ON MONDAY EVENING
At, Lord, I have cried, Prosomia.
Stichera for the Master.
Sauti ya 7
Grave Mode. Judas today is vigilant.
Merciful Lord and God of compassion, * for the purposes known to You, * grant me to possess in my heart the fear of You; * grant me that with all of my soul I may love You; * grant me to abominate the actions of the evil one; * and I pray you, grant me to execute Your saving will. * For You are our God, indeed, * who commanded: Ask and then you shall receive. [SD]
I am the laughingstock of the demons, * the disgrace of my fellow men, * lament of the Righteous, the grief of the Angels, * pollution of the air, the earth and the waters, * for I have defiled my body, and now I have stained my soul. * Through demented acts, I have come to be a foe of God. * Woe is me! O Lord, I have sinned * against You. O pardon me, for I have sinned. [SD]
Additional Stichera. For the Forerunner. When you had wisely.
O wise Forerunner, with your words, sacredly escorting the Church of Christ, * you presented her as an all-blameless bride to Him; * and to the Master you presented her as obedient. * Now that you have power, we pray you, * protect and defend the Church. * Blessed John, be her champion. * We implore you, O Baptist, that you rescue her from the devil’s wickedness. [GOASD]
O culmination of Prophets * and the seal of the symbolic law, * you who are greater in holiness than all men born on earth, * O Forerunner and divine herald of the coming of Christ: * as the teacher of repentance and the model of chastity, * out of every necessity deliver us your servants, * redeeming us from perplexing predicaments. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Prokimeno. Sauti 4.
Prokeimenon. Mode 4.
The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him.
Mstari
Verse: You heard me when I called, O God of my righteousness. You strengthened my heart when I was in distress. [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.
Enyi mashahidi watakatifu wapiganaji wema ambao wamevikwa taji, mtuombee ili azihurumie roho zetu [[SWA]]
O holy Martyr Saints, who competed well and received the crowns of laurel, intercede with the Lord for us, that His mercy come upon our souls. [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. No longer are we barred.
Bring peace into our lives, O merciful Master, * through the intercessions of the Theotokos. * Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]
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ON TUESDAY MORNING
MATINS
After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata. For compunction.
Sauti ya 7
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 unwedded Theotokos, you are the ardent protection and assistance of us Christians. As such, join the Forerunner and implore Your Son, that we might find mercy. [SD]
After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata. For compunction.
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.
Lord, we are Your people and sheep of Your flock. As our benevolent Shepherd, bring us back when we go astray; gather us when we are scattered. Have mercy on your flock. O only sinless One, have compassion on Your people, at the intercessions of the Theotokos. [SD]
After the third Psalter reading, Kathismata.
For the Forerunner.
O Lord, as You are good, take pity on me, and wash away the dirt of my soul with the hyssop of You mercy. O Savior, cleanse me of defilement, and have mercy on me. Rescue me, Your creature, from the slime of the passions, at the intercessions of Your Forerunner, O only very merciful Master. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
O Lord, Your holy Martyrs competed here on earth, and they trampled the enemy and negated the deception of idolatry. Therefore they received awards from You, O benevolent Master and merciful God, who to the world grant the great mercy. [GOASD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
O blessed Theotokos, you are sympathetic towards our lowliness, and you shelter us on earth. Have compassion for us, a defenseless people. Intercede for us persistently, so that we not be horribly destroyed. O immaculate Lady, implore our placable God, to save our souls, O all-holy Virgin. [SD]
Canon of Compunction.
Sauti ya 7 Irmosi.
Grave Mode. Ode i. Heirmos.
