ON MONDAY EVENING
At, Lord, I have cried, Prosomia.
Stichera for the Master.
Sauti 1
Mode 1. For all the powers of heaven.
I am engulfed by the ocean of my iniquities, * and overwhelmed completely * by the sea of transgressions. * I cry to You the Master: Deliver me * from the various difficult * trials of life and temptations, O gracious Lord, * and the fire that will never end. [SD]
Being immersed in the deep of despair and hopelessness, * replete with thoughts of evil * and with negative feelings, * in You alone, O Logos of God, have I * the most wretched one set my hopes. * From the assaults of my visible and unseen * vicious enemies deliver me. [SD]
Additional Stichera. For the Forerunner.
O Martyrs, extolled.
O Baptist and Forerunner of Christ, * I implore you fervently. * By your entreaties induce my heart that has been withered up * through unseemly conduct, * to incessantly pour out * a stream of tears, O wonderful Prophet John; that having gained through you * my salvation, I who am distressed * may give glory * to Him who has glorified you. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.
O Pure One, you only did become * the abode of Light who shone forth from the Father. And therefore I cry out to you and pray: * With the light of virtues, * make my soul to shine again, for it has now been darkened by sinful passions; and give it a place * in your splendid dwellings full of light, * O all-holy * Virgin, on Judgment Day. [SD]
Prokimeno. Sauti 4.
Prokeimenon. Mode 4.
The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him.
Mstari
Verse: You heard me when I called, O God of my righteousness. You strengthened my heart when I was in distress. [SAAS]
At the Aposticha.
Sauti 1
Aposticha. Mode 1. For compunction.
The sea of my transgressions, O Savior, is immense, and I am drowning grievously in my iniquities. Save me; give Your hand to me, O God, as to Peter, and have mercy on me. [SD]
Mstari
Verse: I lift my eyes to You, who dwell in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the maidservant look to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God until He shall have compassion on us. [SAAS]
I am condemned, O Savior, for wicked thoughts and deeds. Therefore, O God, implant in me the thought of turning back, that I may cry to You, my good Benefactor: Save me and have mercy on me. [SD]
Mstari
Verse: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we are greatly filled with contempt; our soul is greatly filled with it. We are a disgrace to those who prosper, and a contempt to the arrogant. [SAAS]
For the Martyrs.
Saints, your confession of faith in the arena disconcerted the power of the demons, and it freed the people from delusion. And so you cried aloud as you were beheaded: Let the sacrifice of our souls be acceptable before You, O benevolent Master; for, in longing for You, we have despised this temporal life. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Since you accept the petitions of sinners and do not ignore the sighs of the afflicted, O all-holy Virgin, intercede with Him who came from your undefiled body, and entreat Him to save us. [SD]
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ON TUESDAY MORNING
MATINS
After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata. For compunction.
Sauti 1
Mode 1.
Conceived as I was in iniquities, I the prodigal dare not look up into heaven. But with confidence in Your benevolence, I cry out: O God be gracious unto me and save me. [SD]
If the righteous man is only scarcely saved, what shall become of me who am a sinner? I did not bear the burden and the heat of the day. Number me with those who came at the eleventh hour, O God, and save me. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
We believers have acquired an unbreakable wall, namely Mary the Theotokos. So, let us submit our petitions to her. For she has great confidence with her Son; she can intercede for us and save our souls, from the wrath and from death. [SD]
After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata. For compunction.
The soldiers keeping watch.
Make haste, open to me Your paternal embraces. * I prodigally spent all my means of subsistence. * O Savior, I look hopefully * to Your tender mercy’s inexhaustible wealth. * Do not overlook a heart that now is impoverished. * For to You, O Lord, do I cry out with compunction: * I have sinned against You, save me. [SD]
Your judgment seat is dreadful and just is the judgment. * Appalling are my deeds. But, O merciful Savior, * come quickly and rescue me. * From perdition deliver me. * From the portion of the goats redeem me, O Master. * O most righteous Judge, account me worthy, I beg You, * to stand at Your right hand. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.
The sleep of indolence, O my soul, from about you * shake off, and light the bright, cheerful lamp of repentance. * Rejoicingly now exit from * the confusion of the present life, * so that you might meet the immortal Bridegroom, * saying unto Him: Reject me not, but receive me, * O Word, through your Mother’s prayers. [SD]
After the third Psalter reading, Kathismata.
