Great Hours on Friday Morning 1 the SERVICE

Great Hours on Friday Morning

THE SERVICE OF THE HOURS Glory to the Father and the Son and the ON GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages By Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria. of ages. Amen. FIRST HOUR Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed PRIEST be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our READER trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass Amen. against us. And lead us not into temptation, but PRIEST deliver us from evil.

Glory to You, our God. Glory to You. PRIEST Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, For Thine is the Kingdom and the power present in all places and filling all things, and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the treasury of good things and giver of life: come; ages of ages. take Your abode in us; cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one. READER Amen. READER Trisagion Prayers. Lord, have mercy. (12) Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Glory to the Father and the Son and the have mercy on us. (3) Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages Glory to the Father and the Son and the of ages. Amen. Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages Come, let us worship and bow down of ages. Amen. before God our King.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Come, let us worship and bow down Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our before Christ God our King. transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our Come, let us worship and bow down infirmities for your name's sake. before Him, Christ our King and God. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, Psalm 5. have mercy. Give ear to my words, O Lord, Hear my cry. Give heed to the voice of my supplication,

1 Great Hours on Friday Morning my King and my God, for to You will I pray, O heavens shall laugh at them; the Lord shall Lord. In the morning You shall hear my voice; mock them. Then shall He speak to them in in the morning I will stand before You, and I His wrath and trouble them in His anger, "But will watch. For You are not a God who wills I was established as King by Him over His lawlessness, nor shall the evildoer dwell with holy hill of Zion, declaring the Lord's decree. You. The lawless shall not stand before Your The Lord said to Me, 'You are My Son, today I eyes; You hate all the workers of lawlessness; have begotten You; ask of Me, and I will give You shall destroy all who speak falsehood; the You the nations for Your inheritance and the Lord abhors the man of violence and deceit. ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall But as for me, in the fullness of Your mercy shepherd them with an iron staff; You shall I will come into Your house; in fear of You I shatter them like a potter's vessel.'" And now, will worship toward Your holy temple. Lead O kings, understand; be instructed, all you me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear my enemies; make straight Your way before and rejoice in Him with trembling. Lay hold of me. For there is no truth in their mouth; their His instruction, lest the Lord be angry, and you heart is vain; their throat is an open grave; perish from the righteous way when His fury they deal deceptively with their tongues. shall be quickly kindled. Blessed are all who Judge them, O God. Let them fall by their false trust in Him. [SAAS] accusations; cast them out in the multitude of Psalm 21 (22). their ungodliness; for they provoked You, O O God, my God, hear me; why have You Lord. But let all who hope in You be glad; they forsaken me? The words of my transgressions will greatly rejoice forever, for You will dwell are far from my salvation. O my God, I will cry in them; and all who love Your name will boast out by day, but You will not hear me; and by in You. For You will bless the righteous; O night, but not for a lack of understanding in me. Lord, You crowned us with the shield of Your But You dwell among the saints, O praise of goodwill. [SAAS] Israel. Our fathers hoped in You; they hoped in Psalm 2. You, and You delivered them. They cried out Why do the nations rage, and the people to You and were saved; they hoped in You and meditate on vain things? The kings of the earth were not ashamed. But I am a worm, and not set themselves, and the rulers gather together a man; a reproach of man and despised by the against the Lord and against His anointed, people. All who see me mock me; they speak saying, "Let us break their bands, and cast with their lips and shake their head, saying, away their yokes from us." He who sits in the "He hoped in the Lord, let Him rescue him;

2 Great Hours on Friday Morning let Him save him since He delights in him." poor shall eat and be well-filled, and those who For You are He who drew me from the womb, seek Him will praise the Lord; their hearts will my hope from my mother's breasts; I was cast live unto ages of ages. All the ends of the world upon You from the womb, from my mother's shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all womb You are my God. Do not stand off from families of the Gentiles shall worship before me, for affliction is near; there is no one to You, for the kingdom is the Lord's; and He is help. Many young bulls surrounded me; fat the Master of the Gentiles. All the prosperous bulls encircled me. They opened their mouths of the earth ate and worshiped; all going down against me like a raging and roaring lion. I into the earth shall bow down before Him, am poured out like water, and all my bones and my soul lives with Him. And my seed are shattered; my heart is like wax, melting shall serve Him; the coming generation shall into my stomach. My strength is dried up like be told of the Lord, and they will declare His an earthen vessel; my tongue cleaves to my righteousness to a people who will be born, throat; and You led me into the dust of death. because the Lord made them. [SAAS] For many dogs surrounded me; an assembly Glory to the Father and the Son and the of evildoers enclosed me; they pierced my Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages hands and my feet. I numbered all my bones, of ages. Amen. and they look and stare at me. They divided my garments among themselves, and for my Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, clothing they cast lots. But You, O Lord, do not O God. (3) remove Your help from me; attend to my aid. Lord, have mercy. (3) Deliver my soul from the sword and my only- Glory to the Father and the Son and the begotten from the hand of the dog; save me Holy Spirit. from the lion's mouth, my humiliation from the horns of the unicorns. I will declare Your name Troparion. to my brethren; in the midst of the church I When You were crucified, O Christ, the will sing to You. You who fear the Lord, praise enemy's tyranny was lifted and his power was Him. All you seed of Jacob, glorify Him; fear crushed. For it was no Angel nor mere man, but Him, all you seed of Israel. For He has not You, the Lord himself, who saved us. Glory to despised nor scorned the beggar's supplication, You! [SD] nor has He turned away His face from me; and Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. when I cried out to Him, He heard me. My Amen. praise is from You in the great church; I will pay my vows before those who fear Him. The

3 Great Hours on Friday Morning

Theotokion. the sheep, namely My twelve Disciples, I could What shall we call you, O Lady full of summon more than twelve legions of angels. grace? Heaven? For you gave rise to the Sun of But I forbear, so that the unknown and secret righteousness. Paradise? For you blossomed things that I showed you through My prophets the flower of incorruption. Virgin? For you may be fulfilled." Glory to You, O Lord! [SD] remained incorrupt. Pure Mother? For you held Both now. Repeat. in your holy embrace a Son who is the God of all. Entreat Him to save our souls. [SD] THE PROPHECY

CHOIR READER Idiomela. Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Mode pl. 4. He went forth and spoke the same. Today, the veil of the Temple is torn in Verse: Blessed is he who understands the poor two, as a reproof to the transgressors. And the and needy. [SAAS] sun hides its rays, beholding the Master on the The reading is from the Prophecy of Cross. [SD] Zechariah.