Let us sing to our Redeemer and God, who by His arm brought wars to nothing, and who submerged the chosen captains, for He is glorified. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
O Christ, I sin each day, and I do not shudder at You, who with forbearance await my repentance. Since You are good, please give me the thought of returning, and do not overlook me. [SD]
Not at all have I ceased heaping sin upon sin, wretch that I am. O only good and sinless Savior, take pity on me and save me. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
The valiant athletes bravely call out to each other, “We are in the stadium and the contests abound. Let us run our race, for Christ, the Judge of the games, is seated, and he will crown who defeat the foe.” [SD]
O wise Martyrs, enduring multiple tortures, you put off the body, and you put on the garment of incorruption, and you became sons of the Father of tender mercies. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
My soul is afflicted by many sins. O Virgin Mother of God, heal me, so that I may ever earnestly glorify you with words of gratitude. [SD]
Canon for the Forerunner.
N/M (Lord, at Your divine signal.)
Blessed Forerunner, blooming with handsome beauty, you adorn the Church. By your intercessions, always preserve her mighty and unshaken in the face of judgments against her from heretics. [SD]
Divine Forerunner, you were slaughtered like an innocent lamb and offered to the Creator as a blameless sacrifice. Therefore with faith I implore you, rescue me from all the wickedness of enemies. [SD]
Ever-renowned Forerunner, we pray you cure the diseases of our souls and bodies, as daily implore the Logos, who mercifully takes away the diseases and illnesses of all. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
All-holy Virgin, you gave birth to the incomprehensible Logos associated with us in the flesh hypostatically. Ever implore Him to save us who faithfully ever call you blessed. [SD]
Irmosi.
Ode iii. Heirmos.
You are the one who by Your Word established the heavens, and who set the earth’s foundation on many waters. Establish my mind in your will, O only benevolent Lord. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
O only Savior, You overlook people’s sins, in your great benevolence. I pray You also overlook the many evils I have done, so that I may glorify You, the surpassing good God. [SD]
Against my conscience, I have ignored Your wishes, so that I can do the will of the flesh. And now I fear the fiery punishment. O Logos, rescue me from it. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
The Athletes experienced pains of physical torture, looking forward to the painless life and relaxation, which they joyfully attained. And now they ever alleviate the pains of other people. [SD]
O God-bearing Martyrs, you ended the night of terrible deception and error, and you were transported to the never-setting light. And now you ever deliver us from our pain and suffering. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O immaculate Virgin, the Prophet Daniel foresaw you as the gate of God, by which He entered, as He knows. Therefore I implore you to open to me the gates of repentance. [SD]
Canon for the Forerunner. N/M (First You established.)
O Forerunner, you illumine all of creation with solar flares, for you are a bright star of the noetic Sun. Earnestly entreat Him to drive away the darkness of the passions from our aching hearts. [SD]
O divine Forerunner, standing as you were between the Law and grace, to all you manifestly indicated the end of the former and the shining of the latter, which would clearly come through perfect renewal to those who had become old in their sins. [SD]
We cry out to you, O Baptizer of Christ: As you implore our good God, deliver us from demonic assaults, from the scandals of life, and from every tribulation, and rescue us from perdition on Judgment Day. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O blessed Lady, who inexplicably gave birth to God, join His holy Baptist and unceasing pray for us; for we have succumbed to life’s disasters, and we are distressed by our sins. [SD]
Irmosi.
Ode iv. Heirmos.
Confirming Your incarnate advent, O Christ, the Prophet Habbakuk cried out: “Glory to Your strength!” [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
I have wandered from the way that would lead me to life, and I have fallen into a pit of evils. O Savior, do not ignore me. [SD]
O Master, the Logos of God, send down to me buckets of tears, so that I may wash away the filth of my many offenses. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
The Martyrs were led like lambs to slaughter, but in fact they slaughtered the waring enemy, and they were granted glory. [SD]
O all-lauded Martyrs, the streams of your blood emptied, and they prepared for you the torrent of delight. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O Maiden, the Lord has become flesh from your pure blood, and by your intercessions, He grants repentance to mortal men. [SD]
Canon for the Forerunner. N/M (O Christ our God, You did not depart.)
