ON TUESDAY EVENING
At, Lord, I have cried, Prosomia.
Stichera for the Cross.
Sauti 2.
Mode 2. Joseph took You down.
Savior, when You hung upon the Cross, * seeing You the sun became darkened from overwhelming fear, * and the curtain of the Temple then was torn in two, * and the earth shook in every place, * and likewise in horror * rocks and boulders split apart, unable to behold * hanging on a cross their Creator * willfully to suffer unjustly, * nor the lawless men humiliating You. [SD]
Since You have been lifted on the Cross, * the malignant serpent has utterly been cast down to earth, * overthrown completely, as a slain monstrosity, * O benevolent Savior Christ, * while Adam the former * convict from the curse is loosed, and he is being saved. * Therefore we implore You, O Master: * Save us, and on all have compassion, * and account us worthy of Your blessed Rule. [SD]
You received a verdict, only King * who yourself at Your second coming will judge the universe, * and You wore a crown of thorns upon Your holy head, * O benevolent Savior Christ, * completely uprooting * the thorn of deception by Your mighty sovereignty. * And then You implanted the knowledge * of Your great compassion within all * who honor Your crucifixion faithfully. [SD]
Additional Stichera. For the Theotokos. Same Melody.
Lady, you are riches for the poor, * and for the impoverished comfort, a place of refuge and hope * for the orphaned children. Also we who suffer distress * glorify you and honor you. O all-holy Virgin, * quickly hear your servants’ prayers and come to rescue us * from every assault of the demons, * and from terrifying perdition, * and from condemnation to eternal hell. [GOASD]
Truly rising up over my head * are the many sins and transgressions that I committed indeed; * truly they have multiplied more than the hairs of my head. * O pure Virgin, I have incurred innumerable burdens, * too heavy for me, incorrigible wretch that I am. * Please come quickly, help me and save me, * by your prayers and strong intercession; * for you can restore those who committed sins. [GOASD]
As if to a haven have I run * underneath your holy protection, O Virgin Mother pure. * Have compassion, I entreat you, and reject me not; * rather save me your servant from * this present affliction, * being as you are by nature moved to sympathy. * Always intercede and deliver * us your servants from every trial, * as you are the Mother of the Most High God. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa.
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. Same Melody.
Pure one, when you saw the Bunch of grapes * hanging on the Cross wholly ripened, which without being tilled * you had carried in your womb, that is your Son and God, * you lamented and mourned aloud * and cried: O my Child, * let the new sweet wine drip forth, O Benefactor, by which * all intoxication of passions * may be swept away in Your mercy, * through the ardent prayers of me who gave You birth. [SD]
Prokimeno. Sauti 1
Prokeimenon. Mode 1.
(Zab 23: 6a) Hakika wema na fadhili zitanifuata siku zote za maisha yangu (mara mbili).
Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me all the days of my life.
Mstari Bwana ndiye mchunganji wangu, sitapungukiwa na kitu [[SWA]]
Verse: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. [SAAS]
At the Aposticha.
Sauti 2.
Aposticha. Mode 2. For the Cross.
By the power of Your Cross, save me, O Christ my Savior, Who saved Peter in the sea, and have mercy on me, O God. [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]
O Christ our God, You have made the tree of Your Cross a tree of life for us who believe in You. Through it You destroyed him who had the power of death, and granted life to us who were dead because of sin. Therefore we cry out to You, O Benefactor of all: Glory to You, O Lord. [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.
The companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said: We are soldiers enlisted by the King of hosts. Though you consume us with tortures and fire, yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa.
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. Joseph took You down.
At the crucifixion of your Son * and your God, immaculate Lady, you suffered much distress. * Groaning you lamented and you cried with bitter tears, * “Sweetest Child of mine, alas! * You suffer unjustly, * wishing to deliver all of Adam’s line born on earth!” * Therefore, moved by faith we entreat you * fervently, O all-holy Virgin: * For our sake persuade Him to be merciful. [SD]
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ON WEDNESDAY MORNING
MATINS
After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata. For the Cross.
