ON FRIDAY EVENING
At, Lord, I have cried, Prosomia.
Stichera for the Master.
Sauti 2.
Mode 2. Joseph took You down.
When You come again, O Christ our God, * with Your holy Angels in glory to judge the universe, * when all men who ever lived shall stand before You exposed, * there to render a full account * for their every action; * then, O Word, include me in the number of Your sheep, * granting me from now absolution * of my every sin and transgression * which I have committed in this present life. [SD]
Only most benevolent God, * break apart the chains of my passions, dry up the festering * of my soul and grant me tears of true compunction, O Lord; * and illumine my darkened heart, * I fervently pray You, * and deliver me from all adverse predicaments, * turmoils and unhappy disasters, * and from all the cunning temptations * of the dreadful foe and ruler of this world. [SD]
Additional for the Theotokos. Same Melody.
Since my adolescence I have been * a slave to degenerate passions. Through immorality * I defaced the part of me that is the image of God. * O pure Virgin, I am afraid of imminent judgment, * when I shall appear before your Son and God to be judged. * Purge me of my passions, I beg you, * before my demise, holy Lady, * and secure a pardon for my trespasses. [GOASD]
Stand by me, all-holy Bride of God, * when my wretched soul is about to be parted forcibly * from the members of my body. Also frustrate the plans * of the bodiless enemies, * and shatter the fangs of * those who seek to swallow up my life unsparingly, * so that having nothing to block me, * I may unimpededly rise past * the rulers of darkness standing in the air. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
When grace came, the shadow of the Law passed away. The bush of old was not consumed, even as it was burning; likewise you, a virgin, gave birth and still remained a virgin. Instead of the pillar of fire, the Sun of righteousness has risen. Instead of Moses, there is Christ, the salvation of our souls. [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 2.
Aposticha. Mode 2. For the Martyrs.
Since the holy Martyrs are interceding on our behalf and are sending up their praises to Christ, all delusion has ceased and by faith the human race is preserved. [SD]
Mstari
Verse: God is wondrous in His saints. [SAAS]
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]
Mstari
Verse: To the saints on His earth, in them the Lord magnified all His will. [SAAS]
Great is the glory that you, O Saints, obtained through faith. For not only in your suffering did you defeat the foe, but you expel evil spirits even after death. As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick. Intercede with the Lord, to have mercy on our souls. [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.
A flower withers and a dream passes: likewise every human being disintegrates. Then, at the sound of the trumpet, there will be like an earthquake, and all the dead will rise to meet You, O Christ God. We pray You will then place the spirits of Your servants, whom You have taken from us, in the dwellings of Your Saints, O Master Christ. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
O Mother of Light, I have committed my every hope wholly unto you. Keep me under your shelter. [SD]
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ON SATURDAY MORNING
MATINS
After the first Psalter reading. Kathismata for the Martyrs.
Sauti 2.
Mode 2.
You make Your holy martyrs shinier than gold, and You glorify Your devout ascetics, since You are good. Being importuned by them, O Christ our God, bring peace into our lives, O benevolent Lord, and let our prayer as incense rise to You, who alone dwell in the holy. [GOASD]
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]
O Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets, Hierarchs, Monastics and the Righteous, you finished the race and kept the faith. You speak freely to the Savior. We pray you entreat Him on our behalf, to save our souls, since He is good. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Ee Mzazi-Mungu, siri zako ni vigumu kuzifahamu zote, ni tukufu sana. Ulikuwa na muhuri wa usafi, na kulindwa na ubikira; na kwa hiyo umejulikana kuwa Mama bila uwongo, ukimzaa Mungu wa kweli. Utuombee kwake, ili aokoe roho zetu. [[SWA]]
All surpassing every thought, all surpassing glorious, O Theotokos, are your mysteries. With your chastity sealed and your virginity preserved, still you are a mother in truth, for to the true God you gave birth. We pray you fervently entreat Him to save our souls. [GOASD]
After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata.
For the Martyrs.
The holy Martyrs had You, who covers heaven with clouds, as a cover in the world, and thus they endured when the villains tortured them, and they negated idolatry. By their intercessions for us, O Savior, free us from the unseen enemy and save us. [GOASD]
Additional for the Dead.
N/M (As the Mother of God.)
O Giver of life, as God you have authority over all the dead and the living. Be attentive to the petitions of Your servants; show Your humane and tender mercies; and grant forgiveness to the souls of those who hoped in You, and whom You have transferred, O Lord, for You are transcendently good and compassionate. [SD]
Remember Your servants, O Lord, since You are good, and forgive them for all their sins in life; for no one is without sin except for You who are able to give rest to those who have passed away. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Holy Mother of the immaculate Light, we honor you with angelic hymns, and magnify you piously. [SD]
Canon for all Saints.
Sauti 2. Irmosi.
Mode 2. Ode i. Heirmos.
O my soul, taking up the ode of Moses, cry aloud and say: * He became for me a helper and shelter unto salvation. * He is my God and I will glorify Him. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased.
Let us sing to the Lord.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode iii. Heirmos.
Barren has my mind become. * Make me fruitful, O my God, in Your compassion, * as the Husbandman of good, * and the gardener of all * that is virtuous. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased. You strengthened me.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode iv. Heirmos.
When he foresaw Your nativity * from the Virgin, the Prophet * crying out of old proclaimed: * I have heard Your report and I have become frightened; * for You have come to us * out of Teman and from the overshadowed * holy mountain, O my Christ. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode v. Heirmos.
