HYMNS AND READINGS FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT—ST MARY OF EGYPT

TROPARIA AND KONTAKION
HYMNS OF THE DAY AND SEASONAL HYMN

TROPARION OF MARY OF EGYPT IN TONE EIGHT

In you, O Mother Mary, was restored the likeness of God, for you carried your cross and followed Christ, you taught by your deeds how to spurn the body, for it passes away, and how to value the soul for it is immortal. Wherefore, your soul is forever in happiness with the angels.

KONTAKION OF THE ANNUNCIATION IN TONE EIGHT

Triumphant leader, to you belongs our praise of victory, and since you saved us from adversity we offer you our thanks: We are your people, O Mother of God. So, as you have that invincible power, continue to deliver us from danger, that we may cry out to you: Hail O Virgin and Bride ever pure.

PROKIMENON
Gradual — Responsory

Make your vows and pay them to the Lord our God;
All that are round about Him shall bring gifts.

In Judea is God known, His Name is great in Israel.

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE HEBREWS

BRETHREN: When Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) He entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but His own Blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the Blood of Christ, Who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

ALLELUIA

Come let us rejoice in the Lord, let us shout with jubilation unto God our Savior.

Let us come before His countenance with thanksgiving,
and with psalms let us shout in jubilation unto Him.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK

AT THAT TIME: They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, He began to tell them what was to happen to Him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and spit upon Him, and scourge Him, and kill Him; and after three days He will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Him, and said to Him, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You." And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And they said to Him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to Him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not Mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to Him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."