Commemorations Saints Commemorated Common English of John Chrysostom of Saint Basil Presantified Gifts St. Andrew of Crete 1st Week of Lent 2nd Week of Lent 3rd Week of Lent 4th Week of Lent 5th Week of Lent
The Great Canon of Repentance
COMMOM ENGLISH TRANSLATION: Unofficial Version The Great Canon is one of the great works, if not the great work, of the Church's hymnography of repentance. It is steeped in biblical imagery, yet it is not simply a condensation of biblical themes. In the Canon, all the human events of scripture—creation, fall, exile, return, longing, redemption—all are made personal. They become my events: my creation, my fall, my redemption. Their story is my story, and I am made intensely aware of all its depth. The Canon begins: 'Where shall I begin to weep over the cursed deeds of my life? What foundation shall I lay, O Christ, for this lamentation?' The Canon thus brings each of us into the story of scripture; stirs us with moving imagery to realize the depths of our sin. We begin to see our exile, our distance from Christ; and from that distance, we begin to repent.
Eirmos: He is my Helper and Protector, and has become my salvation. This is my God and I will glorify Him. My father's God and I will exalt Him. For gloriously has He been glorified. Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: Where shall I begin to lament the deeds of my wretched life? What first-fruit shall I offer, O Christ, for my present lamentation? But in Thy compassion grant me release from my falls.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Superessential Trinity, adored in Unity, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of compunction.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Mother of God, hope and intercessor of those who sing of thee, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and as thou art our pure Lady, accept me who repent.
Eirmos: Attend, O heaven, and I will speak, and will sing of Christ who came to dwell among us in flesh which He took from the Virgin.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: Attend, O heaven, and I will speak; O earth, give ear to a voice repenting to God and singing praises to Him.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: To the Holy Trinity: I sing of Thee as one in three Persons, O God of all, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Theotokion: Spotless Mother of God, only all-hymned Virgin, pray intensely that we may be saved. Eirmos:
Establish Thy Church on the unshakable rock of Thy commandments, O Christ.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: The Lord rained fire from the Lord, my soul, and burnt up the former land of Sodom. (Genesis 19:24)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: O Trinity, Unity, God, save us from delusion and temptations and distressing circumstances. Theotokion: Rejoice, God-receiving womb! Rejoice, throne of the Lord! Rejoice, Mother of our Life!
Eirmos: The Prophet heard of Thy coming, O Lord, and was afraid that Thou wast to be born of a Virgin and appear to men, and he said, "I have heard the report of Thee and am afraid." Glory to Thy power, O Lord. Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: Despise not Thy works and forsake not Thy creation, O just Judge and Lover of men, though I alone have sinned as a man more than any man. But being Lord of all, Thou hast power to pardon sins. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: I confess Thee to be undivided in essence, unconfused in persons, One Triune Divinity, co-enthroned and co-reigning. I sing Thee the great song thrice sung on high.
Theotokion: Thou givest birth and livest a virgin life, and in both remainest a virgin by nature. He Who is born of thee renews the laws of nature, and a womb gives birth without travail. Where God wills, the order of nature is overruled; for He does whatever He wishes.
Eirmos: Out of the night watching early for Thee, enlighten me, I pray, O Lover of men, and guide even me in Thy commandments, and teach me, O Saviour, to do Thy will.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: I have passed my life ever in night, for the night of sin has been to me thick fog and darkness; but make me, O Saviour, a son of the day. (Ephesians 5:8)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Thee, O Trinity, we glorify, the one God: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, Father, Son and Spirit, simple Being, Unity ever adored.
Theotokion: From thee, O pure maiden Mother and Virgin, God Who created the worlds and ages was clad in my clay and united to Himself human nature.
Eirmos: I cried with my whole heart to the merciful God, and He heard me from the lowest hell and raised my life out of corruption.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: I sincerely offer Thee with a pure intention, O Saviour, the tears of my eyes and groans from the depths of my heart, crying: O God, I have sinned against Thee; be merciful to me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: I am the Trinity, simple and undivided, divided Personally, and I am the Unity, united in nature, says the Father, the Son, and the Divine Spirit.
