LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

English Source: Royal Doors www.royaldoors.net

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

The Fast that brings integrity has now run half its course.* These past days have proved acceptable,* and now we see the need of the days to come.* Our perception of their value will make them yield more abundant fruit.* Therefore, let us beseech Christ our Benefactor* who fasted and endured the Cross for us:* Grant that we might share in Your divine Pascha without condemnation* and pass our lives in peace,* worthily glorifying You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In Tone 5

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

Those who do good deeds in secret* and receive a spiritual reward,* do not boast in public about their deeds,* but they carry them in their hearts;* and He who sees the secret deeds of all* grants us the reward of self-control.* Let us then complete this Great Fast without putting on a gloomy face;* but while praying in the secrecy of our souls,* let us cry out unceasingly:* Our Father, who art in heaven,* lead us not into temptation, we pray,* but deliver us from evil.

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

With your souls filled with unquenchable love, O holy martyrs,* you endured the most terrible sufferings without ever denying Christ;* and you laid low the impudence of the torturers.* You kept the faith unwavering and unharmed* and have gone to dwell in heaven.* Therefore, having the boldness to approach the Lord,* beg Him to grant us His great mercy.

In Tone 1

Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Let us all wash our souls in the water of the Fast* and approach the precious and all-praiseworthy Cross of the Lord.* Let us faithfully bow to it,* drawing divine illumination from it* and reaping the fruit of eternal salvation,* which is peace and great mercy.

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

O precious Cross, the boldness of the apostles,* You are revered by the Archangels, Powers and Principalities.* Save from all evil those who bow before You,* and make us worthy to pass through the course of the Fast in a holy way,* that we may see Your salvation and holy Resurrection.

In Tone 7

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Bowing before the Cross of the Lord on this day, let us sing:* Rejoice, O Tree of Life;* You are the joy of the world who destroy Hades and Death;* Your strength puts the demons to flight.* You are the invincible weapon and support of believers;* preserve and sanctify those who bow before You.

In Tone 8

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

What shall we call you, glorious one?* Warrior of the mighty King and God?* For you courageously destroyed the impiety of bodiless demons!* Beacon shining with spiritual light?* A powerful destroyer of idols?* A most fervent athlete and lawful sufferer?* Pray that our souls may be saved!

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

What shall we call you, glorious one?* Warrior of the mighty King and God?* For you courageously destroyed the impiety of bodiless demons!* Beacon shining with spiritual light?* A powerful destroyer of idols?* A most fervent athlete and lawful sufferer?* Pray that our souls may be saved!

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

What shall we now name you, Sabinas?* A river of living waters pouring out on us a spiritual flood?* a truly inexhaustible fount of healing,* for us who are cruelly oppressed?* A cup overflowing with spiritual drink;* a most true wonder-worker, equal in honor to the bodiless ones?* Pray that our souls may be saved!

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

What shall we call you, holy one?* Guide to those who are going astray?* An intercessor for sinners storm-tossed with evil,* and a true physician for them?* A precious and fragrant lily of paradise?* The first-fruit among martyrs and their confirmation?* An ever-flowing source of miracles;* a valiant struggler?* Pray that our souls may be saved!

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…

Today the inaccessible Lord draws me close to Him.* He endures His Passion to free me from my passions.* He who gives light to the blind, receives spitting from impure lips* and permits Himself to be scourged to save the captives.* When His Mother, the Virgin, saw Him on the Cross, she sighed and said:* Alas, O my beloved Child!* You surpass every mortal in beauty; yet You are now without charm or attraction,* having neither grace, nor form, nor life.* Alas! O Light of my eyes,* a sword pierces my heart, and I suffer inwardly to see You so.* I sing and praise Your Passion,* I venerate Your infinite mercy,* O long-suffering Lord, glory to You.

Prokeimenon I, Tone 4

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,* who alone does wondrous things.

verse: O God, give Your judgment to the king, and to the king’s son Your justice.

Reading I: Genesis 9:18-10:1

Prokeimenon II, Tone 4

To be near God is my happiness.* I have made the Lord God my refuge.

verse: How good God is to Israel, to those who are pure of heart.

Reading II: Proverbs 12:23-13:9