On Monday of the First Week of Lent, during Great Compline, after Psalm 69, the Canon is sung.  The Eirmosi are sung twice, at the beginning and end of each Song.  Before each Troparion we make the sign of the Cross and bow three times.

Song 1. Tone 6.

Eirmos: He is my Helper and Protector, and has become my salvation.

This is my God and I will glorify Him.  My father's God and I will

exalt Him.  For gloriously has He been glorified.  (Exodus 15:2,1;

Psalm 117:14)

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

Where shall I begin to lament the deeds of my wretched life?  What

first-fruit shall I offer, O Christ, for my present lamentation? But in

Thy compassion grant me release from my falls.

Come, wretched soul, with your flesh, confess to the Creator of all. In

future refrain from your former brutishness, and offer to God tears in

repentance.

Having rivaled the first-created Adam by my transgression, I realize

that I am stripped naked of God and of the everlasting kingdom and

bliss through my sins. (Genesis 3)

Alas, wretched soul!  Why are you like the first Eve?  For you have

wickedly looked and been bitterly wounded, and you have touched the

tree and rashly tasted the forbidden food.

The place of bodily Eve has been taken for me by the Eve of my mind in

the shape of a passionate thought in the flesh, showing me sweet

things, yet ever making me taste and swallow bitter things.

Adam was rightly exiled from Eden for not keeping Thy one commandment,

O Savior.  But what shall I suffer who am always rejecting Thy living

words?  (Hebrews 12:25; Genesis 3:23)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Superessential Trinity, adored in Unity, take from me

the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of

compunction.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Mother of God, hope and intercessor of those who sing of

thee, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and as thou art our pure

Lady, accept me who repent.

Song 2.

Eirmos: Attend, O heaven, and I will speak, and will sing of Christ who

came to dwell among us in flesh which He took from the Virgin.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

Attend, O heaven, and I will speak; O earth, give ear to a voice

repenting to God and singing praises to Him.

Attend to me, O God my Saviour, with Thy merciful eye, and accept my

fervent confession. (Proverbs 15:3; Psalm 33:15)

I have sinned above all men, I alone have sinned against Thee.  But as

God have compassion, O Saviour, on Thy creature. (1 Tim. 1:15)

Having formed by my pleasure-loving desires the deformity of my

passions, I have marred the beauty of my mind.

A storm of passions besets me, O compassionate Lord.  But stretch out

Thy hand to me too, as to Peter. (Matthew 14:31)

I have stained the coat of my flesh, and soiled what is in Thy image

and likeness, O Saviour.

I have darkened the beauty of my soul with passionate pleasures, and my

whole mind I have reduced wholly to mud.

I have torn my first garment which the Creator wove for me in the

beginning, and therefore I am lying naked. (Genesis 3:21)

I have put on a torn coat, which the serpent wove for me by argument,

and I am ashamed. (Genesis 3:4-5)

The tears of the harlot, O merciful Lord, I too offer to Thee.  Be

merciful to me, O Saviour, in Thy compassion. (Luke 7:38; 18:13)

I looked at the beauty of the tree, and my mind was seduced; and now I

lie naked, and I am ashamed. (Genesis 3:7)

All the demon-chiefs of the passions have plowed on my back, and long

has their tyranny over me lasted. (Psalm 128:3)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: I sing of Thee as one in three Persons, O God of all,

the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Spotless Mother of God, only all-hymned Virgin, pray

intensely that we may be saved.

Song 3.

Eirmos: Establish Thy Church on the unshakable rock of Thy

commandments, O Christ.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

The Lord rained fire from the Lord, my soul, and burnt up the former

land of Sodom. (Genesis 19:24)

Escape to the mountain like Lot, my soul, and make Zoar your refuge in

time. (Genesis 19:22)

Run from the burning, my soul!  Run from the heat of Sodom!  Run from

the destruction of the divine flame. (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29)

I alone have sinned against Thee, sinned above all men.  O Christ my

Saviour, spurn me not.

Thou art the good Shepherd; seek me, Thy lamb, and neglect not me who

have gone astray. (John 10:11-14)

Thou art my sweet Jesus, Thou art my Creator; in Thee, O Saviour, I

shall be justified.

I confess to Thee, O Saviour, I have sinned, I have sinned against

Thee, but absolve and forgive me in Thy compassion.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: O Trinity, Unity, God, save us from delusion and

temptations and distressing circumstances.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Rejoice, God-receiving womb!  Rejoice, throne of the Lord!

Rejoice, Mother of our Life!

Song 4.

Eirmos: The Prophet heard of Thy coming, O Lord, and was afraid that

Thou wast to be born of a Virgin and appear to men, and he said, "I

have heard the report of Thee and am afraid." Glory to Thy power, O

Lord. (Habbakuk 3:2)

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

Despise not Thy works and forsake not Thy creation, O just Judge and

Lover of men, though I alone have sinned as a man more than any man.

But being Lord of all, Thou hast power to pardon sins. (Mark 2:10)

The end is drawing near, my soul, is drawing near!  But you neither

care nor prepare.  The time is growing short.  Rise!  The Judge is near

at the very doors.  Like a dream, like a flower, the time of this life

passes.  Why do we bustle about in vain? (Matthew 24:33; Psalm 38:7)

Come to your senses, my soul! Consider the deeds you have done, and

bring them before your eyes, and pour out the drops of your tears.

Boldly tell your thoughts and deeds to Christ, and be acquitted.

There has never been a sin or act or vice in life that I have not

committed, O Saviour.  I have sinned in mind, word and choice, in

purpose, will and action, as no one else has ever done.

Therefore I am condemned, wretch that I am, therefore I am doomed by my

own conscience, than which there is nothing in the world more

rigorous.  O my Judge and Redeemer Who knowest my heart, spare and

deliver and save me, Thy servant.

The ladder of old which the great Patriarch saw, my soul, is a model of

mounting by action and ascent by knowledge.  So, if you wish to live in

activity, knowledge and contemplation, be renewed. (Genesis 28:12;

Rom.  12:2; Titus 3:5)

Because of his crying need the Patriarch endured the scorching heat of

the day, and he bore the frost of the night, daily making gains,

shepherding, struggling, slaving, in order to win two wives. (Genesis

29:16-30; 31-40)

By the two wives understand action and direct knowledge in

contemplation:  Leah as action, for she had many children, and Rachel

as knowledge, which is obtained by much labour.  For without labours,

my soul, neither action nor contemplation will achieve success.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: I confess Thee to be undivided in essence, unconfused

in persons, One Triune Divinity, co-enthroned and co-reigning.  I sing

Thee the great song thrice sung on high.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Thou givest birth and livest a virgin life, and in both

remainest a virgin by nature.  He Who is born of thee renews the laws

of nature, and a womb gives birth without travail.  Where God wills,

the order of nature is overruled; for He does  whatever He wishes.