Sauti 2.
Mode 2.
You worked salvation in the midst of the earth, O Christ our God. You stretched out your immaculate hands on the Cross, and gathered all the nations, who cry to You: “Lord, glory to You!” [SD]
O benevolent Lord, as an intercessor we we present to You the life-giving Cross of Your goodness, which we the unworthy have as a gift from You. Save our leaders and our nation and keep them in peace, through the Theotokos. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa.
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
O Christ, Your virgin Mother saw You stretched out on the Cross, and she cried bitterly and said, “O my Son, what is this awful mystery? You who give life eternal to all, how is it that You voluntarily die a painful death on a cross?” [SD]
After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata. For the Cross.
Automelon.
We venerate Your immaculate icon, O good Lord, and entreat You to forgive our offenses, O Christ our God. By Your own choice you were pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, to deliver us, whom You created, from our slavery to the foe. Therefore we cry to You with gratitude: You have filled all things with joy, O our Savior, by coming to save the world. [SD]
O Savior, you illumined the earth by Your Cross, and You called all sinners to repentance. I pray You do not separate me from Your flock, O Good Shepherd. But rather look for me, the lost sheep, and include me in Your holy flock, O only good and benevolent Master. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa.
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
When Your Mother, who gave birth to You without seed, was standing near Your Cross, she could not bear to watch You suffer unjustly. She lamented and wept and cried out to You, “O sweetest Son of mine, how do You suffer, since You are by nature impassible? I extol Your extreme goodness.” [SD]
After the third Psalter reading, Kathismata.
For the Cross.
Like the Robber, I confess, and I cry to You who are good: “Remember me, O Lord, in Your kingdom.” Number me with him, O Savior who voluntarily accepted to suffer on our behalf. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
O victorious Athletes of the Lord, blessed is the ground that was watered with your blood, and holy are the dwellings that received your spirits. You prevailed over the enemy in the stadium, and you openly proclaimed Christ. We pray you will earnestly entreat Him for us, that He save our souls, since He is good. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa.
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. In seeking the heights.
The all-blameless Maid * cried out when she beheld her Son * be nailed to the Cross, * “How new is this miracle! * He who holds the universe * in His hand is undergoing suffering, * and He who grants forgiveness to all * is judged and condemned like a criminal.” [SD]
Canon for the Cross.
Sauti 2. Irmosi.
Mode 2. Ode i. Heirmos.
Long ago the overwhelming Force * utterly destroyed the chariots and army of Pharaoh within the Sea. * Now the Logos put on flesh * and He wiped out malignant sin and its burdens all. * He is Lord, forever glorious, and He is greatly glorified. [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Same Heirmos.
From all women, God selected you, * blameless, holy Virgin pure, * for you were lovely and fair and most beautiful. * As a babe He dwelt within your all-blameless womb. * We implore you, all-blameless one, * pray to Him to free from blame of their transgressions all who sing your praise. [GOASD]
As the Psalmist said it long ago, * you stood at the right hand of the divine King, who came forth from your holy womb, * as a Queen, O Virgin pure. * Pray to Him for me, to permit me place to stand * near Him on His right hand, * on that day of just rewards, all-blameless one. [GOASD]
Dry was human nature to the core, * due to all its deviance. * But you gave birth to rain from heaven, namely Christ, * who through you renewed it all. * I implore you now, make the soil of my sorry soul * once again be fruitful, * for my sins have dried it up, O Bride of God. [GOASD]
Irmosi.
Ode iii. Heirmos.
The gentile church was formerly like the barren wilderness; * and then it blossomed as the rose * and the lily, when You appeared on earth. * My heart is established in Your Advent, O Lord. [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos. Same Heirmos.
