Lenten Services, Readings, and the Saint of the Day

Wednesday, April 24, 2008 Holy Wednesday (the are no lives of the saints for Holy Week)

Passion Week: Great Wednesday

MATINS

John 12:17-50

17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. 18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. 20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. 30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die. 34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? 35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. 37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. 42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. 44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

SIXTH HOUR

Ezekiel 2:3-3:3

3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. 4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. 5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. 6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. 7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. 8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. 9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; 10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe. 1 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. 2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.

VESPERS

Exodus 2:11-22

11 And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. 13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? 14 And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. 15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. 17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. 18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day? 19 And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock. 20 And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread. 21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. 22 And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.

Job 2:1-10

1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. 4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. 7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. 9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. An error occured in the GetReadingInfo function

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

Matthew 26:6-16

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. 12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. 14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

Part 3: Matins and Vespers

TRIODION
GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY BRIDEGROOM MATINS
 
 (After the 1st reading of the Psalter):
 
 KATHISMA HYMN  TONE 3
 
THE HARLOT CAME TO YOU, LOVER OF MANKIND,
POURING MYRRH AND TEARS ON YOUR FEET.
AT YOUR COMMAND SHE WAS DELIVERED FROM THE STENCH OF HER EVIL DEEDS,
BUT YOUR GRACELESS DISCIPLE, THOUGH BREATHING YOUR GRACE,
REJECTED IT AND WALLOWED IN FILTH,
SELLING YOU IN HIS LOVE OF MONEY.//
GLORY, O CHRIST, TO YOUR COMPASSION!
 
 GNE...
 
THE HARLOT CAME TO YOU...
 
 (After the 2nd reading of the Psalter):
 
 KATHISMA HYMN TONE 4
 
DECEITFUL JUDAS,
BURNING WITH LOVE OF MONEY,
DECEITFULLY PLOTTED TO BETRAY YOU,
LORD, THE TREASURY OF LIFE.
HE DRUNKENLY RUNS TO THE JEWS
AND SAYS TO THOSE TRANSGRESSORS:
WHAT WILL YOU GIVE ME, AND I SHALL DELIVER HIM TO YOU,//
THAT HE MAY BE CRUCIFIED?
 
  GNE...
 
DECEITFUL JUDAS...
 
 
 (After the 3rd reading of the Psalter):
 
 KATHISMA HYMN TONE 1
 
IN TEARS THE HARLOT CRIED OUT, COMPASSIONATE ONE,
AS SHE FERVENTLY WIPED YOUR MOST PURE FEET WITH THE HAIR OF HER HEAD,
AND SHE GROANED FROM THE DEPTHS OF HER SOUL:
CAST ME NOT AWAY, NEITHER ABHOR ME, MY GOD,
BUT RECEIVE ME IN MY REPENTANCE AND SAVE ME,//
FOR YOU ALONE ARE THE LOVER OF MANKIND.
 
 GNE...
 
IN TEARS THE HARLOT CRIED OUT...
 
 TRIODION
GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY BRIDEGROOM MATINS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 IKOS
 
The woman who was once a profligate suddenly is wise. She hates her
shameful deeds and carnal pleasures, remembering the magnitude of her
shame and the verdict of condemnation which awaits profligates and
harlots. Of these, I am indeed the first, and though in terror, I
foolishly remain in my evil ways. But. the harlot, though in terror,
hastens to the Deliverer to cry: In Your compassion and love for
mankind,//
 
 TRIODION
GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY BRIDEGROOM MATINS
 
 THE PRAISES
 
 TONE 1
 
A HARLOT RECOGNIZED YOU AS GOD, O SON OF THE VIRGIN.
WITH TEARS EQUAL TO HER PAST DEEDS, SHE BESOUGHT YOU WEEPING:
LOOSE MY DEBT AS I HAVE LOOSED MY HAIR.
LOVE THE WOMAN WHO, THOUGH JUSTLY HATED, LOVES YOU.
THEN WITH THE PUBLICANS WILL I PROCLAIM YOU,//
BENEFACTOR AND LOVER OF MANKIND.
 
THE HARLOT MINGLED PRECIOUS MYRRH WITH HER TEARS.
SHE POURED IT ON YOUR MOST PURE FEET AND KISSED THEM.
AT ONCE YOU JUSTIFIED HER.
YOU SUFFERED FOR OUR SAKES://
FORGIVE US ALSO, AND SAVE US.
 