Song 5.

Eirmos: Out of the night watching early for Thee, enlighten me, I pray,

O Lover of men, and guide even me in Thy commandments, and teach me, O

Saviour, to do Thy will.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

I have passed my life ever in night, for the night of sin has been to

me thick fog and darkness; but make me, O Saviour, a son of the day.

(Ephesians 5:8)

Like Reuben, wretch that I am, I have planned an unprincipled and

lawless act against God Most High, having defiled my bed as he defiled

that of his father. (Genesis 35:21; 49:3-4)

I confess to Thee, O Christ my King: I have sinned, I have sinned, like

Joseph's brothers of old, who sold the fruit of purity and chastity.

(Genesis 37)

Righteous Joseph was given up by his brothers, that sweet soul was sold

into slavery, as a type of the Lord; and you, my soul, have sold

yourself completely to your vices. (Genesis 37:27-28)

Imitate, wretched and worthless soul, righteous Joseph and his pure

mind, and do not be wanton with irrational desires, ever

transgressing.  (Genesis 39:7-23)

If Joseph of old also occupied a pit, O Sovereign Lord, yet it was as a

type of Thy Burial and Rising.  But will I ever offer Thee anything

like it? (Genesis 37)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Thee, O Trinity, we glorify, the one God: Holy, Holy,

Holy art Thou, Father, Son and Spirit, simple Being, Unity ever

adored.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: From thee, O pure maiden Mother and Virgin, God Who created

the worlds and ages was clad in my clay and united to Himself human

nature.

Song 6.

Eirmos: I cried with my whole heart to the merciful God, and He heard

me from the lowest hell and raised my life out of corruption.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

I sincerely offer Thee with a pure intention, O Saviour, the tears of

my eyes and groans from the depths of my heart, crying: O God, I have

sinned against Thee; be merciful to me. (Luke 18:13)

You, my soul, have revolted from the Lord like Dathan and Abiram.  But

with all your heart cry, "Spare!", that a yawning gulf of the earth may

not swallow you. (Numbers 16)

Like a stampeding heifer stung to madness, my soul, you have resembled

Ephraim.  Winged with action, resolve and contemplation, save your life

like a gazelle from the noose. (Hosea 4:16)

Let Moses' hand assure us, my soul, how God can whiten and cleanse a

leprous life.  So do not despair of yourself, even though you are

leprous.  (Exodus 4:6-8)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: I am the Trinity, simple and undivided, divided

Personally, and I am the Unity, united in nature, says the Father, the

Son, and the Divine Spirit.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Thy womb bore God for us Who took our form. Implore Him as

the Creator of all, O Mother of God, that through thy intercessions we

may be justified.

Lord, have mercy (Three times).  Glory to the

Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to

the ages of ages.  Amen.

Kontakion, tone 6:

My soul, my soul, arise!  Why are you sleeping?  The end is drawing

near, and you will be confounded.  Awake, then, and be watchful, that

Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fills all

things.

Song 7.

Eirmos: We have sinned, transgressed, done wrong before Thee, we have

not watched or done as Thou hast commanded us.  But do not give us up

utterly, O God of our Fathers.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

I have sinned, offended and rejected Thy commandment, for I have

advanced in sins and added wounds to my sores.  But in Thy compassion

have mercy on me, O God of our Fathers.

I have confessed to Thee, my Judge, the secrets of my heart.  See my

humility, see also my distress, and attend to my judgment now.  And in

Thy compassion have mercy on me, O God of our Fathers.

When Saul of old lost his father's asses, besides getting news of them

he incidentally found a kingdom.  But watch, my soul, lest without

noticing it, you prefer your animal cravings to the Kingdom of Christ.

(I Kings 10:2)

If David, the father of our Divine Lord, doubly sinned of old, my soul,

when he was pierced with the arrow of adultery and struck with the

spear of remorse for murder, yet you have a sickness graver than deeds

in your will and appetites. (II Kings 11; 12:  1-23)

David once joined sin to sin, for he mixed adultery with murder, yet he

immediately offered double repentance.  But you my soul, have done

things more wicked without repenting to God.

David of old composed a song, painting it as in a picture, by which he

exposes the deed he had done, crying: Have mercy on me, for against

Thee only have I sinned, Who art God of all.  Cleanse me. (Psalm 50)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: O Trinity simple and undivided, of one essence and one

nature, Lights and Light, three Holies and one Holy, God the Trinity is

hymned.  But sing, my soul, and glorify the Life and Lives, the God of

all.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: We sing of thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, O Mother

of God, for thou gavest birth to one of the inseparable Trinity, the

one Son and God, and to us on earth thou hast opened the heavenly

realms.

Song 8.

Eirmos: Him Whom the heavenly hosts glorify and before Whom Cherubim

and Seraphim tremble, let every breath and all creation praise, bless

and exalt throughout all ages.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

I have sinned, O Saviour, have mercy!  Awaken my mind to conversion,

accept me who repent, have compassion on me as I cry: Against Thee only

have I sinned and acted lawlessly; have mercy on me.

Elijah the charioteer once ascended by the chariot of the virtues as to

heaven and was carried above earthly things.  Consider then, my soul,

this ascent. (IV Kings 2:11)

Elisha received double grace from the Lord when he took up Elijah's

sheepskin.  But you, my soul, have not shared this grace owing to

incontinence. (IV Kings 2:9)

Jordan's stream of old was made to stand still on either side by Elisha

by Elijah's sheepskin.  But you, my soul, have not shared this grace

owing to incontinence. (IV Kings 2:14)

The Shunammite woman of old with right good will entertained the

righteous man.  But you, my soul, have taken into your house neither

stranger nor traveller.  Therefore you will be cast out of the bridal

hall wailing. (IV Kings 4:8)

You have always imitated the vile mind of Gehazi, O wretched soul.  Rid

yourself of his love of money, at least in old age; escape from the

fire of Gehenna by leaving your evil ways.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Eternal Father, co-eternal Son, gracious Comforter,

Spirit of Truth; Father of the Divine Word, Word of the Eternal Father,

living and creative Spirit, Trinity Unity, have mercy on us.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: As from scarlet silk, O spotless Virgin, within thy womb

the spiritual purple was woven, the flesh of Emmanuel.  Therefore we

honour thee as in truth Mother of God.

Song 9.

Eirmos: Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception,

unsullied the pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews

natures.  So in all generations we magnify thee in orthodox fashion as

the Mother and Bride of God.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

The mind is wounded, the body is feeble, the spirit is sick, the word

has lost its power, life is ebbing, the end is at the doors.  What then

will you do, wretched soul, when the Judge comes to try your case?

I have reviewed Moses' account of the creation of the world, my soul,

and then all canonical Scripture which tells you the story of the

righteous and the unrighteous.  But you, my soul, have copied the

latter and not the former, and have sinned against God.

