End of Triodion

The Triodion season ends on the Friday before Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday). We have together walked a journey reflecting on the Incarnation, the Cross, our unworthiness and the great mercy of our Lord. During this time we have practiced fasting and abstinence and offered our Lord the meager sufferings of our flesh in thanks for the divine Love He so freely grants us.

Saturday and Sunday before Holy Week are, as it were, a rest-stop along the way to Calvary. While we will continue our Lenten efforts of self-discipline, we pause to rejoice at the miracle that was a foretaste of our Lord's glorious Resurrection and a sign of promise for us -- the raising of Lazarus the Just from the dead. We also celebrate our Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusalem and symbolically reenact the praise of the people in our procession with palms (and in some areas pussy willows).

Yet even as these joyous moments were themselves also harbingers of the pains our Lord would suffer in the days leading to the Cross, our celebrations are tempered with sobriety as we look forward to the services that will mystically place us along the Via Dolorosa to share with the Apostles and disciples the horror and sadness of our Lord's Passion.

We prepare to enter Holy Week with an admixture of fear and joy, sadness and hope, knowing that only through the Cross do we find the Resurrection.

My thanks to everyone who has followed this humble blog over the Lenten Season. I pray you have joyous sorrow during Holy Week and encourage you to take part in as many Holy Week services as possible. I may add a few short entries concerning the traditional Byzantine Holy Week celebrations, but otherwise will refrain from further blogging until after Pascha.

Thanks be to God! In all things, thanks be to God! His mercy is great, His Love is supreme, His longsuffering is generous, His forgiveness in invincible, and as we cling to the Cross of our salvation, let us all say: Thanks be to God!

Friday of the Sixth Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians

Brethren: God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God -- not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew

At that time: Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took him to the holy city, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will give his angels charge of you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! for it is written, `You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.

The Prokimenon, Alleluia and Kinonikon are the same as for the first week of Lent.

From the Triodion

The two chosen Apostles who recognized You as One of the Trinity, O Christ, have now been sent by You to bring a colt, the foal of a beast of burden, as it is writen. You humbly sit on it, O compassionate One, who in accordance with Your plan, prepare a place on high for all who love You, and cause all those who have subdued their foolish and irrational desires to cry out to You: Hosanna!

From O Lord, to You I Cry, Vespers, Friday, Sixth Week of Lent

Deliver me, O Christ God, from being like the merciless and selfish rich man, O You who by Your Cross cleansed us from transgressions. Make me an imitator of poor Lazarus' grateful patience. Do not estrange me from the bosom of Abraham, because of Your great mercy.

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Friday, Sixth Week of Lent

Thursday of the Sixth Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians

Brethren: When the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke

At that time: A ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth."And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

The Prokimenon, Alleluia and Kinonikon are the same as for the First Week of Lent

From the Triodion

As You walked in the flesh, O Jesus, in the land beyond the Jordan, You said to those with You: Lazarus, our friend, is already dead and has been laid in the tomb. but I rejoice for you, friends, for you will learn that I know all things and am inseparable from God, even though by nature I appear as a man. Therefore, let us go and give life to Lazarus, so that Death may recognize this victory and the perfect consummation I shall bring about by granting to the world great mercy.

From O Lord, to You I call, Vespers, Thursday, Sixth Week of Lent

In your unshakable resolve, you never denied Christ, O holy martyrs, as you endured the most terrible torments. You triumphed over the arroagance of the tyrants and kept the faith, whole and entire, as you passed from earth to Heaven. By the confidence you have in the presence of God, pray that He grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.

Hail, O Full of Grace, Mother of Christ our God: the King of Glory revealed Himself to you and the Holy Spirit overshadowed you. By the confidence which you have before Him, intercede on our behalf for the salvation of our souls

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Thursday, Sixth Week of Lent

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians

Brethren: Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke

The Lord spoke this parable: The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

The Prokimenon, Alleluia and Kinonikon are the same as for the first week of Lent

From the Triodion

Sick from the assaults of many passions, my heart is on the way to the horrible grave of laziness to be covered with the stone of insensibility. O Savior, who by the wood of Your life-giving Cross have given life to all the dead, awaken me and give me life so that I may glorify Your divinity with awe.

From O Lord, to You I Call, Vespers, Wednesday, Sixth Week of Lent

Clothed in the God-woven purple of freedom, the fine linen of incorruption, O my soul, you have mocked your own dignity. You have sought pleasure andwealth in sin, looking down on your brethren, as the rich man on poor Lazarus. May you not be punished with the rich man. Be poor in spirit and cry out to the Lord, humbled for your sake: O You, who wore the purple of mockery before the Cross and were crucified for my sake; deliver me from eternal shame, vesting me in the robe of Your Kingdom, O Christ!

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Wednesday, Sixth Week of Lent

Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Lent

The Reading from the First Epistle of St Paul to the Thessalonians

We exhort you, brethren, admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always,pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit,do not despise prophesying,but test everything; hold fast what is good,abstain from every form of evil.May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Mark

At that time: He charged them to tell no one about him. And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men." And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

The Prokimenon, Allleulia and Kinonikon are the same as for the First Week of Lent

From the Triodion

Unfortunate as I am, I have weakened my soul by my many transgressions and the pleasures of life, spending all my time in the bed of laziness. But now I cry out to You: O master, come and take me home! Grant me health and grace, O compassionate One! Do not condemn me, O my Savior, lest I sleep the sleep of death and the Enemy rejoice over my downfall, for he seeks to plunge me into the terrible depths of Hell!