Twice, with no verse. Then: PRIEST Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

Mode pl. 4. READER Verse: Why do the nations rage, and the 11:10-13 people meditate on vain things? [SAAS] Thus says the Lord: I shall take my staff Beauty, and I shall cast it away, to break my You were led as a sheep to slaughter, O covenant which I made with all the people. Christ the King, and as an innocent lamb, You And in that day they will be scattered about. were nailed to a cross by lawless men, for our And the Canaanites shall know the flock is kept sins, O Lord who love humanity. [SD] safe, for this is the word of the Lord. And I shall Verse: The kings of the earth set themselves, say to them, "If it is fitting in your judgment, and the rulers gather together [SAAS] give me my payment, or refuse it." And they Repeat the same hymn. Then: established my wage at thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said to me, "Drop them into the Glory. Mode pl. 4. smelting furnace and see if it is proven, as in As You permitted the transgressors to the same manner I was proven for their sake." arrest You, Lord, You said to them, "Even And I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw though you struck the shepherd and scattered

4 Great Hours on Friday Morning them into the smelting furnace in the house of PRIEST the Lord, as the Lord commanded me. [SAAS] 27:1-56 When morning came, all the chief priests The Epistle and the elders of the people took counsel The reading is from Paul's Letter to the against Jesus to put him to death; and they Galatians. bound him and led him away and delivered PRIEST him to Pilate the governor. When Judas, his Let us be attentive. Wisdom. Let us be betrayer, saw that he was condemned, he attentive. repented and brought back the thirty pieces READER of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 6:14-18 saying, "I have sinned in betraying innocent Brethren, far be it from me to glory except blood." They said, "What is that to us? See to in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which it yourself." And throwing down the pieces the world has been crucified to me, and I to of silver in the temple, he departed; and he the world. For neither circumcision counts went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new taking the pieces of silver, said, "It is not lawful creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who to put them into the treasury, since they are walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. blood money." So they took counsel, and Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on bought with them the potter's field, to bury my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our strangers in. Therefore that field has been Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was Amen [RSV] fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet

PRIEST Jeremiah, saying, "And they took the thirty Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a Gospel. price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter's field, as Peace be with all. the Lord directed me." Now Jesus stood before (And with your spirit.) the governor; and the governor asked him, PRIEST "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, The reading is from the Holy Gospel "You have said so." But when he was accused according to Matthew. Let us be attentive. by the chief priests and elders, he made no (Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.) answer. Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?" But he gave him no answer, not even to

5 Great Hours on Friday Morning a single charge; so that the governor wondered upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they greatly. Now at the feast the governor was put it on his head, and put a reed in his right accustomed to release for the crowd any one hand. And kneeling before him they mocked prisoner whom they wanted. And they had him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they then a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So spat upon him, and took the reed and struck when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, him on the head. And when they had mocked "Whom do you want me to release for you, him, they stripped him of the robe, and put Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?" For his own clothes on him, and led him away to he knew that it was out of envy that they had crucify him. As they went out, they came upon delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; this man on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to they compelled to carry his cross. And when him, "Have nothing to do with that righteous they came to a place called Golgotha (which man, for I have suffered much over him today means the place of a skull), they offered him in a dream." Now the chief priests and the wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he elders persuaded the people to ask for Barabbas tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to had crucified him, they divided his garments them, "Which of the two do you want me to among them by casting lots; then they sat down release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas." and kept watch over him there. And over his Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with head they put the charge against him, which Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Let read, "This is Jesus the King of the Jews." Then him be crucified." And he said, "Why, what evil two robbers were crucified with him, one on has he done?" But they shouted all the more, the right and one on the left. And those who "Let him be crucified." So when Pilate saw that passed by derided him, wagging their heads he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot and saying, "You who would destroy the was beginning, he took water and washed his temple and build it in three days, save yourself! hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent If you are the Son of God, come down from of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." And the cross." So also the chief priests, with the all the people answered, "His blood be on us scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, "He and on our children!" Then he released for them saved others; he cannot save himself. He is Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered the King of Israel; let him come down now him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the from the cross, and we will believe in him. He governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he they gathered the whole battalion before him. desires him; for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe And the robbers who were crucified with him

6 Great Hours on Friday Morning also reviled him in the same way. Now from Ransom me from the slander of men, and I the sixth hour there was darkness over all the will keep Your commandments. land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth Make Your face shine upon Your servant hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, and teach me Your ordinances. lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, Let my mouth be filled with Your praise, why hast thou forsaken me?" And some of the O Lord, that I may sing of Your glory and of bystanders hearing it said, "This man is calling Your magnificence all the day long. [SAAS] Elijah." And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, and put it on a Trisagion Prayers. reed, and gave it to him to drink. But the others Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come have mercy on us. (3) to save him." And Jesus cried again with a loud Glory to the Father and the Son and the voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top of ages. Amen. to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. were split; the tombs also were opened, and Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our were raised, and coming out of the tombs after infirmities for your name's sake. his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, those who were with him, keeping watch over have mercy. Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, Glory to the Father and the Son and the they were filled with awe, and said, "Truly this Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages was the Son of God!" There were also many of ages. Amen. women there, looking on from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed him; among whom were Mary Magdalene, and be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us mother of the sons of Zebedee. [RSV] this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass (Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.) against us. And lead us not into temptation, but READER deliver us from evil. Direct my steps according to Your teaching and let no lawlessness rule over me.

7 Great Hours on Friday Morning

PRIEST Glory to the Father and the Son and the For Thine is the Kingdom and the power Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of ages. Amen. of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the READER Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to Amen. God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do Kontakion. we magnify. Come, let us all extol Him who was In the name of the Lord, Father, bless! crucified for us. Mary beheld Him on the Cross and she said, "Though You endure the Cross, PRIEST You are my Son and my God." [SD] May God have compassion on us and bless us; may his face shine upon us and have mercy Lord, have mercy. (40) on us.

O Christ our God, who at all times and at READER every hour, both in heaven and on earth, are Amen. worshipped and glorified, long suffering and PRIEST plenteous in mercy and compassion; who love O Christ, the true light that enlightens the just and show mercy to the sinners; who and sanctifies every man who comes into call all men to salvation through the promise of the world, let the light of Your countenance the blessings to come: Do you, the same Lord, shine on us, that in it we may behold the receive also our supplications at this present unapproachable light. And direct our steps to time, and direct our lives according to your keep Your commandments, by the intercessions commandments. Sanctify our souls; purify of Your all-immaculate Mother and all the our bodies; set our minds right; clear up our saints. (Amen.) thoughts, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil and distress. Surround us with your holy Angels so that being guarded and guided by THIRD HOUR their presence, we may arrive at the unity of READER the faith and the knowledge of your ineffable Trisagion Prayers. glory; for blessed are you unto the ages of ages. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Amen. have mercy on us. (3)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