The Law has grown weak, the Gospel is unpractised, the whole of the

Scripture is ignored by you; the Prophets and every word of the Just

have lost their power.  Your wounds, my soul, have multiplied, and

there is no physician to heal you.

I am bringing before you examples from the New Scripture, my soul, to

lead you to compunction.  So emulate the righteous and avoid following

the sinners, and regain Christ's grace by prayers, fasts, purity and

reverence.

Christ became man and called to repentance robbers and harlots. Repent,

my soul!  The door of the Kingdom is already open, and the transformed

pharisees, publicans and adulterers are seizing it ahead of you.

(Matthew 21:31; 11:12)

Christ became a babe and conversed in the flesh with me, and he

voluntarily experienced all that pertains to our nature, apart from

sin; and He showed you, my soul, an example and image of His own

condescension.  (Matthew 1:25)

Christ saved wise men, called shepherds, made crowds of infants

martyrs, glorified old men and aged widows, whose deeds and life, my

soul, you have not emulated.  But woe unto you when you are judged!

(Matthew 2:12; Luke 2:9-12; Matthew 2:16; Luke 2:25-38)

When the Lord had fasted for forty days in the wilderness, He at last

became hungry, showing His human nature.  Do not be despondent, my

soul, if the enemy attacks you, but let him be beaten off by prayer and

fasting.  (Matthew 4:1-11; 17:21; Mark 9:29)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Let us glorify the Father, exalt the Son, and

faithfully worship the Divine Spirit, inseparable Trinity, Unity in

essence, as the Light and Lights, the Life and Lives, giving life and

light to the ends of the earth.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Protect thy city, spotless Mother of God, for in thee it

faithfully reigns, and in thee is made strong, and through thee it

conquers and routs every trial and temptation, and spoils its foes and

rules its subjects.

Refrain: Holy father Andrew, pray for us.

To St. Andrew of Crete: Venerable Andrew, thrice-blessed father,

shepherd of Crete, cease not to pray to God for those who sing of thee,

that He may deliver from anger, oppression, corruption and our

countless sins, all of us who faithfully honour thy memory.

And again the Eirmos:

Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception, unsullied the

pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews natures.  So

in all generations we magnify thee in orthodox fashion as Mother and

Bride of God.

Then the rest of Great Compline.

On Tuesday of the First Week of Lent, during Great Compline, after Psalm 69, the Canon is sung.  The Eirmosi are sung twice, at the beginning and end of each Song.  Before each Troparion we make the sign of the Cross and bow three times.

Song 1. Tone 6.

Eirmos: He is my Helper and Protector, and has become my salvation.

This is my God and I will glorify Him My father's God and I will exalt

Him.  For gloriously has He been glorified. (Exodus 15:2, 1; Psalm

117:14)

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

I have willfully incurred the guilt of Cain's murder, since by

invigorating my flesh I am the murderer of my soul's awareness, and

have warred against it by my evil deeds. (Genesis 4:8)

I have not resembled Abel's righteousness, O Jesus.  I have never

offered Thee acceptable gifts, nor divine actions, nor a pure

sacrifice, nor an unblemished life. (Genesis 4:4)

Like Cain, we too, O wretched soul, have likewise offered to the

Creator of all foul deeds, defective sacrifice and a useless life.

Therefore we too are condemned. (Genesis 4:5; Hebrews 11:4)

In molding my clay into life, O Potter, Thou didst put in me flesh and

bones, breath and vitality.  But, O my Creator, my Redeemer and Judge,

accept me who repent. (Genesis 2:7; Jeremiah 18:1-10; Rom. 9:21)

I confess to Thee, O Saviour, the sins I have committed, and the wounds

of my body and soul which murderous thoughts like robbers within have

inflicted upon me. (Luke 10:30)

I have sinned, O Saviour, yet I know that Thou art the Lover of men.

Thou strikest compassionately and pitiest warmly. Thou seest me weeping

and runnest towards me as the Father recalling the Prodigal. (Luke

15:20)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Superessential Trinity, adored in Unity, take from me

the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of

compunction.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Mother of God, hope and intercessor of those who sing of

thee, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and as thou art our pure

Lady, accept me who repent.

Song 2.

Eirmos: Attend, O heaven, and I will speak, and will sing of Christ who

came to dwell among us in flesh which He took from the Virgin.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

Sin which stripped me of my former God-woven clothing has also sewn on

me coats of skin. (Genesis 3:21)

I am wrapped in a garment of shame as with fig leaves, in reproof of my

selfish passions.

I am clad in a coat that is spotted and shamefully blood-stained by the

flow of my passionate and pleasure-loving life.

I fell under the burden of passions and corruption of matter, and from

then until now I am oppressed by the enemy.

Having preferred a possessive and pleasure-loving life to spiritual

poverty, O Saviour, I am now harnessed with a heavy yoke. (Matthew 5:3)

I have adorned the idol of my flesh with the many-coloured clothing of

shameful thoughts, and I am condemned. (1 John 5:21)

I have been anxiously concerned only about outward adornment, and have

neglected the inner temple made in the image of God. (I Peter 3:3-4)

I have buried with passions the beauty of the original image, O

Saviour.  But seek and find it, like the lost coin. (Luke 15:8)

Like the harlot I cry to Thee: I have sinned, I alone have sinned

against Thee.  Accept my tears also, O Saviour, as perfume. (Luke

7:37-50)

Like the publican I cry to Thee: Be merciful, O Saviour, be merciful to

me; for no child of Adam has sinned as I against Thee. (Luke 18:13)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: One in three Persons I praise Thee, O God of all, the

Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Spotless Mother of God, only all-hymned Virgin, pray

intensely that we may be saved.

Song 3.

Eirmos: Establish, O Lord, my unstable heart on the rock of Thy

commandments, for Thou only art Holy and Lord.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

In Thee the Conqueror of death, I have found the Source of Life, and

from my heart I cry to Thee before my end: I have sinned, be merciful,

save me.

I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against Thee.  Be merciful to me.

For there is no one who has sinned among men whom I have not surpassed

by my sins.

I have imitated those who were licentious in Noah's time, and I have

earned a share in their condemnation of drowning in the flood. (Genesis

6)

You have imitated Ham, that spurner of his father, my soul.  You have

not concealed your neighbour's shame by returning to him looking

backwards.  (Genesis 9:20 27)

Run, my soul, like Lot from the fire of sin; run from Sodom and

Gomorrah; run from the flame of every irrational desire. (Genesis 19)

Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on me, I implore Thee, when Thou comest

with Thy Angels to requite us all as our actions deserve.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Simple, uncreated Unity, unoriginate Nature praised in

a Trinity of Persons, save us who with faith worship Thy power.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: O Mother of God, unwedded thou gavest birth in time to the

timeless Son of the Father.  And - O strange wonder! - thou remainest a

Virgin while suckling Him.