For the Forerunner. The soldiers keeping watch.
O John who in the streams of the Jordan once baptized * the One who for the world is the purification, * extend your hand and rescue me who am foundering in the sea * of my many sins, and wash away all defilement. * Intercede with Him, our most benevolent Savior, * who always accepts your prayers. [SD]
For the Martyrs. The stone had been secured.
O Martyrs, you agreed in your beliefs, and as good soldiers * you were not in any way frightened by the threats of the tyrants; * but taking up the honorable Cross, * O Saints, you came with eagerness to Christ. * And when you finished the course of the race, * you received the victory from heaven. * Glory to Him whose might supported you. * Glory to Him who placed the crown on you. * Glory to Him who works healings for all through you. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. The soldiers keeping watch.
By leaping in the womb of his mother, O Pure one, * John recognized as God by divine grace the infant * that you were holding in your womb, * and he faithfully worshipped Him. * I beseech you now: O Virgin with the Forerunner, * fervently entreat the Word whom you made incarnate * that I your servant be saved. [SD]
Canon of Compunction.
Sauti 1 Irmosi.
Mode 1. Ode i. Heirmos.
An anthem of victory let us all sing now * to God as the One who wrought * wondrous and portentous signs * by His exalted arm, * and who saved Israel of old. For He is glorified. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
Enslaved as I am unto the sinful passions, * I fall down to You, O Lord, * begging that You set me free * from their grip on me, * that I may fervently extol Your great benevolence. [SD]
My soul by the scimitar of sin was wounded. * And miserable that I am, * I have died. And the foe * rejoices seeing me dead. * O Lord who raised the dead, restore my life and save me, I pray. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
The troops of victorious and holy Martyrs * were glorified, for with their * dignified body parts * they glorified Christ our God * Who, donning flesh, through Passion made corruption disappear. [SD]
The glorious Martyr saints, the front line fighters * and citadels of the Church, * stood unshaken by assaults * of the archenemy. * At their entreaties, O our God, give life to all of us. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O pure Maiden, like a fiery throne you carry * the Maker, and like a live * chamber and an elegant * palace you hold the King * who without changing or confusion has become what we are. [SD]
Canon for the Forerunner.
Same Heirmos.
Since you were the voice, O blest one, of the Logos, * do therefore accept, O John * Forerunner, the voice of our * entreaties unto you, * and from all evils through your mediation set us free. [SD]
You rose like the morning and the sun, O Baptist, * and hence you illuminate * all the earth, and eclipse * malevolent spirits all. * Do therefore drive away the darkness of my soul, I pray. [SD]
You preached to the dead, O Forerunner, announcing, * O blest one, our life to come. * Hence I pray you, mortify * the passions killing me. * And make me worthy to partake of divine radiance. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O only all-blessed and all-holy Lady * who gave birth in time unto * the incarnate timeless Son, * heal my most wretched soul * of all its longtime passions wherefrom it is suffering. [SD]
Irmosi.
Ode iii. Heirmos.
As the Psalmist said, the stone that the builders had rejected * has itself become now the head of the corner. * And furthermore the same is the rock on which Christ our God * firmly established His own Church, * which from the Gentiles He redeemed for himself. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
See this my innate infirmity, Lord who deigned to wear it. * See my soul’s distressing unsightliness, O Savior. * Hearken to my voice, O Messiah most merciful, * and turn the foulness of my soul, * almighty Master, into comeliness. [SD]
Save me, Jesus, me the prodigal. Save me who alone have * broken all Your saving commandments, O my Savior, * and mindlessly committed all manner of sin, O Lord, * and am seduced by sordid thoughts * alienating me, O Good One, from You. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
All the hosts of incorporeals watching you, O Martyrs, * truly were amazed by your manfulness: how strangely * contending in the arena you collapsed bodily, * but through the agency of God * you still brought down the fleshless enemies. [SD]
Covered as you were all over with blood and gore, O Martyrs, * even as the blood from your wounds was freshly dripping, * you stood before the Lord and immortal King joyfully, * and you triumphantly received * from Him the laurel crowns of victory. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
You have borne Him whom the Father begot before all ages. * You who knew no congress with man now feed the Feeder. * Amazing is the wonder, and new is the mystery! * And therefore all believing souls * extol you, Lady who have grace from God. [SD]
Canon for the Forerunner. Same Heirmos.