Theotokion: Thy womb bore God for us Who took our form. Implore Him as the Creator of all, O Mother of God, that through thy intercessions we may be justified.
Lord, have mercy (Three times).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, tone 6: My soul, my soul, arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is drawing near, and you will be confounded. Awake, then, and be watchful, that Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fills all things.
Eirmos: We have sinned, transgressed, done wrong before Thee, we havenot watched or done as Thou hast commanded us. But do not give us up utterly, O God of our Fathers.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
I have sinned, offended and rejected Thy commandment, for I have advanced in sins and added wounds to my sores. But in Thy compassion have mercy on me, O God of our Fathers.
I have confessed to Thee, my Judge, the secrets of my heart. See my humility, see also my distress, and attend to my judgment now. And in Thy compassion have mercy on me, O God of our Fathers.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: O Trinity simple and undivided, of one essence and one nature, Lights and Light, three Holies and one Holy, God the Trinity is hymned. But sing, my soul, and glorify the Life and Lives, the God of all.
Theotokion: We sing of thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, O Mother of God, for thou gavest birth to one of the inseparable Trinity, the one Son and God, and to us on earth thou hast opened the heavenly realms.
Ode 8.
Eirmos:
Troparia: I have sinned, O Saviour, have mercy! Awaken my mind to conversion, accept me who repent, have compassion on me as I cry: Against Thee only have I sinned and acted lawlessly; have mercy on me.
Elijah the charioteer once ascended by the chariot of the virtues as to heaven and was carried above earthly things. Consider then, my soul, this ascent. Elisha received double grace from the Lord when he took up Elijah's sheepskin. But you, my soul, have not shared this grace owing to incontinence. To the Holy Trinity: Eternal Father, co-eternal Son, gracious Comforter, Spirit of Truth; Father of the Divine Word, Word of the Eternal Father, living and creative Spirit, Trinity Unity, have mercy on us.
Theotokion: As from scarlet silk, O spotless Virgin, within thy womb the spiritual purple was woven, the flesh of Emmanuel. Therefore we honour thee as in truth Mother of God.
Ode 9.
Eirmos: Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception, unsullied the pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews natures. So in all generations we magnify thee in orthodox fashion as the Mother and Bride of God.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: The mind is wounded, the body is feeble, the spirit is sick, the word has lost its power, life is ebbing, the end is at the doors. What then will you do, wretched soul, when the Judge comes to try your case?
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Let us glorify the Father, exalt the Son, and faithfully worship the Divine Spirit, inseparable Trinity, Unity in essence, as the Light and Lights, the Life and Lives, giving life and light to the ends of the earth.
Theotokion: Protect thy city, spotless Mother of God, for in thee it faithfully reigns, and in thee is made strong, and through thee it conquers and routs every trial and temptation, and spoils its foes and rules its subjects.
Refrain: Holy father Andrew, pray for us.
(And again the Eirmos of the Ninth Ode, as the conclusion of the Canon:)
Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception, unsullied the pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews natures. So in all generations we magnify thee in orthodox fashion as Mother and Bride of God.
TUESDAY (Tuesday of the First Week of Lent, during Great Compline, after Psalm 69, the second p0ortion of the Great Canon is sung. The Eirmosi are sung twice, once at the beginning and once at the end of each Ode.1 Before each troparion the Refrain is sung and we make the sign of the Cross with three low bows.2)
Tone Six Ode 1. Eirmos: He is my Helper and Protector, and has become my salvation. This is my God and I will glorify Him My father's God and I will exalt Him. For gloriously has He been glorified. (Exodus 15:2, 1; Psalm 117:14) Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. Troparia: I have willfully incurred the guilt of Cain's murder, since by invigorating my flesh I am the murderer of my soul's awareness, and have warred against it by my evil deeds. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Superessential Trinity, adored in Unity, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of compunction.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Mother of God, hope and intercessor of those who sing of thee, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and as thou art our pure Lady, accept me who repent.
Ode 2.
Eirmos: Attend, O heaven, and I will speak, and will sing of Christ who came to dwell among us in flesh which He took from the Virgin.