Song 4.

Eirmos: The Prophet heard of Thy coming, O Lord, and was afraid that

Thou wast to be born of a Virgin and appear to men, and he said, "I

have heard the report of Thee and am afraid." Glory to Thy power, O

Lord. (Habbakuk 3:2)

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

Watch, my soul!  Be courageous like the great Patriarchs, that you may

acquire activity and awareness, and be a mind that sees God, and may

reach in contemplation the innermost darkness, and be a great trader.

(Genesis 32:28; Luke 19:13-15)

The great Patriarch, by begetting the twelve Patriarchs, mystically set

up for you, my soul, a ladder of active ascent, having wisely offered

his children as rungs, and his steps as ascents.

You have emulated the hated Esau, my soul, and have given up your

birthright of pristine beauty to your supplanter, and you have lost

your father's blessing, and have been tripped up twice in action and

knowledge.  Therefore, O wretch, repent now. (Genesis 25:31; 27:37)

Esau was called Edom for his extreme passion of madness for women. For

ever burning with incontinence and stained with pleasures, he was named

Edom which means a red-hot sin-loving soul. (Genesis 25:30)

Have you heard of Job who was made holy on a dunghill, O my soul?  You

have not emulated his courage, nor had his firmness of purpose in all

you have learned or known, or in your temptations, but you have proved

unpersevering. (Job 1)

He who was formerly on a throne is now naked on a dunghill and covered

with sores.  He who had many children and was much admired is suddenly

childless and homeless.  Yet he regarded the dunghill as a palace and

his sores as pearls. (Job 2:7-8)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: I confess Thee to be undivided in essence, unconfused

in persons, One Triune Divinity, co-enthroned and co-reigning.  I sing

Thee the great song thrice sung on high.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Thou givest birth and livest a virgin life, and in both

remainest a virgin by nature.  He Who is born of thee renews the laws

of nature, and a womb gives birth without travail.  Where God wills,

the order of nature is overruled; for He does  whatever He wishes.

Song 5.

Eirmos: Out of the night watching early for Thee, enlighten me, I pray,

O Lover of men, and guide even me in Thy commandments, and teach me, O

Saviour, to do Thy will.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

You have heard, my soul, of Moses' ark of old, borne on the waters and

waves of the river as in a shrine, which escaped the bitter tragedy of

Pharaoh's edict. (Exodus 1:22 - 2:3)

If you have heard of the midwives, wretched soul, who of old killed in

infancy the manly issue and practice of chastity, then like the great

Moses, suck wisdom. (Exodus 1:16 - 2:9; Acts 7:22)

You, wretched soul, have not struck and killed your Egyptian mind, like

great Moses.  Say, then, how will you dwell in that desert solitude

where the passions desert you through repentance? (Exodus 2:12)

Great Moses dwelt in the wilds, my soul.  So go and imitate his life,

that you too may attain by contemplation to the vision of God in the

bush.  (Exodus 3:1)

Imagine Moses' staff striking the sea and fixing the deep as a type of

the divine Cross, by which you too, my soul, can accomplish great

things.  (Exodus 14:16)

Aaron offered to God the fire pure and undefiled; but Hophni and

Phinehas, like you, my soul, offered to God a foul and rebellious

life.  (Leviticus 9:21-24; I Kings 2:12-34)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Thee, O Trinity, we glorify, the one God: Holy, Holy,

Holy art Thou, Father, Son and Spirit, simple Being, Unity ever

adored.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: From thee, O pure maiden Mother and Virgin, God Who created

the worlds and ages was clad in my clay and united to Himself human

nature.

Song 6.

Eirmos: I cried with my whole heart to the merciful God, and He heard

me from the lowest hell and raised my life out of corruption.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

The waves of my sins, O Saviour, as in the Red Sea recoiled and covered

me unawares, like the Egyptians of old and their charioteers. (Exodus

14:7-31)

Like Israel of old, my soul, you have had a foolish affection.  For

like a brute you have preferred to divine manna the pleasure-loving

gluttony of the passions. (Numbers 21; 5: I Corinthians 10: 9)

The wells of Canaanite thoughts, my soul, you have prized above the

Rock with the cleft from which the river of wisdom like a chalice pours

forth streams of theology. (Genesis 21:25; Exodus 17:6)

Swine's flesh and hotpots and Egyptian food you, my soul, have

preferred to heavenly manna, as of old the senseless people in the

wilderness.  (Exodus 16:3; Numbers 11:4-7)

When Thy servant Moses struck the rock with his staff, he mystically

typified Thy life-giving side, O Saviour, from which we all draw the

water of life. (Numbers 20:11; I Corinthians 10:4)

Explore and spy out the Land of Promise like Joshua the Son of Nun, my

soul, and see what it is like, and settle in it by observing the laws.

(Josh. 2)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: I am the Trinity, simple and undivided, divided

Personally, and I am the Unity, united in nature, says the Father, the

Son, and the Divine Spirit.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Thy womb bore God for us Who took our form.  Implore Him as

the Creator of all, O Mother of God that through thy intercessions we

may be justified.

Kontakion, tone 6:

My soul, my soul, arise!  Why are you sleeping?  The end is drawing

near, and you will be confounded.  Awake, then, and, be watchful, that

Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fills all

things.

Song 7.

Eirmos: We have sinned, transgressed, done wrong before Thee, we have

not watched or done as Thou hast commanded us.  But do not give us up

utterly, O God of our Fathers.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

When the Ark was being carried on a wagon, and when one of the oxen

slipped, Uzzah only touched it and experienced the wrath of God.  But

avoid, my soul, his presumption and truly reverence divine things. (II

Kings 6:6)

You have heard of Absalom, how he rose against nature.  You know his

accursed deeds and how he insulted the bed of his father David.  But

you have imitated his passionate and pleasure-loving cravings. (II

Kings 15; 16:21)

You have enslaved your free dignity to your body, my soul, for you have

found in satan another Ahitophel and have consented to his counsels.

But Christ Himself scattered them, that you may at all events be

saved.  (II Kings 16:20)

Wonderful Solomon, who was full of the grace of wisdom, at one time did

evil in God's sight and fell away from Him.  And you, my soul, have

resembled him by your accursed life. (III Kings 11; Ecclus. 47:12-20)

Carried away by the pleasure of his passions, he defiled himself. Alas,

the lover of wisdom is a lover of loose women and estranged from God!

And you, my soul, have in mind imitated him by your shameful pleasures.

(III Kings 3:12; 11:4-12)

You, my soul, have rivalled Rehoboam who would not listen to his

father's advisors, and that vicious slave Jeroboam the apostate of

old.  But shun such mimicry and cry to God: I have sinned, have

compassion on me. (III Kings 12:13-20)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: O Trinity simple and undivided, of one essence and one

nature, Lights and Light, three Holies and one Holy, God the Trinity is

hymned.  But sing, my soul, and glorify the Life and Lives, the God of

all.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: We sing of thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, O Mother

of God, for thou gavest birth to one of the inseparable Trinity, the

one Son and God, and to us on earth thou hast opened the heavenly

realms.