When He put on my human form, * O all-spotless one, your Son, * the Maker, from your womb came forth; * and to those who because of many sins * had been stripped, He gave robes of immortality. [GOASD]
All-spotless one, as Mother of the most honored Word of God, * intently pray to Him for me * to take pity on my dejected soul * that submitted to pleasures that dishonor it. [GOASD]
O Virgin all-immaculate, * heal the bruises on my soul. * With your effective medicine * treat my heart, which is in a sorry state, * for venom of the serpent has infected it. [GOASD]
Irmosi.
Ode iv. Heirmos.
You came, O Lord, * not an elder nor angel, but You yourself, * God incarnate, being born of a pure Virgin, thus saving me * and all of humanity. * Therefore I sing to You: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos. Same Heirmos.
O Lady, please, let a drop of compunction rain down on me, * which will make the scorching heat subside inside of my aching heart, * and suppress iniquitous * recollections afflicting my intellect. [GOASD]
Immaculate, holy Virgin, I pray, do not pass me by, * as you see my lying here. The knife of pleasure has wounded me. * Heal me by the spear and blood * of Christ your Son, who is our God who was crucified. [GOASD]
Enriched are you, with the mastery over creation all. * O Lady, my sins has made me poor in grace divine. Pity me, * so that I may magnify * you my benevolent patroness, all-blameless one. [GOASD]
Irmosi.
Ode v. Heirmos.
O Christ our God, * You are the mediator between God and men. * For through You, O Lord, we have access to Your Father, the Author of Light, * in the Spirit, as Paul said, out of the night of ignorance. [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos. Same Heirmos.
Immaculate Maid, * who gave birth to Him who is way and the life, * I pray you to guide me straight on the narrow way, for I have senselessly * hurled myself to perdition and trackless lands of tragedy. [GOASD]
I foolishly lived * a licentious life, estranging myself from God, * and I have been wandering far away in passions like a foreign land. * Bring be back, holy Virgin, and save me, by your prayers for me. [GOASD]
I pray, let me drink * from refreshing streams of life that flow from you, * O Mother and Virgin pure; for the flames of sinful deeds are burning me. * I your servant am threatened, for demons are assaulting me. [GOASD]
Irmosi.
Ode vi. Heirmos.
The Prophet Jonah cried to the Lord from the sea creature, * “I pray You, Lord my God, from the depth of Hades raise me up, * that with a voice of praise, I may sacrifice to You * in a spirit of truth, O Deliverer.” [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos. Like a deep sea, my sins.
Let me not be the object of ridicule * by the wicked demons, O Lady, on Judgment Day, * but pray for me to Christ, the Judge * and your Son, to regard me with charity. [GOASD]
I have moved You to wrath with my shameful thoughts * and my wicked deeds and transgressions and sins, O Lord. * Forgive me, by your Mother’s prayers, * in Your mercy, and save me, O Christ my God. [GOASD]
You gave birth to the Lord of the universe, * who as God will Judge all. Alas, I am self-condemned * in many sins. O Lady, please, * from His just condemnation deliver me. [GOASD]
Irmosi.
Ode vii. Heirmos.
The godless decree of the unlawful tyrant * commanded the stoking of the furnace’s fiery flame. * But Christ joined His pious Servants, and He covered them * with the Spirit’s dewy breeze. * He is praised and blessed and exceedingly glorious. [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos. Same Heirmos.
O Lady, my praise are you and my salvation, * my surest assistance and my fortress unassailable. * I earnestly pray that you will fight for me against * demons who unceasingly attack me and are always seeking to murder me. [GOASD]
When God with your blood assumed a human body, * O Virgin, through you thereby humanity was deified. * Now I, who succumbing to the passions, lie here defiled * with wounds, pray you save me by your intercessions from the plots of the enemy. [GOASD]
The furnace in Babylon of old prefigured * your childbirth, O Virgin pure; for the Servants were not consumed; * neither was your womb consumed by the unbearable fire. * Therefore we implore you to deliver us, your servants, from the eternal fire. [GOASD]
Irmosi.
Ode viii. Heirmos.