8 Great Hours on Friday Morning

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Come, let us worship and bow down Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages before God our King. of ages. Amen. Come, let us worship and bow down All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. before Christ God our King. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our Come, let us worship and bow down transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our before Him, Christ our King and God. infirmities for your name's sake. Psalm 34 (35). Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, O Lord, judge those who injure me; make have mercy. war on those who make war on me. Take Glory to the Father and the Son and the hold of weapon and shield, and rise up to Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages my help. bring forth the sword, and confine of ages. Amen. those in opposition who pursue me; say to my soul, "I am your salvation." Let those who Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed seek my soul be dishonored and shamed; let be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will those who plot evils against me be turned be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us backward and disappointed. Let them be like this day our daily bread; and forgive us our dust in the wind's face, and let the Angel of trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass the Lord afflict them. Let their way be dark against us. And lead us not into temptation, but and slippery, and let the Angel of the Lord deliver us from evil. pursue them. For without cause they hid the PRIEST destruction of their trap for me; in vain they For Thine is the Kingdom and the power reproached my soul. Let a trap they do not and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and know catch them, and they themselves shall fall of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the into the same trap. But my soul shall greatly ages of ages. rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall delight in READER His salvation. All my bones shall say, "O Lord, Amen. who is like You? You who deliver a poor man Lord, have mercy. (12) from hands stronger than he, and a poor and needy man from those who plunder him." Glory to the Father and the Son and the Unjust witnesses rose up against me, asking Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages me things I knew nothing about; they repaid of ages. Amen. me evil for good, and bereavement for my

9 Great Hours on Friday Morning soul. But I put on sackcloth when they troubled who desire my righteousness greatly rejoice, me, and I humbled my soul with fasting; and and be glad, and let them say continually, "The my prayer will return into my bosom. Like a Lord be magnified," Those who desire His neighbor, like our brother, so they were well- servant's peace. And my tongue shall meditate pleasing; like one who laments and is of a sad on Your righteousness, and on Your praise all countenance, so I humbled myself. But they the day long. [SAAS] were delighted, and were gathered together Psalm 108 (109). against me; whips were gathered together O God, do not pass over my praise in against me, but I did not know it; they were silence, for the mouth of the sinner and the torn asunder, yet they were not pierced to the mouth of the deceitful man opened against heart. They tempted me; they mocked and me; they spoke against me with a deceitful sneered at me; they gnashed their teeth at me. tongue; and they surrounded me with words of O Lord, when will You look on this? Restore hatred, and warred against me without cause. my soul from their malice, my only-begotten Instead of loving me, they falsely accused from the lions. I will give thanks to You, O me, but I continued to pray; so they repaid Lord, in the great church; I will praise You me evil for good, and hatred for my love. Set among a mighty people. Let them not rejoice a sinner over him, and let the devil stand at over me, those who are unjustly my enemies, his right hand. And when he is judged, may those who hate me without a cause, and wink he go forth condemned, and let his prayer with their eyes. For they spoke peace to me, become sin. Let his days be very few, and but in their wrath they schemed deceit, and may a different man receive his office; let his opened wide their mouth at me, saying, "Well children be fatherless and his wife a widow; done! Well done! Our eyes saw it!" You saw let his children wander about and be beggars; this, O Lord; do not keep silence; O Lord, do let them be cast out of their houses. Let the not be far from me. Arise, O Lord, attend to my creditor search out whatever possessions he judgment, my God and my Lord, to my cause. has; let strangers plunder his labors; let there Judge me according to Your righteousness, O be no helper for him, nor a compassionate one Lord my God, and let them not rejoice against for his fatherless children; let his children be me; let them not say in their hearts, "Well done! utterly destroyed; in a single generation, let Well done, our soul!" Let them not say, "We his name be blotted out. May the lawlessness swallowed him up!" May those who rejoice of his fathers be remembered before the Lord, at my troubles be altogether dishonored and and may the sin of his mother not be blotted shamed; let those who boast against me be out; let them be continually before the Lord, clothed with shame and humiliation. Let those

10 Great Hours on Friday Morning and may the remembrance of them be utterly the right hand of a poor man, to save me from destroyed from the earth, because he did not those who persecute my soul. [SAAS] remember to show mercy, but persecuted a Psalm 50 (51). poor and needy man, and one pierced to the Have mercy on me, O God, according heart, that he might kill him. And he loved to Your great mercy; and according to the cursing, and it came to him, and he did not abundance of Your compassion, blot out my desire blessing, so it shall be far from him. So transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my he clothed himself with cursing like a garment, lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For and it entered like water into his bowels and I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always like oil into his bones; let it be for him like a before me. Against You only have I sinned garment that clothes him, and like a belt that and done evil in Your sight; that You may be girds him continually. This is the work of those justified in Your words, and overcome when who falsely accuse me before the Lord, and of You are judged. For behold, I was conceived those who speak evil things against my soul. in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore But You, O Lord, O Lord, deal mercifully with me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me for Your name's sake, for Your mercy is me the unknown and secret things of Your good. Save me, for I am poor and needy, and wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, my heart is troubled within me. I was removed and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and like a shadow when it declines; I was shaken I will be made whiter than snow. You shall off like the locusts. My knees were weak from make me hear joy and gladness; my bones fasting, and my flesh was changed because of that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn the oil. And I became an object of reproach to Your face from my sins, and blot out all my them; they saw me; they shook their heads. transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O Help me, O Lord my God; save me according God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not to Your mercy; then let them know this is cast me away from Your presence, and do not Your hand, and You, O Lord, did this. They take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me themselves shall curse, but You shall bless; let the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with those who rise up against me be put to shame, Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors but let Your servant be glad. Let those who Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to falsely accuse me be clothed with shame, and You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, let them be covered with their dishonor like the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall a double cloak. I will give thanks to the Lord greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, abundantly with my mouth, and in the midst You shall open my lips, and my mouth will of many I will praise Him, because He stood at

11 Great Hours on Friday Morning declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, entreat you to intercede along with the I would give it; You will not be pleased with Apostles and all the saints, that our souls be whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is treated mercifully. [SD] a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart CHOIR God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your Idiomela. good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Mode pl. 4. Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased For fear of the Jews, Your friend and with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings neighbor Peter denied You, O Lord. Then he and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer lamented and said, "Do not be silent at my young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS] tears. I know I said I would keep the faith, but Glory to the Father and the Son and the I did not keep it, O merciful One." Accept our Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages repentance as well, and have mercy on us. [SD] of ages. Amen. Twice, with no verse. Then: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3) Mode pl. 4. Lord, have mercy. (3) Verse: Give ear to my words, O Lord, hear my cry. [SAAS] Glory to the Father and the Son and the Before Your venerable crucifixion, soldiers Holy Spirit. were mocking You, O Lord; and the angelic Troparion. ranks were astounded. You who adorned the Lord, the Jews condemned You to death, earth with flowers put on a crown of insult. You the Life of all. They who walked across the You who cover the world with clouds put on Red Sea by the rod of Moses, had You nailed to the robe and were ridiculed. Such was Your a cross; and they who sipped honey from a rock plan, and by it Your compassion was known, O gave you gall. But You willingly endured it, in Christ, the great mercy. Glory to You! [SD] order to free us from slavery to the enemy. O Verse: Give heed to the voice of my Christ our God, glory to You! [SD] supplication, my King and my God. [SAAS] Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Repeat the same hymn. Then: Amen.

