is before all time who assumed our flesh of His own will and who shares the throne with the Father being with the Spirit honored equally

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ince you have been granted grace from God you dispense all manner of heal-

ings under your patronage unto all who run to you divine Saint Nicholas For you ban-ish incurable demonical passions curing all whom you receive into your custody Therefore do we also implore you Pray the Lord that all who extol you always be deliv-ered from impending harm

Aposticha of the Apostles ou have magnified the names of the chief Apostles O Savior throughout the

world They learned the sacred mysteries of heaven they granted healings to those on earth and their shadows alone cured the ill-nesses He who was a fisherman did mira-

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10

cles and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace Through them grant Your great mercy unto us O compassionate Lord

ressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds we flee for refuge

unto You who indeed are God Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say Save us O Master we are perish-ing We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils by the interces-sions of the Apostles overlooking sins with great benevolence Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs reat is the glory that you O Saints obtained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant heal-ings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion When he took You

ll those who for refuge flee with faith unto you O good one you shelter be-

neath your mighty hand We your servants have no other intercessor like you always praying to God for us in dangers and sor-rows sinners that we are bent down be-cause of many misdeeds Therefore we fall prostrate before you Rescue us from every affliction since you are the Mother of the Most High God

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

ince You have been lifted on the Cross O Lover of man the malignant serpent

has utterly been cast down to earth com-pletely overthrown and he lies as a fallen monstrosity while Adam the former con-vict from the curse is loosed and he is being saved Therefore do we also beseech You Save us and take pity on all men and Your blessed Kingdom do vouchsafe to us

Same Melody avior and the Life of all the world when the lawless people suspended You

on a wooden cross all creation horrified then quaked in fear and awe By Your might and divinity the kingdom of Hades disap-peared accompanied by the dominion of death Then too did the forefather Adam joyfully cry out to You Glory to Your con-descension Lord who love mankind

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ure one we entreat you to incline unto our petition and grant us your servants

founts of tears so that we may weep and thereby wash away the stains of our sins O all-blameless one and also extinguish the flame of the never-ending and most bitter fire For indeed you answer the prayers of those who wholeheartedly call on you the holy Mother of our Lord and God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed

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Mode Two

11

him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

ure one when you saw the Bunch of grapes hanging on the Cross wholly rip-

ened which without being tilled you had carried in your womb that is your Son and God you lamented and mourned aloud and cried O my Child let the new sweet wine drip forth O Benefactor by which all intoxication of passions may be swept away in Your mercy through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera When he took You

hen You come again O Christ our God with Your holy Angels in glory to

judge the universe when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed there to render a full account for their every ac-tion then O Word include me in the num-ber of Your sheep granting me from now absolution of my every sin and transgres-sion which I have committed in this present life

Same Melody s the only Lover of mankind break apart the chains of my passions dry up

the festering of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction O Lord and illumine my darkened heart I fervently pray You and deliver me from all adverse predicaments turmoils and unhappy disasters and from all the cunning temptations of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world

For the Theotokos Same Melody

tand by me all-holy Bride of God when my wretched soul is about to be parted

forcibly from the members of my body Also frustrate the plans of the bodiless ene-mies and shatter the fangs of those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly so that having nothing to block me I may unimpededly rise past the rulers of darkness standing in the air

Glory both now Theotokion he shadow of the Law has passed away with the coming of grace For as the burn-

ing bush was not consumed even though it was flaming likewise you gave birth as a virgin and remained a virgin still Instead of the pillar of fire has arisen the Sun of Righteousness instead of Moses is Christ the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

God is wondrous in His saints he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

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The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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Mode Three

14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

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17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

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24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

Y

D

R

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32

Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

O

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33

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

G

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34

they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

M

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Mode Pl II

35

attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

Y

Y

O

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Mode Pl II

36

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

T O

37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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Grave Mode

38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

M

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Grave Mode

39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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Grave Mode

40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

Y

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Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

Y Y

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L

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Mode Pl IV

45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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Mode Pl IV

46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

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Page 13: Weekday Vespers

Mode Two

10

cles and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace Through them grant Your great mercy unto us O compassionate Lord

ressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds we flee for refuge

unto You who indeed are God Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say Save us O Master we are perish-ing We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils by the interces-sions of the Apostles overlooking sins with great benevolence Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs reat is the glory that you O Saints obtained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant heal-ings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion When he took You

ll those who for refuge flee with faith unto you O good one you shelter be-

neath your mighty hand We your servants have no other intercessor like you always praying to God for us in dangers and sor-rows sinners that we are bent down be-cause of many misdeeds Therefore we fall prostrate before you Rescue us from every affliction since you are the Mother of the Most High God

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross When he took You

ince You have been lifted on the Cross O Lover of man the malignant serpent

has utterly been cast down to earth com-pletely overthrown and he lies as a fallen monstrosity while Adam the former con-vict from the curse is loosed and he is being saved Therefore do we also beseech You Save us and take pity on all men and Your blessed Kingdom do vouchsafe to us

Same Melody avior and the Life of all the world when the lawless people suspended You

on a wooden cross all creation horrified then quaked in fear and awe By Your might and divinity the kingdom of Hades disap-peared accompanied by the dominion of death Then too did the forefather Adam joyfully cry out to You Glory to Your con-descension Lord who love mankind

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ure one we entreat you to incline unto our petition and grant us your servants

founts of tears so that we may weep and thereby wash away the stains of our sins O all-blameless one and also extinguish the flame of the never-ending and most bitter fire For indeed you answer the prayers of those who wholeheartedly call on you the holy Mother of our Lord and God

Aposticha of the Cross y the power of Your Cross save me O Christ my Savior Who saved Peter in

the sea and have mercy on me O God

Christ our God You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who

believe in You Through it You destroyed

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Mode Two

11

him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

ure one when you saw the Bunch of grapes hanging on the Cross wholly rip-

ened which without being tilled you had carried in your womb that is your Son and God you lamented and mourned aloud and cried O my Child let the new sweet wine drip forth O Benefactor by which all intoxication of passions may be swept away in Your mercy through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera When he took You

hen You come again O Christ our God with Your holy Angels in glory to

judge the universe when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed there to render a full account for their every ac-tion then O Word include me in the num-ber of Your sheep granting me from now absolution of my every sin and transgres-sion which I have committed in this present life

Same Melody s the only Lover of mankind break apart the chains of my passions dry up

the festering of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction O Lord and illumine my darkened heart I fervently pray You and deliver me from all adverse predicaments turmoils and unhappy disasters and from all the cunning temptations of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world

For the Theotokos Same Melody

tand by me all-holy Bride of God when my wretched soul is about to be parted

forcibly from the members of my body Also frustrate the plans of the bodiless ene-mies and shatter the fangs of those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly so that having nothing to block me I may unimpededly rise past the rulers of darkness standing in the air

Glory both now Theotokion he shadow of the Law has passed away with the coming of grace For as the burn-

ing bush was not consumed even though it was flaming likewise you gave birth as a virgin and remained a virgin still Instead of the pillar of fire has arisen the Sun of Righteousness instead of Moses is Christ the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

God is wondrous in His saints he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

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The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

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17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

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24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 14: Weekday Vespers

Mode Two

11

him who had the power of death and granted life to us who were dead because of sin Therefore we cry out to You O Bene-factor of all Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs he prizewinning Martyrs who loved no earthly enjoyments were accounted

worthy of the bounties of heaven They have become fellow citizens of the Angels By their intercessions O Lord have mercy on us and save us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When he took You

ure one when you saw the Bunch of grapes hanging on the Cross wholly rip-

ened which without being tilled you had carried in your womb that is your Son and God you lamented and mourned aloud and cried O my Child let the new sweet wine drip forth O Benefactor by which all intoxication of passions may be swept away in Your mercy through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera When he took You

hen You come again O Christ our God with Your holy Angels in glory to

judge the universe when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed there to render a full account for their every ac-tion then O Word include me in the num-ber of Your sheep granting me from now absolution of my every sin and transgres-sion which I have committed in this present life

Same Melody s the only Lover of mankind break apart the chains of my passions dry up

the festering of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction O Lord and illumine my darkened heart I fervently pray You and deliver me from all adverse predicaments turmoils and unhappy disasters and from all the cunning temptations of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world

For the Theotokos Same Melody

tand by me all-holy Bride of God when my wretched soul is about to be parted

forcibly from the members of my body Also frustrate the plans of the bodiless ene-mies and shatter the fangs of those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly so that having nothing to block me I may unimpededly rise past the rulers of darkness standing in the air

Glory both now Theotokion he shadow of the Law has passed away with the coming of grace For as the burn-

ing bush was not consumed even though it was flaming likewise you gave birth as a virgin and remained a virgin still Instead of the pillar of fire has arisen the Sun of Righteousness instead of Moses is Christ the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs ince the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their

praises to Christ all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved

God is wondrous in His saints he companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said We are soldiers en-

listed by the King of hosts Though you consume us with tortures and fire yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity

T

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12

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

G

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13

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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Mode Three

14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

E

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Mode Three

17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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18

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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Mode Four

20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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Mode Four