Refrain:
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: One in three Persons I praise Thee, O God of all, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Theotokion: Spotless Mother of God, only all-hymned Virgin, pray intensely that we may be saved.
Ode 3.
Eirmos: Establish, O Lord, my unstable heart on the rock of Thy commandments, for Thou only art Holy and Lord. Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: In Thee the Conqueror of death, I have found the Source of Life, and from my heart I cry to Thee before my end: I have sinned, be merciful, save me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Simple, uncreated Unity, unoriginate Nature praised in a Trinity of Persons, save us who with faith worship Thy power.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Mother of God, unwedded thou gavest birth in time to the 0timeless Son of the Father. And - O strange wonder! - thou remainest a Virgin while suckling Him.
(The Eirmos is repeated, and then we begin:)
Ode 4.
Eirmos: The Prophet heard of Thy coming, O Lord, and was afraid that Thou wast to be born of a Virgin and appear to men, and he said, "I have heard the report of Thee and am afraid." Glory to Thy power, O Lord. Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: Watch, my soul! Be courageous like the great Patriarchs, that you may acquire activity and awareness, and be a mind that sees God, and may reach in contemplation the innermost darkness, and be a great trader. To the Holy Trinity: I confess Thee to be undivided in essence, unconfused in persons, One Triune Divinity, co-enthroned and co-reigning. I sing Thee the great song thrice sung on high.
Theotokion: Thou givest birth and livest a virgin life, and in both remainest a virgin by nature. He Who is born of thee renews the laws of nature, and a womb gives birth without travail. Where God wills, the order of nature is overruled; for He does whatever He wishes.
Ode 5.
Eirmos: Out of the night watching early for Thee, enlighten me, I pray, O Lover of men, and guide even me in Thy commandments, and teach me, O Saviour, to do Thy will.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: You have heard, my soul, of Moses' ark of old, borne on the waters and waves of the river as in a shrine, which escaped the bitter tragedy of Pharaoh's edict. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Thee, O Trinity, we glorify, the one God: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, Father, Son and Spirit, simple Being, Unity ever adored.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: From thee, O pure maiden Mother and Virgin, God Who created the worlds and ages was clad in my clay and united to Himself human nature.
Ode 6.
Eirmos:
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:The waves of my sins, O Saviour, as in the Red Sea recoiled and covered me unawares, like the Egyptians of old and their charioteers. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: I am the Trinity, simple and undivided, divided Personally, and I am the Unity, united in nature, says the Father, the Son, and the Divine Spirit.
Theotokion: Thy womb bore God for us Who took our form. Implore Him as the Creator of all, O Mother of God that through thy intercessions we may be justified.
Kontakion, tone 6:0My soul, my soul, arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is drawing near, and you will be confounded. Awake, then, and, be watchful, that Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fills all things.
Ode 7.
Eirmos: We have sinned, transgressed, done wrong before Thee, we have not watched or done as Thou hast commanded us. But do not give us up utterly, O God of our Fathers.
Refrain:Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:When the Ark was being carried on a wagon, and when one of the oxen slipped, Uzzah only touched it and experienced the wrath of God. But avoid, my soul, his presumption and truly reverence divine things. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: O Trinity simple and undivided, of one essence and one nature, Lights and Light, three Holies and one Holy, God the Trinity is hymned. But sing, my soul, and glorify the Life and Lives, the God of all.
Theotokion: We sing of thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, O Mother of God, for thou gavest birth to one of the inseparable Trinity, the one Son and God, and to us on earth thou hast opened the heavenly realms.
Ode 8.
Eirmos: Him Whom the heavenly hosts glorify and before Whom Cherubim and Seraphim tremble, let every breath, and all creation praise, bless and exalt throughout all ages.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:Having emulated Uzziah, my soul, you have his leprosy in you doubled. For you think disgusting thoughts and do outrageous things. Let go of what you are holding and run to repentance. Have you heard, my soul, of the Ninevites, who repented before God in sackcloth and ashes? You have not imitated them, but appear to be more crooked than all who have sinned before and after the law. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Eternal Father, co-eternal Son, gracious Comforter, Spirit of Truth; Father of the Divine Word, Word of the Eternal Father, living and creative Spirit, Trinity Unity, have mercy on us.
