ON SUNDAY EVENING
At, Lord, I have cried, Prosomia.
Stichera for the Master.
Sauti ya 7
Grave Mode. Judas today is vigilant.
Lift up your eyes, my soul, and intently * gaze upon God’s economy * and His loving kindness; how bowing the heavens * He came down to earth, thereby to elevate you * from the wretched state of your enslavement to the passions, * and to set you firmly on the rock of belief in Him. * Indeed, an awesome wonder! * Glory to Your self-emptying, benevolent Lord! [SD]
Seeing your lawless deeds and transgressions, * O my soul, be amazed at how * earth still supports you, and lightning has not struck you, * and that wild animals have not devoured you, * and the sun that never sets continues to illumine you * not hiding its light from you. So rouse yourself, repenting now, * and cry out to Christ the Lord, * “I have greatly sinned against You. Have mercy on me.” [GOASD]
O omnipotent Lord, inasmuch as * we have set every hope on You, * fervently we supplicate You to redeem us * from all kinds of perils and passions and turmoil, * so that we may live out the remainder of our life in peace, * and, when having lived a life of purity, we might find * You, our Master, merciful * and lenient on the day of reckoning. [SD]
Additional Stichera. For the Angels.
The tree of life.
You have created the Angels * flames of fire, O Christ, * thus indicating to us their great fervor; * again, to mark their swiftness, You made them spirits. * O omnipotent Lord, Glory to You! [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.
Prokimeno.
Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 4.
Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord.
Mstari
Verse: Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. [SAAS]
At the Aposticha.
Sauti ya 7
Aposticha. Grave Mode. For compunction.
Like the prodigal son, I have returned, loving Father. As one of Your hired hands accept me who fall down to You, 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]
Like the man who fell among the robbers and was wounded, because of my own sins, I have also fallen, and my soul has likewise been wounded. In whom shall I, who am at fault, take refuge, if not in You the compassionate Physician of our souls? O God, pour on me the oil of Your great mercy. [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.
Utukufu Kwako Ee Kristo Mungu wetu, Mitume Kristo wetu, mitume wasifiwa na wenye fahari na mashahidi wapendwa walio na ujumbe wa utatu mtakatifu. [[SWA]]
Glory be to You, Christ our God, the Apostles’ pride and joy, exultation of the Martyr Saints, whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Judas today is vigilant.
You have surpassed the orders of Angels, * in that you incarnated God. * But I have exceeded all others in sinning. * Woe to me, for I am fearful and tremble. * Therefore, I in no way even dare now to petition you. * Hence, O Sovereign Lady who gave birth to God, despise me not, * but hasten and save me, while * directing me on the straight and narrow way. [SD]
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ON MONDAY MORNING
MATINS
After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata.
Sauti ya 7
For compunction. Grave Mode.
O my soul, you have the clinic of repentance. Go to it, imploring the Physician of souls and bodies, sighing and crying, “O benevolent Lord, free me from my offenses. Number me with the harlot, the publican, and the robber; and grant to me forgiveness of my transgressions, O God, and save me.” [GOASD]
I have not aspired to the publican’s repentance, nor have I acquired the tears of the harlot. Because of my indifference, I have no such amendment. So I implore You, O benevolent Lord, save me, by Your tender mercy, O Christ God. [GOASD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
O Virgin Theotokos, join the Powers on high, importuning your Son to grant forgiveness of offenses, before the end, to us who faithfully glorify you. [SD]
After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata.
O Lord, You washed away Peter’s denial with his tears, and You forgave the Publican’s sins when he sighed. O benevolent Lord, have mercy on me. [GOASD]
O my soul, in this life prepare yourself for the life to come, lest you be troubled. For in that place, nothing can help you, not wealth, nor power, not friends, nor powerful people; nothing, except the evidence of your works and the benevolence of our God. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
O all-holy Virgin, you are higher in honor than the glorious Cherubim. For they are unable to endure the radiance of God, and so they cover their faces with their wings, as they perform their ministry. But you yourself are holding and beholding God the Logos incarnate. We pray you never cease imploring Him on behalf of our souls. [GOASD]
After the third Psalter reading, Kathismata.
For compunction.
O Lord, You accepted Peter’s tears, and You justified the Publican when he sighed from deep within. I likewise come to You in repentance, and I pray: Take pity on me, O Savior, and save me. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
O Saints, we pray you to intercede for us, that we be granted forgiveness for our offenses, and that we be delivered form impending evils and from bitter death. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
You have surpassed the Powers of heaven, for you have become the Temple of God, O blessed Theotokos, by giving birth to Christ, the Savior of our souls. [SD]
Canon of Compunction.
Sauti ya 7 Irmosi.
Grave Mode. Ode i. Heirmos.
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Bodiless Hosts.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode iii. Heirmos.