From O Lord, to You I Call, Vespers, Tuesday, Sixth Week of Lent

Free us from soul-destroying greed, O Savior, and grant us a place in the bosom of Abraham together with poor Lazarus. You who are rich in mercies have become poor for our sake. You lead us from corruption to incorruption for You are a compassionate God, the Lover of Mankind.

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Tuesday, Sixth Week of Lent

Monday of the Sixth Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle to the Hebrews

Brethren: If the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his own will. For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, "What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou carest for him? Thou didst make him for a little while lower than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet." Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke

The Lord said: "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.

The prokimenon, alleluia, and kinonikon are the same as for the first week of Lent.

From the Triodion

You who are rich, O Christ, have made Yourself poor and You have enriched us mortals with immortality and light. I have grown poor through the pleasures of this life; make me rich with virtues, granting me a place with the poor Lazarus, and deliver me from the punishment of the rich man and the torment of Gehenna which awaits me.

Sinfully, I have grown rich in evil. I have loved luxury and have indulged in sensual pleasures, and I deserve to be condemned, O Lord, to the fires of Hell. My mind is famished like Lazarus, and I have neglected it. It lies as an outcast before the gates of virtuous deeds. Take pity on me, O Master!

From O Lord, to You I Call, Vespers, Monday, Sixth Week of Lent

Marvelous is the Savior's providence toward us; for possessing knowledge of future things as though they were already present. He has set before us the story of the rich man and Lazarus. As we contemplate the final end of them both, let us flee the cruelty of the former and his lack of love for mankind. Let us imitate the patience and the long-suffering of the latter, that with him we may rest in the bosom of Abraham, crying aloud: O Lord and righteous Judge; glory to You!

O God of compassion, at the prayers of all the saints and of the Theotokos, grant us peace and have mercy on us!

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Monday, Sixth Week of Lent

The Feast of the Annunciation - Fifth Sunday of Lent

See preface note of yesterday's entry.

LITTLE ENTRANCE HYMN

Proclaim the salvation of our God day after day.
Come let us worship…
O Son of God, who are risen from the dead,
save us who sing to You: Alleluia

TROPARION OF THE ANNUNCIATION IN TONE FOUR

Today is the beginning of our salvation and the revelation of the Mystery that was planned from all eternity. The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces this grace. Let us join him in crying out to the Mother of God: Hail, O full of grace; the Lord is with you! (repeat once)

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.

LITURGY OF THE WORD
PROKIMENON (RESPONSORY)

R. My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, For He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.

v. From this day all generations will call me blessed.

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS

BRETHREN: He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, "I will proclaim thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee." And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I, and the children God has given me." Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned but with the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

ALLELUIA

Hail Mary! Full of grace, the Lord is with you!

Behold the handmaid of the Lord;
let it be done unto me according to thy word.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?" And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

MEGALYNARION
HIRMOS, 9TH ODE, CANON OF THE ANNUNCIATION IN TONE FOUR

No profane hand may touch the living Ark of God, but the lips of the faithful will never cease to sing your praise, repeating with joy the angel’s words: Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you!

COMMUNION HYMN

For the LORD has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his habitation: Alleluia.

From the Triodion, From the Menaion

The Fifth Sunday of Great Lent commemorates St Mary of Egypt. The first stichera will relate to her memory. The rest will refer to the Virgin Mary.

As you dwelt in the wilderness, you erased from your soul the fantasies of the passions in order to inscribe thereon the image of God by the light of the virtues. You shone with such radiance that you lightly walked upon the waters and were lifted up from the earth in your prayer toGod. Standing now with confidence before Christ, O blessed Mary, interced with Him for the salvation of our souls.

From O Lord, to You I Call, Great Vespers, Sunday, Fifth Week of Lent

Gabriel came to yoiu, O Maiden, and disclosed God's plan which was from all eternity. He joyfully offered you his greetings and cried out: Hail, O land without human seed! Hail, O bush untouched by fire! Hail, O depth no human eye can fathom! Hail, O bridge that leads up to heaven! Hail, O fleece receiving the heavenly manna! Hail, O dissolution of the curse! Hail, O Maiden who returned Adam to grace! the Lord is with you.

From O Lord, to You I Call, Great Vespers, 25 March, Menaion

In the sixth month, the chief ofthe angelic hosts was sent to you, pure Virgin, to declare unto you the word of salvation and to gret you, saying: Hail, O Full of Grace! The Lord is with you. You shall bring forth a Son, begotten before the ages from the Father; and he shall save His people from their sins!

From the Lete, 25 March, Menaion

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! The Son who is co-eternal with the Fahter, sharing Histhrone and like Him without beginning, in His compassion and merciful love for mankind has submitted Himself to self-emptying, according to the good pleasure and counsel of the Father. And He has gone to dwell in the virgin's womb that was sanctified beforehand by the Spirit. O maervel! God has come among men; He who cannot be contained is contained within a womb; the Timeless enters time; and -- strange wonder -- His conception is without seed, His emptying is past tellingt; so great is this mystery! For God empties Himself, takes flesh, and is fashioned as a creature, when the angel tells the pure Virgin of her coneption: Hail, O Full of Grace! the Lord, who has great mercy, is with you!

The Doxastikon of the Lete for Saturday or Sunday, 25 March, Menaion

In the sixth month after Elizabeth had conceived John the Forerunner, the Archangel Gabriel was sent to the pure Virgin. He greeted her with awe, and announced that the Redeemer would come forth from her. She accepted the greeting with faith and conceived You, O God who existed before eternity, who were pleased to be incarnate in a manner beyond all understanding, for the salvation of our souls

From the Aposticha, Great Vespers, 25 March, Menaion

Preparation of the Feast of the Annunciation

Because the Feast of the Annunciation is one of the Twelve Great Feasts (Solemnities and Holy Days of Obligation in the Byzantine Tradition), and because this year it falls on a Sunday, it takes precedent over the otherwise appointed celebration. This being so, the Paramony (Eve of the Feast) also takes proper readings.

