ON TUESDAY EVENING
At, Lord, I have cried, Prosomia.
Stichera for the Cross.
Mode 3. The power of Your holy Cross.
Creation was affected, O Word, when You were crucified. * The sun concealed its rays out of fear, and the earth shook, * and the curtain of the Temple was torn in two, * and all believers were saved. * And now we glorify Your immense wealth of mercy. [GOASD]
Our God and Lord, who out of pity took upon himself * our whole incarnate nature, * was fastened to the crossbar. * And as He himself was lifted up in body, * He lifted up fallen man, * as He was pleased to do, * by virtue of His tender mercy. [SD]
The drops of blood and water coming forth from You, O God, * refashioned creation * when they issued from Your body. * For You wash away the sins of all in the water, * and then with Your precious blood, * O tender-loving Lord, * You write their absolution. [SD]
Additional Stichera. For the Theotokos. Same Melody.
Supine upon the couch of my own negligence, * I lazily have wasted * the time of my existence, * and I therefore fear the hour of my exit. * But through your intercessions, * O Lady, raise me up * to repentance and save me. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa.
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. Same Melody.
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.
Aposticha. Mode 3. For the Cross.
I bow down, O Christ, and venerate Your precious Cross, * the keeper of the world, and salvation of us sinners, * the great propitiation, the victory of pious kings, * and the boast of the Christian world. [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]
The tree of disobedience brought death into the world, * whereas the tree of the Cross * brought life and incorruption. * Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were crucified. * Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us. [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 Prophets and Apostles of Christ and martyr Saints * taught the world to worship * the consubstantial Trinity; * and the nations that had been in error they enlightened, * and made the sons of men * to have fellowship with the Angels. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa.
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. The power of Your holy Cross.
The blameless Ewe, Your Mother, who gave birth to You, * beholding You suspended * upon the Cross, O Christ my God, * cried aloud as she lamented and bewailed You: * Cause me not to be childless * whom You kept in purity * even after childbirth. [SD]
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ON WEDNESDAY MORNING
MATINS
After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata. For the Cross.
Mode 3.
The Cross was set up on the earth, and it touched the heavens; not that the tree reached that height, but that You who were on it fill all things. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]
O Lamb of God, you were lifted up onto a cross, made of cypress, pine and cedar, in order to save us, who in faith reverence Your voluntary crucifixion. O Christ our God, glory to You! [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa.
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
We have obtained the Cross of your Son, O Theotokos, as a rod of power. By it we subdue the insolence of the enemies. And with love we magnify you unceasingly. [SD]
After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata. For the Cross.
Automelon.
On behalf of the human race, You were slapped and yet were not enraged. Free our life of corruption, O Lord, and save us. [GOASD]
N/M (You were so beautiful.)
The regiments of Angels were amazed by the immensity of Your authority and the voluntary nature of Your crucifixion, as they watched how You, who are invisible, were being whipped in the flesh, wishing as You did to rescue human nature from corruption. Therefore they cried out to You, the Giver of Life, “Glory to Your compassion, O Christ!” [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa.
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. Same Melody.
Your ever-virgin, pure Mother, saw You, O Christ, * when You were crucified, and You were hanging dead * upon the Cross, and she cried out expressing her maternal grief, * “What is this ingratitude of these people who break the Law? * Why have they repaid You thus, for the many amazing gifts * and blessings, O my Son, that You gave them? * I extol Your divine condescension.” [GOASD]
After the third Psalter reading, Kathismata.
For the Cross. You were so beautiful.
You who who transcend the whole created universe, * wishing to honor me who long ago sustained * the grave dishonor, have endured dishonorable death on the cross. * And You let your side be pierced * with a spear, for you wished to free * from utter destruction me, * whom You fashioned, O forbearing Lord. * I glorify Your goodness, O Savior, * and Your great compassion, O benevolent God. [GOASD]
For the Martyrs. Same Melody.
Covered with the full armor of Christ, and wearing the shield of the Faith, as combatants you brought down the armies of the enemy. In the hope that life would follow, you enthusiastically endured every threat and torture from the tyrants. That is why you received the crowns, O valiant Martyrs of Christ. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa.
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. Same Melody.
When Your immaculate and irreproachable * and ever-virgin pure, all-holy Mother watched * as You were crucified, O Lord, she saw You on the cross and wept. * Tearfully she cried aloud, “Woe is me! O my sweetest Son! * How could this unlawful crowd condemn You to be crucified, * for You are Lord of all and Creator! * I glorify Your goodness that has no end.” [GOASD]
Canon for the Cross.
Irmosi.
Mode 3. Ode i. Heirmos.