Theotokion. Glory. Mode pl. 1. Theotokos, you are the true vine that As You were led to the cross, O Lord, You produced the fruit of life. Lady, we fervently said something like this, "For which deed do

12 Great Hours on Friday Morning you wish to crucify Me, O Jews? Is it for bracing Who is he who judges Me? Let him oppose Me your paralytics, or for raising your dead as if at the same time. Who is he who judges Me? from sleep? I cured the woman with the flow of Let him come near Me. Behold, the Lord will blood, I had mercy on the Canaanite woman. help Me. Who will harm Me? Behold, all of you For which of My deeds do you wish to murder will grow old like a garment, and old age will Me, O Jews? But you will look on Me, the devour you, as a moth does a garment. Who Christ, whom you now pierce, O transgressors among you fears the Lord? Let him listen to of the Law." [SD] the voice of His Servant. You who walk in the

Both now. Repeat. darkness and have not light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon God. Behold, all of THE PROPHECY you kindle a fire and feed a flame. Walk in the READER light of your fire and the flame you kindled. Prokeimenon. Mode 4. This happened to you for My sake, and you For I am ready for wounds. shall lie down in sorrow. [SAAS] Verse: O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your The Epistle wrath. [SAAS] The reading is from Paul's Letter to the The reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah. Romans.

PRIEST PRIEST Wisdom. Let us be attentive. Let us be attentive. Wisdom. Let us be attentive. READER READER 50:4-11 The Lord gives Me the tongue of the 5:6-10 Brethren, we were still weak, at the right learned, so as to know when to speak a word time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one at a fitting time; and He causes My ear to listen will hardly die for a righteous man—though each morning. The Lord's instruction opens perhaps for a good man one will dare even to My ears, and I am not disobedient, nor do die. But God shows his love for us in that while I contradict Him. I gave My back to whips, we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Since, and My cheeks to blows; and I turned not therefore, we are now justified by his blood, away My face from the shame of spitting. The much more shall we be saved by him from the Lord became My helper; therefore, I was not wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we disgraced. But I made My face like a solid rock were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, and knew I would not be ashamed. For He who pronounces Me righteous draws near.

13 Great Hours on Friday Morning much more, now that we are reconciled, shall for them, to decide what each should take. And we be saved by his life. [RSV] it was the third hour, when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him PRIEST read, "The King of the Jews." And with him Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy Gospel. they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. And those who passed by Peace be with all. derided him, wagging their heads, and saying, (And with your spirit.) "Aha! You who would destroy the temple

PRIEST and build it in three days, save yourself, and The reading is from the Holy Gospel come down from the cross!" So also the chief according to Mark. Let us be attentive. priests mocked him to one another with the scribes, saying, "He saved others; he cannot (Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.) save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, PRIEST come down now from the cross, that we may 15:16-41 see and believe." Those who were crucified And the soldiers led him away inside the with him also reviled him. And when the sixth palace (that is, the praetorium); and they called hour had come, there was darkness over the together the whole battalion. And they clothed whole land until the ninth hour. And at the him in a purple cloak, and plaiting a crown of ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eloi, thorns they put it on him. And they began to Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" struck his head with a reed, and spat upon him, And some of the bystanders hearing it said, and they knelt down in homage to him. And "Behold, he is calling Elijah." And one ran and, when they had mocked him, they stripped him filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed of the purple cloak, and put his own clothes on and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let him. And they led him out to crucify him. And us see whether Elijah will come to take him they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, down." And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and who was coming in from the country, the father breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. And was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when they brought him to the place called Golgotha the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that (which means the place of a skull). And they he thus breathed his last, he said, "Truly this offered him wine mingled with myrrh; but he man was the Son of God!" There were also did not take it. And they crucified him, and women looking on from afar, among whom divided his garments among them, casting lots were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother

14 Great Hours on Friday Morning of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome, against us. And lead us not into temptation, but who, when he was in Galilee, followed him, deliver us from evil. and ministered to him; and also many other PRIEST women who came up with him to Jerusalem. For Thine is the Kingdom and the power [RSV] and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and (Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.) of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. READER Blessed is the Lord from day to day; the READER Amen. God of our salvation will bring prosperity upon us; our God is the God Who saves us. Kontakion. Come, let us all extol Him who was Trisagion Prayers. crucified for us. Mary beheld Him on the Cross Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, and she said, "Though You endure the Cross, have mercy on us. (3) You are my Son and my God." [SD]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Lord, have mercy. (40) Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages O Christ our God, who at all times and at of ages. Amen. every hour, both in heaven and on earth, are All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. worshipped and glorified, long suffering and Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our plenteous in mercy and compassion; who love transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our the just and show mercy to the sinners; who infirmities for your name's sake. call all men to salvation through the promise of the blessings to come: Do you, the same Lord, Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, receive also our supplications at this present have mercy. time, and direct our lives according to your Glory to the Father and the Son and the commandments. Sanctify our souls; purify Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages our bodies; set our minds right; clear up our of ages. Amen. thoughts, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil and distress. Surround us with your holy Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed Angels so that being guarded and guided by be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will their presence, we may arrive at the unity of be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us the faith and the knowledge of your ineffable this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass

15 Great Hours on Friday Morning glory; for blessed are you unto the ages of ages. SIXTH HOUR Amen. READER Trisagion Prayers. Lord, have mercy. (3) Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Glory to the Father and the Son and the have mercy on us. (3) Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and of ages. Amen. in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our we magnify. transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for your name's sake. In the name of the Lord, Father, bless! Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, PRIEST have mercy. May God have compassion on us and bless us; may his face shine upon us and have mercy Glory to the Father and the Son and the on us. Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. READER Amen. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will PRIEST be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us O Master God, Father Almighty, Lord this day our daily bread; and forgive us our only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit, trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass one Godhead, one Power: have mercy on me a against us. And lead us not into temptation, but sinner, and by the judgments which You know, deliver us from evil. save me Your unworthy servant; for blessed are You to the ages of ages. (Amen.) PRIEST For Thine is the Kingdom and the power

and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

READER Amen.

16 Great Hours on Friday Morning

Lord, have mercy. (12) me from unjust men who plotted to trip up my steps; the arrogant hid a trap for me, and Glory to the Father and the Son and the they stretched out ropes as snares for my feet; Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages they set a stumbling block for me near my of ages. Amen. path. I said to the Lord, "You are my God; give Come, let us worship and bow down ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication. before God our King. O Lord, O Lord, the power of my salvation, Come, let us worship and bow down You overshadowed my head in the day of war. before Christ God our King. Because of my desire, O Lord, do not hand me over to the sinner; they plotted against me; do Come, let us worship and bow down not forsake me, lest they be exalted. "As for before Him, Christ our King and God. the head of those who encircle me, the toil of Psalm 53 (54). their lips shall cover them. Coals shall fall upon Save me, O God, in Your name, and judge them; You shall overthrow them with fire; do me in Your power. O God, hear my prayer; give not let them withstand hardships." A talkative ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers man shall not prosper on earth; evils shall hunt rise up against me, and the powerful seek after the unjust man to destruction. I know the Lord my soul; they have not set God before them. will maintain the cause of the poor man and the For behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the justice of the needy. Surely the righteous shall protector of my soul. He will return evils to my give thanks to Your name, and the upright shall enemies; utterly destroy them in Your truth. dwell in Your presence. [SAAS] I will sacrifice to You voluntarily; I will give Psalm 90 (91). thanks to Your name, O Lord, for it is good. He who dwells in the help of the Most You delivered me from all my afflictions, and High shall lodge in the shelter of the God of my eye looked upon my enemies. [SAAS] heaven. He shall say to the Lord, "You are my Psalm 139 (140). protector and my refuge, my God; I will hope Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil in Him; for He shall free me from the snare of man, rescue me from the unjust man, who the hunters, and from every troubling word." devised wrongdoing in their heart; they He shall overshadow you with His shoulders, arrayed themselves for war all day long; they and under His wings you shall hope; His truth sharpened their tongue like a serpent; the shall encircle you with a shield. You shall not venom of asps was under their lips. Keep me, be frightened by fear at night, nor from an O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; deliver arrow that flies by day, nor by a thing moving

17 Great Hours on Friday Morning in darkness, nor by mishap and a demon of all the nations, who cry to You: "Lord, glory to noonday. A thousand shall fall at your side and You!" [SD] ten thousand at your right hand, yet it shall not Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. come near you; but you shall observe with your Amen. eyes, and you shall see the reward of sinners. For You, O Lord, are my hope; You made the Theotokion. Most High your refuge. Evils shall not come to Since we may not presume to speak you, and a scourge shall not draw near your because of our many sins, will you beseech dwelling; for He shall command His angels your Son, O Virgin Theotokos. For the request concerning you, to keep you in all your ways; of a mother can do much to pacify the Master. in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you Do not despise the prayers of us sinners, all- strike your foot against a stone; You shall tread noble Lady. He is merciful and able to save us; upon the asp and the basilisk, and you shall after all, He accepted to suffer for our sake. [SD] trample the lion and the dragon. "For he hoped CHOIR in Me, and I will deliver him; I will shelter Idiomela. him, because he knew My name. He shall call Mode pl. 4. upon Me, and I will hear him; I am with him Thus says the Lord to the Jews, "O my in affliction, and I will deliver and glorify him. people, what have I done to you, how have I With length of days I will satisfy him, and show upset you? I gave sight to your blind; I cleansed him My salvation." [SAAS] your lepers; I raised the man who lay paralyzed Glory to the Father and the Son and the on his bed. O my people, what have I done to Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages you, and how have you repaid me? Instead of of ages. Amen. manna, you fed Me gall; instead of water, you gave Me vinegar; instead of loving Me, you Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, nailed Me to the Cross. So, I will no longer hold O God. (3) back, but I will call My Gentiles, and they will Lord, have mercy. (3) glorify Me and the Father and the Spirit; and I Glory to the Father and the Son and the will grant them eternal life." [SD] Holy Spirit. Twice, with no verse. Then: Troparion. You worked salvation in the midst of the earth, O Christ our God. You stretched out your immaculate hands on the Cross, and gathered

18 Great Hours on Friday Morning

Mode pl. 4. THE PROPHECY Verse: They gave me gall for my food, and READER they gave me vinegar for my drink. [SAAS] Prokeimenon. Mode 4. O lawmakers of Israel, Judeans, and O Lord, our Lord, how wondrous is Your Pharisees, the chorus of Apostles calls out to name in all the earth. you, "Behold, the Temple that you destroyed; Verse: For Your splendor is exalted far behold, the Lamb that you crucified. You beyond the heavens. [SAAS] delivered Him to the grave, but He has risen The reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah. by His own power. Do not deceive yourselves, PRIEST Judeans; for He is the One who saved you in Wisdom. Let us be attentive. the sea, and fed you in the desert. He is the Life, and the Light, and the Peace of the world." [SD] READER 52:13-54:1 Verse: Save me, O God, for the waters flood Thus says the Lord: Behold, My Servant my soul. [SAAS] shall have wisdom, and He shall be exalted Repeat the same hymn. Then: and glorified exceedingly. Just as many shall be astonished at You, so Your form and glory Glory. Mode pl. 1. shall be dishonored by men. Thus many nations Come, O Christ-bearing people, let us shall marvel at Him, and kings shall shut contemplate how Judas the Betrayer and the their mouth, because they to whom no report unlawful priests conspired against our Savior. was brought concerning Him shall see; and Today, they declared the immortal Logos as they who did not hear shall understand. O deserving death. They delivered Him to Pilate Lord, who has believed our report, and to and had Him crucified on The Place of the whom was the arm of the Lord revealed? Skull. And yet, as the Savior was suffering We proclaimed His presence as a Child, as a these things, He cried aloud and said, "Father, Root in the thirsty land. He had no form or forgive them this sin, so that the Gentiles may glory, and we saw Him; and He had no form come to know my resurrection from the dead." or beauty. But in comparison to all men, His

[SD] form was lacking in honor. He was a man in suffering and knew how to bear sickness. His Both now. Repeat. face was turned away, and He was dishonored

and not esteemed. He bears our sins and suffers for us, yet we considered Him to be in pain, suffering, and ill-treatment. But He

19 Great Hours on Friday Morning was wounded because of our lawlessness, of the desolate than the children of the married and became sick because of our sins. The woman." [SAAS] chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and The Epistle by His bruise we are healed. All we like sheep The reading is from Paul's Letter to the have gone astray. Man has gone astray in his Hebrews. way, and the Lord delivered Him over for our PRIEST sins. Although He was ill-treated, He opened Let us be attentive. Wisdom. Let us be not His mouth. He was led as a sheep to the attentive. slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before his shearers, so He opens not His mouth. In His READER humiliation His judgment was taken away, 2:11-18 Brethren, he who sanctifies and those who and who will declare His generation? For His are sanctified have all one origin. That is why life is taken from the earth, and because of he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, the lawlessness of My people He was led to "I will proclaim thy name to my brethren, in the death. I will appoint evil men for His burial and midst of the congregation I will praise thee." rich men for His death, because He committed And again, "I will put my trust in him." And no lawlessness, nor was deceit found in His again, "Here am I, and the children God has mouth. The Lord wishes to cleanse Him of given me." Since therefore the children share His wound, and if You give an offering for in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook sin, Your soul shall see a long-lived seed. of the same nature, that through death he The Lord wishes to take away the pain of His might destroy him who has the power of death, soul, to show Him light, to form Him with that is, the devil, and deliver all those who understanding, and to pronounce righteous the through fear of death were subject to lifelong Righteous One who serves many well; and He bondage. For surely it is not with angels that shall bear their sins. Therefore He shall inherit he is concerned but with the descendants of many, and will divide the spoil with the strong, Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like because His soul was delivered over to death. his brethren in every respect, so that he might He was considered among the lawless, and He become a merciful and faithful high priest in bore the sins of many, and was delivered over the service of God, to make expiation for the because of their sins. "Be glad, O barren woman sins of the people. For because he himself has who does not bear; break forth and cry out, you suffered and been tempted, he is able to help who are not in travail, for more are the children those who are tempted. [RSV]