AS THE SINFUL WOMAN WAS BRINGING HER OFFERING OF MYRRH,
THE DISCIPLE WAS SCHEMING WITH LAWLESS MEN.
SHE REJOICED IN POURING OUT HER PRECIOUS GIFT.
HE HASTENED TO SELL THE PRECIOUS ONE.
SHE RECOGNIZED THE MASTER, BUT JUDAS PARTED FROM HIM.
SHE WAS SET FREE, BUT JUDAS WAS ENSLAVED TO THE ENEMY.
HOW TERRIBLE IS SLOTHFULNESS!
HOW GREAT HER REPENTANCE!
SAVIOR, YOU SUFFERED FOR OUR SAKES://
GRANT US ALSO REPENTANCE, AND SAVE US.
 
O, THE WRETCHEDNESS OF JUDAS!
HE SAW THE HARLOT KISS THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST,
BUT DECEITFULLY HE CONTEMPLATED THE KISS OF BETRAYAL.
SHE LOOSED HER HAIR WHILE HE BOUND HIMSELF WITH WRATH.
HE OFFERED THE STENCH OF WICKEDNESS INSTEAD OF MYRRH,
FOR ENVY CANNOT DISTINGUISH VALUE.
O, THE WRETCHEDNESS OF JUDAS!//
DELIVER OUR SOULS FROM THIS, O GOD.
 
 GLORY...  TONE 2
 
THE SINFUL WOMAN RAN TO BUY THE PRECIOUS MYRRH
WITH WHICH TO ANOINT HER SAVIOR.
SHE CRIED TO THE MERCHANT: GIVE ME MYRRH,//
THAT I MAY ANOINT HIM WHO HAS CLEANSED ALL MY SINS.
 
 NOW AND EVER... TONE 6
 
THE WOMAN WHO WAS ENGULFED IN SIN
FOUND YOU A HAVEN OF SALVATION.
SHE POURED OUT MYRRH WITH HER TEARS AND CRIED TO YOU:
BEHOLD THE ONE WHO BRINGS REPENTANCE TO SINNERS!
RESCUE ME FROM THE TEMPEST OF SIN, MASTER,//
THROUGH YOUR GREAT MERCY.
 
  TRIODION
GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY BRIDEGROOM MATINS
 
 APOSTIKHA
 
 TONE 6
 
TODAY CHRIST COMES TO THE HOUSE OF THE PHARISEE.
A SINFUL WOMAN CRAWLS TO HIS FEET AND CRIES:
LOOK AT ME WHO AM ENGULFED IN SIN,
IN DESPAIR BECAUSE OF MY EVIL DEEDS.
BUT IN YOUR GOODNESS DO NOT DESPISE ME.
GRANT ME FORGIVENESS OF MY EVIL DEEDS, LORD,//
AND SAVE ME.
 
THE HARLOT SPREAD OUT HER HAIR TO YOU, MASTER;
JUDAS SPREAD OUT HIS HANDS TO LAWLESS MEN:
SHE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FORGIVENESS;
HE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE SOME SILVER.
WE CRY TO YOU, FOR YOU WERE SOLD FOR US AND YET SET US FREE://
O LORD, GLORY TO YOU!
 
THE CORRUPT AND FILTHY WOMAN
DREW NEAR TO YOU, SAVIOR.
SHE POURED OUT HER TEARS ON YOUR FEET
AND THUS ANNOUNCED YOUR PASSION.
HOW CAN I GAZE ON YOU, MASTER?
YET YOU CAME TO SAVE THE HARLOT.
RAISE ME FROM THE DEPTHS, FOR I AM DEAD IN SIN,
AS YOU RAISED LAZARUS FROM THE TOMB AFTER FOUR DAYS.
ACCEPT ME IN MY MISERY, LORD,//
AND SAVE ME.
 
 VERSE: I will thank You, Lord, with all my heart; I
 will tell of all Your wondrous works!
 
DESPAIRING FOR HER LIFE, AND DESPAIRED OF FOR HER DEEDS,
THE WOMAN CAME BEARING MYRRH TO YOU AND CRIED:
SON OF THE VIRGIN,
THOUGH I AM A HARLOT, DO NOT CAST ME ASIDE.
JOY OF THE ANGELS,
DO NOT DESPISE MY TEARS.
AS YOU DID NOT REJECT ME AS A SINNER,//
ACCEPT ME NOW AS A PENITENT, IN YOUR GREAT MERCY.
 

GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY APOSTIKHA (continued) page two
 
 GNE... (The Hymn of Cassia) TONE 8
 
THE WOMAN HAD FALLEN INTO MANY SINS, O LORD,
YET WHEN SHE PERCEIVED YOUR DIVINITY,
SHE JOINED THE RANKS OF THE MYRRH-BEARING WOMEN.
IN TEARS SHE BROUGHT YOU MYRRH BEFORE YOUR BURIAL.
SHE CRIED: WOE IS ME!
FOR I LIVE IN THE NIGHT OF LICENTIOUSNESS,
SHROUDED IN THE DARK AND MOONLESS LOVE OF SIN.
BUT ACCEPT THE FOUNTAIN OF MY TEARS,
AS YOU GATHERED THE WATERS OF THE SEA INTO CLOUDS.
BOW DOWN YOUR EAR TO THE SIGHING OF MY HEART,
AS YOU BOWED THE HEAVENS IN YOUR INEFFABLE CONDESCENSION.
ONCE EVE HEARD YOUR FOOTSTEP IN PARADISE IN THE COOL OF THE DAY,
AND IN FEAR SHE RAN AND HID HERSELF.
BUT NOW I WILL TENDERLY EMBRACE THOSE PURE FEET
AND WIPE THEM WITH THE HAIR OF MY HEAD.
WHO CAN MEASURE THE MULTITUDE OF MY SINS,
OR THE DEPTH OF YOUR JUDGMENTS, SAVIOR OF MY SOUL?//
DO NOT DESPISE YOUR SERVANT IN YOUR IMMEASURABLE MERCY.
 
 TRIODION
GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY BRIDEGROOM SIXTH HOUR
 
 
 TROPARION OF THE PROPHECY TONE 8
 
TODAY, THE EVIL ASSEMBLY HAS GATHERED AND PLOTS AGAINST YOU.
 
TODAY JUDAS RECEIVED CONDEMNATION FROM THE AGREEMENT:
 
CAIAPHAS CONFESSES UNKNOWINGLY.
 
FOR THE SAKE OF ALL YOU WILL ACCEPT DEATH FREELY;//
 
CHRIST GOD, OUR REDEEMER: GLORY TO YOU!
 
 
 PROKEIMENON OF THE PROPHECY TONE 4
 
THE LORD WILL BLESS YOU FROM ZION * HE WHO MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH.
 
 VERSE: Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of
 the Lord!
 
 
 PROPHECY OF EZEKIEL 2:3 - 3:3
 
 
 PROKEIMENON TONE 6
 
BLESS THE LORD * YOU WHO FEAR THE LORD.
 
 VERSE: Praise the Name of the Lord; servants, praise
 the Lord!
 
 
 TRIODION
GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY THE BRIDEGROOM
 
 
 KONTAKION TONE 4
 
THOUGH I HAVE TRANSGRESSED MORE THAN THE HARLOT, GOOD ONE,
 
I HAVE NOT OFFERED YOU A FLOOD OF TEARS,
 
BUT PRAYING IN SILENCE I FALL DOWN BEFORE YOU.
 
WITH LOVE I EMBRACE YOUR MOST PURE FEET.
 
AS MASTER, GRANT ME REMISSION OF SINS,
 
WHEN I CRY TO YOU, O SAVIOR://
 
DELIVER ME FROM THE FILTH OF MY EVIL DEEDS!
 
 TRIODION
GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY BRIDEGROOM VESPERS
 
 LORD I CALL...
 
 TONE 1
 
A HARLOT RECOGNIZED YOU AS GOD, O SON OF THE VIRGIN.
WITH TEARS EQUAL TO HER PAST DEEDS, SHE BESOUGHT YOU WEEPING:
LOOSE MY DEBT AS I HAVE LOOSED MY HAIR.
LOVE THE WOMAN WHO, THOUGH JUSTLY HATED, LOVES YOU.
THEN WITH THE PUBLICANS WILL I PROCLAIM YOU,//
BENEFACTOR AND LOVER OF MANKIND.
 
THE HARLOT MINGLED PRECIOUS MYRRH WITH HER TEARS.
SHE POURED IT ON YOUR MOST PURE FEET AND KISSED THEM.
AT ONCE YOU JUSTIFIED HER.
YOU SUFFERED FOR OUR SAKES://
FORGIVE US ALSO, AND SAVE US.
 
AS THE SINFUL WOMAN WAS BRINGING HER OFFERING OF MYRRH,
THE DISCIPLE WAS SCHEMING WITH LAWLESS MEN.
SHE REJOICED IN POURING OUT HER PRECIOUS GIFT.
HE HASTENED TO SELL THE PRECIOUS ONE.
SHE RECOGNIZED THE MASTER, BUT JUDAS PARTED FROM HIM.
SHE WAS SET FREE, BUT JUDAS WAS ENSLAVED TO THE ENEMY.
HOW TERRIBLE IS SLOTHFULNESS!
HOW GREAT HER REPENTANCE!
SAVIOR, YOU SUFFERED FOR OUR SAKES://
GRANT US ALSO REPENTANCE, AND SAVE US.
 