Prokimenon

v. My soul magnifies the Lord.

r. For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

The Reading from the Epistle to the Hebrews

Brethren: Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the Holy Place yearly with blood not his own; for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Alleluia

v. Come and see what God has done: he is terrible in his deeds among men.

v. Their bodies were buried in peace, and their name lives to all generations.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Mark

At that time: Jesus went on with his disciples, to the villages of Caesare'a Philip'pi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" And they told him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Eli'jah; and others one of the prophets." And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." And he charged them to tell no one about him. And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Kinonikon

I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.

From the Triodion - Akathist Saturday

Gabriel came to you, O Maiden, and disclosed God's plan which was from all eternity. He joyfully offered you his greetings and cried out: Hail, O land without human seed! Hail, O bush untouched by fire! Hail, O depth no human eyes can fathom! Hail, O fleece receiving the dew of the heavenly manna! Hail, O dissolution of the curse! Hail, O Maiden who returned Adam to grace! The Lord is with you!

The eternal mystery is revealed today. The son of God becomes the Son of Man: by sharing in what is imperfect, He makes me share in what is perfect. Of old, Adam disobeyed: He wished to become God, but failed. Now God becomes man that He might make Adam god. Let the creation rejoice, let nature sing with joy: for the Archangel stands before the Virgin with great respect and greets her with good news that takes away our sorrow. O our God, who took flesh in Your merciful compassion, glory to You!

From O Lord, to You I Call, Vespers, Saturday, Fifth Week of Lent

I left behind Your sacred precepts as if I were leaving Jerusalem. I took part in the life of Jericho, and I was dragged down by the false glory of the cares of this life. I fell among the thieves of my own thoughts, and I was stripped by them of my robe of sonship by grace. I lay, as if it were, bereft of breath by their violence. A priest passed by; he saw me lying there and paid no attention. A Levite passed me by as well, for I was something hateful to him. But You, O Lord, ineffably incarnate of the Virgin, anointed me with oil, with the blood and water of salvation freely gushing from your side. In Your tenderness, O Christ our God, bind up my wounds as with linen, and bring me to dwell in Your heavenly kingdom.

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Saturday, Fifth Week of lent

Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

The Reading from the Second Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians

Brethren: We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to be proud of us, so that you may be able to answer those who pride themselves on a man's position and not on his heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke

The Lord said: "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will punish him, and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master's will, but did not make ready or act according to his will, shall receive a severe beating. But he who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, shall receive a light beating. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.

The Prokimenon, Alleluia, and Kinonikon are the same as on the First Week of Lent

From the Triodion

Nailed to the Cross, O Lord, You destroyed the curse of Adam with the divine spear. Destroy my bonds, O Word, that I may offer You a sacrifice of joy and praise in faith during this acceptable time of the Fast which You have appointed for the salvation of all.

Once in the ecstasy of fasting, the face of Moses shone as he beheld the glory of God. O my humble soul, follow his example. By works of abstinence and prayer, serve Him who stretched out His hands upon the Cross, that He may grant you a share in His divine joy.

From O Lord, to You I Call, Vespers, Friday, Fifth Week of Lent

By my own free will, through my first transgression, I have forsaekn the beauty of the virtues; but through Your loving condescension, O Word of God, I am clothed with that beauty once again. Though I was defiled by grievous passions and thieves had left me wounded on the road, yet You have not despised me; but You kept me safe by Your almight power, granting me Your aid, O merciful Lord!

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Friday, Fifth Week of Lent

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians

Brethren: Putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke

At that time: There were some present who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Silo'am fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.' And he told this parable: 'A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, "Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?" And he answered him, "Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure. And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down."'

The Prokimenon, Alleluia, and Kinonikon are the same as on the First Week of Lent

From the Triodion

Desiring only the interests of my flesh, I have become the murderer of my soul. I have been made a plaything of devils and a slave of sinful pleasures. In Your compassion, spare me, for You put the demons to flight. Before I am completely lost, save me, O Lord!

I have sinned, O Christ my God; I have sinned, rejecting Your commandments. Be merciful to me, O Benefactor; that, escaping from the darkness, I may see with my inner eyes, and cry to You in awe: Before I am completely lost, save me, O Lord!

I am utterly enslaved to the passions, I have forsaken the Law and the Holy Scriptures. Heal me in every part, O loving Benefactor, who for my sake have become as I am. Turn me back, O merciful Destroyer of the passions. Before I am completely lost, save me, O Lord!

Out of eny, the author of evil drove the first-created man from Paradise. But the thief who cried out upon the Cross, "Remember me," regained Paradise once more. With faith and reverence, I also cry to You: Remember me! Befoer I am completely lost, save me, O Lord!

From O Lord, to You I call, Vespers, Thursday, Fifth Week of Lent

I fell among thieves by my reasoning. I was robbed bymy wretched mind, greatly stricken and wounded in soul. I lie, naked of grace, on the highway of life. The priest saw my hopeless wounds andpassed me by. The Levite knew my disease and turned away. You, O Christ my God, in Your love for mankind, have stooped down to me. you came, not from samaria, but from incarnation through Mary. Grant me healing by pouring out on me the oil of Your great mercy.

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Thursday, Fifth Week of Lent

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians

Brethren: Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart; they have become callous and have given themselves up to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of uncleanness. You did not so learn Christ! -- assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus. Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.