From a fruitless barren mother by priestly means you budded * and became most fruitful in tilling the divine farm. * O Forerunner, I pray, make prolific my heart which is * barren of any kind of good, * that I may glorify you loyally. [SD]
Fortify my heart with heavenly bread, O blessed Baptist, * for it is exhausted by wicked meditations. * And grant to me in earnest to act in accordance with * the will of tender-loving God, * that I may glorify you loyally. [SD]
Blessed Prophet who yourself had announced the Lamb of God who * takes away the sins of the world, I now entreat you: * Alleviate the weight of the burden of all my sins, * and grant compunction that will cleanse * the filth of passions from my soul, I pray. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Coming forth from you, the Logos, all-holy Theotokos, * wholly bearing flesh thus put on the whole of Adam. * And therefore, Theotokos, entreat Him this Son of yours * for my deliverance from all * manner of trials and eternal fire. [SD]
Irmosi.
Ode iv. Heirmos.
When you, Prophet Habbakuk, inspired had foreseen * the incarnation of the Word, you shouted and declared, * “In the approaching years You shall be acknowledged; * You will be revealed when the time comes. * Glory to Your strength, O Lord.” [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Forerunner. Same Heirmos.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode v. Heirmos.
O Son and Word of God, we pray You grant us Your peace, * for You render everything to us, O Lord our God. * We know no other God; we name Your name. * For You are the God of the dead and of the living. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Forerunner. Same Heirmos.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode vi. Heirmos.
Imitating the inspired Prophet Jonah in the whale, * I cry out to You, O Lord, * “From destruction free my life * and save me, I pray * to You, O Savior of the world. Glory to You!” [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Forerunner. Same Heirmos.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode vii. Heirmos.
O Lord and Savior, fire did not harm, * nor touch at all, * Your Servants in the furnace of old. * Those three young men then shouted in unison, * blessing and extolling God, and sang, * “God of our fathers, unto the ages, blessed are You!” [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Forerunner. Same Heirmos.
For the Trinity.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode viii. Heirmos.
To Him, the Creator and the Lord, at whom all hosts * and armies of Angels shudder, sing a hymn of praise, * you priests, and you Servants, glorify Him and bless, * and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Forerunner. In the furnace He preserved.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode ix. Heirmos.
The cloud that radiates brightly * and into which, as the rain fell * upon the fleece, the Lord of all * from the heavens descended * and was incarnated for us * becoming a man, though Unoriginate, * the immaculate Mother * of our God do we all magnify in song. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
Behold, the time for repentance * and labor clear of defilement. * Behold, the day of light. Depart * from the darkness of passions. * Increase your labors. Drive away * the sleep of most detrimental laziness, * so that you, O my soul, might * have a share in the divine unwaning Light. [SD]
As did the Publican, I sigh; * as did the Harlot, so weep I; * as did the Robber, so I shout: * O remember me, Master. * And I cry out that I have sinned, * as once did the Prodigal, and beg of You, * as the Canaanite woman: * Overlook me not, O merciful Lord Christ. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
You have become true physicians * of every bodily ailment * and of the miseries of soul, * as the Lord’s lauded athletes. * For resolutely you allowed * your bodies to undergo a violent death * after suffering tortures. * You are therefore counted blessed evermore. [SD]
The perseverance of Christ’s wise * prize-winning Martyrs, aglow with * light even brighter than the sun, * by the action of grace did * plainly obliterate the foe, * the ruler of darkness; and it brought an end * to the night of atheism, * and pervaded the believers’ hearts with light. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
By the illumining brightness * of the divine Word who rose from * your holy womb, and on the ends * of the earth shone, illumine * my soul bedarkened as it is * by the obscuration that the pleasures bring, * O Virgin Theotokos, * that I faithfully might sing to you in praise. [SD]
Canon for the Forerunner. Same Heirmos.