He who gathered the water into its places * of old by divine decree is the same One * who for the Israelite people parted the sea. * He is our God and Lord, and He is glorified greatly. * To Him only let us sing, for He is glorified. [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Same Heirmos.
Irmosi.
Ode iii. Heirmos.
From non-existence You brought forth all things, O God, * through the Word creating them, in the Spirit perfecting them. * Most High Ruler over all, * firmly establish me in Your love, O Master. [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos. Same Heirmos.
Irmosi.
Ode iv. Heirmos.
Lord, You have established a mighty love of Your strength for us; * God of our deliverance, You gave Your only-begotten Son to die for us. * And now with thanksgiving we sing out and praise You: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos. Same Heirmos.
Irmosi.
Ode v. Heirmos.
Although invisible, You were seen on earth, and although incomprehensible, you willingly dwelt among men. We rise early to you and sing Your praises, O benevolent Lord. [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos. Isaiah had a mystical vision.
Irmosi.
Ode vi. Heirmos.
Sinfulness encircles me as the lowest depth did Jonah, * and my spirit is failing me. * I cry out to You, O Master. Reach out Your exalted arm. * Pilot, rescue me, as You saved Your Apostle of old. [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Irmosi.
Ode vii. Heirmos.
Those three Servants of old would not worship the golden image and Persian deity; rather standing in the furnace they sang this hymn: “Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.” [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Irmosi.
Ode viii. Heirmos.
The furnace in Babylon did not burn the Servants, nor did the fire of the Godhead injure the Virgin. Therefore, O believers, let us sing with the Servants: “O you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.” [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos. Unharmed were the young men.
Irmosi.
Ode ix. Heirmos.
We magnify the only Theotokos. She was prefigured on Sinai to Moses the Lawgiver in the bush and the fire, as the one who would conceive unburnt the Divine Fire in her womb. We honor her with hymns, as the unquenchable lamp shining splendid light. [GOASD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos. In the shadow and the letter.
At the Aposticha of Lauds.
Aposticha. Mode 3. For the Cross.
I was cast out of Eden because of envy. It was a terrible fall. But You, O Master, did not overlook me. But You assumed my nature for me, and You were crucified. And You save me and bring me into glory. O my Redeemer, glory to You! [GOASD]
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]
When Moses stood on the mountain extending * upwards his arms in the form of a cross, Amalek was routed. * When on the ven’rable Cross You extended * Your hands, O Savior, You held me * in Your embrace and You saved me from enslavement to the foe. * And thus You gave me a token of life to escape from the longbow of my enemies. * O deliver Your people from the hand of Your foes, in Your benevolence. [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.
O holy Martyrs, even after death, you shine on the world like luminaries, for you fought the good fight. Now that you have confidence when praying to Christ, entreat Him to have mercy on our souls. [GOASD]
Utukufu. Sasa.
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
O Christ, my most benevolent Savior, when Your irreproachable Mother saw You hanging on the cross, she lamented and cried aloud, “O my beloved Son, how could this unlawful crowd condemn You to be crucified!” [GOASD]
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LITURGY
Sifa za heri.
The Beatitudes. Mode 3.
When our primal father Adam disobeyed Your divine command, O Christ, You expelled him from Paradise. But when the faithful Robber while on the cross confessed You to be Lord, You restored him there, as he cried to You: “O Savior, when You come in Your kingdom, remember me.” [SD]
When they crucified You, Jesus, and they pierced You * in the side with a spear, * You poured out fountains of water and blood *for my salvation; therefore, * now being saved by Your Passion, O Christ, * I extol Your great compassion, O Lord, * and I sing to You: In Your kingdom, remember me. [SD]
O Lord Jesus, You were numbered with the lawless * and You thereby took away * the lawlessness of everyone. * As King of all, O Savior, * You wore a crown of thorns and thus, O Christ, * You uprooted our Ancestor’s sin like a thorn. * So we now glorify the Passion You endured for us. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
O courageous Martyr Athletes, you imitated * what was suffered by Christ, * and you are worthily extolled by all. * And by His divine power, * you trampled all the enemy’s deceit. * Now you intercede on behalf of us all, * as you have obtained heavenly glory, O Saints. [SD]
Utukufu.
Glory.
Undivided Holy Trinity and Unity * in three hypostases, * one essence and power that created all, * we who extol You pray You: * Guard us from being injured by the foe; * and account us worthy of Your heavenly Rule, * which has been attained by those who lived virtuously. [SD]
Sasa.
Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
On the Cross you saw Your Son who was incarnate * of your blood within your womb, * and you lamented and cried aloud, * O Lady, Theotokos, * “What have these wicked people done to you? * O my Son, they repay You by killing You! * But for all who believe, You are the resurrection and life.” [SD]