You are the One who by Your Word established the world which shall not be shaken. Establish our minds on the fear of You, Lord. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
At night I am beset by unseemly sins. O Giver of light, illumine me now with the light of repentance, that with faith I may glorify You, O benevolent Lord. [SD]
I have followed paths in this life, which have all brought me down to the pit of hedonism. O Jesus, show me again the divine paths of repentance. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
O all-lauded Martyrs, you finished the fight with valor, and you were granted the heavenly awards. And now you intercede for us all. [SD]
O medaled Martyrs, you endured countless labors, and you received countless blessings. And now you are united with the countless bodiless hosts. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O Virgin, only you gave birth to the heavenly King. Take pity on me, and defeat the sin that reigns in me, and save me. [SD]
Canon for the Bodiless Hosts. N/M ()
O choirs of Angels, you are the mediators of divine revelations; and being immaterial you all unceasingly cry out: Holy are You, O Lord, the only almighty One! [SD]
O Archangels, obeying the law of love, you pass down in order the divine manifestations, and you sing to Christ: Holy are You, O Lord, the only almighty One! [SD]
Those with correct belief aspire to the secondary brightness of the primary radiance, and in unison they sing to Christ: Holy are You, O Lord the savior of our souls! [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
The Logos, who brought all things from nonexistence into being by His will, is borrowing flesh from you, O Virgin, becoming man in His pity and benevolence. [SD]
Irmosi.
Ode iv. Heirmos.
In Your plan for our salvation, the excellence of Your ineffable wisdom covered the heavens, O benevolent Christ God. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
O compassionate Logos, You will that all should be saved. I have transgressed Your commandments. Please have no contempt for me, but rather save me. [SD]
I have submitted to irrational passions, wretch that I am, and I have become like the animals. O compassionate Logos of God, take pity on me. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
O Martyrs, as you were tortured and burnt in fire, you scorched deceptive error, for you were lit up with the zeal of the correct belief in God. [SD]
O blessed Martyrs, you had Christ the tree of life and Planter of all within you, and thus you were like Paradise. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O pure Virgin full of grace divine, give grace to my mind, and completely free it from the darkness of ignorance. [SD]
Canon for the Bodiless Hosts. N/M ()
O choirs of Angels and select ministers, as you stand near Christ and pray to Him, heal the traumas of my soul. [SD]
O Lord, the armies of the bodiless reverently surround Your throne, and they ever cry aloud: “Glory to Your strength, O Lord!” [SD]
The ranks of Angels were amazed, when they saw You, O Christ, on earth with a body, dwelling among mortal men. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O all-lauded and immaculate Mother of God, inexplicably you gave birth to God in the flesh. We implore you to intercede that He save us. [SD]
Irmosi.
Ode v. Heirmos.
O Logos, we who rise early, to glorify and praise You, unceasingly extol the sign of Your Cross, which you have given us as a shield to help us. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
I, the prodigal, have wasted my life in laziness, and I tremble thinking about the infallible tribunal, where I will be judged. Take pity on me, O Lord. [SD]
O Logos, You gave sight to the eyes of the blind. The eyes of my soul have become badly darkened. I pray You, open them to see the light of Your commandments. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
O brave Martyrs, we call you blessed, for you confessed Christ with a steady mind, and you endured all the pain of the tortures. [SD]
O Martyrs, you sailed through every storm of the tortures, and you reached the harbor of the Kingdom on high, where you are filled with true serenity. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O all-holy Virgin, God did great things through you, beyond understanding, and He was incarnate of you. Therefore earnestly intercede with Him on behalf of all. [SD]
Canon for the Bodiless Hosts. N/M ()
The Seraphim, aflame with the emanations of immaterial light, open their most holy and eloquent mouths to sing in praise of the super-principal and super-divine First Principle. [SD]
The Cherubim, those hosts of super-divine wisdom, dare not gaze at the divine Radiance, but they cover their faces and feet with their most sacred wings. [SD]
O glorious Thrones, by divine and all-blessed intellection, you delight in the most beautiful effulgences, and in a manner completely supermundane, you behold things ineffable. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O all-pure Virgin, the divine Mind is joined to the human, in your all-immaculate and all-pure womb, and He unites with it hypostatically, without confusion or alteration. [SD]
Irmosi.
Ode vi. Heirmos.
Jonah cried out from the belly of Hades: “Raise up my life from corruption.” And we now pray to You: “O almighty Savior, have mercy on us.” [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
The deep ocean of transgressions has encompassed me, it has plunged me into the deep of sin. O Logos, raise me up again, as once You raised Jonah, from corruption to life. [SD]
I am distressed by a storm of thoughts. O compassionate Lord, pilot me to the harbor of genuine repentance, and keep my heart serene. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
The Saints were protected by the shield of the truth, and they ignored the false flattery of the tyrants. The died, and now they reign with Christ. [SD]
The Martyrs were lifted up to God in love, and they despised the friendship with the world. And thus they became friends of the Maker of all. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
We extol you, O Maiden greatly extolled. You held in your womb the greatly extolled Logos, whom all the hosts of heaven extol with voices never silent. [SD]
Canon for the Bodiless Hosts. Same Heirmos.