The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke

At that time: One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house, and took his place at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "What is it, Teacher?" "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

The Prokimenon, Alleluia, and Kinonikon are the same as on the First Week of Lent

From the Triodion

Making love our food, let us, O faithful, subdue our desires by means of abstinence. Let us strive to live in a manner pleasing to God who was lifted up on the Cross for us and pierced with a spear, so that we may better enjoy the everlasting bliss, glorifying the Savior of our souls.

Of old we received death from a tree; but now we find life again through the Tree of the Cross. So let us put to death the movements of the passions. Let us, O faithful, entreat our Benefactor, that shining with the radiance of divine works, adorned with virtues, we may attain the saving Resurrection, glorifying the Savior of our souls.

From O Lord, to You I Call, Vespers, Wednesday, Fifth Week of Lent

Banished from Your straight path through the passions, in my wretchedness I have fallen headlong into the pit. The Levite and the Priest, passing by together, turned from me with disdain. But You, O Christ, have taken pity on me. Tearing up the record of my sins with the weapon of the Cross, You have freed me from the passions and glorified me, enthroning me beside the Father. And so I cry aloud: O Lord, beyond my understanding, glory to You!

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Wednesday, Fifth Week of Lent

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians

Brethren: Let us no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love. Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke

The Lord said: Woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you that are full now, for you shall hunger. Woe to you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you, when all men speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets. But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again.

The Prokimenon, Alleluia, and Kinonikon are the same as on the First Week of Lent

From the Triodion

O Word of God, You have given us this season of the Fast that we may be converted and live, and may not perish. Grant that all of us may be pleasing to You, O Christ, serving You with ardent repentance like the wise and praiseworthy adulterous woman. She once receive forgiveness of her sins by the sweet-smelling ointment and the outpouring of her tears.

From O Lord, to You I Call, Vespers, Tuesday, Fifth Week of Lent

Through the sin of long ago, we have lost the joys of Paradise and are brought to a life of shame. Stripped of holiness and virtue, sunk in sin, we have fallen among thieves. Straying from Your saving teachings, we have become half-dead. But we entreat You, O Master, born of Mary, who with dispassion have shared in our passions: bind up our wounds that come from sin, and pour upon us in Your love Your boundless mercy and Your healing care.

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Tuesday, Fifth Week of Lent

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle of St Paul to the Romans

Brethren: I appeal to you by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I bid every one among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith which God has assigned him.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke

The Lord said: As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

The Prokimenon, Alleluia, and Kinonikon are the same as on the First Week of Lent

From the Triodion

O faithful, let us make great efforts at fasting, so that we may attain great glory, delivered from the flames of Hades by the mercy of our great God and King.

Now that the time of fasting is half ended, let us clearly manifest in ourselves the beginnings of the divine life of glory, and let us hasten eagerly toward our journey's end, the life of holiness, that we may receive the joy that never grows old.

From O Lord, to You I Call, Vespers, Monday, Fifth Week of Lent

The Savior who planted the vineyard and hired the workers is now at hand. Come, all you who have tried to keep the Fast, and let us enjoy our reward, for the Giver is rich and full of compassion. Though we have done so little we shall receive his mercy for our souls.

Adam fell among thieving thoughts: his mind was robbed, his spirit wounded, and he lay naked with none to help. The priest, who came before the Law, did not help him; nor did the Levite, who came after the Law, even look at him. You alone have helped him, O God, who came not from Samaria, but from the Theotokos: glory to You!

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Monday, Fifth Week of Lent

Fourth Sunday of Lent - St John of the Ladder

LITURGY OF THE WORD

PROKIMENON (RESPONSORY)

The Lord will give strength to His People;
the Lord will bless His people with peace.

Give to the Lord, you sons of God,
give to the Lord glory and praise.

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS

BRETHREN: When God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, 'Surely I will bless you and multiply you.’ And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek.

ALLELUIA

It is good to give thanks to the Lord
To sing praise to Your Name, O Most High!

To proclaim Your kindness at dawn
And Your faithfulness throughout the night

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK

AT THAT TIME: One of the crowd answered him, 'Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.’ And he answered them, 'O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.’ And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, 'How long has he had this?’ And he said, 'From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ And Jesus said to him, 'If you can! All things are possible to him who believes.’ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!’ And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, 'You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again.’ And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, 'He is dead.’ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, 'Why could we not cast it out?’ And he said to them, 'This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.’ They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, 'The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise.’

MEGALYNARION OF THE LITURGY OF ST BASIL THE GREAT

In you, O Woman full of Grace, all creation exults, the hierarchy of angels together with the race of men: in you, sanctified Temple, spiritual Paradise, Glory of virgins of whom God took flesh — from whom our God who exists before the world, became a child! For He has made your womb His Throne, making it more spacious than the Heavens. In you, O Woman full of Grace, all creation exults: glory to you!

COMMUNION HYMN

The Lord has sent redemption to His people:
He has established His covenant forever. Alleluia.

From the Triodion

O venerable and holy father John, with full voice, you have unceasingly sung the praises of God. You have meditated upon His inspired words in the Scriptures that teach us how to make them wisely bear much fruit in the spiritual life. Having become rich in heavenly grace, you have deserved unending happiness and have overcome the plots of the ungodly.

By the streams of your tears, O glorious father John, your soul has been purified. By your vigils throughout the night, you have found favor with God. You were lifted up on the wings of prayer to His love and beauty, O blessed father; and now you rejoice in unending happiness with your fellow spiritual soldiers who fought the good fight, O holy saint of God.

