Stretched out and killed upon the cross, O Christ,
You killed our enemy, the serpent, source of evil!
You have restored to life those killed by his sting,
Therefore, I entreat you, Savior:
Give life to my deadened soul,
For I turn to you in prayer and fasting.
Glory...
Stretched out and killed upon the cross, O Christ...
Now and ever...
Theotokion
When the ewe beheld, O Christ,
Her lamb hanging on the cross between two evildoers,
She cried out to you, weeping and lamenting bitterly:
Dearest child, what is this wonder I see?
You replied: most pure mother,
This wonder shall bring life to all the world!
(after the 3rd reading of the Psalter):
Sessional hymn Tone 3
As we pass through the solemn time of abstinence,
Let us sound the trumpet and cry aloud:
Life has blossomed in the world through the fast!
The death that comes from self-indulgence is destroyed!
Guard your servants in the fast
By the power of your cross, O Christ the Word!
Glory...
As we pass through the solemn time of abstinence...
Now and ever...
By your own free choice, compassionate Christ,
You endured a shameful death on the cross.
When your mother saw you she was wounded in heart
And beating her breast, lamented with a mother's sorrow.
At her prayers, through your tender mercy,
Have pity on the world and save it, for you take away its sin.
Apostikha Tone 7
Death came into the world through the tree forbidden in paradise,
But by your cross, you destroyed death, Lord!
Through this fast, deliver us from every pleasure that corrupts the soul;
Enable us to bear the food that nourishes eternal life,
So that we may receive the incorruptible sweetness of heavenly crowns
Which you have prepared for those who truly fast; we beseech you.
Death came into the world...
You were lights for the universe
All-laudable, suffering saints,
Crying to Christ: O Lord, Glory to you!
Glory... Now and ever...
Theotokion
When the blameless Virgin saw you voluntarily nailed to the wood,
She wept, singing praise to your majesty.
Triodion
Second week of Lent Wednesday Sixth Hour
Troparion of the prophecy Tone 6
Most high God, who dwell in the heavens,
Who created all that has breath,
Save us, for we have hoped in you, our Savior!
Prokeimenon of the prophecy Tone 5
To you, Lord, will I cry * and to my God I will make supplication. Verse: I will extol you, Lord, for you have drawn me up.
In you, Lord, have I hoped * let me never be put to shame. Verse: Deliver me in your righteousness and rescue me.
Triodion
Second week of Lent
Wednesday Vespers
"Lord I call..."
Tone 1
Having undertaken the spiritual fast, brethren,
Let us speak no lies with our tongues,
Nor give each other a cause for scandal.
But illumining the light of our souls through repentance,
Let us cry to Christ with tears:
Remit our falls in sin, lover of mankind.
Martyrs, worthy of praise,
The earth did not cover you,
But heaven received you,
Opening to you the gates of paradise,
Where you dwell, delighting in the tree of life.
Entreat Christ to grant our souls peace and great mercy!
Tone 3
Through the prayers of your divine apostles, Lord,
Enable us to perform a proper fast, with compunction of mind.
That, being saved by you, we may glorify you,
Gracious and merciful God.
Your coming will be great and fearful, Lord,
When you will come in righteous judgment.
Do not condemn me, though I stand condemned,
But spare me as the compassionate God,
Through the acceptable prayers of your apostles.
Tone 6
Apostles of Christ,
The lights of those born on earth,
And treasuries for the world of the knowledge of God.
Through your prayers deliver those who praise you from temptation.
Enable us to pass the time of fasting in peace, as children,
So that having attained the passions of Christ,
With boldness we may offer songs of praise to our God.
Prokeimenon Tone 6
Be glad in the Lord, * and rejoice, O you righteous. Verse: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven!