Feb 25: Wednesday of the Second Week of the Great Fast

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING

At Psalm 140

Tone 1

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

O faithful, to undertake a spiritual fast,* we must speak no deceit with our tongues* nor place obstacles in the path of each other.* But by repentance let us brighten the lamp of our souls,* that with tears we may call out to Christ:* Forgive our trespasses, for You love humankind.

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

O faithful, to undertake a spiritual fast,* we must speak no deceit with our tongues* nor place obstacles in the path of each other.* But by repentance let us brighten the lamp of our souls,* that with tears we may call out to Christ:* Forgive our trespasses, for You love humankind.

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

O martyrs, worthy of praise,* though the earth may not have covered you, heaven received you,* opening to you the gates of Paradise, where you dwell,* delighting in the Tree of Life.* Beseech Christ to grant our souls peace and great mercy.

Tone 3

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

Through the prayers of the divine apostles, O righteous Lord,* grant that this time of the Fast may be well spent.* In Your kindness grant repentance to our hearts,* that we all may be saved and give glory to You.

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

Your coming will be great and fearful, O Lord,* when You shall sit in just judgment.* Do not pass sentence on me,* for I am already condemned;* but show Your divine favour toward me,* through the intercession of Your apostles.

Tone 6

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

O apostles of Christ who shine your light on all mortals,* you are the treasuries of the holy knowledge of God.* Through your prayers deliver from temptation those who praise you.* Guide us successfully through the course of this Fast;* direct our lives in peace,* so that with our eyes lifted up to the Passion of Christ,* we may with courage give praise to our God.

Tone 8

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

O venerable father Porphyrius,* taking the Cross of Christ upon your shoulder* you abandoned all and attained to the desert,* and did battle with the ruler of this world,* armed with fasting and prayers.* Therefore, as a temple of the Spirit of God,* you cast him down together with carnal mindedness.

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

As of old God saved the three youths from the fire by His angel,* so now by you has He saved three youths that had been dragged down into a pit;* for when they were borne as in a basket* He overshadowed them with the light of a cloud* which formed three crosses on their bodies* to the reproof of them that opposed you, O Porphyrius.

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

Who can worthily hymn your temptations and pangs,* your misfortunes and tribulations, your struggles for the faith, O Porphyrius?* For you showed the boldness which you have before God to be great.* Therefore, we entreat you, for you have such boldness:* Pray in our behalf to the Lord, that we be saved!

Tone 4

Glory… Now…

O Mother of Christ our God,* you who gave birth to the Maker of all,* deliver us from every danger,* so that we may cry out to you with one accord:* Rejoice, O only intercessor for our souls!

Prokeimenon I, Tone 8

Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord,* exult, O you just!

verse: Blessed are those whose offence is forgiven, whose sin is remitted.

Reading I: Genesis 4:16-26

Prokeimenon II, Tone 1

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us* as we have hoped in You.

verse: Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just; for praise is fitting for loyal hearts.

Reading II: Proverbs 5:15-6:3