ON FRIDAY EVENING

At, Lord, I have cried, Prosomia.

Stichera for the Master.

Sauti 1

Mode 1. O Martyrs, extolled.

I ate from the tree of old and died, * when the serpent counseled Eve and I got carried away, and, woe is me, I was exiled * from Your divine glory. * Even now my sorry soul * is put to death by sin. O benevolent and only placable * Lord, I beg You, praying fervently, * please allow me to inhabit Paradise. [GOASD]

Withdrawing from everything, my soul, * hold within your memory * your final hour, and be vigilant, and ever be prepared * for your own departure; * lest, arriving suddenly * and finding you unready, your death might come and take you by surprise. * So be watchful, and unceasingly * to the Lord pray, * and pour out a stream of tears. [SD]

Fortify, O pre-eternal God, * the mind-set agreeing with * the carnal passions perturbing me; and by divine command, * quiet the unruly * movements in my flesh; and grant * forgiveness of my sins, inasmuch as You are quickly reconciled, * and compassionate and merciful, * in the wealth of * Your goodness and benevolence. [SD]

Additional for the Theotokos. Same Melody.

Make me, O all-holy Bride of God, * chaste and meek and self-controlled, * decent and quiet and decorous, straightforward and devout, * truthful and courageous, * sensible, longsuffering, * and lenient and gentle and moderate, blameless, impeccable, * irreproachable. And most of all * make me worthy * to inhabit Paradise. [SD]

Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Tumsifu Maria Bikira, kwa kuwa yeye ndiye utukufu wa ulimwengu wote; alijitoa kwa kizazi cha binadamu, na kumzaa Bwana; yeye ndiye umbo la Mbinguni; wimbo wa Nguvu zisizo na miili, na kafara ya waumini. Ameonyeshwa kama Hekalu la Umungu. Amevunja ukuta wa uadui, akileta amani, na amefungua Ufalme. Kwa hivyo, tukiwa naye kama mwanzilishi wa imani, tuna Bwana Mshujaa, Aliyezaliwa naye. Jipeni ujasiri basi; jipeni nguvu, enyi watu wa Mungu, kwa Yeye, kama Mungu Mweza atawamaliza maadui. [[SWA]]

Let us extol the Virgin Mary, the glory of the universe. She had human parents and became the mother of the Master. She is the gateway to heaven, the song of the bodiless hosts, and the jewel of the faithful. For she became like heaven, a temple of the Godhead. She broke down the dividing wall of hostility and introduced the One who is our peace, and she opened the kingdom. Now as we hold on to her, the anchor of the Faith, we have as our champion the Lord who was born from her. So take courage; take courage, O people of God. For He himself, as the Almighty One, will fight the enemies. [GOASD]

Prokimeno. Sauti ya 7

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode.

You are my protector, O God. Your mercy shall go before me.

Mstari

Verse: Rescue me from my enemies, O God, and redeem me from those who rise up against me. [SAAS]

At the Aposticha.

Sauti 1

Aposticha. Mode 1. 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]

Mstari

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints. [SAAS]

Oh, what an excellent transaction you made, O Saints! For you invested blood and inherited the heavens. Temporarily tested, you rejoice eternally. Good indeed was your enterprise! For by relinquishing things corruptible, you received in return things that perish not. And now exulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity. [SD]

Mstari

Verse: To the saints on His earth, in them the Lord magnified all His will. [SAAS]

Automelon.

O Martyrs, extolled in all the world, * you were not concealed by earth, * but rather heaven admitted you. The gates of Paradise * unto you were opened. * Having gone within, you now * enjoy the tree of life, and you intercede with Christ on our behalf, * supplicating that surpassing peace * and great mercy * be upon our souls bestowed. [SD]

Mstari

Verse: Blessed are they whom You have chosen and received, O Lord. And their memorial abides from generation to generation. [SAAS]

For the Dead.