From O Lord, to You I Call, Great Vespers, Fourth Sunday of Lent

Let us honor John, the pride of ascetics, an angel on earth, the man of God in Heaven, the adornment of the world, the flower of virtue and good deeds. Planted in the house of God, he blossomed forth with justice, like a cedar tree in the wilderness. He helped the flock of Christ to grow in holiness and justice.

O wondrous event exceeding every miracle that ever happened! Who ever heard that a mother could conceive without a man, and that she would hold in her arms the One who contains the whole universe? This was the will of the One who was born of you. O Woman most pure, never cease to intercede for us who honor you, together with the One you carried in your arms as a Child. You have the power of a Mother: therefore intercede with Him that He may have mercy on us and save our souls.

From the Aposticha, Great Vespers, Fourth Sunday of Lent

You are a true teacher for those in the monastic life, O holy John, setting out the steps of your lessons as a divine ladder leading us up through the purification of asceticism to the light of contemplation. O venerable father, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Troparion of John Climacos in the Eighth Tone (Alternate)

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Prokimenon

R. He himself shall abide in prosperity, and his children shall possess the land.

V. To thee, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the Pit.

The Reading from the Epistle to the Hebrews

Brethren: Though we speak thus, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things that belong to salvation. For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Alleluia

Blessed is he whom thou dost choose and bring near, to dwell in thy courts!
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, thy holy temple!

Their bodies were buried in peace, and their name lives to all generations.

The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St Mark

At that time: Jesus returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decap'olis. And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak."

The Kinonikon is the same as for this day in the Second Week of Lent.

From the Triodion

Sanctifying the season of the Fast, the precious Cross stands here before us. As we venerate it today, let us cry aloud: O Master who love mankind, with its aid, grant that we may pass through the remainder of the Fast in repentance, and thus behold your life-giving Passion through which we are redeemed.

From the First Kathisma, Orthros, Friday, Fourth Week of Lent

I have enslaved the dignity of my soul to the passions, and I have become lkie a brute beast. I can no longer lift up my eyes to You, O Most High; but bowing like the Publican, I pray to You, O Christ: Be propitious to me, O God, and save me!

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Saturday, Fourth Week of Lent

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

The Reading from the Second Epistle of St Paul to the Timothy

Timothy my son: You have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Ico'nium, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew

The Lord said: "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

The Prokimenon, Alleluia and Kinonikon are the same as for this day in the Second Week of Lent.

From the Triodion

You have counted us worthy of beholding and embracing Your Holy Cross with joy. Now we entreat You, O God our Savior, to enable us also to attain Your most pure sufferings. By being strengthened through fasting, may we bow down and sing of Your Crucifixion: the spear, the reed, the sponge, by which You have taken us from death, returning us to the joyous life of Paradise. O Lover of Mankind, we now glorify You with thanksgiving.

From O Lord, to You I Call, Vespers, Friday, Fourth Week of Lent

O my soul, learn from the Lord: for your sake He humbled Himself even to death on a Cross; exaltation humiliates, but humility exalts. Do not become arrogant because of your good deeds; do not justify yourself by judging your neighbor, as did the self-praising Pharisee. Instead, strive in your broken reasoning to always remember the great number of your transgressions. Cry out with the Publican: Have mercy on me, a sinner, O God, have mercy on me.

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Friday, Fourth Week of Lent

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians

Brethren: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew

The Lord said: "For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.'

The Prokimenon, Alleluia and Kinonikon are the same as for this day in the First Week of Lent.

From the Triodion

Let us all wash our souls in the waters of the Fast; and approaching the precious and honored Cross of the Lord, let us venerate it with love. Let us draw from it divine enlightenment, reaping the fruit of eternal salvation, peace and great mercy.

O Cross, glory of the Apostles, attend by principalities, powers and archangels, keep safe from all harm those who venerate you. Grant that we may pass through the course of the Fast in a holy way, and reach the day of salvation when we, too, shall be saved.

From O Lord, to You I Call, Vespers, Thursday, Fourth Week of Lent

Those who do the works of righteousness in secret and receive a spiritual return do not proclaim these deeds in the middle of the street, but rather keep them in their hearts, He who sees the secret deeds of all will grant us the reward of our self-control. Let us complete the Fast without putting on a gloomy face, but praying in the inner chamber of our souls. let us say: Our Father, who art in Heaven, lead us not into temptation, but delver us from the Evil One, we pray.

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Thursday, Fourth Week of Lent

The Fast that brings us blessings has now run half its course. It has helped us to receive God's grace in the days that are past, and it will bring us further benefit in the days still to come. For by continuing in what is right, we attain yet greater gifts. We therefore cry to Christ the Giver of all Good: O You who, for our sake fasted and endured the Cross, make us worthy to share without condemnation in Your divine Passover. May we spend our lives in peace and rightly glorify You with the Father and Spirit!

From O Lord, to You I Call, Liturgy of the PreSanctified Gifts, Thursday, Fourth Week of Lent

Thoughts on the Mid-way

As noted yesterday, Today was the mid-way point of the Great Fast. I pray that all who have endeavored to strive towards holiness during this spritual season have found faith renewed, hope revied, and love transformed. Our salvation is only obtained through fellowship and community; we are called to live out our redemption in the Church (Ekklesia) -- the place of togetherness.

I would like to thank everyone who has honored me by reading this blog. Especially, since the beginning of the Great Fast, I have been awed that people from around the world have blessed me by reading these pages.

When I began this blog, I didn't think much would come of it. When Great Lent began and I started including the Aliturgical Day readings and the selections from the Triodion, I thought that at most perhaps a few people would find it interesting.