Heeding the divine decree, the fiery furnace * of old in Babylon distributed its actions and energy; * for it burned up the Chaldean men, * but it refreshed the faithful young men who sang, * saying, “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Sing a hymn to Him.” [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos. Same Heirmos.
Zealously pursue the virtues, through divine acts, * and keep your distance from all wickedness, my soul, for you have as your * intercessor the immaculate and sympathetic Mother of Christ our God, * the benevolent, kind protectress who never fails. [GOASD]
Mother of our God, you freed our human nature * from the ancestral bond and curse. And now, O immaculate * Virgin, I implore you, free my heart from everything that binds it to wickedness, * and bind me to the love of God who created me. [GOASD]
Dismal is my heart, inglorious from sinning. * O Theotokos, who gave birth to Him who is the reflection of * the Father’s glory, please make it shine. Let me partake of glory that never ends, * O all-blameless and blessed Virgin immaculate. [GOASD]
Irmosi.
Ode ix. Heirmos.
To us was revealed the unoriginate Begetter’s Son, * from a Virgin incarnated. He is God and Lord, * coming to those sitting in darkness to give them light, * to gather the scattered. * And therefore the all-extolled Theotokos should be magnified. [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos. Same Heirmos.
When Adam succumbed and ate forbidden fruit, he bitterly * garnered death and mortality from the tree of old. * When your Son was willingly nailed to the holy tree, He poured out the sweetness * of true immortality. Hence we honor you, O Virgin pure. [GOASD]
O Lady, the Queen are you, for you gave birth ineffably * to the King and the Lord, who dissolved the realm of hell. * O all-holy Virgin, implore Him, that He account worthy of the kingdom * of heaven your servants all, who with faith and longing sing your praise. [GOASD]
O Lady, I pray you to do good to my pathetic heart, * for indulgence in pleasure has harmed and wounded it. * You have given birth to the Good God, and you yourself are good, blessed Virgin. * To the good and open gates of repentance please direct my steps. [GOASD]
At the Aposticha of Lauds.
Sauti 2.
Aposticha. Mode 2. For the Cross.
“Let Him be crucified!” cried they who had always enjoyed Your gifts of grace; and they asked to receive a malefactor instead of You, the Benefactor, those slayers of the righteous. But You, were silent, enduring their impudence, for You willed to suffer and to save us, O benevolent Christ. [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]
Willingly You assumed the poverty of Adam, O Christ our God, and You came to earth and became incarnate of the Virgin. Then You accepted to be crucified, to free us from our bondage to the foe. Glory to You, O Lord. [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.
Your many Saints implore You, O Christ. Have mercy on us, O benevolent Lord. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa.
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. Joseph took You down.
Savior, when those men unlawfully * hung You on a cross as a convict, being the life of all, * Your all-blameless, pure, and holy Mother stood nearby. * As she looked at You, she cried out, * lamenting and weeping, * “Woe is me, O sweetest Child of mine, the light of my eyes! * You who hung the earth in the waters, * how can You endure crucifixion, * nailed onto a cross between two criminals?” [GOASD]
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LITURGY
Sifa za heri. Sauti 2.
The Beatitudes. Mode 2.
We present You the robber’s words and we prayerfully echo them; and like him we cry out, O Savior: In Your kingdom remember us. [SD]
You were lifted upon the Cross, and You lifted up with yourself * all of human nature, O Savior, which now extols You ceaselessly. [SD]
By the spear that was thrust in You, You tore up Adam’s bond of sin, * and You have enrolled Him in the book of the living, O gracious Lord. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
Imitating the One who was voluntarily crucified, * now you are participants with Him in glory, O martyr saints. [SD]
Utukufu.
Glory.
In one honor and glory is the unoriginate Father praised * with the Holy Spirit and the Son, also truly unoriginate. [SD]
Sasa.
Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
As you witnessed the One you bore without seed being crucified, * you, His virgin Mother, extolled His mercy ineffable. [SD]