Which of life’s pleasures remains free of sorrow? Which earthly glory is permanent? All this is fainter than a shadow, all more illusory than a dream. In a single moment, death succeeds them all. O Christ, grant rest to those whom You have taken, in the light of Your face and in the sweetness of Your handsomeness, O benevolent Lord. [SD]

Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Rejoice, O holy Virgin Theotokos, * the distinguished treasure of all the universe, * the unextinguished lamp, * the container of the Uncontainable, * the indestructible temple. * Rejoice, from whom the Lamb was born * Who takes away the sins of the world. [SD]

On days when Alleluia will be sung at Matins, at Vespers the hymns for the Martyrs are sung at “Lord, I have cried”; at the Aposticha, we sing the first hymn for the Martyrs and two idiomela for the Dead; we split the verse and for the second verse we use: And their memorial abides from generation to generation.

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ON SATURDAY MORNING

MATINS

After the first Psalter reading. Kathismata for the Martyrs.

Sauti 1

Mode 1. 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]

The holy martyrs suffered painful tortures for Your sake, O Lord; be compelled by what they endured, and heal our every pain, we entreat You, O only benevolent God. [SD]

Let all of us beseech the holy Martyrs of Christ God. * To Him they ever pray for our salvation and safety. * So let us all go to them, and approach them with ardent faith. * They pour out the grace of cures and healings profusely. * They defeat the hosts of evil spirits and demons, * as guardians of the Faith. [SD]

Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Glory. Both now. Theotokion. The stone having been sealed.

Wakati malaika Ghavrieli akisema kwako, Ee Bikira, salamu, kwa neno hili Rabi wa vyote akapata mwili kwako, uliye sanduku takatifu, vivyo alivyosema Daudi, yule mwenye haki; umeonyeshwa na upana zaidi kuliko mbingu, ukimhimili Mwumba wako. Utukufu kwake aliyekaa ndani yako; utukufu kwake aliyetoka kwako; utukufu kwake aliyetukomboa kupitia kwa uzao wako. [[SWA]]

When Gabriel had said to you, “Rejoice!” blessed Virgin, * and you had voiced your assent, the Lord of all became incarnate * in you, who became the holy Ark, * as righteous King David said of old. * You carried your Creator, and thus your womb was wider than the heavens. * Glory to Him who dwelt inside of you! * Glory to Him who came forth from You! * Glory to Him who through your childbirth has set us free! [GOASD]

After the second Psalter reading. Kathisma for the Martyrs.

O Lord, You are the pride of the contest, the very dignity of the laurel crowns, which the glorious prize-winning Martyrs have put on as a garment. For by their endurance under torture they put the lawless men to flight. And by divine power from heaven they received the victory. Through their supplications set me free from the invisible enemies, O Savior, and save me. [SD]

Additional for the Dead.

You put an end to the dominion of death, O Christ, and You poured out incorruption for us on earth. We who believe in You do not die but rather live in You. O Lord, we pray You grant repose to the souls of Your servants, and number them with Your Saints, and give them Your mercies, at the intercessions of the Theotokos. [GOASD]

The soldiers.

O Savior, grant repose in the luminous mansions * to Your departed servants, where the righteous assemble. * Their hopes were in You, O Lord, the benevolent God of all. * Please accept our prayers for our ancestors and children, * Save and vindicate them whose memorial service * we hold, for You are merciful. [GOASD]

Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Creation rejoices in you, O Lady full of grace, beholding the miracle of miracles. For you conceived without seed, and ineffably gave birth to the One whom the orders of the angels cannot see. Entreat Him earnestly on behalf of our souls. [SD]

Canon for Prophets and Martyrs.

Sauti 1 Irmosi.

Mode 1. Ode i. Heirmos.

Glorified in strength, as divine, * was Your victorious right hand, immortal Lord; * for, being all-powerful, it dashed and shattered the pursuing enemy, * opening a new way across the sea for the Israelites. [SD]

Troparia

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Canon for the Deceased.

Same Heirmos.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Irmosi.

Ode iii. Heirmos.