Thanks be to God, I have been astounded and thankful for the numbers of people who have made this blog a daily part of their Lenten discipline. It has strengthened my faith and encouraged me to look more deeply at the wealth of wisdom in the Tridion and in the Byzantine Tradition itself.

To every reader of these Byzantine Ramblings, I offer my prayers, my solidarity, my love and my thanks.

Thanks be to God!

Mid-Lent -- Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians

Brethren: We know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew

At that time: While Jesus was thus speaking to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well." Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. And when Jesus came to the ruler's house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd making a tumult, he said, "Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went through all that district.

The Prokimenon, Alleluia and Kinonikon are the same as for this day in the First Week of Lent.

Mid-Lent

Wednesday of the fourth week of Lent marks the mid-point of the season. The hymns powerfully remind us of the purpose of our efforts to offer ourselves to our Lord through our fasting and prayers. We fast, not for its own value, but for the goal of offering our meager hunger and self-denial to Jesus who condescended to suffer the torture of the passion and the humiliation of the Cross. He who is Divine from all eternity submitted to share our humanity; He gave Himself entirely for us and out of Love for us.

It was for Love that He came down to be conceived in the Womb of the Virgin. Out of Love for us He walked this earth preaching precepts of Salvation and Great Mercy for all. He gave of Himself, offering Divine Sonship to us if only we will accept to be forgiven. He offers us immortality, eternal life, a share in His very Divinity. He became man in order that we might become God. He took on our humanity that we might take on His Divinity. He offers us the momentous and profound exchange, our sins for His Mercy. In accepting His Baptism we become like Him, He restores to us the Divine Image and Likeness, lost and besmirched through sin. In sharing in the Body and Blood of His Supper he shares with with us the forgiveness poured forth in His Crucifixion.

It is appropriate that at this half-way mark of our Lenten Journey we reflection on this great benefit of Love He has given us. And in reflecting on the Cross, let us humbly renew our efforts and praise Him in Thanksgiving, Who so loved us to give His all for all.

May our Lord bless our efforts to humbly offer Him a Good Fast!

From the Triodion -- Mid-Lent

O merciful Lord, You endured the Passion of the Cross in the midst of the earth, granting redemption and freedom from the passions to all. Therefore, in the midst of the Fast, we have set Your Cross before us and venerate it with great joy. Glorious with the light of the virtues, may we all be counted worthy to see Your Passion and life-giving Resurrection, O Word of God, who alone are rich in mercy.

O Savior, Your Cross has given to us Christians a power that never can be defeated. Through it, the alien hosts of the Enemy are put to flight, O Christ; and Your Church, professing the true Faith, is overshadowed with peace. Venerating it, we raise our fervent cry to You: Make us worthy of the inheritance of Your saints!

Glory ... Now and always...

Today the Master of creation and the Lord of Glory is nailed to the Cross and His side is pierced. He who is the sweetness of the Church tastes gall and vinegar. A crown of thorns is placed upon Him who covers the heavens with clouds. He is clothed in a cloak of mockery, and He who formed man with His own hands is struck by a hand of clay. He who wraps the heavens in clouds is scourged upon His back. He accepts spitting and scourging, insults and slaps. All these things my Deliverer and God endures for me whom am condemned, that in His compassion He may save the world from death.

From O Lord, to You I Call, Vespers, Wednesday, Fourth Week of Lent

I have surpassed the Publican in my transgressions, but I do not match his repentance. I have not accomplished the good deeds of the Pharisee, yet I boldly outdo his boasting. By Your infinite humility, O Christ God, by which You laid low the arrogance of the demon on the Cross, establish me in the good deeds of the one and the humility of the other. Confirm me in the good intentions of both, and save me, O Savior!

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Wednesday, Fourth Week of Lent

The Divine Cross lies before us for our veneration, and it sanctifies the time of the Fast. Let us approach with a pure conscience to draw from it sanctification and enlightenment, and let us cry aloud with awe: Glory to Your compassion, O our Savior, who loves mankind!

From the Kathismata (Sessional Hymns), Orthros, Wednesday, Fourth Week of Lent

The Angel's fiery sword will no longer guard the gate of Paradise, for the Cross of the Lord has put out wondrously. The power of Death has been broken, the victory of Hades wiped out, and you, my Savior, have stood up and called out to all those bound in Hell: Come now; enter again into Paradise!

Kontakion, Orthros, Wednesday, Fourth Week of Lent

We have completed half of the Fast, which has led us to Your Holy Cross. Enable also to behold the day which Abraham saw and rejoiced, when he took his son Isaac back alive from the mountain, as from a tomb. Deliver us from the Enemy by faith; may we share in Your Mystical Supper, calling upon You in peace: Our Light and our Savior, glory to You!

From the Aposticha, Orthros, Wednesday, Fourth Week of Lent

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

The Reading from the First Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians

Brethren: The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew

At that time: Jesus left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." He answered, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world, and the good seed means the sons of the kingdom; the weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

The Prokimenon, Alleluia and Kinonikon are the same as for this day in the First Week of Lent.

From the Triodion

I am shaken by the passions, ensnared by enemies, and led away captive by evil habits. Take pity on me, O Compassionate Lord, and arm me with the breastplate of Your Cross, that with an unshaken heart I may sing: O Young men, bless Him! You priests, praise Him! All you people, exalt Him above all forever!

From the Eighth Ode, the Canon, Orthros, Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

As we come to the middle of this season of the Fast by the power of the Cross, let us glorify Him who was lifted up on it in the middle of the earth, for He is out to Him: O Master, grant that we may contemplate Your Passion and Your glorious Resurrection. Give us Your forgiveness and great mercy!