Theotokion: As from scarlet silk, O spotless Virgin, within thy womb the spiritual purple was woven, the flesh Of Emmanuel. Therefore we honour thee as in truth Mother of God.
Ode 9.
Eirmos: Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception, unsullied the pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews natures. So in all generations we magnify thee in orthodox fashion as the Mother and Bride of God.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: Christ was tempted, the devil was tempting Him, showing Him stones to be turned into bread; and he led Him up a mountain to see all the kingdoms of the world in a flash. Dread, my soul, the scene; watch and pray at every hour to God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Let us glorify the Father, exalt the Son, and faithfully worship the Divine Spirit, inseparable Trinity, Unity in essence, as the Light and Lights, the Life and Lives, giving life and light to the ends of the earth.
Theotokion: Protect thy city, spotless Mother of God, for in thee it faithfully reigns, and in thee is made strong, and through thee it conquers and routs every trial and temptation, and spoils its foes and rules its subjects.
Refrain: Holy father Andrew, pray for us.
To St Andrew of Crete: Venerable Andrew, thrice-blessed father, shepherd of Crete, cease not to pray to God for those who sing of thee, that He may deliver from anger, oppression, corruption and our countless sins, all of us who faithfully honour thy memory.
Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception, unsullied the pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews natures. So in all generations we magnify thee in orthodox fashion as Mother and Bride of God.
(On Wednesday of the First Week of Lent, during Great Compline, after Psalm 69, the second portion of the Great Canon is sung. The Eirmosi are sung twice, once at the beginning and once at the end of each Ode.1 Before each troparion the Refrain is sung and we make the sign of the Cross with three low bows.2)
Tone Six
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: From my youth, O Christ, I have rejected Thy commandments. I have passed my whole life without caring or thinking as a slave of my passions. Therefore, O Saviour, I cry to Thee: At least in the end save me.
Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: Grant me that illuminating grace from on high given thee by Divine Providence that I may escape the darkening of the passions and fervently sing of the thrilling achievements of thy life, O Mary.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Superessential Trinity, adored in Unity, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of compunction.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Mother of God, hope and intercessor of those who sing of thee, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and as thou art our pure Lady, accept me who repent.
Troparia: I have slipped and fallen like David through lack of discipline, and I am covered with filth; but wash me too, O Saviour, with my tears. Refrain: Most holy Mother of God, save us.
Theotokion: Spotless Mother of God, only all-hymned Virgin, pray intensely that we may be saved.
Another Eirmos: See, see that I am God, Who rained manna and made water spout from the rock of old for my people in the wilderness, by My right hand, and by My strength alone.
Troparia: See, see that I am God: give ear, my soul, to the Lord Who is appealing to you, and tear yourself from your former sin, and fear Him as the Avenger, and as your Judge and God. Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: With all eagerness and love thou didst run to Christ, abandoning thy former way of sin. And being nourished in the untrodden wilderness, thou didst chastely fulfill His divine commandments.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Unoriginate, uncreated Trinity, indivisible Unity, accept me who repent, save me who have sinned. I am Thy creation, despise me not, but spare me and deliver me from the fire of condemnation.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Eirmos: Establish, O Lord, my unstable. heart on the rock of Thy commandments, for Thou only art Holy and Lord.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:You have not inherited Shem's blessing, wretched soul, nor have you received that vast possession like Japheth in the land of forgiveness. Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: In offering a fervent prayer at this time to the compassionate Mother of God, O Saint, by thy intercession open to me the divine right of entry.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Simple, uncreated Unity, unoriginate Nature praised in a Trinity of Persons, save us who with faith worship Thy power.
Theotokion: O Mother of God, unwedded thou gavest birth in time to the timeless Son of the Father. And - O strange wonder! - thou remainest a Virgin while suckling Him.
(The Eirmos is repeated, and then we begin:)
Ode 4.