I implore You to scatter the mist on my soul, O Savior, * and illuminate me with the light of Your divine commandments, * as the only King of peace. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased. Lord, the provider of light.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode vi. Heirmos.
The gulf of my transgressions, O Savior, presses me, * and in the ocean of life I am foundering. * As once You extracted Jonah from the whale, * so now from the passions haul me up, * and bring me to safety. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased. Like a deep sea, my sins.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode vii. Heirmos.
The Servants in the furnace fire * danced as they imitated * the Cherubim, and cried out: * Blessed are You, O Lord our God, * for You have caused all this to befall us and Your holy city, in truth and in judgment, on account of our sins. * You are supremely extolled and You are glorified, unto all the ages. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased. The godless decree.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode viii. Heirmos.
Within the bush once, the Lord * on Mount Sinai prefigured * unto Moses the virgin Maiden’s miracle of old.* Extol Him as you bless Him, * and exalt supremely, * unto all the ages. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased. Heeding the divine decree.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode ix. Heirmos.
You conceived within your womb extraordinarily * the Logos who outside time came forth from God the Father. * We faithful magnify you with our never silent hymns. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased. Lady, from your virginal belly.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Aposticha of Lauds.
Sauti 2.
For the Martyrs. Mode 2.
The holy Martyrs took the Cross of Christ as invincible armor, and they neutralized all the power of the devil. They were awarded heavenly medals, and now for us they have become a fortification, as they ever intercede on our behalf. [GOASD]
Your many Saints implore You, O Christ. Have mercy on us, O benevolent Lord. [SD]
Every city and land venerates your relics, O victorious Martyrs. For having lawfully contested, you received a heavenly crown. And therefore you are the pride of priests, the victory of rulers, and the Church’s grand dignity. [SD]
For the Dead.
Alas! Such agony afflicts a soul when it is separated from its body. Alas! How it weeps then, but there is no one to have mercy on it. It turns its eyes towards the Angels and prays to no avail. It reaches for other people, but there is no one who can help. Therefore, my beloved brethren, let us realize how short is our life, and let us pray to Christ to grant repose to the departed, and great mercy to our souls. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Joseph took You down.
I, the wretch, have wasted all the time * of my life in sins and in vices, O pure one; now I am left * destitute completely of all good and virtuous deeds. * And I see now that death, alas, * is quickly approaching, * and I shudder at the judgment of your Son, our God. * Rescue me from this, holy Virgin, * and before that anguish, O Lady, * save me and return me to the path of life. [SD]
When Alleluia is sung at Matins, we sing the foregoing hymns for the Martyrs as Lauds, and the following Aposticha.
Sauti 2.
Mode 2. Joseph took You down.
Master, by Your own life-bearing death * You destroyed the force and corruption that once belonged to death. * You became the source of everlasting life to all * mortal men, and unto the dead * You gave resurrection. * Therefore, Savior, we entreat You to give rest to all * who with faith have passed away to You; * count them worthy of Your immortal * glory, O benevolent and gracious Lord. [SD]
Mstari
Verse: Blessed are they whom You have chosen and received, O Lord. [SAAS]
You accepted voluntary death * after You endured crucifixion, * O Lord, in order to make * human beings sharers in Your divine kingdom and rule. * Therefore, Savior, we pray to You, * that in Your compassion, * You will make the ones who passed away to You with faith * sharers in Your kingdom, O Master; * count them worthy of Your eternal, * everlasting glory and beatitude. [SD]
Mstari
Verse: Their souls shall dwell among good things. [SAAS]
Wishing to redeem what You had made, * Lord exceeding good, You rejoiced as You executed Your plan * of salvation, which was a profound mystery. * And You offered Your precious Blood * as payment and ransom * for the world. Therefore we entreat You grant to all * who with faith have passed away to You, * that they may enjoy Your sweet beauty, * since You are benevolent, O gracious Lord. [SD]
Mstari
Verse: And their memorial abides from generation to generation. [SAAS]
Trembling will the dead of every age * stand before Your frightful and awesome throne and tribunal, O Christ, * waiting for Your righteous verdict, O our Savior and God, * and in anticipation of Your just divine judgment. * Then, O Master and our Savior, spare Your servants, we pray, * all those who in faith have departed * to You, O Lord, and count them worthy * of Your everlasting bliss and blessedness. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Let us praise the Mother of the Light * glorifying her, O believers, with our unceasing hymns. * Since she carried our salvation in her womb, let us all * now salute her and say, “Rejoice, * for you only gave birth * to the pre-eternal God, who is more ancient than all. * Unwed and immaculate Virgin, * rejoice, holy Mother of Christ God * Who refashioned our ancestral mother Eve. [SD]
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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]
Holy Martyrs, since you have imitated Christ’s sufferings, * you continually cure all kinds of human suffering. [SD]
The Apostles, monastic Saints, holy Teachers and Prophets all * were well pleasing to the Lord and Creator of the universe. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
We entreat You, O God on high, grant repose there with all Your saints * to Your faithful servants whom You took to yourself, O Lord. [SD]
Utukufu.
Glory.
Consubstantial Trinity, have compassion on those who sing * glorifying You, and ever save them from the snares of the foe. [SD]
Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Both now. Theotokion.
Overlook not the prayers of us your servants, all-blameless Maid; * save us from afflictions that result from our many sins. [SD]
END OF MODE 2