20 Great Hours on Friday Morning

PRIEST we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy but this man has done nothing wrong." And he Gospel. said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into Peace be with all. your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in (And with your spirit.) Paradise." It was now about the sixth hour, PRIEST and there was darkness over the whole land The reading is from the Holy Gospel until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed; according to Luke. Let us be attentive. and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. (Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.) Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!" PRIEST 23:32-49 And having said this he breathed his last. Now Two others also, who were criminals, when the centurion saw what had taken place, were led away to be put to death with him. he praised God, and said, "Certainly this man And when they came to the place which is was innocent!" And all the multitudes who called The Skull, there they crucified him, and assembled to see the sight, when they saw the criminals, one on the right and one on the what had taken place, returned home beating left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the they know not what they do." And they cast women who had followed him from Galilee lots to divide his garments. And the people stood at a distance and saw these things. [RSV] stood by, watching; but the rulers scoffed at (Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.) him, saying, "He saved others; let him save READER himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen Let Your mercies quickly overtake us, for One!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming we have become very poor. Help us, O God up and offering him vinegar, and saying, "If our savior; because of the glory of Your name, you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" O Lord, save us, and be merciful to our sins There was also an inscription over him, "This because of Your name. is the King of the Jews." One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But Trisagion Prayers. the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, God, since you are under the same sentence have mercy on us. (3) of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for

21 Great Hours on Friday Morning

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Lord, have mercy. (40) Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages O Christ our God, who at all times and at of ages. Amen. every hour, both in heaven and on earth, are All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. worshipped and glorified, long suffering and Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our plenteous in mercy and compassion; who love transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our the just and show mercy to the sinners; who infirmities for your name's sake. call all men to salvation through the promise of the blessings to come: Do you, the same Lord, Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, receive also our supplications at this present have mercy. time, and direct our lives according to your Glory to the Father and the Son and the commandments. Sanctify our souls; purify Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages our bodies; set our minds right; clear up our of ages. Amen. thoughts, and deliver us from every sorrow, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed evil and distress. Surround us with your holy be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will Angels so that being guarded and guided by be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us their presence, we may arrive at the unity of this day our daily bread; and forgive us our the faith and the knowledge of your ineffable trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass glory; for blessed are you unto the ages of ages. against us. And lead us not into temptation, but Amen. deliver us from evil. Lord, have mercy. (3)

22 Great Hours on Friday Morning

PRIEST NINTH HOUR May God have compassion on us and bless READER us; may his face shine upon us and have mercy Trisagion Prayers. on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, READER have mercy on us. (3) Amen. Glory to the Father and the Son and the PRIEST Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages God and Lord of hosts and Maker of all of ages. Amen. creation, in Your unfathomable compassion All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. and mercy You sent down Your Only-Begotten Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation of transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our the human race; and by His precious Cross You infirmities for your name's sake. tore up the record of our sins, and triumphed over the principalities and powers of darkness. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, O Lord and Lover of mankind, accept the have mercy. thanksgiving and fervent prayers even of Glory to the Father and the Son and the us sinners. Deliver us from every dark and Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages destructive transgression and from all the of ages. Amen. visible and invisible enemies that seek to harm Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed us. Nail our flesh with the fear of You, and do be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will not incline our hearts to evil words or thoughts; be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us but rather prick our souls with love for You, this day our daily bread; and forgive us our so that always looking to You, and guided by trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass Your light, and gazing on You, the eternal and against us. And lead us not into temptation, but ineffable Light, we may send up unceasing deliver us from evil. praise and thanksgiving to You, the Father without beginning, and Your Only-Begotten PRIEST Son, and Your all-holy, good and life-giving For Thine is the Kingdom and the power Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages. and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and (Amen.) of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

READER Amen.

23 Great Hours on Friday Morning

Lord, have mercy. (12) with fasting, and it became a disgrace for me. I also made sackcloth my garment, and I became Glory to the Father and the Son and the a byword to them. Those who sit at the gate Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages were talking against me, and those who drink of ages. Amen. wine were singing about me. But I, O Lord, Come, let us worship and bow down pray with my prayer to You; it is the time of before God our King. Your goodwill, O God, in the abundance of Come, let us worship and bow down Your mercies; in the truth of Your salvation, before Christ God our King. hear me. Save me from the mire, that I may not be stuck therein; deliver me from those who Come, let us worship and bow down hate me, and from the depths of the waters. Let before Him, Christ our King and God. not a storm of water drown me; neither let the Psalm 68 (69). deep swallow me up, nor the well enclose its Save me, O God, for the waters flood mouth upon me. Hear me, O Lord, for Your my soul. I am stuck in the mire of the sea, mercy is good; according to Your abundant and there is no place to stand; I came into the compassion, look upon me. Turn not Your face depths of the sea, and the storm overwhelmed from Your child, for I am afflicted; hear me me. I grow weary with crying; my throat is speedily. Give heed to my soul, and redeem hoarse; my eyes fail me from hoping in my it; deliver me because of my enemies. For God. Those who hate me without a cause You know my disgrace and my shame and multiplied even more than the hairs of my humiliation; all who afflict me are before You. head; my enemies who persecute me unjustly My soul expected disgrace and trouble, and I have become strong; then I paid for things I did waited for someone to sympathize with me; not steal. O God, You know my foolishness, but no one was there, and for comforters, but I and my transgressions are not hidden from found not one. They gave me gall for my food, You. O Lord, O Lord of hosts, let not those who and they gave me vinegar for my drink. Let wait for You be put to shame because of me; O their table become a snare before them, and a God of Israel, let not those who seek You feel recompense and a stumbling block. Let their ashamed because of me. For Your sake I bore eyes be darkened so they may not see, and disgrace; humiliation covered my face. I am bend down their backs continually; pour out become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to Your anger upon them, and let the fury of Your my mother's sons; for the zeal of Your house wrath lay hold of them. Let their dwelling place consumed me, and the insults of those who be laid waste, and let no one live in their tents. disgraced You fell on me. I bent down my soul For they pursued closely the one You slew, and