21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

L

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Mode Four

22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

OO

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Mode Four

23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

S

O

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H

24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

W

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25

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

M

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Grave Mode

39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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Grave Mode

41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

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45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

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Page 15: Weekday Vespers

Mode Two

12

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

reat is the glory that you O Saints ob-tained through faith For not only in

your suffering did you defeat the foe but you expel evil spirits even after death As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick Intercede with the Lord to have mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ike a flower like a dream so every hu-man being withers up and passes away

and disintegrates But again at the sounding of the trumpet the dead shall all be resur-rected as if in a whirlwind to meet You O Christ our God Then O Master assign the spirits of Your servants whom You have translated from among us to a place in the dwellings of Your Saints O Christ

Glory both now Theotokion Mother of Light I have committed my every hope wholly unto you Keep

me under your shelter

G

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13

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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Mode Three

14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

T

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

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Mode Three

17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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18

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

E

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30

Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

Y

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31

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

Y

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32

Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

O

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33

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

G

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34

they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

M

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35

attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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O

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36

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

T O

37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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Grave Mode

40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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Grave Mode

41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

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Page 16: Weekday Vespers

13

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Third Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Save me O Lord my God7

Lord my God I have sinned against You I have sinned against You for-

give me Cast me not away O Word of God nor loathe me But as You alone are merciful and understanding accept me back in repentance O my Savior as the only One compassionate provide the strength for me to execute Your statutes

Same Melody asten O Lord my God and redeem me from the hand of the adversary I have

fain become enslaved to the deceiver and forsaken Your divine commandments O Master Grant me time for repentance O Compassionate and lead me to compunc-tionrsquos light that I may weep and mourn over my fall O Savior

For the Angels The power of Your holy Cross8

Master You created the choirs of the Bodiless to all thus manifesting the

richness of Your goodness And You brought them into being from nonexistence that they might glorify You with their un-ceasing hymns and never-silent voices

7 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 8 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody9 ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody10

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location

and throughout the world is active and un-lettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion noble one and first among the Saints as the subject of laudations of the celes-

tial orders of the hymns of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets O Lady accept our supplications

9 Σῶσόν microε Κύριε ὁ Θεός microου 10 Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου

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14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

T

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

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17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

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18

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

R

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

A

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 17: Weekday Vespers

Mode Three

14

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction The power of Your holy Cross

he passions of my soul and body that are savagely rebelling are submerging me

dually O Savior They are drawing me into the depths of desperation But as of old with the sea so also quiet them and grant me serenity

Same Melody Lord Your Second Coming will be great and terrible when You will sit in

judgment and execute it justly Thus I pray You judge me not who am condemned already But rather spare me O God and deliver me from the impending crisis

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ease not from supplicating on behalf of all the world we fervently beseech you

O Forerunner thrice-blessed that we may receive divine grace from heaven to trample on the head of the malignant one with you as intercessor

Aposticha of Compunction e offer You O Christ an evening hymn with incense and spiritual songs O

Savior have mercy on our souls

Original Melody ave me O Lord my God save me for You are every manrsquos salvation The

storm of my passions has unsettled me and from the weight of my transgressions I am sinking Extend to me a helping hand O Benevolent and lead me to compunctionrsquos light only Compassionate and Lover of man

For the Martyrs Original Melody11

he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos the protection of all who pray to you in you we trust in you we

boast in you is our every hope Intercede with Him who was born of you on behalf of us your worthless servants

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your holy Cross

ur God and Lord who out of pity took upon himself our whole incarnate na-

ture was fastened to the crossbar And as He himself was lifted up in body He lifted up fallen man as He was pleased to do by virtue of His tender mercy

Same Melody he drops of blood and water coming forth from You O God refashioned creation

when they issued from Your body For You wash away the sins of all in the water and then with Your precious blood O tender-loving Lord You write their absolution

To the Theotokos Same Melody

upine upon the couch of my own negli-gence I lazily have wasted the time of

11 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

T

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Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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Mode Three

16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

E

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Mode Three

17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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18

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

OO

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23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

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24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

Y

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26

For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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27

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 18: Weekday Vespers

Mode Three

15

my existence and I therefore fear the hour of my exit But through your intercessions O Lady raise me up to repentance and save me

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great propitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion The power of Your holy Cross

he blameless Ewe Your Mother who gave birth to You beholding You sus-

pended upon the Cross O Christ my God cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You Cause me not to be childless whom You kept in purity even after childbirth

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles The power of Your martyr Saints12

rant peace unto Your people through the prayers of Your divine and venrsquorable

Apostles O only Lord compassionate in Your love for man and rescue from the terrors all those who sing Your praises and who faithfully worship You the merciful God

Same Melody postles of the Master truly your divine report has gone out to the whole world

and to the ends of all the earth and illu-minated those who lay in darkness and to God presented as incense those who came to know Him

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

he serpentrsquos poison bite has wounded me the prodigal and I am lying prostrate

and brought to desperation By your vigilant petitioning O Hierarch do speedily restore me that I may glorify your grace which is quick to hear

Aposticha of the Apostles nto all the earth your sound has gone out O holy Apostles You destroyed the

delusion of the idols by preaching the knowledge of God This then is your good fight O blessed ones Therefore we praise and glorify your memories

ince you blamelessly kept the injunctions of Christ O holy Apostles you re-

ceived freely and freely you provide heal-ing the infirmities of our souls and bodies Thus since you have access to Him entreat for us that our souls obtain His mercy

12 Μεγάλη τῶν Μαρτύρων σου

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For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

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FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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Mode Pl II

36

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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Grave Mode

38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

M

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Grave Mode

39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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Grave Mode

40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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Grave Mode

41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

Y Y

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Mode Pl IV

45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

L

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Mode Pl IV

46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

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Mode Pl IV

47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 19: Weekday Vespers

Mode Three

16

For the Martyrs stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion The power of Your martyr Saints

Maiden you are the divine angelic powersrsquo joy the glory of Apostles

the Prophetsrsquo confirmation the protection of the people who are faithful a guide unto salvation and therefore we bow down be-fore you O Virgin

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross The power of Your martyr Saints

Lord above all honor as the Lover of mankind for us You were insulted

You tasted of the vinegar and You will-ingly endured the crucifixion so that O Benefactor by Your own death You might redeem all from corruption

Same Melody ou willingly were hung upon the Cross O gracious Lord and unto Your own

Father were offered as a sacrifice and You ended sacrifices unto idols and de-stroyed the dominion of the malignant one O King of all the ages

For the Theotokos When he extended his arms13

e who of old beguiled Adam in Eden to disobey his Creator the same now

having seduced me turning me off of the 13 Σταυροφανῶς Μωϋσῆς

straight way has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway and the hellion dares to vaunt as he beholds me completely fallen down So with the sword of your intercessions O Virgin smite him down and free me from his snares since you are most compassionate

Aposticha of the Cross bow down O Christ and venerate Your precious Cross the keeper of the world

and salvation of us sinners the great pro-pitiation the victory of pious kings and the boast of the Christian world

he tree of disobedience brought death into the world whereas the tree of the Cross

brought life and incorruption Therefore do we worship You the Lord who was cruci-fied Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us

For the Martyrs Original Melody

he power of Your holy Cross O Lord is truly great It stood in one location and

throughout the world is active and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles and made the heathen Martyrs that they might intercede with You O God to save our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion he purest Virgin cried aloud to You O Word of God The world is granted

mercy creation is enlightened and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross O Master But now I suffer my Son as I be-hold Your voluntary suffering

E

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Mode Three

17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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18

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

E

Y

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30

Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

Y

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31

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

Y

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32

Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

O

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33

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

G

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T

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34

they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

M

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35

attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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O

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36

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

T O

37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

O

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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Grave Mode

40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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Grave Mode

41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

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Page 20: Weekday Vespers

Mode Three

17

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera The power of Your holy Cross

Lord You are compassionate and will that all be saved both sinners and the right-

eous that none go to perdition So O Word of God I pray You make me also one of those being saved though I have lived care-lessly ignoring Your commandments

Same Melody ou slumbered in the grave as man O Christ our God You rose again by virtue

of Your invincible power and together raised those dwelling in the tombs for ages Therefore grant rest unto those who have re-posed in faith in the eternal dwellings

For the Theotokos Same Melody

Virgin fervently entreat Him who was born of you that through your interces-

sions He keep your flock uninjured from the machinations of the adversary devil O holy Damsel and grant the strength to every-one to fulfill His divine will

Glory both now Theotokion ow can we not marvel at your theandric14 childbirth O most reverend Maid For

while having had no spousal congress all-blameless one you gave birth unto a Son un-fathered in the flesh Who had unmothered been begotten of the Father before all ages He in no way underwent any change inter-mingling or division but He preserved each naturersquos distinct identity in its totality There-fore O Virgin Mother and Sovereign Lady entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of those confessing you in Orthodox manner to be Theotokos

14 Theandric = of one who is both God and man

Aposticha of the Martyrs he power of Your martyr Saints O Christ is truly great They drive out evil spirits

while lying in their monuments They contended for the sake of true religion and therefore by their faith in the Holy Trinity they destroyed the foersquos dominion