Song 8.

Eirmos: Him Whom the heavenly hosts glorify and before Whom Cherubim

and Seraphim tremble, let every breath, and all creation praise, bless

and exalt throughout all ages.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

Having emulated Uzziah, my soul, you have his leprosy in you doubled.

For you think disgusting thoughts and do outrageous things.  Let go of

what you are holding and run to repentance. (IV Kings 15:5; II

Chronicles 26:19)

Have you heard, my soul, of the Ninevites, who repented before God in

sackcloth and ashes?  You have not imitated them, but appear to be more

crooked than all who have sinned before and after the law. (Jonah 3:5)

You have heard of Jeremiah in the mud pit, my soul, how he cried out

with lamentations against the City of Zion, and was seeking tears.

Imitate his life of lamentation and you will be saved. (Jeremiah 38:6)

Jonah fled to Tarshish, foreseeing the conversion of the Ninevites;

for, being a Prophet, he was aware of God's compassion, and was anxious

that his prophesy should not prove false. (Jonah 1:3)

You have heard, my soul, of Daniel in the lion's den. and how he shut

the beasts' mouths.  You know how the Children who were with Azariah

extinguished the flames of the burning furnace by faith. (Dan. 6:16-22;

3:23)

I have reviewed all the people of the Old Testament as examples for

you, my soul. Imitate the God-loving deeds of the righteous and shun

the sins of the wicked.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Eternal Father, co-eternal Son, gracious Comforter,

Spirit of Truth; Father of the Divine Word, Word of the Eternal Father,

living and creative Spirit, Trinity Unity, have mercy on us.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: As from scarlet silk, O spotless Virgin, within thy womb

the spiritual purple was woven, the flesh Of Emmanuel.  Therefore we

honour thee as in truth Mother of God.

Song 9.

Eirmos: Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception,

unsullied the pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews

natures.  So in all generations we magnify thee in orthodox fashion as

the Mother and Bride of God.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

Christ was tempted, the devil was tempting Him, showing Him stones to

be turned into bread; and he led Him up a mountain to see all the

kingdoms of the world in a flash.  Dread, my soul, the scene; watch and

pray at every hour to God. (Matthew 4:3-9; 26:41)

The desert-loving dove, the lamp of Christ, the Voice crying in the

wilderness sounded, preaching repentance; while Herod sinned with

Herodias.  See, my soul, that you are not caught in the toils of sin,

but embrace repentance. (Mark 1:3; Matthew 14:3)

The Forerunner of grace dwelt in the desert and all Judea and Samaria

ran to hear him; and they confessed their sins, and eagerly received

baptism.  But you, my soul, have not imitated them. (Matthew 3:5-6)

Marriage is honourable and the bed undefiled, for Christ earlier

blessed both, eating in His flesh at the marriage in Cana and changing

water into wine, and showing His first miracle so that you, my soul,

might be changed. (Hebrews 13:4; John 2:1-11)

Christ braced the paralytic and he carried his bed; He raised up the

dead young man, the son of the widow, and the Centurion's servant; and

by revealing Himself to the Samaritan woman, He traced in advance for

you, my soul, how to worship in spirit. (Matthew 9:2-7; Luke 7:14;

Matthew 8:6-13; John 4:26; Josh. 4:24)

The Lord healed the woman with hemorrhage by the touch of His hem,

cleansed lepers, gave sight to the blind, and cured cripples; the deaf

and the dumb and the woman bent earthward he healed with His word, that

you, wretched soul, might be saved. (Matthew 9:20-22; 10:8; 11:5; Luke

13:11-13)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Let us glorify the Father, exalt the Son, and

faithfully worship the Divine Spirit, inseparable Trinity, Unity in

essence, as the Light and Lights, the Life and Lives, giving life and

light to the ends of the earth.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Protect thy city, spotless Mother of God, for in thee it

faithfully reigns, and in thee is made strong, and through thee it

conquers and routs every trial and temptation, and spoils its foes and

rules its subjects.

Refrain: Holy father Andrew, pray for us.

To St. Andrew of Crete: Venerable Andrew, thrice-blessed father,

shepherd of Crete, cease not to pray to God for those who sing of thee,

that He may deliver from anger, oppression, corruption and our

countless sins, all of us who faithfully honour thy memory .

And again the Eirmos:

Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception, unsullied the

pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews natures. So

in all generations we magnify thee in orthodox fashion as Mother and

Bride of God.

Then the rest of Great Compline.

On Wednesday of the First Week of Lent, during Great Compline, after Psalm 69, the Canon is sung.  The Eirmosi are sung twice, at the beginning and end of each Song.  Before each Troparion we make the sign of the Cross and bow three times.

Song 1.

Eirmos: He is my Helper and Protector, and has become my salvation.

This is my God and I will glorify Him.  My father's God and I will

exalt Him.  For gloriously has He been glorified. (Exodus 15:2, 1;

Psalm 117:14)

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

From my youth, O Christ, I have rejected Thy commandments.  I have

passed my whole life without caring or thinking as a slave of my

passions.  Therefore, O Saviour, I cry to Thee: At least in the end

save me.

In old age even, O Saviour, do not cast me out empty to hell as I lie

prostrate before Thy gates.  But before my end in Thy love for men

grant me release from my falls.

I have squandered in profligacy my substance, O Saviour, and I am

barren of virtues and piety; but famished I cry: O Father of mercies,

forestall and have compassion on me. (Luke 15:13, 17)

I am the one by my thoughts who fell among robbers, and now I am all

wounded by them, full of sores.  But stand by me, O Christ my Saviour,

and heal me. (Luke 10:30)

The priest saw me first and passed by on the other side.  Then the

Levite took a look at my sufferings and disdained my nakedness.  But

stand by me, O Jesus Who didst dawn out of Mary, and have compassion on

me. (Luke 10:31-33)

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.

To St. Mary of Egypt: Grant me that illuminating grace from on high

given thee by Divine Providence that I may escape the darkening of the

passions and fervently sing of the thrilling achievements of thy life,

O Mary.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Superessential Trinity, adored in Unity, take from me

the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of

compunction.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Mother of God, hope and intercessor of those who sing of

thee, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and as thou art our pure

Lady, accept me who repent.

Song 2.

Eirmos: Attend, O heaven, and I will speak, and will sing of Christ who

came to dwell among us in flesh which He took from the Virgin.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

I have slipped and fallen like David through lack of discipline, and I

am covered with filth; but wash me too, O Saviour, with my tears. (II

Kings 11:1-4)

No tears, no repentance have I, no compunction.  But as God, O Saviour,

grant me these.