Eirmos: The Prophet heard of Thy coming, O Lord, and was afraid that Thou wast to be born of a Virgin and appear to men, and he said, "I have heard the report of Thee and am afraid." Glory to Thy power, O Lord. Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: My body is defiled, my spirit is sullied, and I am all covered with sores. But as the Physician, O Christ, heal, wash, and cleanse both body and spirit with repentance, and make me, my Saviour, purer than snow.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: I confess Thee to be undivided in essence, unconfused in persons, One Triune Divinity, co-enthroned and co-reigning. I sing Thee the great song thrice sung on high.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Thou givest birth and livest a virgin life, and in both remainest a virgin by nature. He Who is born of thee renews the laws of nature, and a womb gives birth without travail. Where God wills, the order of nature is overruled; for He does whatever He wishes.
Ode 5.
Eirmos: Out of the night watching early for Thee, enlighten me, I pray, O Lover of men, and guide even me in Thy commandments, and teach me, O Saviour, to do Thy will.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: How heavy in character I have become, in soul and body, like Jannes and Jambres in Pharaoh's bitter service, and my mind has sunk low. But help me, O Lord. Spare, spare, O Lord, Thy works. I have sinned; forgive me, for Thou alone art pure by nature, and apart from Thee there is none without defilement. Being God, for my sake Thou didst take my form, and didst work miracles, healing lepers and bracing paralytics; and Thou didst stop the flow of blood of the woman with hemorrhage, O Saviour, through the touch of Thy hem. Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: Having crossed Jordan's stream, thou didst find rest by giving a wide berth to the deadening pleasure of the flesh, from which deliver us also by thy prayers, O saint.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Thee, O Trinity, we glorify, the one God: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, Father, Son and Spirit, simple Being, Unity ever adored.
Theotokion: From thee, O pure maiden Mother and Virgin, God Who created the worlds and ages was clad in my clay and united to Himself human nature.
Ode 6.
Eirmos: I cried with my whole heart to the merciful God, and He heard me from the lowest hell and raised my life out of corruption.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: Rise and make war against the passions of the flesh, as Joshua did against Amalek, and ever conquer the Gibeonites - illusive thoughts. To the Holy Trinity: I am the Trinity, simple and undivided, divided Personally, and I am the Unity, united in nature, says the Father, the Son, and the Divine Spirit.
Theotokion: Thy womb bore God for us Who took our form. Implore Him as the Creator of all, O Mother of God, that through thy intercessions we may be justified.
Kontakion, tone 6:>My soul, my soul, arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is drawing near, and you will be confounded. Awake, then, and be watchful, that Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fills all things.
Ode 7.
Eirmos: We have sinned, transgressed, done wrong before Thee, we have not watched or done as Thou hast commanded us. But do not give us up utterly, O God of our Fathers.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:You have piled up sins like Manasseh by deliberate choice, my soul, setting up your passions as idols and multiplying abominations. But now fervently emulate his repentance and acquire compunction. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: O Trinity simple and undivided, of one essence and one nature, Lights and Light, three Holies and one Holy, God the Trinity is hymned. But sing, my soul, and glorify the Life and Lives, the God of all.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: We sing of thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, O Mother of God, for thou gavest birth to one of the inseparable Trinity, the one Son and God, and to us on earth thou hast opened the heavenly realms.
Ode 8.
Eirmos: Him Whom the heavenly hosts glorify and before Whom Cherubim and Seraphim tremble, let every breath and all creation praise, bless and exalt throughout all ages.
Refrain:Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:Just Judge and Saviour, have mercy on me and deliver me from the fire and the threat which I shall justly incur at the judgment. Forgive me before my end by virtue and repentance.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Eternal Father, co-eternal Son, gracious Comforter, Spirit of Truth; Father of the Divine Word, Word of the Eternal Father, living and creative Spirit, Trinity Unity, have mercy on us.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: As from scarlet silk, O spotless Virgin, within thy womb the spiritual purple was woven, the flesh of Emmanuel. Therefore we honour thee as in truth Mother of God. Ode 9.