God is wondrous in His saints he Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints taught the world to wor-

ship the consubstantial Trinity and the nations that had been in error they enlight-ened and made the sons of men to have fellowship with the Angels

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

stablished in the faith O Lord with hopersquos assurance and in soul united in

the love for Your Cross Your martyr Saints destroyed the adversaryrsquos tyranny and they received the crowns And now together with bodiless hosts they intercede on behalf of our souls

For the dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord seless are all human things which after death exist no more Wealth does not re-

main neither does glory follow For when death arrives it causes all to vanish So to Christ the immortal King let us cry aloud To those who have departed from among us grant repose where the dwelling of all who are in bliss is in You

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos holy among women Mother unwedded intercede with the

King and God whom you bore that He save us as the Lover of man

O

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18

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

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24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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26

For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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Grave Mode

40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 21: Weekday Vespers

18

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction To a brave one in Martyr Saints15

you misrsquorable soul of mine come and fall down before your God and with

tearful fervor to Him say I have sinned Be-fore the end O unholy thing move the Judge to clemency and wholeheartedly cry out unto Him who is merciful O most gracious God disregard not my penitential sighing nor ignore my heartrsquos contrition O most compassionate Lord of mine

Same Melody he insidious enemy both at night and throughout the day ceases not his ef-

forts to tempt me into sin unto perdition alluring me and to the abyss of vice But since You alone are good have compassion and rescue me from his tyranny and from every necessity and save me O supremely good Lord Jesus from every manner of punishment

For the Angels Same Melody

ou created the hierarchies of the An-gels and regiments of the hosts of

heaven by Your divine command and Your omnipotent beckoning as being benevolent wishing thereby to display Your abundant

15 Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν microάρτυσι

benevolence For it had to be O begin-ningless Master that Your goodness overflow and that it travel and thus become greatly multiplied

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody16

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But then the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned17 by them send down Your great mercy unto us

16 Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι 17 Importune = to request urgently

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19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

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24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 22: Weekday Vespers

Mode Four

19

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Cloud of light rejoice O radiant Lampstand rejoice Jar of manna O

Rod of Aaron rejoice rejoice O holy Moun-tain rejoice O Paradise O holy Table rejoice rejoice O mystical Gate rejoice O hope of all

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When you were called 18

e O my soul like the Canaanitish wo-man Cleave to Christ and frequently

cry out to Him with faith O Lord have mercy on me I pray I have no daughter but my demoniac and unruly flesh Cast out hardness from therein I fervently beseech and while arresting the throbbings of unruly movements completely deaden it by the fear of You at the entreaties of the Maiden who both conceived You O Christ and gave birth to You without stain and of all Saints Benefactor greatly merciful

Same Melody he Prophet Jonah You sent of old O Sav-ior to preach to the Ninevites for they

had greatly sinned When they repented Your anger changed into compassion and they were saved from the devastating wrath Hence O You who love mankind send also unto me who am unworthy Your mighty aid that I may likewise return from my own countless iniquities and be directed to the trodden paths of repentance and weep sighing bitterly so that I be delivered by Your mercy from my many sins

18 Ὁ ἐξ Ὑψίστου κληθείς

For the Forerunner You have given those who fear You19 y the serpentrsquos wickedness has my un-fortunate soul been dimmed Hence I

pray you illumine it through your interces-sory prayers And direct me to walk on the straight paths which lead unto the blessed life I supplicate you O blessed Baptist John that I your worthless suppliant20 having suc-ceeded in my request may with zeal always glorify you O wonderful man of God

Aposticha of Compunction Original Melody

ow I intended O Lord to cancel with my tears the bond against me of my in-

iquities and through repentance so to be pleasing unto You throughout the remainder of my life But the enemy beguiles me and on my soul wages warfare Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ho has been tossed by a storm and hastened to this calm and quiet harbor

whose life has not been saved Or who was afflicted with pain and illness and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored O Creator of all things and Physician of the ailing save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

Glory both now Theotokion You have given those who fear You ou the cleanest palace of the King of all do I now implore Lady widely ex-

19 Ἔδωκας σηmicroείωσιν 20 Suppliant = an alternative form of supplicant

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tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

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21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

OO

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23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

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24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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36

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 23: Weekday Vespers

Mode Four

20

tolled in song Purify my intellect for it has been soiled by many offenses Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity that I your worthless suppli-ant having O pure one through you been saved may rejoicingly magnify your compassion and sovereignty

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You t first You created me from earth O Lover of humankind With Your image

You honored me and granted me the delight which was in the Garden And when I was lured by the tree of knowledge and I fell into corruption You raised me up again Immortal One yourself becoming mortal and being crucified out of great and rich mercy and condescension immeasrsquorable

Same Melody Lord being merciful when You were crucified with yourself did You cru-

cify sin as well By the puncture of the nails did You blot the curse out and by being lanced in the side did You O Christ our God tear up the bond of the first created man I magnify Your sufferings Your resurrection I glorify through which everyone who was dead in the passions was brought to life

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ipe away the sordidness all-lauded Mother of God I pray from this

misrsquorable heart of mine disinfecting all its wounds and its ulcerations which were generated by sin O pure one and arrest the instability of my intellect that even I your wretched servant I your unworthy suppliant

might be able to magnify your great help and ascendancy21

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion To a brave one in Martyr Saints

hen the Ewe lamb who gave You birth saw You hanging upon the Cross mdash

You the Lamb and Shepherd mdash she cried aloud in grief and as a mother she said to You Is this what O dearest Son the defi-ant people gives in return for enjoying Your greatest miracles Even so glory be to Your ineffable divine condescension O only Lover of humankind

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles To a brave one in Martyr Saints

aving spread out the net O Christ of the Faith in a cruciform Your divine

Apostlesrsquo twelve-numbered company brought in the catch of the nations all unto knowl-edge of the truth and they caused the salty

21 Ascendancy = controlling influence

A

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Mode Four

21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

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Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 24: Weekday Vespers

Mode Four

21

seas of the passions to desiccate22 There-fore I beseech through their prayers which are always well accepted call me back again O Savior out of the deep of iniquities

Same Melody et us sing now in holy song and today praise the company of divinely chosen

all-honorable twelve Apostles Peter and Paul and James with Andrew the glorious and divine beloved John Philip Matthew Iakovos wise Bartholomew Thomas Thaddaeus Simon called the Zealot praising Mark and Luke together with all the rest of the seventy

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ou the unwaning beacon light and the lamp of the universe who have bright-

ly shone in the Churchrsquos firmament O holy father Saint Nicholas illumining all the world and dispelling the adverse gloom of difficult dangers and lifting up the storm of depressing despondency and bringing a deep stillness and profound calm do we pronounce blessed gratefully

Aposticha of the Apostles ith the Holy Spirit O Christ did You enlighten the choir of Apostles

Through them wash away the filth of our sins and have mercy on us O God

he Holy Spirit O Christ our God made the illiterate Disciples into teachers And

by the grandiloquent music of the tongues He being Omnipotent abolished delusion

For the Martyrs living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who 22 Desiccate = to dry up

know God and are known by God O lambs whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

Glory both now Theotokion other of Christ our God rescue us from our necessities O Birthgiver of

the Maker of all so that all of us may cry to you Rejoice only patronage of our souls

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross You have given those who fear You ll creation underwent an alteration and shook with fear when it witnessed You

crucified The earth altogether quaked trembling in confusion And the Templersquos curtain from fear was also torn in two when You were outraged forbearing Word of God And then the rocks themselves did split apart for they too were horrified And the sun rec-ognizing You its Creator withheld its rays

Same Melody ow did that most lawless people dare pass judgment condemning You the divine

and immortal Judge Who yourself inscribed the Law of old in the desert for Moses who saw God How was it that when they beheld the Life of all men to die upon the Cross they neither were afraid at all nor in their minds did they reckon that truly You are the only Lord and Master of creation all

For the Theotokos Same Melody

am being shaken by assaults of demons and to the pit of perdition am being thrust

O Lady so pity me and also confirm me on the rock of virtue And when you scatter

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Mode Four

22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

OO

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23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

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24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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25

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

M

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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36

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

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Mode Pl IV

45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

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47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

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Page 25: Weekday Vespers

Mode Four

22

to the winds the plans the enemies have in store for me then grant me to fulfill every divine command of your Son and God so that I might obtain complete absolution on Judgement Day

Aposticha of the Cross Christ You have given us Your Cross as a weapon undefeatable and thereby

we defeat the assaults of the enemy

Christ in possession of Your Cross as a source of help forevermore with ease

we trample underfoot the snares of the enemy

For the Martyrs Christ our God who are glorified in the memorials of Your Saints being

importuned by them send down Your great mercy unto us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion When you were called

o not lament me O Mother when be-holding that I who originally made

creation all and who suspended the earth above the waters freely your Son and God am suspended on a cross Indeed I shall rise again and shall be glorified and by my might I shall overthrow the realm of Hades and I shall cause its power to disap-pear Being compassionate I shall rescue them who are captives therein from its wickedness As the Lover of mankind to my Father I shall bring them in

