Triodion
"Cheesefare Week" Wednesday Matins
(after
the 2nd reading of the Psalter):
Sessional
hymn Tone 2
Grant us to pass in peace and humility
Through the days of cleansing that prepare us for the
fast.
In your ineffable love for mankind, Christ our God,
Destroy the evil plans of the enemy.
Preserve us all by your cross,//
For you alone know the secrets of our hearts.
Glory...
Grant us to pass through...
Now and
ever... (Theotokion)
Your Virgin mother, standing by your cross,
Could not bear to see you suffering unjustly.
Weeping and lamenting, she cried out to you:
Child, dear to my heart,
How do you suffer your passion when by nature you are impassable?//
I sing The Praises of your perfect love!
TRIODION
"cheesefare
week" Wednesday
Matins
(we follow the lenten order
for the entire service. We sing the
Three-canticle Canon: odes 3,8, and 9.)
Apostikha
Tone 1
In vain do you rejoice in not eating, my soul!
You abstain from food, but are not purified from passions!
If you have no desire for improvement,
You will be despised as a lie in the eyes of God!
You will be compared to evil demons, who never eat!
If you continue in sin, you will perform a useless fast:
Therefore, remain in constant warfare,
That you may stand before the crucified Savior,
Or rather that you may be crucified with him who died for your sake://
Remember me, Lord, when you come in your kingdom!
In vain do you rejoice in not eating, my soul...
No tribulation, threat, or hunger,
Persecution, fire, sword, or savage beast
Could separate the holy martyrs from God!
They were bound by his love, and lived as exiles in this world!
Their suffering has won them a glorious prize:
They inherited the heavenly kingdom,//
Where they ceaselessly pray for our souls!
gne... (Theotokion)
The blameless Virgin cried out with tears
When she beheld the lamb suspended on the cross:
What is this new and fearful sight, my beloved son?//
How can the creator of all be nailed to the wood in the flesh?
TRIODION
"cheesefare
week" Wednesday
Sixth Hour
Troparion
of the prophecy Tone 3
King, holy and almighty,
Before you all creation stands in fear and trembling!//
Save us and forgive our sins, in your great mercy.
Prokeimenon Tone 6
O Lord, save your people,
* and bless your
inheritance!
Verse: to you, Lord, will I call;
my God, be not
silent
to me!
prophecy: joel 2: 12-26
Prokeimenon Tone 7
The Lord will give strength to his people!
* the Lord will bless his
people
with peace!
Verse: give to the Lord, sons of God,
give to the Lord
glory and
praise!
TRIODION
"cheesefare
week" Wednesday
Vespers
Prokeimenon Tone 5
Save me, O God, by your name
* and judge me by your
strength!
Verse: hear my prayer, O God;
give ear to
the
words of my mouth!
Prokeimenon Tone 6
Let
Verse: Lord, my heart is
not lifted up; my eyes are
not
raised too high!
TRIODION
"cheesefare
week" Wednesday
Vespers
Apostikha
Tone 3
The lenten spring has come!
The flower of repentance!
Brethren, let us cleanse ourselves from all evil,
Crying out to the giver of light://
Glory to you, lover of mankind!
The lenten spring has
come...
Your martyrs, Lord,
Were confirmed by faith and strengthened by hope.
Spiritually united by love of your cross,
They overcame the tyranny of the enemy.
They have obtained crowns of glory,//
And together with the angels, they pray for our souls!
gne...
(Theotokion)
You are the joy of the heavenly host,
The apostles' song and the prophets' fulfillment!
Accept our humble prayers,//
Pure and most blessed lady!