I have lost my first-created beauty and comeliness; and now I lie

naked, and I am ashamed.

Close not Thy door to me then, Lord, Lord; but open it to me who repent

to Thee. (Matthew 25:11)

Give ear to the sighs and groans of my soul, and accept the drops of my

eyes, O Saviour, and save me.

O Lover of men, Who wishest all to be saved, in Thy goodness recall me

and receive me who repent. (1 Tim. 2:4)

Refrain: Most holy Mother of God, save us.

Theotokion: Spotless Mother of God, only all-hymned Virgin, pray

intensely that we may be saved.

Another Eirmos: See, see that I am God, Who rained manna and made water

spout from the rock of old for my people in the wilderness, by My right

hand, and by My strength alone.

Troparia:

See, see that I am God: give ear, my soul, to the Lord Who is appealing

to you, and tear yourself from your former sin, and fear Him as the

Avenger, and as your Judge and God. (Deuteronomy 32:35; Hebrews 10:30)

Whom do you resemble, O most sinful soul?  Surely the first Cain and

that wicked Lamech.  For you have stoned your body with evil deeds, and

you have murdered your mind with irrational appetites. (Genesis 4;

4:23)

Running through all who lived before the Law, my soul, you have not

been like Seth, nor imitated Enos, nor Enoch by translation, nor Noah.

But you are seen to be bereft of the life of the righteous. (Genesis 5)

You alone have opened the cataracts of the wrath of God, my soul, and

have flooded as the earth all your flesh and actions and life, and have

remained outside the Ark of Salvation. (Genesis 6-8)

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.

To St. Mary of Egypt: With all eagerness and love thou didst run to

Christ, abandoning thy former way of sin.  And being nourished in the

untrodden wilderness, thou didst chastely fulfill His divine

commandments.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Unoriginate, uncreated Trinity, indivisible Unity,

accept me who repent, save me who have sinned.  I am Thy creation,

despise me not, but spare me and deliver me from the fire of

condemnation.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Spotless Lady, Mother of God, hope of those who run to

thee, and haven of those in distress, obtain grace for me from the

merciful One, Thy Son and Creator, by thy prayers.

Song 3.

Eirmos: Establish, O Lord, my unstable. heart on the rock of Thy

commandments, for Thou only art Holy and Lord.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

You have not inherited Shem's blessing, wretched soul, nor have you

received that vast possession like Japheth in the land of forgiveness.

(Genesis 9:26-27)

Come out, my soul, from sin, from the land of Haran!  Come into the

land of eternal life flowing with incorruption which Abraham

inherited.  (Genesis 12:4)

You have heard, my soul, how Abraham of old left the land of his

fathers and became a nomad.  Imitate his resolution. (Genesis 12:1)

At the Oak of Mamre the Patriarch entertained Angels, and inherited in

his old age the spoil of the promise. (Genesis 18:1)

Knowing, my wretched soul, how Isaac was mystically offered to the Lord

as a new sacrifice and holocaust, imitate his resolution. (Genesis

22:2)

You have heard of Ishmael (be watchful, my soul!) who was driven out as

the son of a slave-girl.  Beware lest you suffer something similar by

your lusting. (Genesis 21:10)

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.

To St. Mary of Egypt: I am hard pressed by the waves and billows of my

sins, mother.  But now bring me safely through, and lead me to the

haven of divine repentance.

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.

To St. Mary of Egypt: In offering a fervent prayer at this time to the

compassionate Mother of God, O Saint, by thy intercession open to me

the divine right of entry.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Simple, uncreated Unity, unoriginate Nature praised in

a Trinity of Persons, save us who with faith worship Thy power.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: O Mother of God, unwedded thou gavest birth in time to the

timeless Son of the Father.  And - O strange wonder! - thou remainest a

Virgin while suckling Him.

Song 4.

Eirmos: The Prophet heard of Thy coming, O Lord, and was afraid that

Thou wast to be born of a Virgin and appear to men, and he said, "I

have heard the report of Thee and am afraid." Glory to Thy power, O

Lord. (Habbakuk 3:2)

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

My body is defiled, my spirit is sullied, and I am all covered with

sores.  But as the Physician, O Christ, heal, wash, and cleanse both

body and spirit with repentance, and make me, my Saviour, purer than

snow.

Thou didst lay down Thy body and blood for all, O crucified Word: Thy

body in order to renew me, Thy blood in order to wash me, and Thou

didst surrender Thy spirit, O Christ, in order to bring me to the

Father.

Thou hast wrought salvation in the midst of the earth, O merciful

Creator, that we may be saved.  Thou wast voluntarily crucified on the

Tree: Eden that was closed is open; things on high and below, creation

and all peoples are saved and worship Thee. (Psalm 73:12)

May the blood and water that wells from Thy side be a font for me and a

draught of forgiveness, that I may be cleansed, anointed and refreshed

by both as with drink and unction by Thy living words, O Word. (John

19:34; Acts 7:38)

The Church has acquired Thy life-giving side as a chalice, from which

gushes forth for us a twofold torrent of forgiveness. and knowledge as

a type of the two covenants, Old and New, O our Saviour.

I am bereft of the bridal hall, I am bereft of the marriage and

supper.  My lamp has gone out for want of oil, the door has been locked

while I was asleep; the supper is eaten; and I, bound hand and foot, am

cast outside.  (Matthew 25; Luke 14:7-35; Matthew 22:1-14)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: I confess Thee to be undivided in essence, unconfused

in persons, One Triune Divinity, co-enthroned and co-reigning. I sing

Thee the great song thrice sung on high.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Thou givest birth and livest a virgin life, and in both

remainest a virgin by nature.  He Who is born of thee renews the laws

of nature, and a womb gives birth without travail.  Where God wills,

the order of nature is overruled; for He does whatever He wishes.

Song 5.

Eirmos: Out of the night watching early for Thee, enlighten me, I pray,

O Lover of men, and guide even me in Thy commandments, and teach me, O

Saviour, to do Thy will.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

How heavy in character I have become, in soul and body, like Jannes and

Jambres in Pharaoh's bitter service, and my mind has sunk low. But help

me, O Lord. (Exodus 7: 11; 2 Tim. 3:8)

I, wretch that I am, have rolled my mind in mud. But wash me, O Lord,

in the bath of my tears, I pray Thee, and make the robe of my flesh as

white as snow.

When I examine my actions, O Saviour, I see that I have gone beyond all

men in sins; for I have sinned with knowledge consciously, and not in

ignorance.

Spare, spare, O Lord, Thy works. I have sinned; forgive me, for Thou

alone art pure by nature, and apart from Thee there is none without

defilement.  (I Peter 3:21)

Being God, for my sake Thou didst take my form, and didst work

miracles, healing lepers and bracing paralytics; and Thou didst stop

the flow of blood of the woman with hemorrhage, O Saviour, through the

touch of Thy hem. (Phil. 2:6; Matthew 4:24; Luke 8:43-48)

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.

