Disciples of the Savior,
Fixed and unmoving stars that shine upon the world,
Give light to my soul, blinded by sin;
Grant that I may share in the day of the Lord
Keeping the commandments of salvation!
Deliver me from hell's darkness where no light shines,
That I may give you glory!
Glory...
Disciples of the Savior...
Now
and ever...
Theotokion
Holy lady, mother of Christ our God,
You have ineffably borne the maker of all!
Together with the holy apostles,
Pray to him at all times, that in his love//
He may release us from the passions and grant us
remission of our sins!
(after the 3rd reading of the Psalter)
Sessional hymn(by Theodore) - Tone 6
Divine apostles,
Stars that shine on all the world,
Give light to us who sing your praises as we keep the
fast!
We pray that we all may be counted worthy
To look upon the wood of the life-giving cross with pure
eyes,
Embracing it with pure lips and crying aloud with joy:
O Lord, Glory to you!
Glory...
Divine apostles...
Now
and ever...
Theotokion
Virgin Theotokos, good hope of the world:
I ask only for your strong protection!
Have compassion on your defenceless people:
Only blessed one, pray to the merciful God//
That our souls may be delivered from every threat.
Apostikha - Tone 6
I, the prodigal, have fallen from sonship.
I have lived with swine as a slave,
Eating food below their fare!
Turning from evil to good, I cry in repentance:
Father, I have sinned before heaven and before you!
Grant me great mercy as I return.
I, the prodigal, have fallen...
Our God has shown marvellous things
In his chosen and saints.
Rejoice and be glad, you his servants!
He has prepared crowns and his kingdom for you!
But do not forget us, we entreat you!
Glory... Now and ever...
Theotokion
Theotokos,
You are the true vine who blossomed for us the fruit of
life:
Implore him, we pray you, lady,
Together with the apostles and all the saints,
That he will have mercy on our souls.
Sixth Hour
Troparion of the prophecy Tone 3
Lover of mankind, if you remember our sins,
What is our hope of salvation?
But grant us your help from on high, Lord,
For you are bountiful!
Prokeimenon of the prophecy Tone 4
Save me, O God, by your name * and
judge me by your strength. Versehear my prayer, O God, and
hearken to the words of my mouth.
Hear my prayer, O God,
* and do not hide from my supplication!
Verse: Attend to me, and answer
me!
Thursday Vespers
"Lord I call..."
Tone 5(by Joseph)
Savior, our true sweetness!
Of old, you sweetened the bitter waters of mara
With the wood that prefigured your divine cross.
On it you freely willed to be crucified.
You tasted gall, and your side was pierced by a lance
Releasing the water of redemption
For the renewal of the man of earth!
Therefore, we glorify your ineffable power.
We beseech you, Lord: grant us the fear of you in the
fast,
Forgiveness of sins, and great mercy!
Word, crucified upon the cross,
Gathering together those who had departed from you:
You have lifted up my reason from the poisoning of
passion.
Enrich me now with every good work,
Instilling in my heart the purest fear of you;
In my soul, perfect love for you.
By abstinence, prayer and petition may I please you
Ahd receive great mercy,
Beholding the day of your resurrection in joy!
Tone 1 (by
Theodore)
We have completed the third week of the precious fast.
Enable us, Christ the word,
To behold the wood of your life-bearing cross,
To bow before it worthily,
To praise and glorify your majesty,
To exalt and magnify your passion,
To attain in purity the holy, glorious resurrection
Through which Adam re-enters paradise:
The mystical Pascha!
Prokeimenon Tone 6
Have mercy on me, O God
* for men trample upon me!
The life of all was hung on the wood of the cross.
Give life to my soul, mortified by passions, O Christ.
Do not forsake your lost sheep forever, gracious
shepherd,
Though I have forsaken your commandments and the riches
of sinlessness.
I have corrupted myself through foolish endeavors.
But draw me in repentance and renew me, only merciful
one.
The life of all...
Your martyrs, Lord, did not deny you.
Nor did they turn from your commandments.
By their intercessions have mercy on us.
Glory... Now and ever...
Theotokion
When your mother beheld you crucified, O Christ,
She cried: what strange mystery do I see, my son?
How are you dying upon the cross?
Crucified in the flesh?
The giver of life!