As You are the only One who knows * our mortal nature’s frailty and with compassion assumed the form thereof, * O Savior, gird me with the power from on high, * to cry out that Holy is the animate temple * of Your ineffable glory, benevolent Lord. [SD]

Troparia

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Canon for the Deceased. Same Heirmos.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Irmosi.

Ode iv. Heirmos.

Habakkuk the Prophet once perceived with foreseeing eyes, * that you would be the mountain overshadowed by the grace of God. * O Virgin, he prophesied that the Holy One of Israel would come from you, * for our salvation and for our refashioning. [SD]

Troparia

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Canon for the Deceased. Same Heirmos.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Irmosi.

Ode v. Heirmos.

By the brightness of Your coming You enlightened the world, O Christ, * by the power of Your Cross you illumined the ends thereof. * With the light of knowing You as God enlighten now the hearts of * those who extol You with Orthodox faith. [SD]

Troparia

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Canon for the Deceased. Same Heirmos.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Irmosi.

Ode vi. Heirmos.

The lowest depth encircles us, like Jonah said, * and there is no deliverer. * We are counted as sheep for slaughter, O Lord. * Save Your people, for You are our only God. * You are our strength, and You restore us, the weak and broken down. [SD]

Troparia

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Canon for the Deceased. Same Heirmos.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Irmosi.

Ode vii. Heirmos.

We who believe know you as the spiritual * furnace, O Mother of our God. * For your highly exalted Son, who once saved those servants three, * in your womb refashioned me and humanity entirely. * He is the God of our fathers, supremely praised and glorious. [SD]

Troparia

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Canon for the Deceased. Same Heirmos.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Irmosi.

Ode viii. Heirmos.

Three young men of Israel were thrown * into the blazing furnace, * as if they were being smelted. * Shining brighter than pure gold with beauty of piety, * they sang, “Bless the Lord, all you works; to the Lord sing a hymn * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]

Troparia

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Canon for the Deceased. Same Heirmos.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Irmosi.

Ode ix. Heirmos.

Burning, yet remaining unconsumed, * the bush revealed a type of your virgin childbirth. * And now we entreat that you extinguish the wild fire * of temptations, for it is engulfing us, * all-holy Theotokos, * and we will magnify you ceaselessly. [SD]

Troparia

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Canon for the Deceased. Same Heirmos.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion.

Eksapostiilario.

Exaposteilarion.

Sauti ya 3.

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

O only God who reposes * in those alone who are holy, * attend to the intercessions * of Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, * and of the devout monastics, * and save us all who extol You.

Same Melody.

Having, as God, authority * over the living and the dead, * give rest to Your servants * in the dwellings of the elect. * O Savior, even if they sinned, * yet they did not depart from You.

Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Theotokion. Same Melody.

We boast in you, immaculate Theotokos. * We have you as an advocate with the Godhead. * Stretch forth your hand, which is unassailable, * and crush our every enemy. * And send help to us your servants * from God’s holy place, O Lady.

Aposticha of Lauds.

Sauti 1

For the Martyrs. Mode 1.

Come, all you peoples, with spiritual songs and hymns, let us honor the prize-winning Martyrs of Christ. For they are the luminaries of the world and the preachers of the Faith, the ever-welling fountain from which the healings pour out to the believers. Through their supplications, O Christ our God, bestow peace upon Your world and great mercy upon our souls. [SD]

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]

O Martyrs extolled in all the world, neither tribulation nor distress, neither persecution nor famine, neither flogging nor angry beasts, neither sword nor threat of fire, could separate you from God. Rather, moved by your love for Him, you competed as though you were not in your own bodies, and in scorning death you eluded nature. Therefore you have worthily received the reward for your labors, and you have become heirs of the kingdom of heaven. We pray you never cease interceding on behalf of our souls. [SD]

Greatly rejoice in the Lord, O Martyrs, for you fought the good fight, you stood up to emperors, and you were victorious over tyrants. You were not frightened by fire and sword. As wild beasts devoured your bodies, and you joined the Angels in sending up your hymns of praise to Christ, from heaven you received the crowns. Pray now that peace be granted to the world and great mercy to our souls. [SD]

For the Dead.