To St. Mary of Egypt: Having crossed Jordan's stream, thou didst find

rest by giving a wide berth to the deadening pleasure of the flesh,

from which deliver us also by thy prayers, O saint.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Thee, O Trinity, we glorify, the one God: Holy, Holy,

Holy art Thou, Father, Son and Spirit, simple Being, Unity ever

adored.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: From thee, O pure maiden Mother and Virgin, God Who created

the worlds and ages was clad in my clay and united to Himself human

nature.

Song 6.

Eirmos: I cried with my whole heart to the merciful God, and He heard

me from the lowest hell and raised my life out of corruption.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

Rise and make war against the passions of the flesh, as Joshua did

against Amalek, and ever conquer the Gibeonites - illusive thoughts.

(Exodus 17:8; Josh. 8:21)

Pass through the flowing nature of time, like the Ark of old, and take

possession of the Land of Promise, my soul: It is God's command.

(Josh.  3:17; Deuteronomy 1:8)

As Thou savedst Peter when he cried, "Save me!", forestall and deliver

me from the beast, O Saviour; stretch out Thy hand and raise me from

the depths of sin. (Matthew 14:25-31)

I know Thee as a calm haven, O Lord, Lord Christ; but forestall and

deliver me from the innermost depths of sin and despair.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: I am the Trinity, simple and undivided, divided

Personally, and I am the Unity, united in nature, says the Father, the

Son, and the Divine Spirit.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Thy womb bore God for us Who took our form.  Implore Him as

the Creator of all, O Mother of God, that through thy intercessions we

may be justified.

Kontakion, tone 6:

My soul, my soul, arise!  Why are you sleeping?  The end is drawing

near, and you will be confounded.  Awake, then, and be watchful, that

Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fills all

things.

Song 7.

Eirmos: We have sinned, transgressed, done wrong before Thee, we have

not watched or done as Thou hast commanded us.  But do not give us up

utterly, O God of our Fathers.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

You have piled up sins like Manasseh by deliberate choice, my soul,

setting up your passions as idols and multiplying abominations.  But

now fervently emulate his repentance and acquire compunction. (IV Kings

21; II Chronicles 33)

You have rivalled Ahab in defilements, my soul. Alas, you have been a

lodging-place of fleshly pollutions and a shameful vessel of passions.

But groan from your depths and tell God your sins. (III Kings 16:30)

Heaven is closed to you, my soul, and the famine of God has reached

you, for you have been disobedient as was Ahab of old to the words of

Elijah the Tishbite.  But be like the woman of Sarepta, and feed the

Prophet's soul. (III Kings 17)

Elijah once burned a hundred of Jezebel's flunkeys when he had

destroyed her shameful prophets as a proof and rebuke for Ahab.  But

avoid imitating these two, my soul, and master yourself. (IV Kings

1:10-15; III Kings 18:40)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: O Trinity simple and undivided, of one essence and one

nature, Lights and Light, three Holies and one Holy, God the Trinity is

hymned.  But sing, my soul, and glorify the Life and Lives, the God of

all.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: We sing of thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, O Mother

of God, for thou gavest birth to one of the inseparable Trinity, the

one Son and God, and to us on earth thou hast opened the heavenly

realms.

Song 8.

Eirmos: Him Whom the heavenly hosts glorify and before Whom Cherubim

and Seraphim tremble, let every breath and all creation praise, bless

and exalt throughout all ages.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

Just Judge and Saviour, have mercy on me and deliver me from the fire

and the threat which I shall justly incur at the judgment.  Forgive me

before my end by virtue and repentance.

Like the robber I cry, "Remember me!" Like Peter I weep bitterly,

"Release me, O Saviour!" I croak like the publican; I weep like the

harlot.  Accept my lamentation as Thou once did the Canaanite woman.

(Luke 23:42; Matthew 26:75; Luke 18:13; Luke 7:37-38; Matthew 15:22-28)

Heal, O Saviour, the corruption of my debased soul, O only Physician.

Apply the compress to me, and the oil and wine - works of repentance,

compunction and tears. (Luke 10:34)

Imitating the woman of Canaan, I also cry, "Have mercy on me, O Son of

David!" I touch Thy hem like the woman with hemorrhage.  I weep like

Martha and Mary over Lazarus.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Eternal Father, co-eternal Son, gracious Comforter,

Spirit of Truth; Father of the Divine Word, Word of the Eternal Father,

living and creative Spirit, Trinity Unity, have mercy on us.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: As from scarlet silk, O spotless Virgin, within thy womb

the spiritual purple was woven, the flesh of Emmanuel.  Therefore we

honour thee as in truth Mother of God.

Song 9.

Eirmos: Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception,

unsullied the pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews

natures.  So in all generations we magnify thee in orthodox fashion as

the Mother and Bride of God.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

Christ the Word healed diseases, preached the Gospel to the poor, cured

cripples, ate with publicans, conversed with sinners, and He brought

back the departed soul of Jairus' daughter by the touch of His hand.

(Matthew 9:11; Mark 5:41-42)

The publican was saved, the harlot was made chaste, but the pharisee

through boasting was condemned.  For the first said, "Be merciful," the

second, "Have mercy on me," but the last boasted and cried, "O God, I

thank Thee," and then some foolish words. (Luke 7:36-50; 18:9-14)

Zacchaeus was a publican, but yet was healed, and Simon the Pharisee

was disappointed; but the harlot received the release of full

forgiveness from Him Who has power to forgive sins.  Obtain His

forgiveness yourself, my soul. (Luke 19:1-10; 7:36-50)

You, my wretched soul, have not emulated the harlot who took the

alabaster jar of perfumed oil and anointed with tears and wiped with

her hair the feet of the Saviour, Who tore up for her the handwriting

of her old accusation. (Luke 7:37-38; Colossians 2:14)

You know how the towns to which Christ offered the Gospel were cursed.

Fear this example, my soul, do not be like them; for the Lord compared

them to the Sodomites and condemned them to hell. (Luke 10:13-15)

Do not let despair make you worse than the Canaanite woman, my soul,

for you have heard of her faith through which her daughter was healed

by the Word of God.  Call to Christ like her from the depth of your

heart, "Son of David, save me." (Matthew 15:22)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To The Trinity: Let us glorify the Father, exalt the Son, and

faithfully worship the Divine Spirit, inseparable Trinity, Unity in

essence, as the Light and Lights, the Life and Lives, giving life and

light to the ends of the earth.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.  Amen.

Theotokion: Protect thy city, spotless Mother of God, for in thee it

faithfully reigns, and in thee is made strong, and through thee it

conquers and routs every trial and temptation, and spoils its foes and

rules its subjects.