O Baptist, you brought down the hostile enemies, and you splendidly prevailed over them. Now I entreat you, by your prayers bring down the sin that reigns in me. [SD]
O Blessed Forerunner, you appeared as a spiritual lamp, and to mortals you pointed at Jesus, the great Sun of Righteousness. Pray Him to illumine the hearts of all. [SD]
I was conceived and born in iniquities, and now I live carelessly. I am afraid of the punishments on the other side. O Baptist, rescue me from these, by praying to God to be merciful. [SD]
All-honored Forerunner, offer to God an fervent prayer for us who honor you, that He free us from every difficult situation and from demonic harm. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
In many different ways, the shadows of the Law indicated you, the one who gave birth to God. Entreat Him now, O all-blameless Virgin, to free me from all iniquity and from the body’s passions. [SD]
Irmosi.
Ode v. Heirmos.
O Creator of all, You drove away the original darkness of the abyss, and shined the first-created light on the world. I pray You, dispel the night of the passions, and shine in me the noetic light. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
O Logos, deliver me from Your righteous wrath, when You judge the earth. Through my repentance, cleanse me of my many transgressions, and make me a temple of Your goodness, O only Creator of the universe. [SD]
My mind is blinded by the heavy fog of the passions, and I do not know what I am doing, since my hear is hardened. O Christ, convert me, and give me repentance that will cleanse my impurities. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
O Athletes, you vigorously ran the sweaty race, and you crossed the heavenly finish-line. You have received the medals of victory from the hand of the God who is the source of life. Therefore now you celebrate. [SD]
O Athletes, you strangled the wicked serpent with the very cords that were used to torture you in your sacred labors, and you were counted worthy of the Garden of Eden. Therefore we extol you. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O Lady, you are the luminous cloud of the Sun. Shine in me the noetic light of genuine repentance, and drive away the darkness of my wicked thoughts, so that in faith I may extol you as the salvation of believers. [SD]
Canon for the Forerunner. N/M (I have arisen early.)
All-wise Forerunner, You became the voice of one crying in the wilderness of minds bereft of the knowledge of God. So I entreat you to renew my soul, for it has become a desert because of all my transgressions. [SD]
O Prophet of God, you were shown to be an honorable vessel of the Master. By your intercessions, free me from dishonorable acts, and pray the Giver of blessings for me to obtain everlasting honor. [SD]
Iniquities have come over me; they gained entrance because of my indifference. O blessed Forerunner, make me a better person, through the work of repentance, so that I may readily return to the ways of the Lord. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O immaculate and noble Theotokos, you held in your womb Life himself, who by death utterly vanquished death by His divine power. I pray you but to death the earthly mindset of my flesh. [SD]
Irmosi.
Ode vi. Heirmos.
I have fallen into the deep sea of sin. Now like Jonah from the whale I cry to You: Raise up my life from corruption, and save me, O good and benevolent Lord. [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
I am the new prodigal son, for I lived shamefully on earth, and I submitted to the drives of pleasure. O benevolent Christ God, convert me and save me. [SD]
O my soul, sign now, so that you may be saved from sighing later. Weep now, so that you will not experience unending tears there in perdition, where they will be of no benefit. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
O august Great-martyrs, you are like gems mounted in the crown of the Church of Christ, and you are her delightful adornment. [SD]
O wise Martyrs, you were granted an end worthy of God, and you inherit unending rewards. Therefore pray that our lives may end in repentance. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O good Lady, you gave birth to the abyss of compassion. I pray you raise me up from the abyss of indifference and countless passions, and give me a wellspring of many tears. [SD]
Canon for the Forerunner. N/M ()
O genuine friend of the noetic Orient, you illumine all creation, as you are aglow with rays of the virtue, and shining with splendid martyrdom. [SD]
O blessed Baptist, you were born to an elderly, barren woman. Therefore, I who have grown old in many sins cry out to you: By your prayers renew me with the beauty of repentance. [SD]
O divine Prophet, the lamp of the never-setting Light, the lamp of my heart has gone out. Light it again, by your prayers, and grant me to partake of the divine Light. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O all-holy Virgin, the Logos came down into your womb like dew. I entreat you, pray to Him to dry up the streams of my countless evils. [SD]
Irmosi.