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera How I intended O Lord to cancel

hatter O Master and God the passions of my wretched heart for they are the carriers

of death If You yourself demolish the house of the flesh and build the house of the spirit in its stead then he who wages the warfare upon my soul watches vainly Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

Same Melody ou gave the enemy for my welfare as a gift and scourge of discipline tender-

loving God For notwithstanding his evil purpose his wickedness cooperates with me for the good Yet I do not flee for refuge unto You through thanksgiving Save me before I utterly perish O Lord my God

For the Theotokos Same Melody

other of God grant me tears I pray you also make my stony heart to be

humble and contrite Grant me to make a complete confession of the sinful actions of my entire life that I may pass the remainder of my life in repentance with your help and obtain the remission of all my sins

Glory both now Theotokion n former times Prophet David ndash Godrsquos fore-bear 23 by you ndash proclaimed melodiously

concerning you saying unto Him who has done great things for you The Queen stood at Your right hand For God showed you forth to be His Mother and agent of life since from you without a father He was pleased to become a man so that He might himself form anew His own image corrupted by the pas-sions and after finding the lost sheep which had gone astray on the mountains and taking it upon His shoulders He might bring it to the Father and by His own will unite it with the heavenly Powers and save the world O Theo-tokos as Christ who possesses the great and rich mercy

23 Forebear = ancestor forefather

OO

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Mode Four

23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

O

S

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H

24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Mode Four

23

Aposticha of the Martyrs Lover of man Who have accepted the holy Martyrsrsquo endurance do also from

us accept this hymnody and by their sup-plications grant great mercy unto us

God is wondrous in His saints ince you have confidence before the Sav-ior O Saints intercede unceasingly on

behalf of us sinners requesting the forgive-ness of our transgressions and great mercy upon our souls

The Lord has done marvelous things for His saints that are on the earth

living sacrifices rational whole-burnt offerings O Martyrs of the Lord and

perfect sacrificial victims of God who know God and are known by God O lambs

whose fold is inaccessible to wolves inter-cede that together with you we also may be shepherded beside the still water of rest

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord ith the spirits of the righteous who have been perfected O Savior grant rest to

the souls of Your servants keeping them in the blessed life which is with You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion aving you O Theotokos as our hope and protection we are not dismayed by the

schemes of the foe for truly you save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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Grave Mode

40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 27: Weekday Vespers

24

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the First Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice 24

oe be to me who moved You to wrath O my compassionate and merciful Lord

and God How many times I have promised O Christ that I would repent and turned out a liar mindless that I am My former baptismal robe have I soiled entirely and dis-regarded the agreements I made with You And a second time I have broken my vows to You For after having freely donned this habit of mournfulness having professed my vocation in front of men and the Angels too unfaithful have I been So O Savior do not leave me to perish utterly

Same Melody hat kind of a defense will you have the day of judgment O unfortunate

soul of mine Or who from the condemna-tion of the continual fire and from all the tortures then shall rescue you Nobody un-less you cease to commit your unlawful acts and rather take hold of a God-pleasing way of life weeping daily for your un-countable trespasses into which you fall every hour in word deed and thought as well and pray to Christ that He grant you complete forgiveness for all of them And thus you will make Him who is known for His compassion propitious unto you 24 Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν

Same Melody oly Archangels I am distressed by the excretions of the passions which fill like

rheum25 the eyes of my heart and darken them and I cannot see at all the ways to salvation Hence as I proceed I wander about and fall badly into the pit of hell But when recalling all your marvelous mira-cles I receive the healing of all my infir-mity O that I might now quickly see your kindly goodwill towards me Hasten and put out the flames of my passions O spirit mes-sengers Release me from evils and direct me to the light of salvation evermore

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

25 Pronounced like room ldquorheumrdquo is the English equiv-alent of the Greek word Λύmicroη the heavily stressed opening word of this troparion in Greek it means a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp of the eyes or nose

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For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

E

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30

Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

Y

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31

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

Y

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32

Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

O

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33

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

G

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34

they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

M

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35

attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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36

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

T O

37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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Grave Mode

40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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Grave Mode

41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 28: Weekday Vespers

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25

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ow awesome and extraordinary and great is the mystery The Uncontainable is

contained in a womb and after birth the mother remained a virgin still For it was God Whom she bore become incarnate from her To Him let us cry aloud to Him let us exclaim our hymn and let us sing with the Angels Holy are You O Christ our God who for us became a man Glory to You

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

avior dissolve my hardness of heart which has resulted from demonic activity

and grant unto me in torrents tears of re-pentance that I may lament my many grave iniquities and also may wash myself clean of all that pollutes my thoughts and from the darkness of forgetfulness be released and may rise unto a perception of what is good Hearken unto me and attend Be gracious to me O Lord and set me free from the pas-sions that are oppressing my wretched soul that I might in You find relaxation and may function according to Your will

Same Melody ood Lord I set in motion my lips that are polluted and extend filthy hands to

You My heart is completely buried be-neath depraved evil thoughts and my eyes are blinded wretched that I am The passions have darkened the soul I carry about with me and the unseemly pleasures cover me all around hateful that I am and from these I have no relief Stretch out Your undefiled hands O Lover of man to me Save me O Savior I cry out to You and cleanse from impurity of many offenses and from ills that are to follow O sympathetic Lord

For the Forerunner Same Melody

holly have I entrusted to You O wise and holy Baptist John all my heart and

mind Become a most earnest patron for me a helper and guard my hope of salva-tion and a source of strength superlative helmsman and a most trustworthy sentinel haven and rampart And O Forerunner res-cue me from pernicious foes and from per-ils deliver me For you have uncontestably the power to intercede and you possess O all-blest one immense compassion and sympathy through which guard and shelter and look out for me while granting great mercy unto me

Aposticha of Compunction ord I do not desist from committing sins and though deemed worthy of Your love

for man I am unmindful Overcome my hardheartedness only One benevolent and have mercy

Lord from fear of You I am terrified and even so I cease not from doing evil

In a court of justice who is not terrified of the judge Or who wishing to be healed enrages the physician as I do Be compas-sionate towards my infirmity O forbearing Lord and have mercy on me

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For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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34

they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 29: Weekday Vespers

Mode Pl I

26

For the Martyrs rmed with the shield of faith and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the

Cross O Lord Your Saints of their own ac-cord went forth courageously to the tortures and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil At their entreaties O omnipotent God send peace down upon the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Theotokion e pronounce you blessed O Virgin Theotokos and we glorify you duty-

bound as believers the city unshakable the wall indestructible the firm and steadfast protection and the place of refuge for our souls

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord Rejoice

hen books shall be laid open O Christ on that most terrifying day when You

come again when all people shall appear before Your just tribunal O Lord every-one awaiting their verdict from You when fire shall pour out and flow in front of the judgment seat and when the trumpet shall be sounded resoundingly what am I the wretch then to do for I am accused by my own conscience and condemned to flames that are never doused O Christ my God hence with fervor do I implore that before the end I might find remission of my sins from You Who grant Your great mercy to the world

Same Melody oing unto Your Passion O Christ upon Your shoulders did You take up Your

precious Cross becoming for us who wish

to live in You a model of how we might live and might be glorified with You We pray You to grant to us who now carry Your death about within ourselves that we be-come the participants of the sufferings and the glory along with You Deaden the movements of my flesh and nail down its members too using the pure and divine fear of You O Lover of humankind And thus making me dead to the world make me alive unto Your commands alone

For the Theotokos Same Melody

eeping I grieve and bitterly sulk when meditating on the terrible reckoning

not having through deeds acquired the ground for even a weak plea in my defense Hence I the wretch entreat O pure one bestow on me the remission of all my sins before my life ends in an hour unknown to me and before the sickle before death and Judgement Day also before I must collect whatever is due to me where the unquenchable fire is the outer darkness and then that worm devouring transgressors And I pray you grant O Virgin great mercy unto me

Aposticha of the Cross ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

he tree of Your Cross O Christ was merely planted in the earth and as a

consequence delusion has been banished and grace has blossomed For no longer is it the punishment of condemnation but rather it was shown to us to be a trophy of salvation The Cross is our firm support the Cross is our boast the Cross is our joyous delight

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For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

L

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Mode Pl I

27

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

esus when she who gave birth to You stood at Your Cross with lamentations she

mourned for You and cried out I cannot bear it to see You nailed to a cross O my Son whom I brought forth into the world For I being husbandless then evaded the la-bor pains So how am I now being blame-less afflicted by such distressing pain which is tearing my heart apart Finally is the word fulfilled which Symeon said to me when he foretold in the Temple that through my own heart a sword would pierce But now O my Child from the dead arise and save all who sing in praise of You

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Rejoice

ou were disciples of the divine and hy-postatic Word of God Who from utmost

love for mankind sojourned with mortals and Who in truth did assume their entire nature deifying it Most glorious wise men therefore you followed in His godly steps and imitated His example of poverty counting everything to be rubbish most pru-dently Thus for your journey you did not provide yourselves with a staff or with a bag and with courage the second tunic you put away And hence you were truly counted worthy to inherit heavenly treasures now