The Dominions, flashing vigorously with the effulgences of the divine Dominion, ever extol Its ineffable glory. [SD]
The divine Powers gaze with intense love on the power of the omnipotent Lordship, and they are clearly empowered thereby and remain in force. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O Virgin, you descended from the royal tribe, and you have given birth to the King of all, in a manner passing nature and reason, and truly you remained a virgin. [SD]
Irmosi.
Ode vii. Heirmos.
O Savior, You bedewed the burning furnace, and You rescued those Servants, who were extolling You and saying: “Blessed are You unto the ages, O Lord, the God of our fathers.” [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
O my soul, sacrifice to God a sacrifice of praise. Hurry and repent, while the market of this life is still open. Now is the time to trade by giving away your goods. [SD]
O my soul, the cut off time of death is approaching. Produce worthy fruits, so that you are not rejected like a fruitless tree, and thrown into hell fire, where you will lament to no avail. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
The holy Martyrs extinguished the furnace of deceptive error with the shower of their blood. And they shouted like those Servants: “Blessed are You unto the ages, O Lord, the God of our fathers.” [SD]
O Martyrs, you became sons of the light, being mingled with supreme light. And you lead to the light all who are in the darkness, and you dispel the mist of deception. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O Pure Virgin, the bush that was not consumed prefigured you, for you gave birth to the unbearable fire. Therefore I cry out to you: Burn away my material passions. [SD]
Canon for the Bodiless Hosts. N/M ()
The glorious and most brilliant Authorities, surrounding Your throne, unwaveringly sing Your glory, O almighty Lord; and they shout: “Blessed are You, the God of the fathers!” [SD]
Principalities with superlative eagerness revolve around You, the one Principle; and they sing their unceasing doxologies, saying: “Blessed are You, the God of the fathers!” [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O Mother of God, without seed you have given birth to Christ, the only benevolent Lord, who as one hypostasis in two essences, executed the plan for our salvation, as the God of our fathers. [SD]
Irmosi.
Ode viii. Heirmos.
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Bodiless Hosts. The ranks of bodiless hosts.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode ix. Heirmos.
With mystical songs, we believers magnify that supernatural Mother and natural Virgin, the only one who is blessed among women. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Bodiless Hosts. All-lauded Virgin.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
At the Aposticha of Lauds.
Sauti ya 7
Aposticha. Grave Mode. For compunction.
O Savior, sinner that I am, do not cut me down, like the unfruitful fig tree. But this year grant me forgiveness, and water my soul with the tears of my repentance, so that I may bring to You as fruit, charity and acts of mercy. [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]
No longer are we barred.
The Sun of Righteousness as You are, O Savior, * rightly guide our hearts to the light as we cry out: * 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. Same Melody.
We celebrate the memory of Your holy * medal-winning Martyrs, and thereby we extol You. * Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.
We say to you, Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos. * You were shown to be superior to Angels * for you gave birth to God. [SD]
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LITURGY
Sifa za heri. Sauti ya 7
The Beatitudes. Grave Mode.
The fruit that killed me of old was good for food and beautiful to contemplate. But Christ is the very tree of life, from which I eat and die not. And echoing the Robber’s words, I cry out, “Remember me in Your kingdom, O Lord.” [SD]
I cry with pain in my heart, O Savior, * like the Canaanite woman who had faith. * Have mercy on me, Lord, since You are good. * For my soul is in danger * of succumbing to all * the tricks of the enemy and is tormented by woes. [SD]
The Cherubim, Seraphim and Powers, * and the Principalities and Thrones, * as well as the Archangels and the hosts * of Angels, and the choirs * of Dominions and the wise * Authorities glorify You, benefactor and Lord. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
As they were lifted to God, the holy * martyr athletes utterly tore down * the wicked pride and boasting of the foe. * Now that they have been shown forth * to be victors, with great joy * in heaven they go about, * radiant with glorious light. [SD]
Utukufu.
Glory.
I worship Father and Son and Spirit, * co-eternal and unoriginate, * the essence uncreated and the same * nature; acting divinely * It created all from naught, * and It is a Trinity * and is known as Monad as well. [SD]
Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Both now. Theotokion.
I am polluted by worldly pleasures, * yet for refuge I turn to you, * the unpolluted Virgin; and I pray * that you rescue my poor soul * from every spot and all my sins, * so that I may macarize you, * Lady ever-macarized. [SD]