Ode vii. Heirmos.
The fire did not scorch nor at all disturb those Servants in the furnace. The three, as if with one mouth, extolled and blessed, saying: “Blessed is the God of our fathers!” [SD]
Troparia
Troparia.
O Savior, I have fallen into the dishonorable passions, and I have like the animals. And darkened thus, I do not see the forbearance of Your patience, O Logos. Give me time to return, and save me. [SD]
I lived my life with indifference, doing what is not permitted. And now, at last, I approach the gates of hades, and I am still indifferent. O Christ who alone are good, do not disdain me. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
O all-wise Athletes, you longed for everlasting life, so you died to the world. And when you had completely mortified the enemy, you flew up to the heavens, where you ever intercede for us. [SD]
O holy Martyrs, freed from the needs of the body, you undid the bonds of deceitful error. And you bound your souls to the love of Christ, who was bound in the flesh and undid corruption. [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
O pure Virgin, the Prophet Isaiah saw you as a new book, in which the Word of the Father was written. Therefore I implore you to entreat and implore Jesus, the One who makes all things new, to write me in the book of the living. [SD]
Canon for the Forerunner. N/M (The fiery furnace.)
O Forerunner, in the streams of the river you bathed the Abyss of compassion. By your prayers, grant me showers of tears, and wholly cleanse me of defilement of flesh and spirit. [SD]
O Blessed Forerunner, offer fervent supplication to the God of all, that being compassionate He have mercy on me who have committed many sins and cannot recover. [SD]
Barren soul of mine, hurry and repent, lest divine justice cut you down from the root, like a fruitless fig tree. Cry out to the Master: “O God, be gracious to me and save me!” [SD]
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Because of my serious transgressions, my soul has been deadened. O Lady, I pray you who by your childbirth put Hades to death: Revive me, through my works of repentance. [SD]
Irmosi.
Ode viii. Heirmos.
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Forerunner. The ranks of bodiless hosts.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Irmosi.
Ode ix. Heirmos.
Troparia
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Theotokion.
Canon for the Forerunner. When you conceived.
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.
While standing in the center of the arena * of the lawless pagans, the Martyrs rejoiced and cried out, “Glory to You, O Lord.” [SD]
Utukufu. Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. N/M (Judas today is vigilant.)
O Maiden who found grace, when you greeted the barren mother of the Voice of the Word, he found the opportunity to declare from the womb the divinity of God the Word who was in your womb. He called you Mother of God, using his mother’s voice, for he lacked the ability and the organs, by which concepts are articulated. [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]
O Lord, as the only physician of souls and bodies, heal the incurable wounds of my heart, and help me on my way to stand and walk the ways that lead to salvation. [SD]
The lamp of my soul has gone out because of much sinning. O Baptist of Christ, who came before the Sun of Righteousness, reignite my soul, by your divine prayers, so that I may be saved and may ever call you blessed. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
O wise Martyrs, you competed and were crowned, and thus embarrassed the enemy. And now, filled with perpetual light, you orbit the heavens, and you intercede on behalf of your souls. [SD]
Utukufu.
Glory.
O Holy Trinity, correctly glorified in single Godhead, cure the incurable passions of my soul, and rescue me from trials and from hell, and grant me the eternal Kingdom. [SD]
Sasa. Wimbo wa Mzazi-Mungu
Both now. Theotokion.
O pure Mother, you contained in your womb the uncontainable God, without constraining Him. Ever implore Him to deliver us your servants from all constraints and assaults of the passions, so that we may glorify you. [SD]