Same Melody y your fervent entreaties redeem us from the surging of temptations O holy

men and from the eloquent prattle of un-devout heresies and from all the demonsrsquo great malevolence all-blessed Apostles and from the tumult of the masses and from the fire that is lightless and from the worm that will never cease and from gnashing of teeth as well Also implore the Lord that we through labors and self-control might thus receive the rewards for attaining virtues with piety and find an allotment and great mercy in the Kingdom of heaven evermore

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ejoice pure habitation wherein the Holy Trinity made its dwelling most

sacred mind the Churchrsquos unshaken pillar and the believersrsquo support for you are the help of all who are oppressed O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers that are well received holy Hierarch Nicholas calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life and are sur-rounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved To Christ pray with fervor holy father that great mercy be given to our souls

Aposticha of the Apostles Disciples of the Savior since you be-came eyewitnesses of mysteries you

preached of Him who is unseen and who has no beginning and you said In the begin-ning was the Logos You were not created before the Angels nor did you learn this from men but from the wisdom from heaven Therefore since you have confidence inter-cede on behalf of our souls

ith songs let us tunefully extol the Apostles of the Lord For having

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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34

they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

Y Y

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Mode Pl IV

45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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donned the panoply26 of the Cross they abolished the delusion of idols and emerged crowned victors By their intercessions O God have mercy upon us

For the Martyrs efusing to deny Christ O holy Martyrs you endured the various painful tortures

with an insatiable willingness of soul You humbled the impudence of the tyrants having kept your faith steadfast and invulner-able and you were translated27 to heaven Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us

Glory both now Theotokion ejoice Maiden full of grace O Mother of Christ God for the King of glory ap-

peared unto you and the all-holy Spirit overshadowed you Since you speak with freedom intercede that our souls be saved

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Rejoice

ishing O most benevolent Lord to end the troubles and reproaches on

mortal men You suffered a most disgraceful death by crucifixion for all O forbearing Savior and You tasted gall in this way removing all our most venomous bitterness And You were wounded with a lance in Your spotless side thereby granting healing O Master unto our wounds Glorious was Your death upon the Cross that we now extol With veneration we honor the lance the sponge and the reed as well through which

26 Panoply = a full suit of armor 27 Translate = to transfer convey

did You freely grant Your peace and Your great mercy unto the universe

Same Melody oses Your mighty servant O Christ set up a brazen serpent thus saving

mortals from the harm of the poison bite of the deadly serpents and thus prefigured Your Passion O compassionate longsuf-fering Lord And now on a cross You were crucified and hence the world has been re-deemed from the serpentrsquos harm and has been uplifted from earth unto heavenrsquos heights Therefore exultantly we sing ex-tolling Your sovereignty and with prostra-tions we honor Your Cross O Lover of hu-mankind For all of creation has through it obtained great mercy and easy-gotten worth

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady since the shoulders of my soul indeed are always heavy laden with

multitudes of sins and with grievous hard-ships and I am bowed to the ground I dare not to lift up my eyes toward the heights And therefore I cry to you from the depths of my heart and say On me have mercy you who ushered into the world from your spotless womb the compassionate God of all Show your illimitable store of marvelous miracles and also stretch out your holy and undefiled hands unto your Son O Virgin and grant me by your fervent supplications salvation of my soul

Aposticha of the Cross n the time of Moses the Prophet O Lord the figure of Your Cross when displayed

by itself defeated Your enemies Now that we possess the very Cross itself we entreat Your assistance Strengthen Your Church and to our kings grant the trophy as You once did to Constantine in the abundance of Your mercy O Lover of man

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ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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31

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Grave Mode

41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 32: Weekday Vespers

Mode Pl I

29

ven if Your Cross appears to be wooden in essence yet it is invested O Christ

with divine power And while appearing visibly in the world invisibly it works the miracle of our salvation We revrsquorence it and thereby glorify You O Savior Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Rejoice

s I behold the lance digging up Your blameless side O dearest Son I am

wounded by the terrible sword of sorrow and I have no strength at all yet to utter even a sigh from my soul Such words the all-pure one said as she stood by at Your Passion and as she witnessed You unjustly be sacrificed O forbearing Lord and exceeding benevolent Where are my tidings of good news and he who told me Rejoice and my ineffable childbirth And where is Peter Your ardent friend She tearfully shouted Even so glory to Your fathomless longsuffering

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Rejoice

pare me Your humble servant O Christ during the hour when my soul shall be

parted from my body upon Your order which once had brought into one the dust and

the spirit by divine command Deliver me from attacks and abuse from the unseen foes who lie in ambush to disjoint me unsparingly and to make of me for themselves something to devour O count me worthy to attain refreshment wherein all pain distress and sighing are absent and wherein issues the torrent of delight and the sound of those who celebrate reechoes and exultation reigns

Same Melody avior I cry aloud unto You as did the Canaanitish woman O heal my soul and

rescue me from demonic harm and from ill-treatment of foes who ever disturb me by abnormal means defacing Your image O Lord in which You created me and who allure me into choosing to ponder on use-less recollections and also reproachful thoughts Fervently I beseech of You to blot them out from my heart and in their place I entreat You there to implant purest fear of You And grant me I pray You to complete my life in peace and humility of soul

For the Martyrs ntercede on our behalf O holy Martyrs that we be delivered from our iniquities

For to you has the grace been given to inter-cede on our behalf

Glory both now Theotokion n the Red Sea an image of the Bride who knew not wedlock was once delineated of

old For thereat did Moses sever the water and herein is Gabriel the server of the won-der At that time Israel without getting wet traversed the deep and now without seed the Virgin gave birth to Christ The sea after the passage of Israel remained impassable the blameless Maid remained incorrupt after the conception of Emmanuel O God the One who is and who ever was and appeared as man have mercy on us

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Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

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47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 33: Weekday Vespers

Mode Pl I

30

Aposticha of the Martyrs ou disdained all earthly things and you manfully defied the tortures And

hence you failed not in your blessed hopes but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven O Martyrs extolled throughout the world Since to our humane God you speak with freedom ask for peace for the world and great mercy upon our souls

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord recalled the Prophet who shouted I am dust and ashes And again I observed in

the graves and beheld the bones that were

naked And I said Who is this a king or a soldier a rich man or a pauper a righteous man or a sinner Even so O Lord grant re-pose with the righteous unto Your servants

Their souls will dwell among good things ou fashioned me O Lord and laid your hand upon me and You commanded

me and said You shall return again to earth Lead me in Your straight way forgive me my offenses and absolve me I entreat You O Lover of man

Glory both now Theotokion e importune you since you are Godrsquos Mother O blessed one intercede for

our salvation

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31

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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32

Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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34

they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

M

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Y

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

Y Y

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L

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Mode Pl IV

45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

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Page 34: Weekday Vespers

31

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Second Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited28

ou O Word of God do not desire the death but repentance of all men who

like myself have committed sins against You O Christ and Lord Being most com-passionate You extend Your mercy unto me Your servant constantly Hence show me sympathy as I now repent and presume to seek forgiveness for my wicked deeds by which I have often embittered You For if You should save me unworthy though I be You shall disclose in me the vastness of Your divine mercies and Your love for man

Same Melody ou want all men to be saved O only Lover of mankind And being compas-

sionate You call to repentance those who offended You Hence I pray You O Lord by no means remember the disgrace of the indecent deeds which I the wretched one woefully committed before Your eyes not shuddering with horror that nobody escapes Your almighty hands Wherefore on my knees now I fall down and I sigh and I la-ment mentally clasping Your holy feet to receive forgiveness from You

28 Ὅλην ἀποθέmicroενοι

For the Angels Same Melody

ominions Authorities the Seraphim and Archangels Angels and immacu-

late Cherubim as well as Thrones over-come with awe all attend Your sublime and most venerated throne and holy glory with respect And all the Powers too with the Principalities glorify Your wonderful magnificence and Your inexpressible provi-dence and they are amazed by Your wis-dom in the things that are O Christ And on behalf of our souls do they intercede with confidence

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful second coming O Christ may we not hear You say I know you

not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not per-form Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

Y

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37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

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Page 35: Weekday Vespers

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32

Glory both now Theotokion believers let us extol archangelically the heavenly bridal chamber and the gate

that was truly sealed Rejoice O Maiden through whom to us sprouted forth the Savior of one and all Christ the Giver of life and God Strike down our enemies the godless tyrants with your hand O im-maculate Lady the Christiansrsquo hope

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction When the saints deposited

holly from my childhood am I en-slaved to the pleasures of the flesh

and have become a haunt of the passions that are oppressing me Totally uncon-cerned with my soul O Savior Your com-mandments I did not regard Nevertheless since You fashioned me and know my infirmity and truly are compassionate and alone without sin forgive the sins which I have committed in knowledge and in igno-rance from youth both with my senses and mentally only sympathetic Lord

Same Melody ho will keep my soul immune to every harm and temptation and who will

deliver me from this death and namely this sordid flesh of mine For when it feels at ease then it tyrannizes and it rises up against the soul And it afflicts again when it is infirm Woe to me the wretch And then O Savior I am not able to endure its infir-mity Hence O my Creator I earnestly en-treat let not the dust defeat the spirit which into me You were pleased to insufflate29