From O Lord, to You I Call, Vespers, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

The Pharisee used many words in praising himself and was rejected for his vanity. the humble Publican prayed in silence and was justified. Learn the difference between the two, O my soul. Choose humility as a way of life, for Christ promised His grace to the humble, for He is the Lover of Mankind.

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle of St Paul to the Phillipians

Brethren: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew

At that time: The disciples came and said to Jeus,"Why do you speak to them in parables?" And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: 'You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn for me to heal them.' But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. "Hear then the parable of the sower. When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

The Prokimenon, Alleluia and Kinonikon are the same as for this day in the First Week of Lent.

From the Triodion

Come, let us drink a new drink: not miraculously produced from a barren rock, but from the Fount of Immortality springing forth from the Tomb of Christ, in which we are established.

I glorify the One Divinity in Three Persons, without beginning and not divided: Father, Son, and Life-giving Spirit, in whom we are baptized.

Katavasia: By the power of Your Cross, establish me firmly on the rock of faith, O Christ our Master, that my spirit may not falter beneath the arrows of the Enemy: for You alone are holy, You alone are Lord.

From the third Ode of the Canon, Orthros, Third Sunday of Lent

The Angel's fiery sword will no longer guard the gate of Paradise, for the Cross of the Lord has put it out wondrously. The power of Death has been broken, the victory of Hades wiped out, and You, my Savior, have stood up and called out to all those bound in Hell: Come now; enter again into Paradise!

Kontakion, Orthros, Third Sunday of Lent

On this day, the third Sunday of the Fast, we celebrate the feast of the veneration of the precious and Life-giving Cross.

Let the whole creation bow down in worship before You, O Word, as it venerates Your Life-giving Cross.

Wherefore, through its power, O Christ our God, protect us against the snares of the Evil One, make us worthy to pass safely through the struggle of the Fast. May we adore Your divine Passion and Your Life-giving Resurrection. Have mercy onus,for You alone are good and the Lover of Mankind. Amen.

Synaxarion, Orthros, Third Sunday of Lent

O Lord, You willingly stretched out Your hand upon the Cross: fill us with Your light through fasting and through prayer, through abstinence and works of charity. Count us worthy to venerate Your Cross with contrite hearts, for You are good and the Lover of Mankind.

From O Lord, to You I Call, Vespers, Monday, Fourth Week of Lent

Third Sunday of Lent - Veneration of the Holy Cross

TROPARION OF THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT IN TONE ONE

O Lord save your people and bless your inheritance, granting peace to the world;
and protect your nation by the power of your Cross.

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.

AT THE TRISAGION, INSTEAD OF HOLY GOD

We bow in worship before your Cross, O Master,
and we give praise to your Hoy Resurrection.

LITURGY OF THE WORD
PROKIMENON (RESPONSORY)

R. O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.

V. To you, O Lord, I call; my Rock, be not deaf to me.

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS
BRETHREN: We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honour upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedek."

ALLELUIA

O God, why dost thou cast us off for ever?
Why does thy anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK

AT THAT TIME: Jesus called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power."

MEGALYNARION OF THE LITURGY OF ST BASIL THE GREAT

In you, O Woman full of Grace, all creation exults, the hierarchy of angels together with the race of men: in you, sanctified Temple, spiritual Paradise, Glory of virgins of whom God took flesh — from whom our God who exists before the world, became a child! For He has made your womb His Throne, making it more spacious than the Heavens. In you, O Woman full of Grace, all creation exults: glory to you!

COMMUNION HYMN

Let the light of your Face shine on us, O Lord

O Christ, You brought about salvation in the midst of the earth. Alleluia.

From the Triodion

I sank to the depths of the sea; I was swallowed up by the waves of my countless sins; but You, O God of Love, have pulled my life up from the pit.

From the canon, Orthros, Saturday, Third Week of Lent

You are the only Immortal One, O Creator and Maker of man. We are mortals: out of the earth we were fashioned and to the same earth we shall return, as You have said, and ordered, O my Maker: Dust you are, You said, and to dust you shall return. We all go down to the dust and we sing to You: Alleluia!

Ikos, Orthros, Satuday, Third Week of Lent

By her fault and transgression, Eve brought about the curse; but, O Virgin Theotokos, by the Fruit of your womb, you have made the blessing blossom for the world; and we all magnify you!

From the canon, Orthros, Saturday, Third Week of Lent

O Cross of the Lord to which the world aspires, let the light-giving flashes of your grace lift up the hearts of those who honor you. We welcome you with divine love, O you through which the dismay of tears has passed away, and by which we have been saved from the snares of death and carried up into imperishable joy. Through Your Cross, O Lord, reveal to us the splendor of Your beauty, granting the reward for their abstinence to Your servants who ask in faith for Your generous help and your great mercy.

From O Lord, to You I Call, Third Sunday of Lent

Beholding You, the Fashioner and creator of all, hanging naked on the Cross, the whole creation was overcome with fear and it lamented. The light of the sun grew dark and the earth quaked. The rocks were split and the veil of the Temple was torn in half. The dead rose from their tombs and the angelic powers cried aloud in amazement: O strange wonder! The Judge is judges and suffers willingly for the salvation and renewal of the world!

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Third Sunday of Lent

Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle to the Hebrews

Brethren: Recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on the prisoners, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. "For yet a little while, and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."

Alleluia

R. Blessed is he whom thou dost choose and bring near, to dwell in thy courts!
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, thy holy temple!

V. Who by thy strength hast established the mountains, being girded with might.

The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St Mark

At that time: As he passed on, Jesus saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. And as he sat at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were sitting with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

The Prokimenon and Kinonikon are the same as for this day in the First Week of Lent.

