At Psalm 140
In Tone 4
- Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Like the prodigal I squandered my paternal inheritance,* and now I am in desolation.* I dwell in the land of the wicked.* In my folly, I became like the unreasoning beasts,* stripped of all divine grace.* So I return and cry out to You:* O merciful and compassionate Father,* I have sinned, O God.** Receive me as a penitent and have mercy on me.
- The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Like the prodigal I squandered my paternal inheritance,* and now I am in desolation.* I dwell in the land of the wicked.* In my folly, I became like the unreasoning beasts,* stripped of all divine grace.* So I return and cry out to You:* O merciful and compassionate Father,* I have sinned, O God.** Receive me as a penitent and have mercy on me.
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
O martyrs of the Lord,* you are living sacrifices and spiritual offerings* and perfect incense burnt to God.* You are sheep that know God and are known to Him,* and wolves cannot break into His fold.* Pray that we may be led with you** to pasture beside the still waters.
In Tone 6
- Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
O apostles who have seen God,* and who reflect the light of the spiritual Sun for us,* pray for the illumination of our souls* and deliver us from the gloomy darkness of suffering.* Intercede that we may behold the day of salvation.* Through your prayers and intercessions* cleanse our heart which the Evil One has wounded,* so that, saved by faith, we may ever honour you** who brought the world salvation through your all-wise preaching.
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Into an evil land I have wandered,* prodigal that I am;* the wealth You gave to me, O compassionate Father,* I have squandered in a life filled with vice.* And now in hunger I long for the good I lost;* I am clothed with the shame of my transgression.* I have been stripped of righteous deeds and of divine grace.* Now I cry out that I have sinned.* But I know Your righteousness, O Christ;* in Your kindness receive me as Your hired servant,** through the prayers of Your apostles who love You.
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Apostles of the Lord and bright lights of the universe,* you made us the recipients of salvation,* and like the heavens you proclaim the glory of God;* you are adorned with wonders and bright miracles.* Intercede for us unceasingly before the Lord,* that He may receive our prayers as a pleasing aroma,* and grant that with love we may contemplate and kiss His life-giving Cross.* In Your love for humankind,** grant mercy to us who bow low before Your Cross, O Saviour.
In Tone 6
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
You were arrayed in the vestments of a bishop,* thrice-blessed one:* You entered the holy of holies,* with pure lips, like an angel, sending up praise to your Master! * As the godly shepherd of Rome,* enlightened with deifying splendor,* you taught the faithful the theology of the faith,* divinely radiant Gregory:* teacher of the church** and initiate of the mysteries of the grace of God!
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Ever cleaving to the Lord,* and united to the divine fire in purity, hierarch,* you set down the liturgy of the presanctified gifts,* thus sanctifying the faithful during the days of the fast;* rescuing them from the snares of the enemy.* You guided them into the fold of heaven,* revealing yourself to be a pillar a fire* through the splendor of your piety * and the brightness of your divine teachings,** God-bearing Father Gregory!
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Holy Gregory,* you preserved blamelessly the bishop’s holy anointing.* By the grace of Christ you caused its gifts to increase like talents, * in all things you were well pleasing to the only Lord of glory: * in love and meekness, in ardor of faith,* in compassion and prayer.* Thus, divinely eloquent one, in the meadow of salvation,** you faithfully shepherded the reason-endowed flock of Christ.
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Today your divine memorial, most honored one,* shines forth like the sun to the ends of the earth,* joyfully enlightening all the faithful with mystical splendors!* We assemble to honor it with holy psalms and hymns,* entreating you to beseech Christ, divinely glorious one,** on behalf of those who sing your praises.
In Tone 6, Glory… Now…
O Theotokos, you are the true vine,* who brought forth the fruit of Life.* Therefore we entreat you, O Lady:* intercede together with the apostles and all the saints** that our souls be granted peace and great mercy.
Prokeimenon I, Tone 4
I trust in the goodness of God* forever and ever.
verse: I will thank You forevermore; for this is Your doing.
Reading I
Genesis 7:6-9
Prokeimenon II, Tone 4
When God delivers His people from bondage,* then Jacob will be glad and Israel rejoice.
verse: Fools have said in their hearts: There is no God above.
Reading II
Proverbs 9:12-18