29 Insufflate = to blow into

For the Forerunner She who was forsaken30

otally condemned am I by my vices I am sunk completely in desperation

Yes I am extremely bad in every way and gloomy covered with blemishes all over entirely corrupted woefully by unseemly pleasures and through abuse am worthless I fall prostrate at your feet and beg you O blessed John reject me not but rather rescue me O friend and Forerunner of the Lord

Aposticha of Compunction epentance I have not attained more-over I do not have tears Hence O

Savior You I fervently beseech Before the end convert me and grant repentance unto me that I be freed from the future punishment

t Your frightful Second Coming O Christ may we not hear You say I

know you not For on You we set our hope even if because of our negligence we do not perform Your commandments O spare our souls we fervently appeal to You

For the Martyrs hey who witnessed for You O Christ en-dured many tortures and in heaven fi-

nally received the crown of glory that they might intercede on behalf of our souls

Glory both now Theotokion ou are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick

O Virgin Theotokos Save your city and your flock since you are the peace of the embattled tranquil calm of those in agita-tion and the believersrsquo only patronage

30 Ἡ ἀπεγνωσmicroένη

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TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Mode Pl II

33

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera to the Lord She who was forsaken

od who wish all men to be saved I pray You look down and behold now my

supplication and do not reject my tears as being ineffective Who ever came to You beseeching and was not saved directly Who ever cried to You with fervor and was not heard directly For indeed by all who truly seek You O Sovereign Master You are found to be One quick to save because of Your great mercy O Lord

Same Melody my soul lament now before your exit Fall down in repentance before your

Maker and offer up tears to Him whole-heartedly and cry out to the Messiah with compunction O Word I sinned against You Though I have greatly sinned accept me Abhor me not intensely Righteous Judge I pray do not despise me nor send me off to the inferno O forbearing One be-cause of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Theotokos When the saints deposited

he wedding has been prepared of the celestial Bridegroom The heralds are

calling out Why delay you willfully O be-darkened soul All your garments indeed are filthy and soiled by a lifestyle of de-bauchery And so O wretched one how will you get in Come before the end wholeheartedly fall down before Ever-vir-gin Mary and cry to her Purge me with the hyssop O pure one of your prayers and make me clean And deem me fit for the bridal hall so that I may magnify you

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written31

Christ when she who gave You birth beheld You hanging on the Cross she

cried loudly O my Son what is this strange mystery I witness How is it that You die now crucified in the flesh O Giver of life

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles When the saints deposited

he Apostles of the Lord receiving heavenly power of the Paraclete indeed

put the close arrays of the enemy to flight They rebuked emperors and put wise men to shame Being common and illiterate naked and weaponless they drew up their ranks evangelically They uttered words in-spired by grace whereby they performed their prodigious deeds Therefore as they render the nations all obedient to Christ 31 Τριήmicroερος ἀνέστης

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they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

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Grave Mode

41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 37: Weekday Vespers

Mode Pl II

34

they intercede now with confidence on be-half of our souls

Same Melody y entire earthly life O Lord I spent in indifference I have come unto the

end destitute of any fruit worthless that I am taking now to the grave only the on-erous heavy burdens of my wicked deeds Good One dispel them all through a tilt of mercy O Friend of man and grant com-punction unto me and sincere conversion that saves a man through the intercessions which You O God accept from Your divine Apostles whom with Your Mother I bring to You to intercede

For Saint Nicholas O Christ as it was written

aint Nicholas take pity on me who fall to you O blessed one I entreat you

and illuminate the eyes of my soul O wise father so that I may distinctly behold the sympathetic Giver of light

Aposticha of the Apostles Christ when Your Disciples once aboard a boat were tossed by a storm

then they shouted Save us Teacher we are perishing And now we likewise cry out We pray You O humane One and our Sav-ior rescue us from our distress

t times the Apostles O Lord with nets seized the depth of the sea while at

others with dogmas they seized the height of the Kingdom By their trade they searched the incomprehensible deep And by faith they reached Your uncircumscribable bosom And they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world Through their intercessions and those of all the Saints have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Cross O Lord became For the Martyrs an invincible weapon For

they saw the death awaiting them and yet foresaw the life to come and thus by their hope in You they were strengthened Through their supplications have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion Theotokos you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life Lady we

fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles that our souls be treated mer-cifully

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross O Christ as it was written

h how did You my God submit to slaughter and to death on a cross for the

sake of humankind O merciful piteous and humane One We therefore glorify You for Your compassion O forbearing Lord

Same Melody Shepherd You ascended the Cross and stretching out Your hands cried out

Come to me and be enlightened mortal men bedarkened by delusion for I am Light O glory to You the only Bestower of light

For the Theotokos She who was forsaken

o I am condemned by my sins O Lady and by my iniquities am defiled and I

have displayed contempt for Godrsquos divine commandments Cast me not away from your presence O pure one I beseech you You are my hope and my protectress all-holy Theotokos Hence I beg of you to be

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attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 38: Weekday Vespers

Mode Pl II

35

attentive to my entreaties and to cleanse me from all stain of sin in your great mercy O Mother of God

Aposticha of the Cross our Cross O Lord is life and assistance to Your people And trusting in it we

extol You our God who in the flesh was cruci-fied Have mercy on us

our Cross O Lord has opened Paradise unto the human race And redeemed

from corruption we extol You our God who in the flesh was crucified Have mercy on us

For the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ when You were crucified Your Virgin Mother stood along with the

virgin Disciple near the Cross and cried aloud lamenting Alas How do You suffer this Passion being the dispassion of all

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera She who was forsaken

ave me from perdition which has been laid up O most righteous Judge rescue me

the convict from the everlasting fire O Master I beseech You Make me imper-vious to surgings against me O Word of God Misrsquorable that I am I shudder when I stop and consider the multitude of my of-fenses and I fall down to You with tears

and a contrite heart humbly requesting Your mercy O Lord

Same Melody ho would not lament me who from my lack of self-control have broken the

Lordrsquos commandment for me who instead of Paradise inhabit Hades Food sweet to me in its appearance has turned into bitter-ness Unto Your glory and to Angels have I become a stranger Sympathetic God as I repent now accept me since You are hu-mane and very merciful because of Your great mercy O Lord

For the Martyrs he prize-winning Martyrs and citizens of heaven contended on earth and endured

many tortures By their intercessions and prayers O Lord preserve us all

Glory both now Theotokion ho would not pronounce you blest O all-holy Virgin Who would not sing

praises of your childbirth without travail For He who timelessly shone forth from the Fa-ther the Only-begotten Son did himself come forth from you the pure one having ineffably taken flesh As He was God by nature He likewise by nature for us became man He was not thus divided into two persons but now is rather known in two natures without confusion To Him pray fervently O august and all-blessed Maid that His mercy come upon our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs our Martyrs did not renounce You O Lord nor did they deviate from Your

commandments Through their interces-sions have mercy on us

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For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

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Page 39: Weekday Vespers

Mode Pl II

36

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord our creative command was my beginning and real existence For wishing to con-

struct me as a living creature from both in-visible and visible natures from earth You fashioned my body and You gave me a soul through Your divine and vivifying insuffla-tion Therefore O Savior repose Your ser-vants in the land of the living where the righteous dwell

Their souls will dwell among good things he tasting of the tree of old became the cause of pain unto Adam in Eden when

the serpent discharged his poison For

through him entered death which devoured man and with him the entire species But the Master came and threw down the dragon and gave us resurrection So to Him let us cry aloud O Savior be merciful and with the righteous repose those whom You have taken unto yourself

Glory both now Theotokion O Christ as it was written

Christ at the entreaties of her who bore You and of all the Saints of your

Martyrs your Apostles Hierarchs mo-nastic Saints and Prophets together with the Righteous repose Your servants who have fallen asleep

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A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

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Page 40: Weekday Vespers

37

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching32 ift up your eyes my soul and intently gaze upon Godrsquos economy and His

loving kindness how bowing the heavens He came down to earth thereby to elevate you from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him Indeed an awesome wonder Glory to Your self-emptying O Lover of man

Same Melody omnipotent Lord inasmuch as we have set every hope on You fervently

we supplicate You to redeem us from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace and when having lived a life of purity we might find You our Master mer-ciful and lenient on the day of reckoning

For the Angels The tree of life33

ou have created the Angels flames of fire O Christ thus indicating to us their

great fervor again to mark their swiftness You made them spirits O omnipotent Lord Glory to You 32 Σήmicroερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας 33 Ξύλον ζωῆς

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Theotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching ou have surpassed the orders of Angels in that you incarnated God But I have

exceeded all others in sinning Woe to me for I am fearful and tremble Therefore I in no way even dare now to petition you Hence O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God despise me not but hasten and save me while directing me on the straight and narrow way

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

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Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

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For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

O

Page 41: Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

38

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction Judas today is sleeplessly watching erciful Lord and God of compassion for the purposes known to You grant

me to possess in my heart the fear of You grant me that with all of my soul I may love You grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one and I pray you grant me to execute Your saving will For You are our God indeed who commanded Ask and then you shall receive