O, THE WRETCHEDNESS OF JUDAS!
HE SAW THE HARLOT KISS THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST,
BUT DECEITFULLY HE CONTEMPLATED THE KISS OF BETRAYAL.
SHE LOOSED HER HAIR WHILE HE BOUND HIMSELF WITH WRATH.
HE OFFERED THE STENCH OF WICKEDNESS INSTEAD OF MYRRH,
FOR ENVY CANNOT DISTINGUISH VALUE.
O, THE WRETCHEDNESS OF JUDAS!//
DELIVER OUR SOULS FROM THIS, O GOD.
 
THE SINFUL WOMAN RAN TO BUY THE PRECIOUS MYRRH
WITH WHICH TO ANOINT HER SAVIOR.
SHE CRIED TO THE MERCHANT: GIVE ME MYRRH,//
THAT I MAY ANOINT HIM WHO HAS CLEANSED ALL MY SINS.
 
THE WOMAN WHO WAS ENGULFED IN SIN
FOUND YOU A HAVEN OF SALVATION.
SHE POURED OUT MYRRH WITH HER TEARS AND CRIED TO YOU:
BEHOLD THE ONE WHO BRINGS REPENTANCE TO SINNERS!
RESCUE ME FROM THE TEMPEST OF SIN, MASTER,//
THROUGH YOUR GREAT MERCY.
 

HOLY WEDNESDAY VESPERS (continued) page two
 
 TONE 6
 
TODAY CHRIST COMES TO THE HOUSE OF THE PHARISEE.
A SINFUL WOMAN CRAWLS TO HIS FEET AND CRIES:
LOOK AT ME WHO AM ENGULFED IN SIN,
IN DESPAIR BECAUSE OF MY EVIL DEEDS.
BUT IN YOUR GOODNESS DO NOT DESPISE ME.
GRANT ME FORGIVENESS OF MY EVIL DEEDS, LORD,//
AND SAVE ME.
 
THE HARLOT SPREAD OUT HER HAIR TO YOU, MASTER;
JUDAS SPREAD OUT HIS HANDS TO LAWLESS MEN:
SHE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FORGIVENESS;
HE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE SOME SILVER.
WE CRY TO YOU, FOR YOU WERE SOLD FOR US AND YET SET US FREE://
O LORD, GLORY TO YOU!
 
THE CORRUPT AND FILTHY WOMAN
DREW NEAR TO YOU, SAVIOR.
SHE POURED OUT HER TEARS ON YOUR FEET
AND THUS ANNOUNCED YOUR PASSION.
HOW CAN I GAZE ON YOU, MASTER?
YET YOU CAME TO SAVE THE HARLOT.
RAISE ME FROM THE DEPTHS, FOR I AM DEAD IN SIN,
AS YOU RAISED LAZARUS FROM THE TOMB AFTER FOUR DAYS.
ACCEPT ME IN MY MISERY, LORD,//
AND SAVE ME.
 
DESPAIRING FOR HER LIFE, AND DESPAIRED OF FOR HER DEEDS,
THE WOMAN CAME BEARING MYRRH TO YOU AND CRIED:
SON OF THE VIRGIN,
THOUGH I AM A HARLOT, DO NOT CAST ME ASIDE.
JOY OF THE ANGELS,
DO NOT DESPISE MY TEARS.
AS YOU DID NOT REJECT ME AS A SINNER,//
ACCEPT ME NOW AS A PENITENT, IN YOUR GREAT MERCY.
 
 GNE... (The Hymn of Cassia) TONE 8
 
THE WOMAN HAD FALLEN INTO MANY SINS, O LORD,
YET WHEN SHE PERCEIVED YOUR DIVINITY,
SHE JOINED THE RANKS OF THE MYRRH-BEARING WOMEN.
IN TEARS SHE BROUGHT YOU MYRRH BEFORE YOUR BURIAL.
SHE CRIED: WOE IS ME!
FOR I LIVE IN THE NIGHT OF LICENTIOUSNESS,
SHROUDED IN THE DARK AND MOONLESS LOVE OF SIN.
BUT ACCEPT THE FOUNTAIN OF MY TEARS,
AS YOU GATHERED THE WATERS OF THE SEA INTO CLOUDS.
BOW DOWN YOUR EAR TO THE SIGHING OF MY HEART,
AS YOU BOWED THE HEAVENS IN YOUR INEFFABLE CONDESCENSION.
ONCE EVE HEARD YOUR FOOTSTEP IN PARADISE IN THE COOL OF THE DAY,
AND IN FEAR SHE RAN AND HID HERSELF.
BUT NOW I WILL TENDERLY EMBRACE THOSE PURE FEET
AND WIPE THEM WITH THE HAIR OF MY HEAD.
WHO CAN MEASURE THE MULTITUDE OF MY SINS,
OR THE DEPTH OF YOUR JUDGMENTS, SAVIOR OF MY SOUL?//
DO NOT DESPISE YOUR SERVANT IN YOUR IMMEASURABLE MERCY.