Eirmos: Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception, unsullied the pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews natures. So in all generations we magnify thee in orthodox fashion as the Mother and Bride of God.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: Christ the Word healed diseases, preached the Gospel to the poor, cured cripples, ate with publicans, conversed with sinners, and He brought back the departed soul of Jairus' daughter by the touch of His hand. The publican was saved, the harlot was made chaste, but the pharisee through boasting was condemned. For the first said, "Be merciful," the second, "Have mercy on me," but the last boasted and cried, "O God, I thank Thee," and then some foolish words. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Let us glorify the Father, exalt the Son, and faithfully worship the Divine Spirit, inseparable Trinity, Unity in essence, as the Light and Lights, the Life and Lives, giving life and light to the ends of the earth.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Protect thy city, spotless Mother of God, for in thee it faithfully reigns, and in thee is made strong, and through thee it conquers and routs every trial and temptation, and spoils its foes and rules its subjects.
Refrain: Holy father Andrew, pray for us.
To St Andrew of Crete: Venerable Andrew, thrice-blessed father, shepherd of Crete, cease not to pray to God for those who sing of thee, that He may deliver from anger, oppression, corruption and our countless sins, all of us who faithfully honour thy memory.
(On Thursday of the First Week of Lent, during Great Compline, after Psalm 69, the fourth portion of the Great Canon is sung. The Eirmosi are sung twice, once at the beginning and once at the end of each Ode.1 Before each troparion the Refrain is sung and we make the sign of the Cross with three low bows.2)
Tone Six
Ode 1.
Eirmos: He is my Helper and Protector, and has become my salvation.This is my God and I will glorify Him. My father's God and I will exalt Him. For gloriously has He been glorified. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: O Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of all, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of compunction. Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: By submitting to Christ's divine laws Thou didst draw near to Him, having left the unbridled craving for pleasure, and with all discretion thou didst achieve every virtue as one.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Superessential Trinity, adored in Unity, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of compunction.
Theotokion: Mother of God, hope and intercessor of those who sing of thee, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and as thou art our pure Lady, accept me who repent.
Ode 2.
Eirmos: See, see that I am God, Who rained manna and made water spout from the rock of old for my people in the wilderness, by My right hand, and by My strength alone.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: I have killed a man to the wounding of myself', said Lamech, 'and a young man to my own hurt', he cried out wailing. But you, my soul, do not tremble, while polluting the flesh and defiling the mind. Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: Thou didst stretch out thy hands to the merciful God, O Mary, when sunk in the lowest vices. And He Who by every means was seeking thy conversion, lovingly stretched out a helping hand as to Peter.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Unoriginate, uncreated Trinity, indivisible Unity, accept me who repent, save me who have sinned. I am Thy creation, despise me not, but spare me and deliver me from the fire of condemnation.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Spotless Lady, Mother of God, hope of those who run to thee and haven of those in distress, obtain grace for me from the merciful One, Thy Son and Creator, by thy prayers.
Ode 3.
Eirmos: Establish Thy Church on the unshakable rock of Thy commandments, O Christ.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Reject not the prayer of those who praise Thee, O Lord; but have compassion on us, O Lover of men, and to those who ask with faith grant forgiveness.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Mother of God, unwedded thou gavest birth in time to the timeless Son of the Father. And - O strange wonder! - thou remainest a Virgin while suckling Him.
Ode 4.
Eirmos: The Prophet heard of Thy coming, O Lord, and was afraid that Thou wast to be born of a Virgin and appear to men, and he said, 'I have heard the report of Thee and am afraid.' Glory to Thy power, O Lord. Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: Brief is my lifetime and full of pain and wickedness, but accept me in penitence and recall me to awareness of Thee. May I never be the possession or food of the enemy. O Saviour, have compassion on me. The opulent and righteous man, arrayed in royal dignity, crown and purple, abounding in wealth and cattle, was suddenly shorn of his riches, glory and kingdom and became a beggar.
If he who was righteous and blameless beyond all did not escape the snares and nets of the deceiver, what will you do, my soul, who are sin-loving and wretched, if something unexpected happens to you?
Boastful I am, and hard-hearted, all in vain and for nothing. Condemn me not with the Pharisee, but rather grant me the humility of the Publican, O only merciful and just Judge, and number me with him. I have sinned, I know, O merciful Lord, and outraged the vessel of my flesh, but accept me in penitence and recall me to awareness of Thee. May I never be the possession or food of the enemy. O Saviour, have compassion on me.