Same Melody am the laughingstock of the demons the disgrace of my fellow men lament of the

Righteous the grief of the Angels pollution of the air the earth and the waters for I have defiled my body and now I have stained my soul Through demented acts I have come to be a foe of God Woe to me O Lord I have sinned against You O pardon me for I have sinned

For the Forerunner When you had wisely despised34

culmination of Prophets and the seal of the symbolic law you who are

greater in holiness than all men born on earth O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity out of every necessity deliver us your servants redeeming us from perplexing predicaments

Aposticha of Compunction ike the prodigal son I have returned loving Father As one of Your hired

hands accept me who fall down to You and have mercy on me

34 Καταφρονήσαντες

ike the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded because of my own

sins I have also fallen and my soul has likewise been wounded In whom shall I who am at fault take refuge if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls O God pour on me the oil of Your great mercy

For the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

Glory both now Theotokion No longer are we barred35

ring peace into our lives O merciful Master through the intercessions of the

Theotokos Glory to You O Lord

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

udeans had You nailed to a tree O Master You were able thus by a tree to stay

death Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ou willingly endured being struck O Master that You might deliver man-

kind from bondage Glory to You O Lord

For the Theotokos Same Melody

pure one you extinguished the sorrow of Eve for unto the joy of the world

you gave birth Rejoice O unwedded Bride

35 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα

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39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

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40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

I

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41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

Y

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

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44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

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Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

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For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

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coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

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Page 42: Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

39

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody36

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs Original Melody37

hen you had wisely despised everything on earth O holy martyr Saints and

had courageously acknowledged Christ in the stadium in return for the tortures you re-ceived your rewards from Him Now that you have acquired access to God the omnipotent we beseech you most fervently to entreat Him in earnest to save the souls of us sinners who flee to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ruly have you endured death O Logos for indeed You are crucified Thus the

Virgin Mother cried out and lamented with the most beloved and renowned Theologian O Christ who for us endured the Passion and who mortified death by death now mortify my passions and make of me a participant in Your divine life and save me through Your Motherrsquos prayers

36 Οὐκέτι κωλυόmicroεθα 37 Καταφρονήσαντες

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles No longer are we barred

he sound of Your divine and holy Apostles unto all the ends of the earth

has gone forth Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody ince you have gained the citizenship in heaven teach me to set my mind on the

things of heaven and to utter the divine wills of God

To Saint Nicholas Same Melody

Nicholas the wise Hierarch deliver your supplicants from plagues and from

tribulations earthquakes and necessity

Aposticha of the Apostles glorious Apostles the pillars of the Churches the preachers of the truth

and brightly shining torches with the fire of the Spirit you burned all delusion and enlightened the human race Therefore we beseech you pray unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Apostles of Christ you are the laborers of the Savior For bearing on your

shoulders the Cross as a plowshare you cleared the arid earth of the delusion of the idols and sowed the word of the Faith And therefore you are rightly honored O holy Apostles of Christ

For the Martyrs world-famous Martyrs the spiritual live-stock rational whole burnt offerings

and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellow-

N

S

W

T

T

S

O

O

O

O

Grave Mode

40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

I

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O

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41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

Y

G

I

G

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42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

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Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

Y

N

U

S

O

Y

O

S

Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

Y Y

Y

L

L

L

L

L

Mode Pl IV

45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

L

I

T

T

F

L

YY

Mode Pl IV

46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

A

Y

I

I

T

O

I

Mode Pl IV

47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

O

Page 43: Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

40

ship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

Glory both now Theotokion edeem us O Theotokos from the sins that constrain us for we the faithful

have no other hope except for you and the God who was born of you

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross No longer are we barred

n order to make man God O gracious Master You became a mortal and were

crucified Glory to Your glory O Lord

Same Melody hen You were on the Cross then the sun was darkened and creation trem-

bled and shouted Glory unto You O merci-ful Lord

For the Theotokos Judas today is sleeplessly watching

end me your kindly ear as I pray now unto you O all-blameless one and do

not reject me from before your presence neither send me far away from your assis-tance For behold the wily one with guile contrives to ruin me and with the unreason-able passions he stirs my heart Hence I pray you keep me safe and wholly un-touched by his malevolence

Aposticha of the Cross Original Melody

o longer are we barred from the tree of life for we have the hope of Your

Cross O Master Glory to You O Lord

Same Melody uspended on the Cross O immortal Master You triumphed over the snares

of the devil Glory to You O Lord

For the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Judas today is sleeplessly watching

ierced am I by the sword of my sorrow as I see You upon the Cross You who

have established the earth on the waters and stretched out the heaven as it were a curtain For I see You naked and slaughtered and hanging there O beloved Son of mine And now I prefer to die Stand aghast and shudder O earth Thus the all-pure Lady uttered as she wept

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs holy Martyrs who competed well and received the laurels fervently entreat

the Lord that our souls be dealt with mercifully

world-famous Martyrs the spiritual livestock rational whole burnt offer-

ings and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God the earth did not conceal you but heaven received you and thus you share the fellowship of the Angels We beseech you pray with them unto our Savior and God that He bring peace into the world and that He save our souls

R

I

W

L

N

S

G

P

O

O

Grave Mode

41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

Y

G

I

G

D

42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

W

L

U

S

O

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Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

Y

N

U

S

O

Y

O

S

Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

Y Y

Y

L

L

L

L

L

Mode Pl IV

45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

L

I

T

T

F

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YY

Mode Pl IV

46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

A

Y

I

I

T

O

I

Mode Pl IV

47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

O

Page 44: Weekday Vespers

Grave Mode

41

Of Compunction No longer are we barred

hen You return O Savior to judge the whole world though I have commit-

ted most shameful actions put me not to shame I pray

Glory both now Theotokion ou were known to be a Mother passing nature O Theotokos and still you

remained a Virgin in a way passing speech and thought And no language is capable of explaining the wonder of your childbirth O pure Maid your conception was paradoxical hence the manner of your pregnancy is also incomprehensible For whenever God so wills naturersquos order is overridden Therefore acknowledging you as the Mother of God to you we all intently pray Intercede for the salvation of our souls

Aposticha of the Martyrs lory to You O Christ our God the pride of the Apostles the joy of the

Martyrs whose proclamation was the con-substantial Trinity

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord n Your image and Your likeness You fashioned man in the beginning and set

him in Paradise to rule over Your creation But because of the devilrsquos envy he was deceived and he partook of the fruit thus becoming a transgressor of Your command-ments Therefore You condemned him to return again to earth whence he was taken O Master and to entreat for repose

Their souls will dwell among good things No longer are we barred

rant rest unto our brethren whom You have transferred from the fleeting and

who cry O life-giving Savior Glory to You O Lord

Glory both now Theotokion aniel saw you as a divine holy mountain and the wise Isaiah proclaimed you as

Godrsquos gracious Mother containing God in-carnate Who had fashioned Adam and Whom seeing in the flesh the Cherubim were startled and sang praise and glory with the never-silent voice of the thrice-holy hymn So entreat Him O Lady beseeching Him to save our souls

W

Y

G

I

G

D

42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

W

L

U

S

O

A

Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

Y

N

U

S

O

Y

O

S

Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

Y Y

Y

L

L

L

L

L

Mode Pl IV

45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

L

I

T

T

F

L

YY

Mode Pl IV

46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

A

Y

I

I

T

O

I

Mode Pl IV

47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

O

Page 45: Weekday Vespers

42

A Small Octoechos Weekday Vespers

Plagal of the Fourth Mode

SUNDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal38

oe to you O wretched soul of mine How greatly you will lament at the

judgment when you recall all your deeds when righteous men will be bidden to enter Godrsquos eternal Kingdom while to eternal fire you will be sentenced because of your misdeeds Sigh weep and run to Christ the Redeemer being on this side of death Wash away the multitude of your iniquities

Same Melody hile the time is yet available to you in this present life O my soul fervently

repent and as long as you are here come and grieve for your sins with pain that you might find repose on the other side and be redeemed from eternal punishment Lord Lord compassionate being good account me worthy to become a partaker in the lot of the elect I pray

For the Angels Lord even if You stood39

ord our God all the Seraphim and Dominions as well as Thrones and Au-

thorities and the Principalities extol You with the Powers and Archangels too Angels

38 Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύmicroατος 39 Κύριε εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ

and awesome Cherubim present to You their hymns of praise And through their guardianship O Savior and their interces-sions save our souls

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing

But I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Theotokion What a paradoxal

nimate palace of God rejoice Rejoice O rational dove O rejoice holy city of

your Creator Battlement of the faithful and refuge rejoice and the protection of those who hope on you and their salvation and their deliverance Ladder and bridge rejoice that conveys to heaven the believers all Ever-blessed one rejoice all-holy Lady rejoice