24 Great Hours on Friday Morning they added to the pain of my wounds. Add Psalm 85 (86). lawlessness to their lawlessness, and let them Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear me, for not enter into Your righteousness; let them be I am poor and needy. Guard my soul, for I am blotted out from the book of the living, and not holy; O my God, save Your servant, who hopes be written with the righteous. I am poor and in You. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for all the suffering, and the salvation of Your presence, day long I will cry to You. Gladden the soul O God, lays hold of me. I will praise God's of Your servant, O Lord, for to You, O Lord, name with a song; I will magnify Him in praise, I lift up my soul. For You, O Lord, are kind and this shall be more pleasing to God than a and good, and very merciful to all who call young bull with horns and hooves. Let the poor upon You. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer and behold this, and be glad; seek God, and your heed the voice of my supplication. In the day of soul shall live, for the Lord hears the poor, and my affliction I cried to You, for You heard me. does not despise His prisoners. Let heaven and There is none like You among the gods, O Lord, earth praise Him, the seas and everything that and there are no works like Your works. All moves in them. For God shall save Zion, and the Gentiles You made shall come and worship the cities of Judah shall be built; and they shall before You, O Lord, and they shall glorify Your dwell therein, and inherit it; and the seed of His name; for You are great, doing wonders; You servants shall possess it, and those who love alone are the great God. Lead me in Your way, His name shall dwell in it. [SAAS] O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; gladden Psalm 69 (70). my heart so as to fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with my whole O God, [give heed] to help me. [O Lord, heart, and I shall glorify Your name forever; make haste to help me.] May those who seek for great is Your mercy to me, and You rescued my soul be dishonored and shamed; may my soul from the lowest Hades. O God, lawless those who plot evils against me be turned men rose up against me, and a gathering of back and disgraced; may those be turned strong men sought my soul; and they did not back immediately who shame me, saying, set You before them. But You, O Lord, are "Well done! Well done!" May all who seek You compassionate and merciful, longsuffering greatly rejoice and be glad in You, and let those and very merciful and truthful. Look upon me who love Your salvation always say, "Let God and have mercy; give Your strength to Your be magnified." but I am poor and needy; O servant, and save the son of Your handmaid. God, help me. You are my helper and deliverer, Work a sign in my midst for good, and let those O Lord; do not delay. [SAAS]

25 Great Hours on Friday Morning who hate me see it and be disgraced; for You, O Demonstrate Your love for man, O Lord of Lord, helped me and comforted me. [SAAS] mercy, and accept Your Mother, the Theotokos, who intercedes on our behalf, O Savior, and Work a sign in my midst for good, and save us a despairing people. [SD] let those who hate me see it and be disgraced; for You, O Lord, helped me and comforted me. CHOIR [SAAS] Idiomela. Grave Mode. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages It was shocking to see the Creator of of ages. Amen. heaven and earth hanging on the Cross, the sun darkened, and day turned into night; and earth Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, sending up from the graves the bodies of the O God. (3) dead. With them we also worship You. Save us. Lord, have mercy. (3) [SD]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Twice, with no verse. Then: Holy Spirit. Mode 2. Troparion. Verse: They divided my garments among When the Robber saw the Author of life themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots. [SAAS] hanging on the Cross, he said, "If He who is crucified with us were not God incarnate, the When the transgressors of the Law had sun would not have hid its rays, nor would the You nailed to the Cross -- You who are the earth have quaked and trembled. I pray You King of glory, You said to them, "How have who endure everything, remember me, O Lord, I vexed you, or with what did I provoke you in Your Kingdom." [SD] to anger? Before Me, who delivered you from affliction? And now, how do you repay Me? Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Evil instead of good. In return for the pillar of Amen. fire, you nailed Me to a cross; in return for the Theotokion. cloud, you dug a grave for Me. In return for the Born of a Virgin, O Good One who also manna, you fed Me gall, and in return for the endured crucifixion for our sake, who by death water, you gave Me vinegar to drink. So, I will took the spoils of death as plunder and showed call the Gentiles, and they will glorify Me, with resurrection, being God, O despise not the the Father and the Holy Spirit." [SD] ones that You formed with Your own hand.

26 Great Hours on Friday Morning

Verse: They gave me gall for my food, and READER they gave me vinegar for my drink. [SAAS] 11:17-22; 12:1-5, 9-11, 14-15 Repeat the same hymn. Then: O Lord, teach me, and I will know. Then I saw their purpose. For I did not know I was

like an innocent lamb led to be sacrificed. Glory. Both now. Mode pl. 2. They plotted an evil device against me, The Reader (or one of the chanters) stands in the center of the solea in front of the Crucifix and facing east, saying, "Come, let us put wood in his bread, and reverently intones the following hymn in the same and destroy him root and branch from the style as the Epistle Readings. When he is finished, the land of the living, so his name might not be choirs sing the hymn antiphonally, verse by verse. remembered any longer." But, O Lord, You who judge righteously, who tests minds and Today, He who suspended the earth in hearts, let me see Your vengeance on them, the waters is suspended on a cross. (3) The for I have revealed my righteous plea to You. King of the Angels wears a crown of thorns. He Therefore thus says the Lord against the men of who wraps the sky in clouds is wrapped in a Anathoth, against those who seek my life, and fake purple robe. He who freed Adam in the who say, "Do not prophesy in the name of the Jordan accepts to be slapped. The Bridegroom Lord, lest you die by our hands"— "Behold, I of the Church is fixed with nails to the cross. will visit them. The young men shall die by the The Son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear. sword, and their sons and daughters shall die We worship Your Passion, O Christ. (3) Show by famine. There shall be no remnant of them, us also Your glorious Resurrection. [SD] for I will bring calamities on the inhabitants of Anathoth in the year of their visitation." O THE PROPHECY Lord, You are righteous, that I may plead my READER case with You, to speak to You concerning Prokeimenon. Mode 4. judgments. Why does the way of the ungodly The fool says in his heart, "There is no prosper, and all who deal treacherously God." flourish? You planted them, and they took root. Verse: There is none, not even one, who does They bear children and are fruitful. You are good. [SAAS] near in their mouth, but far from their mind. The reading is from the Prophecy of But You, O Lord, know me. You have proven Jeremiah. my heart before You. Set them apart for the day PRIEST of slaughter. How long will the land mourn Wisdom. Let us be attentive. and the grass of the field wither, because of the vices of those who dwell in it? The cattle

27 Great Hours on Friday Morning and the birds are destroyed, because they confession of our hope without wavering, said, "God will not see our ways." "Your feet for he who promised is faithful; and let us run and grow weary. Gather together all the consider how to stir up one another to love wild beasts of the field and let them come to good works, not neglecting to meet together, devour her. Many shepherds destroyed My as is the habit of some, but encouraging one vineyard and defiled My portion. They turned another, and all the more as you see the Day My pleasant portion into an impassable desert. drawing near. For if we sin deliberately after It was made a complete ruin." For thus says the receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no Lord: "Concerning all the evil neighbors who longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful touch My inheritance, which I divided to My prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which people Israel—behold, I shall draw them away will consume the adversaries. A man who has from their land and will cast out Judah from violated the law of Moses dies without mercy their midst. Then it shall come to pass, after I at the testimony of two or three witnesses. How cast them out, that I will return them and have much worse punishment do you think will be mercy on them. I will settle them, each in his deserved by the man who has spurned the Son inheritance and each in his land." [SAAS] of God, and profaned the blood of the covenant The Epistle by which he was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, The reading is from Paul's Letter to the Hebrews. "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful PRIEST thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Let us be attentive. Wisdom. Let us be [RSV] attentive. The Gospel READER 10:19-31 PRIEST Brethren, since we have confidence to Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by Gospel. the new and living way which he opened for us Peace be with all. through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, (And with your spirit.) and since we have a great priest over the house PRIEST of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full The reading is from the Holy Gospel assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled according to John. Let us be attentive. clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the (Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.)