O my Savior, You demonstrated in action that You are the resurrection of all, when You, O Logos, raised Lazarus from the dead by word alone. Bars and gates of Hades were smashed and disturbed, and human death was shown to be sleep. We pray You, who came to save Your creature, not to judge it, that You grant repose to those whom You have chosen, in Your benevolence towards humanity. [GOASD]

Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Rejoice, O Mary, the Theotokos! For you gave birth to the King, the Savior, and the star of all the ages. [GOASD]

When Alleluia is sung at Matins, we sing the foregoing hymns for the Martyrs as Lauds; for the Aposticha of Lauds we sing the following Prosomoia by St. Theophanis, which, together with the corresponding Prosomoia in the other modes, create an Acrostic in Greek, “O Christ, enroll Your servants in the book of the living.”

Sauti 1

Mode 1. O Martyrs, extolled.

O Savior, we pray that You will grant * rest and sweet participation in Yourself to Your servants who have died and passed away. * Settle them, O Master, in the dwellings of the Just, * the manors of Your saints, and the heavenly abodes, and overlook * their offenses, in Your tender love * and compassion, * and grant them eternal rest. [SD]

Mstari

Verse: Blessed are they whom You have chosen and received, O Lord. [SAAS]

No human was ever without sin, * no, not one, except for You, only Immortal and holy Lord; and therefore, being God, * in Your tender mercy, * settle Your departed servants in the light with the hosts of Your angelic powers all, * passing over every sin that they * had committed, * and grant them forgiveness of sins. [SD]

Mstari

Verse: Their souls shall dwell among good things. [SAAS]

O Savior, no eye has ever seen * and no ear has ever heard, nor have they entered into the heart of man what You as God * have prepared and promised; * they transcend the visible. * We pray You be well pleased to bestow on those who passed away to You * participation in these promises, * and we pray You * to grant them eternal life. [SD]

Mstari

Verse: And their memorial abides from generation to generation. [SAAS]

O Savior, Your servants full of joy, * trusting in Your precious Cross, O Lord, departed and went to You. * Grant it to be for them * as a ransom, Master, * for the sins that they had done. * It was for this that You shed Your precious blood that gives eternal life. * Count them worthy to experience * Your divine light and glory that never sets. [GOASD]

Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

All-pure Virgin Mother, please implore * Christ the Lord, your Son and God, * to grant Your servant forgiveness for the sins that they had done. * Rightly they professed that * God was truly born of you, * all-holy Theotokos, in words of faith. We pray He grant to them * in His kingdom to experience * the resplendence and brilliance of all His saints. [GOASD]

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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]

Martyr Athletes and the countless hosts * of prudent Women and of Hierarchs, * the famous Prophets and rest, * all entreat You, O Jesus our God, * only benevolent Lord. * Grant forgiveness of offenses to all. [SD]

You who finished that very sacred race, * devout Ascetics of Christ our God, * and you, O holy Hierarchs, * and you Prophets, all were granted to * dwell with Angels joyously * in the heavenly city, as Saints of God. [SD]

For the Martyrs.

To those whom You have taken, grant a place * in Your unsetting light, O merciful God, * and overlook their every sin and transgression, O our Savior Christ, * so that we might glorify * Your rich mercy towards us, O Benefactor. [SD]

Utukufu.

Glory.

Christ our God, with Your unoriginate * eternal Father and all-holy Spirit, * You are benevolent, and we * glorify You and we cry aloud: * Remember us Your servants, * at the hour of judgment, O Lord, we pray. [SD]

Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu

Both now. Theotokion.

We sing hymns, O Virgin, praising you, * as the spacious palace of Christ the King, * and as His glorious throne, * and the cloud of light; and so we pray: * Pure one, drive away the clouds * of the terrible passions afflicting us. [SD]

END OF MODE ONE