At Psalm 140
In Tone 1
- Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Let us love the fast!* By the power of the Holy Spirit * the evil passions of the soul will be driven out.* He will strengthen us in performing divine deeds;* He will direct our minds to heaven.* He will mediate forgiveness for our transgressions** granted to us by the bountiful God.
- The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Let us love the fast!* By the power of the Holy Spirit * the evil passions of the soul will be driven out.* He will strengthen us in performing divine deeds;* He will direct our minds to heaven.* He will mediate forgiveness for our transgressions** granted to us by the bountiful God.
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
All my life, Lord, I have foolishly wasted with strangers.* Now, like the prodigal, I cry with compunction:* I have sinned, heavenly Father!* Be merciful to me, and save me!* Do not forsake me for ever,** even though I, myself, had forsaken You.
- Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
All my life, Lord, I have foolishly wasted with strangers.* Now, like the prodigal, I cry with compunction:* I have sinned, heavenly Father!* Be merciful to me, and save me!* Do not forsake me for ever,** even though I, myself, had forsaken You.
In Tone 3
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Come, let us sing in psalms of joy* embracing the precious fast!* In it, we spiritually tread on the serpent,* crying to Christ with boldness:* Account us worthy, Saviour* of beholding without condemnation and adoring your holy Cross** and rejoicing in it with joy.
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Come, let us sing in psalms of joy* embracing the precious fast!* In it, we spiritually tread on the serpent,* crying to Christ with boldness:* Account us worthy, Saviour* of beholding without condemnation and adoring your holy Cross** and rejoicing in it with joy.
In Tone 1
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Let us in faith raise a magnificent song as is fitting* to the all-praised Codratus and the great Cyprian,* with the two named Dionysius and Anectus,* together with Crescens and the glorious Paul!* They are divinely crowned athletes of the Lord** and our most fervent intercessors!
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Let us in faith raise a magnificent song as is fitting* to the all-praised Codratus and the great Cyprian,* with the two named Dionysius and Anectus,* together with Crescens and the glorious Paul!* They are divinely crowned athletes of the Lord** and our most fervent intercessors!
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Today another choir of holy martyrs appears: victorious and triumphant!* A brilliant assembly of divine passion-bearers,* a steadfast regiment, a chosen army!** Codratus is its captain.* He is revealed as an all-glorious conqueror!
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
All-praised Codratus, with your cutting words* you slashed through the twisted webs of the philosophers’ wisdom like fog!* You taught in faith and suffered in patience for Christ.* Well-adorned in both teaching and suffering,** you have been crowned with the passion bearers!
In Tone 8, Glory… Now…
O wretched Soul,* to whom has your repentance been pleasing?* You are not in any way trying to repent.* You do not fear the consuming fire.* Rise up and call upon the One Aid to Christians* for her speedy Intercession.** Beg her Son and our God to deliver me
from the snare of the Evil One.
Prokeimenon I, Tone 4
In God have we boasted all the day;* and we will give thanks to Your name for ever!
verse: We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us!
Vespers Reading I
Genesis 6:9-22
Prokeimenon II, Tone 6
I will remember Your name* from generation to generation.
verse: My heart overflows with a goodly theme; I address my verses to the King!
Vespers Reading II
Proverbs 8:1-21
Prokeimenon, Tone 5
You, O Lord, will guard and will keep us, from this generation and for ever.
verse: Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer left a just man. (Psalm 11:8,2)
Epistle
Hebrews 12:1-10
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Shout to the Lord, all the earth, sing now to His name, give glory to His praise.
verse: For You, O God, have tested us, You have tried us by fire as silver is tried. (Psalm 65:2,10)
Gospel
Matthew 20:1-16