I am become my own idol, and have injured my soul with passions, O merciful Lord, but accept me in penitence and recall me to awareness of Thee. May I never be the possession or food of the enemy. O Saviour, have compassion on me.
I have not listened to Thy voice, I have disobeyed Thy Scripture, O Lawgiver, but accept me in penitence and recall me to awareness of Thee. May I never be the possession or food of the enemy. O Saviour, have compassion on me.
Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: Though dragged down to the depth of great offences, thou wast not held there. But with better thought thou didst return by action to consummate virtue beyond all expectation, to the amazement of angel kind, O Mary.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: I confess Thee to be undivided in essence, unconfused in persons, One Triune Divinity, co-enthroned and co-reigning. I sing Thee the great song thrice sung on high.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Thou givest birth and livest a virgin life, and in both remainest a virgin by nature. He Who is born of thee renews the laws of nature, and a womb gives birth without travail. Where God wills, the order of nature is overruled; for He does whatever He wishes.
Ode 5.
Eirmos: Out of the night watching early for Thee, enlighten me, I pray, O Lover of men, and guide even me in Thy commandments, and teach me, O Saviour, to do Thy will. Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:Imitate, my soul, the woman bent earthward; come and fall down at the feet of Jesus, that He may straighten you to walk upright in the footsteps of the Lord. Though Thou art a deep well, O Lord, pour on me streams from Thine immaculate wounds, that like the Samaritan woman I may drink and thirst no more; for from Thee gush rivers of life. May my tears be for me a Siloam, O Sovereign Lord, that I may wash the eyes of my soul and mentally see Thee Who art that light which was before creation. Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: Thou, all-blessed one, didst yearn with matchless love and longing to worship the Tree of Life, and thy desire was granted; make us also worthy to attain to the glory on high.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Thee, O Trinity, we glorify, the one God: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, Father, Son and Spirit, simple Being, Unity ever adored.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: From thee, O pure maiden Mother and Virgin, God Who created the worlds and ages was clad in my clay and united to Himself human nature.
Ode 6.
Eirmos: I cried with my whole heart to the merciful God, and He heard me from the lowest hell and raised my life out of corruption.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: I am the coin with the royal image which was lost of old, O Saviour. But light the lamp, Thy Forerunner, O Word; seek and find Thy image. Rise and make war against the passions of the flesh, as Joshua did against Amalek, and ever conquer the Gibeonites - illusive thoughts. Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: To extinguish the flame of the passions, O Mary, thou didst ever shed rivers of tears and fire thy soul with divine love. Grant also to me, thy servant, the grace of tears.
Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: Thou didst acquire heavenly dispassion by thy sublime life on earth, O mother. Therefore pray that those who sing of thee may be delivered from the grip of passions.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: I am the Trinity, simple and undivided, divided Personally, and I am the Unity, united in nature, says the Father, the Son, and the Divine Spirit.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Thy womb bore God for us Who took our form. Implore Him as the Creator of all, O Mother of God, that through thy intercessions we may be justified.
Kontakion, Tone 6:My soul, my soul, arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is drawing near, and you will be confounded. Awake, then, and be watchful, that Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fillest all things.
Ode 7.
Eirmos: We have sinned, transgressed, done wrong before Thee, we have not watched or done as Thou hast commanded us. But do not give us up utterly, O God of our Fathers.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:My days have vanished like a dream on waking. Therefore I weep on my bed like Hezekiah that years may be added to my life. But what Isaiah will come to you, my soul, except the God of all? I fall, down before Thee and bring Thee as tears my words. I have sinned like the harlot, and transgressed as no other on earth. But have compassion, O Lord, on Thy work, and recall me.
I have buried Thy image and broken Thy commandment. All my beauty is darkened and my lamp is extinguished by my passions, O Saviour. But have compassion and restore to me, as David sings, joy. font color="000000" font size=4>Return, repent, uncover what is hidden. Say to God Who knows everything: Thou knowest my secrets, O only Saviour; but have mercy on me, as David sings, according to Thy mercy. Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: By crying to the immaculate Mother of God, thou didst repel the rage of passions which once violently harassed thee, and didst put to shame the enemy tempter. But now grant me, thy servant, also help out of trouble.
Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: He Whom thou lovest, He Whom thou desires, He on Whose track thou camest, mother, found thee and granted thee repentance, for He is God Who alone is compassionate. Implore Him unceasingly to deliver us from passions and adversities.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: O Trinity simple and undivided, of one essence and one nature, Lights and Light, three Holies and one Holy, God the Trinity is hymned. But sing, my soul, and glorify the Life and Lives, the God of all.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: We sing of thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, O Mother of God, for thou gavest birth to one of the inseparable Trinity, the one Son and God, and to us on earth thou hast opened the heavenly realms.
Ode 8.
Eirmos: Him Whom the heavenly hosts glorify and before Whom Cherubim and Seraphim tremble, let every breath and all creation praise, bless and exalt throughout all ages.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: The alabaster jar of my tears, O Saviour, I pour out on Thy head as the perfume, and like the harlot I cry to Thee, seeking Thy mercy. I offer prayer and ask to receive forgiveness. Though no one has sinned against Thee as I, yet accept even me, O compassionate Saviour, repenting with fear and crying with love: Against Thee only have I sinned. I have done wrong, have mercy on me.
Spare, O Saviour, Thine own creation, and seek as Shepherd Thy lost sheep; snatch the stray from the wolf, and make me a pet lamb in Thy sheep pasture. When Thou sittest as Judge and in Thy compassion showest Thy dread glory, O Christ, O what fear there will be then, when the furnace is burning and all shrink from Thy inexorable Tribunal! Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: The Mother of the unwaning Light enlightened thee, and freed thee from the darkness of the passions. So now thou art admitted to the grace of the Spirit, enlighten, O Mary, those who faithfully praise Thee.
Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: Beholding in thee a new wonder, O mother, divine Zosimas was truly amazed. For he saw an angel in a body and, filled with utter astonishment, he praises Christ for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Eternal Father, co-eternal Son, gracious Comforter, Spirit of Truth; Father of the Divine Word, Word of the Eternal Father, living and creative Spirit, Trinity in Unity, have mercy on us.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion:As from scarlet silk, O spotless Virgin, within thy womb the spiritual purple was woven, the flesh of Emmanuel. Therefore we honour thee as in truth Mother of God.
Ode 9.
Eirmos: Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception, unsullied the pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews natures. So in all generations we magnify thee in Orthodox fashion as the Mother and Bride of God.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia: Have compassion and save me, have mercy on me, O Son of David, Who didst heal with a word the demoniac. And let Thy voice of tender compassion speak to me as to the robber, 'Truly I tell you, you will be with Me in Paradise when I rise in My glory.' Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: Thou didst astonish all by thy strange life, both the Orders of Angels and the councils of men, by living immaterially and surpassing nature. Then treading firmly the waves like an immaterial being, O Mary, thou didst cross the Jordan.
Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.
To St Mary of Egypt: Intercede with the Creator on behalf of those who praise thee, holy mother, that we may be delivered from the sufferings and afflictions which beset us on all sides, that being delivered from our temptations, we may unceasingly magnify the Lord Who glorified thee.
Refrain: Holy father Andrew, pray to God for us.
To St Andrew of Crete: Venerable Andrew, thrice-blessed father, shepherd of Crete, cease not to pray to God for those who sing of thee,that He may deliver from anger, oppression, corruption, and our countless sins, all of us who faithfully honour thy memory.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To the Holy Trinity: Let us glorify the Father, exalt the Son, and faithfully worship the Divine Spirit, inseparable Trinity, Unity in essence, as the Light and Lights, the Life and Lives, giving life and light to the ends of the earth.
Theotokion: Protect thy city, spotless Mother of God, for in thee it faithfully reigns, and in thee is made strong, and through thee it conquers and routs every trial and temptation, and spoils its foes and rules its subjects.
(And again the Eirmos of the Ninth Ode, as the conclusion of the Canon:) Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception, unsullied the pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews natures. So in all generations we magnify thee in Orthodox fashion as Mother and Bride of God.
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