W

W

L

U

S

O

A

Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

Y

N

U

S

O

Y

O

S

Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

Y Y

Y

L

L

L

L

L

Mode Pl IV

45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

L

I

T

T

F

L

YY

Mode Pl IV

46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

A

Y

I

I

T

O

I

Mode Pl IV

47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

O

Page 46: Weekday Vespers

Mode Pl IV

43

MONDAY VESPERS

Stichera of Compunction What a paradoxal

hom do you resemble O my soul as you are passing the days of your life

in great indolence heavy with the deepest sleep of intractable lethargy Wretch that you are now run and anticipate and fall down prostrate to Him who knows all things Cry out and supplicate that He give you time in order to repent before you become the fuel for the unquenchable fire

Same Melody ou know the weakness of human flesh as our Creator and Lord as our Maker

You thoroughly understand the sluggishness of our nature O Christ our God Abate I pray You the surging in my heart bestow-ing calmness upon my humble soul Grant me correction of my unseemly deeds and from eternal fire rescue me for only You are most compassionate

For the Forerunner Same Melody

ever abandon your votary40 never reject me I pray so that I may extol

and praise venerate and glorify and devotedly celebrate your bright divine name synonymous with grace O holy Prophet Forerunner Baptist John Under the wings of your venerable intercessions evermore shelter me and guard me from evils of every kind

Aposticha of Compunction nto You the King and Master Angels offer hymns of glory without ceasing But

I as the Publican fall down to You and cry out O God be gracious unto me and save me

40 Votary = devoted admirer

ince you are O soul of mine immortal let not the waves of life overwhelm you

Be serious and cry out unto your Benefactor O God be gracious unto me and save me

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord make supplication unto our God and request a multitude

of tender mercies for our souls and the expiation we beseech of our manifold iniquities

Glory both now Theotokion our shelter O Virgin Theotokos is for us a spiritual clinic for therein taking

refuge we are freed from disorders that affect the soul

TUESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross What a paradoxal

most benevolent Word of God who were suspended for us on the Cross as

a criminal snatch us from the future fire and the frightening sentence we pray also exempt us from every penalty having the Mother of God imploring You For Lover of mankind every one of us on any given day angers You with sinful thoughts O most benevolent Christ

Same Melody eeing You the sun was horrified as it beheld You O Lord to be stretched out

upon the Cross voluntarily And earth shook and also the stones split apart The tombs in turn also opened out of fear And all the heavenly Powers stood in awe Then as the Virgin watched You O Jesus hang-ing there upon the Cross she cried out and said Alas What is this sight I see

W

Y

N

U

S

O

Y

O

S

Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

Y Y

Y

L

L

L

L

L

Mode Pl IV

45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

L

I

T

T

F

L

YY

Mode Pl IV

46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

A

Y

I

I

T

O

I

Mode Pl IV

47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

O

Page 47: Weekday Vespers

Mode Pl IV

44

For the Theotokos Same Melody

ady and the Mother of our God rejoice O singular hope and support of the

human race sanctuary O rejoice sacred lampstand of light rejoice glittering palace of God the King rejoice rejoice O lantern bearing the holy light rejoice O undefiled glory of virginity again rejoice fount that gushes healings for all those who come to you

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

For the Martyrs Original Melody41

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Same Melody

amenting as she watched You the only long-suffering and gentle Master being

attached with nails unto the Cross Your Mother poured out a flood of tears And greatly amazed by Your superlative charity and superhuman sympathy she lauded Your dominion and Your omnipotence

41 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Apostles Lord even if You stood

ord our God You illuminated the Apos-tles with the brightness of the Paraclete

and set them as luminaries brightly illu-minating the entire world with the intel-ligible light O Master of the knowledge of You and for this reason do we worship Your immeasrsquorable benevolence

Same Melody ord our God by the Apostlesrsquo interces-sions setting a wall round about Your

flock You preserve it unagitated by dis-turbances from enemies for with Your own precious blood O Savior having ransomed it being compassionate You freed it from its bondage to the hostile foe

For Saint Nicholas Same Melody

ord our God hearing the divine suppli-cations which are at all times acceptable

to You of the Hierarch deliver us Your servants from adversities perils and hard-ships and all calamities O Lover of man for we faithfully worship Your ineffable omnipotence

Aposticha of the Apostles Same Melody

ord our God while on earth the holy Apostles sincerely longing to be with

You counted all other things as rubbish so that You alone they might obtain and for the love of You they gave their bodies up to martyrdom And therefore now enjoying glory they intercede with You on behalf of our souls

L

Y Y

Y

L

L

L

L

L

Mode Pl IV

45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

L

I

T

T

F

L

YY

Mode Pl IV

46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

A

Y

I

I

T

O

I

Mode Pl IV

47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

O

Page 48: Weekday Vespers

Mode Pl IV

45

Same Melody ord our God You have caused the holy Apostlesrsquo memrsquory on earth to be magni-

fied and when we assemble together to observe it we all sing Your praise for You provide us through them with healing of in-firmities and at their supplications You give peace and great mercy unto the world

For the Martyrs f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Glory both now Theotokion What are we to call you42

hey who had become worthy to behold God in body did proclaim you as a pure

and virgin Bride who was worthy of the Father and of His Divinity and called you the engenderer of God the Word O Damsel and the Holy Spiritrsquos dwelling place be-cause indeed all the fullness of the God-head bodily dwelt in you while you yourself most abundantly were full of grace

42 Τί ὑmicroᾶς καλέσωmicroεν

THURSDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Cross Your Angel who proclaimed43

hat lawless people sentenced You Who were the Lord and the Creator of all the

world to be crucified in the midst of the outlaws O my Jesus And the earth when it saw the effrontery altogether shook with fear thus witnessing O Master that You were the Maker of all

Same Melody rom the curse of the law and from our sins are we all now delivered for the Lord

and giver of the Law was lifted up upon the Cross we now honor He pours out a bless-ing that never abates and mercy and His grace unto us who laud Him extolling His sufferings

For the Theotokos What a paradoxal

ady Theotokos O rejoice scepter of David rejoice O celestial gate rejoice

unconsumed bush rejoice mountain shady and dense rejoice rejoice O lamp-stand rejoice O golden urn rejoice O palace rejoice all-blameless one rejoice immaculate Mother of our God rejoice O tongs rejoice holy table and the hope of all the world rejoice

Aposticha of the Cross ou were lifted on the Cross O Christ our God and You saved the human race

therefore we glorify Your sufferings

ou were nailed upon the Cross O Christ our God and You opened the gates of

Paradise You our Redeemer do we glorify

43 Ὁ ἄγγελός σου Κύριε

L

I

T

T

F

L

YY

Mode Pl IV

46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

A

Y

I

I

T

O

I

Mode Pl IV

47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

O

Page 49: Weekday Vespers

Mode Pl IV

46

For the Martyrs Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

Glory both now Stavrotheotokion Your martyr Saints O Lord

s she beheld You crucified and being put to death the Theotokos cried out Alas

for me O sweetest Son how can You endure the awful pains Your lance is piercing through my own heart as well and Your Passion is setting my reins on fire But even so I laud You for willingly You suffer to save the human race

FRIDAY VESPERS

Stichera of the Martyrs Original Melody44

our martyr Saints O Lord having become oblivious to lifes endeavors

even disdaining the tormenting tortures all for the life which is to come came to be regarded its inheritors Therefore they exult with the angelic hosts Bestow upon Your people great mercy at the fervent appeals of these Your Saints

f there be virtue and if there be praise it is fitting for the Martyrs for they bowed

their necks to the broadsword for You who bowed the heavens and descended They spilled their blood for You who emptied yourself and took the form of a servant and they let themselves be humbled even unto death in imitation of Your poverty So according to the multitude of Your tender 44 Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε

mercies through their prayers O God have mercy on us

Of Compunction What a paradoxal

have become like the barren tree wear-ing as valueless leaves a demeanor of

holiness and I am afraid O Lord lest You chop me and send me away to inextin-guishable eternal fire But grant me rather a season to repent so that I may bring forth unto You the good fruits of virtuous deeds and so that I might attain unto Your heavenly realm

Glory both now Theotokion he King of heaven out of love for man-kind appeared on earth and lived among

men He is one Son twofold in nature but not in hypostasis for He took on flesh from a pure Virgin and came forth from her with that which He had assumed Therefore we confess Christ our God truly proclaiming that He is one and the same perfect God and perfect man Intently pray to Him O unwedded Mother to have mercy on our souls

Aposticha For the Martyrs

Martyrs of the Lord you sanctify every locality and you heal every infirmity

Therefore now intercede that our souls be delivered from the snares of the enemy we pray to you

For the Dead Blessed are they whom You have chosen and

taken to yourself O Lord mourn and lament when I consider death and see lying in the tombs the beauty made

for us in the image of God become un-sightly inglorious and bereft of complexion Oh the wonder Why has this mystery about us occurred How have we been handed over to decay How have we been

O

A

Y

I

I

T

O

I

Mode Pl IV

47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

O

Page 50: Weekday Vespers

Mode Pl IV

47

coupled with death Indeed as it is written at the order of God Who provides repose for those who have passed away

Their souls will dwell among good things our death O Lord gave rise to immor-tality for if You had not been con-

signed to the tomb then Paradise would not have been opened Therefore grant repose to the departed in Your love for man

Glory both now Theotokion holy Virgin the gate of the Logos and the Mother of our God beseech Him

that we be saved

Y

O