28 Great Hours on Friday Morning

PRIEST that he was already dead, they did not break 19:23-37 his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side When the soldiers had crucified Jesus with a spear, and at once there came out blood they took his garments and made four parts, and water. He who saw it has borne witness— one for each soldier; also his tunic. But the his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells tunic was without seam, woven from top to the truth—that you also may believe. For these bottom; so they said to one another, "Let us things took place that the scripture might be not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it fulfilled, "Not a bone of him shall be broken." shall be." This was to fulfil the scripture, "They And again another scripture says, "They shall parted my garments among them, and for my look on him whom they have pierced." [RSV] clothing they cast lots." So the soldiers did (Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.) this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the READER wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When For Your name's sake, do not hand us over Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom to the end, and do not reject Your covenant. Do he loved standing near, he said to his mother, not withdraw Your mercy from us for the sake "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to of Abraham, who is loved by You, and for the the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from sake of Isaac, Your servant, and of Israel, Your that hour the disciple took her to his own home. holy one. After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), "I thirst." Trisagion Prayers. A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held have mercy on us. (3) it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the Glory to the Father and the Son and the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages his head and gave up his spirit. Since it was of ages. Amen. the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day), Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our broken, and that they might be taken away. infirmities for your name's sake. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, first, and of the other who had been crucified have mercy. with him; but when they came to Jesus and saw

29 Great Hours on Friday Morning

Glory to the Father and the Son and the commandments. Sanctify our souls; purify Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages our bodies; set our minds right; clear up our of ages. Amen. thoughts, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil and distress. Surround us with your holy Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed Angels so that being guarded and guided by be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will their presence, we may arrive at the unity of be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us the faith and the knowledge of your ineffable this day our daily bread; and forgive us our glory; for blessed are you unto the ages of ages. trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass Amen. against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Lord, have mercy. (3)

30 Great Hours on Friday Morning for the penitent robber, and destroyed death Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit by death: Cleans us, Your humble, sinful and the earth. unworthy servants. For we have sinned and Blessed are those who hunger and thirst transgressed and are not worthy to lift up our for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. eyes and look at the height of heaven, for we have abandoned the path of righteousness Blessed are the merciful, for they shall and followed the desires of our hearts. So we obtain mercy. implore Your incomparable goodness: Spare Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall us, O Lord, according to the abundance of Your see God. mercy, and save us for Your holy name's sake, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall for our days have passed in vanity. Rescue us be called sons of God. from the hand of the adversary and forgive our sins, and mortify our mind set on the flesh; Blessed are those who are persecuted for so that we may put off the old man be clothed righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of with the new, and live for You, our Master heaven. and Benefactor. And thus may we follow Your Blessed are you when men revile you and commandments, and arrive at the eternal rest, persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against where the dwelling is of all those who rejoice. you falsely [for my sake]. For You are the true joy and exultation of those who love You, Christ our God, and we send up Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is glory to You and Your unoriginate Father and great in heaven. Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now Remember us, O Lord, when You come in and forever and to ages of ages. (Amen.) Your kingdom.

READER Remember us, O Master, when You come THE BEATITUDES in Your kingdom. In Your kingdom. Remember us, O Lord, Remember us, O Holy One, when You when You come in Your kingdom. Blessed are come in Your kingdom. the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven The heavenly choir extols you and says: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord Sabaoth; heaven and Blessed are those who mourn, for they earth are full of Your glory. shall be comforted.

31 Great Hours on Friday Morning

Come to Him, and be enlightened, and your catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one face shall never be ashamed. [GOA, SAAS] baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for The heavenly choir extols you and says: the resurrection of the dead and the life of the Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord Sabaoth; heaven and age to come. Amen. [GOA] earth are full of Your glory. Pardon, remit, forgive, O God, our Glory. offences, both voluntary and involuntary, in The choir of holy Angels and Archangels, deed and word, in knowledge and ignorance, with all the heavenly Powers, extols you and by night and by day, in mind and thought; says: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord Sabaoth; heaven forgive us all things, since You are good and and earth are full of Your glory. love mankind. Both now. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed I believe in one God, Father Almighty, be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will Creator of heaven and earth and of all things be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus this day our daily bread; and forgive us our Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, against us. And lead us not into temptation, but true God of true God, begotten not created, of deliver us from evil. one essence with the Father through Whom PRIEST all things were made. Who for us men and For Thine is the Kingdom and the power for our salvation came down from heaven and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified ages of ages. for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and READER was buried. And He rose on the third day, Amen. according to the Scriptures. He ascended into Kontakion. heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Come, let us all extol Him who was Father. And He will come again with glory crucified for us. Mary beheld Him on the Cross to judge the living and dead. His kingdom and she said, "Though You endure the Cross, shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the You are my Son and my God." Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and Lord, have mercy. (12) the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy,

32 Great Hours on Friday Morning

Blessed be the name of the Lord from this The Lord is near those who are brokenhearted, present time and unto the ages. (3) and He will save the humble in spirit. Many Glory. Both now. are the afflictions of the righteous, but He will Psalm 33 (34). deliver them from them all. The Lord shall guard all their bones; not one of them shall be I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise broken. The death of sinners is evil, and those shall continually be in my mouth. My soul who hate the righteous shall go wrong. The shall be praised in the Lord; let the gentle hear, Lord will redeem the souls of His servants, and and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, all who hope in Him shall not go wrong. [GOA, and let us exalt His name together. I sought SAAS] the Lord, and He heard me; and He delivered me from all my sojourning. Come to Him, Glory. Both now. Lord, have and be enlightened, and your face shall never mercy. (3) Father, bless! be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the PRIEST Lord heard him, and saved him from all his He who endured the spitting, the afflictions. The Angel of the Lord shall encamp scourging, the beatings, the Cross and death for the salvation of the world, Christ our true God, around those who fear Him, and He will through the intercessions of His all-pure and deliver them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the is good; blessed is the man who hopes in Him. precious and life-giving Cross, the protection Fear the Lord, you His saints, for there is no of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, want for those who fear Him. Rich men turned the supplications of the honorable, glorious poor and went hungry; but those who seek the prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of Lord shall not lack any good thing. Come, you the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous who loves to see good days? Keep your tongue ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He Shun evil and do good; seek peace and pursue is good and loves mankind. it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, Through the prayers of our holy fathers, and His ears are open to their supplications. Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us The Lord's face is against those who do evil, so [and save us]. as to destroy their remembrance from the earth. (Amen.) The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them; and He delivered them from all their afflictions.