Behold the beautiful-sounding * swallow announcing the springtime * Christ unto all. Behold the lamp * that gives light unto those in * the darkness of the present life, * the great mediator of the old and new, * John the Forerunner, by whose * intercessions we are ever kept from harm. [SD]
You are the friend of the Bridegroom. * And hence I now designate you * to be my advocate. My sins * being many, I cry out * unto you blessed Baptist John: * Promote the cancellation of all my debts, * and light the lamp of my soul * which from negligence completely has been doused. [SD]
With incorporeal Angels, * with the exalted Apostles, * and the triumphant Martyr saints * and the Prophets, O Prophet, * together earnestly entreat * at all times our God who is exceeding good, * that we who have you as our * good protector might obtain eternal goods. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
You hold the Master who holds all, * as if yourself the cherubic * throne, O pure Maiden full of grace. * And you feed Him who feeds us. * Therefore we pray you to beseech * unceasingly that your flock be ever saved * from collapse and from earthquakes, * and from conquest and from all necessity. [SD]
Eksapostiilario.
Exaposteilarion.
Sauti ya 3.
Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.
St. John the famous Forerunner * and baptizer of the Savior, * the Prophet born of a Prophet * and the son of Elizabeth, * was nurtured in the wilderness. * Come all and let us extol him.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion. Same Melody.
I have you as mediatrix * before the God who loves mankind. * May He not censure my actions * in the sight of the Angels. * I entreat you, O Virgin, * come quickly to my assistance.
At the Aposticha of Lauds.
Sauti 1
Aposticha. Mode 1. For compunction.
Another world awaits you, O my soul, and a Judge who will make public your awful secrets. So, no longer persist as you are, but anticipate the Judge and call to Him, “O God, be merciful to me and save me. [SD]
Mstari Asubuhi tumejazwa na huruma yako, Ee Bwana; [[SWA]]
Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons. [SAAS]
Reject me not, O my Savior, overtaken as I am by the laziness of sin. Rouse my thinking to repentance: and make me an approved laborer of Your vineyard, and grant to me the wages of the eleventh hour, and the great mercy. [SD]
Mstari Ubora wa Bwana Mungu wetu uwe juu yetu; atuongoze kwa kazi ya mikono yetu; hata kazi ya mikono yetu Aiongoze. [[SWA]]
Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]
For the Martyrs.
These are the soldiers of the great King: they defied the tyrants’ decrees and bravely disdained the tortures. They trampled all delusion and worthily were crowned. And now they ask the Savior for peace and for great mercy upon our souls. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. O Martyrs, extolled.
All-laudable Virgin, Moses saw * with his own prophetic eyes of old the mystery wrought in you when he beheld the bush * unconsumed though burning. * For in you the fire of Divinity in no way consumed your womb. And therefore we entreat * you the Mother of our Lord and God, * to grant mercy, * O pure one, and peace to your world. [SD]
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LITURGY
Sifa za heri. Sauti 1
The Beatitudes. Mode 1.
Then the foe used eating from the tree * to get Adam banished from Paradise. * Now crucified upon a tree, * Christ allowed the Robber enter it, * when he said: Remember me * when You come in Your kingdom, O Lord. [SD]
Sinning daily as I do, O God, * and violating Your commandments, I pray * that through repentance You convert * me and rescue me from punishment, * so that I may glorify * Your ineffable compassion, O benevolent Lord. [SD]
O divine Forerunner, you appeared * as a lamp preceding the unsetting Light * Who from the cloud of light on us * inexpressibly has risen and shone. * Supplicate Him earnestly * to illumine the souls of those who honor you. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
You attained the heavenly awards * in the heights, O Martyrs extolled by all, * after you suffered and endured * many complicated tortures for Christ. * Therefore everywhere each day * do believers extol you and call you blest. [SD]
Utukufu.
Glory.
Let us bow in worship and adore * the Father; likewise let us glorify * the Son; and also let us praise * the all-holy Spirit faithfully, * crying out in unison, * “Save us all, we implore, all-holy Trinity.” [SD]
Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Both now. Theotokion.
After childbirth did you remain * virgin as you were before childbirth, * when you gave birth to God in flesh, * O Immaculate, Whom entreat, * Pure one, that we be redeemed * from the passions of the flesh and the soul, we pray. [SD]