From the Triodion

r. Give us help out of trouble, for vain is the salvation of man.

v. O God, You have rejected us and destroyed us:
You had been angry, and yet took pity on us.

Prokimeon, First Reading, Vespers, Saturday, Third Week of Lent

Like the Prodigal, I have turned away from Your grace and wasted the riches of Your love. But now I run to You, crying out: O compassionate Lord, I have sinned! O God, have mercy on me!

Aposticha, Vespers, Saturday, Third Week of Lent

Friday of the Third Week of Lent

Prokimenon

The LORD is righteous, he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.

In the LORD I take refuge;
how can you say to me, "Flee like a bird to the mountains"?

The Reading from the Epistle to the Hebrews

Brethren: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? -- "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time at their pleasure, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

Alleluia

R. Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth.

V. For thou, O God, hast tested us;
thou hast tried us as silver is tried.

The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew

The Lord said: "The kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place; and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They said to him, 'because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.' And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the householder, saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you, and go; I choose to give to this last as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?' So the last will be first, and the first last."

Kinonikon

For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered for ever.

He is not afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

From the Triodion

O Savior, You are the true sweetness who of old sweetened the bitter waters of Marah by the wood which was a type of Your divine Cross. You were pleased to taste gall when lifted up on the Cross. Your side was pierced, and from it the water of forgiveness flowed upon the world, renewing our dead nature. Therefore, we glorify Your inexpressible power and say: In the season of the Fast, fill our hearts with reverence for You; pardon our offences and grant us Your great mercy!

From O Lord, to You I Call, Vespers, Friday, Third Week of Lent

O Christ our God, the Life of all, You were hung upon the Cross: restore life to my soul, slain by my sins. Do not allow your sheep to perish completely, O Good shepherd. I have rebelled against Your commandments, and through my willful love of sin, I have wasted the wealth of innocence that You gave me. Living like the Prodigal, I have grown corrupt and loathsome. But bring me to repentance and renew me, for You alone are full of mercy.

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Friday, Third Week of Lent

Thursday of the Third Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle of St Paul to the Colossians

Brethren: When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scyth'ian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew

The Lord said: "Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it." And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." And he stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing to any one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to the people."

The Prokimenon, Alleluia and Kinonikon are the same as for this day in the First Week of Lent.

From the Triodion

Though honored as Your son, O Loving Father, in my foolishness, I did not understand. I have deprived myself of Your glory, sinfully wasting the wealth of Your Grace. I have forsaken the divine Food, eating in servile bondage at the table of an unclean citizen. he has sent me into his soul-corrupting field; and living like the prodigal, I have fed with the swine. I was enslaved to pleasures and could not eat my fill. But now I have turned back, and I shall cry to You, compassionate and merciful Father: I have sinned against Heaven and before You: have mercy on me!

From the Aposticha, Orthros, Wednesday, Third Week of Lent

r. Offer to God the sacrifice of praise, and fulfill your vows to the Most High

v. The God of gods, the Lord has spoken,
and has summoned the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.

First Prokimeon of the Prophecy, Wednesday, Third Week of Lent

Like the Prodigal Son, I have wandered into a distant evil land. I have wasted the wealth which You gave me, O Compassionate Father, in an evil life. I hunger now for the good that I have lost. I am clothed in the shame of my transgressions, for I have been stripped of the grace of God. I cry aloud to You: I have sinned, yet I know of Your loving kindness. O Christ, in Your mercy accept me as one of Your hired servants, through the prayers of Your beloved Apostles.

From O Lord, to You I call, Thursday, Vespers, Third Week of Lent

Like the Prodigal, I squandered the riches which the Father gave me. Now I am destitute and dwell in the land of the wicked. In my folly, I have bvecome like the senseless beasts, stripped of all the grace of God. but turning back, I cry aloud to you, the compassionate and merciful Father: I have sinned, O God! receive me as a penitent and have mercy on me.

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Thursday, Third Week of Lent

Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians

Brethren: I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew

The Lord said: "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you. Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."


The Prokimenon, Alleluia and Kinonikon are the same as for this day in the First Week of Lent.

From the Triodion

O Lord who put the cunning serpent to death by Your Cross, save me from his delusions, for I have sinned and been deceived. Purify me through fasting, O Master, and grant that I may do Your will so that I may contemplate in joy Your holy Passion!

I have been wounded by the sword of pleasures, O Lord, totally disabled by evil. Heal and give life to my humble soul. O Master, You were pierced by a lance; as my Savior, heal those pierced by the Enemy's arrows, and make me a partaker of Your precious suffering.

From O Lord, to You I Call, Wednesday, Third Week of Lent

Son, listen to me! Happy are those who keep my ways. Instruction and wisdom do not reject! Happy the man who obeys me! Happy the man watching daily at my gates, wating at my door-posts. For he who finds me finds life, and wins favor from the Lord.

From Proverbs, Vespers, Wednesday, Third Week of Lent

Though I am a creature born on earth, I share in Your image, O Lord, and thus dare to call upon You, the Creator, as my Father. Living as the Prodigal, I have lost the grace of sonship; and forgetful of Your gifts, I have wasted my inheritance. Do not disown me, for You sent Your only-begotten Son to endure crucifixion and death for my sake in the flesh. In Your love for mankind,bring me back from evil and make me Yours again.

From the Aposticha, Vespers, Third Wednesday of Lent

Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

The Reading from the Epistle of St Paul to the Philippians

Brethren: As you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life.

The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew
(Mat 10:32-38; 19:27-30)

The Lord said: "So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Then Peter said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first."

The Prokimenon, Alleluia and Kinonikon are the same as for this day in the First Week of Lent.