Refrain: Holy father Andrew, pray for us.

To St. Andrew of Crete: Venerable Andrew, thrice-blessed father,

shepherd of Crete, cease not to pray to God for those who sing of thee,

that He may deliver from anger, oppression, corruption and our

countless sins, all of us who faithfully honour thy memory .

And again the Eirmos:

Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception, unsullied the

pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renew natures.  So

in all generations we magnify thee in orthodox fashion as Mother and

Bride of God.

Then the rest of Great Compline.

On Thursday of the First Week of Great Lent, after Psalm 69 in Great Compline, the fourth portion of the Great Canon is sung. The Eirmosi are sung twice, once at the beginning and once at the end of each Ode [*]. Before each troparion the Refrain is sung and we make the sign of the Cross with three low bows [+].

Tone 6

Ode 1.

Eirmos: He is my Helper and Protector, and has become my salvation.This is my God and I will glorify Him. My father's God and I will exalt Him. For gloriously has He been glorified. (Exodus 15:2, 1; Psalm 117:14)

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

O Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of all, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of compunction. (John 1:29)

I fall prostrate before Thee, O Jesus. I have sinned against Thee, be merciful to me. Take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of compunction.

Enter not into judgment with me, by recording my deeds, demanding an account of my words, and examining my motives and desires. But in Thy compassion disregard my terrible past and save me, O God All-Powerful.

It is time for repentance. I draw near to Thee, my Creator. Take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of compunction.

I have squandered in profligacy the substance of my soul, and I am barren of virtues and piety; but famished I cry: O Father of mercies, forestall and have compassion on me. (Luke 15:13, 17)

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.

To St Mary of Egypt: By submitting to Christ's divine laws Thou didst draw near to Him, having left the unbridled craving for pleasure, and with all discretion thou didst achieve every virtue as one.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To the Holy Trinity: Superessential Trinity, adored in Unity, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of compunction.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Mother of God, hope and intercessor of those who sing of thee, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and as thou art our pure Lady, accept me who repent.

The Eirmos is repeated...

Ode 2.

Eirmos: See, see that I am God, Who rained manna and made water spout from the rock of old for my people in the wilderness, by My right hand, and by My strength alone.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

'I have killed a man to the wounding of myself', said Lamech, 'and a young man to my own hurt', he cried out wailing. But you, my soul, do not tremble, while polluting the flesh and defiling the mind. (Genesis 4:23)

You would have contrived to build a tower, my soul, and erect a stronghold for your lusts, had not the Creator confounded your plans and brought your schemes crashing to earth. (Genesis 11:3-4)

O how I have emulated that old murderer Lamech! By my pleasure-loving cravings I have killed my soul as the man, my mind as the young man, and my body as my brother, like Cain the murderer. (Genesis 4:23)

The Lord rained fire from the Lord of old, and burnt up the wanton wickedness of Sodom. But you, my soul, have kindled the fire of hell in which you are about to be bitterly burnt. (Genesis 19:24)

I am struck and wounded! See the arrows of the enemy with which my soul and body are pierced all over! See the wounds, the sores and the mutilations that cry out and betray the blows of my self-chosen passions!

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.

To St Mary of Egypt: Thou didst stretch out thy hands to the merciful God, O Mary, when sunk in the lowest vices. And He Who by every means was seeking thy conversion, lovingly stretched out a helping hand as to Peter.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To the Holy Trinity: Unoriginate, uncreated Trinity, indivisible Unity, accept me who repent, save me who have sinned. I am Thy creation, despise me not, but spare me and deliver me from the fire of condemnation.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Spotless Lady, Mother of God, hope of those who run to thee and haven of those in distress, obtain grace for me from the merciful One, Thy Son and Creator, by thy prayers.

The Eirmos is repeated...

Ode 3.

Eirmos: Establish Thy Church on the unshakable rock of Thy commandments, O Christ.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

You, my soul, have become like Hagar the Egyptian of old. You have become enslaved by your own choice and have a new Ishmael - stubborn self-will. (Genesis 16:15)

You know, my soul, of the Ladder shown to Jacob reaching from earth to Heaven. Why have you not clung to the sure step of piety? (Genesis 28:12)

Imitate that Priest of God and solitary King who was an image of the life of Christ in the world among men. (cf. Melchizedek: Hebrews 7:1-4; Genesis 14:18)

Be converted and groan, wretched soul, before the pageant of life comes to an end, before the Lord shuts the door of the bridal hall.

Do not be a pillar of salt, my soul, by turning back; but let the example of the Sodomites frighten you, and take refuge up in Zoar. (Genesis 19:26)

Reject not the prayer of those who praise Thee, O Lord; but have compassion on us, O Lover of men, and to those who ask with faith grant forgiveness.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To the Holy Trinity: Simple, uncreated Unity, unoriginate Nature praised in a Trinity of Persons, save us who with faith worship Thy power.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: O Mother of God, unwedded thou gavest birth in time to the timeless Son of the Father. And - O strange wonder! - thou remainest a Virgin while suckling Him.

The Eirmos is repeated...

Ode 4.

Eirmos: The Prophet heard of Thy coming, O Lord, and was afraid that Thou wast to be born of a Virgin and appear to men, and he said, 'I have heard the report of Thee and am afraid.' Glory to Thy power, O Lord. (Habbakuk 3:2)

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

Brief is my lifetime and full of pain and wickedness, but accept me in penitence and recall me to awareness of Thee. May I never be the possession or food of the enemy. O Saviour, have compassion on me. (Genesis 47:9)

The opulent and righteous man, arrayed in royal dignity, crown and purple, abounding in wealth and cattle, was suddenly shorn of his riches, glory and kingdom and became a beggar.

If he who was righteous and blameless beyond all did not escape the snares and nets of the deceiver, what will you do, my soul, who are sin-loving and wretched, if something unexpected happens to you?

Boastful I am, and hard-hearted, all in vain and for nothing. Condemn me not with the Pharisee, but rather grant me the humility of the Publican, O only merciful and just Judge, and number me with him. (Luke18:9-14)

I have sinned, I know, O merciful Lord, and outraged the vessel of my flesh, but accept me in penitence and recall me to awareness of Thee. May I never be the possession or food of the enemy. O Saviour, have compassion on me.

I am become my own idol, and have injured my soul with passions, O merciful Lord, but accept me in penitence and recall me to awareness of Thee. May I never be the possession or food of the enemy. O Saviour, have compassion on me.

I have not listened to Thy voice, I have disobeyed Thy Scripture, O Lawgiver, but accept me in penitence and recall me to awareness of Thee. May I never be the possession or food of the enemy. O Saviour, have compassion on me.

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.

To St Mary of Egypt: Though dragged down to the depth of great offences, thou wast not held there. But with better thought thou didst return by action to consummate virtue beyond all expectation, to the amazement of angel kind, O Mary.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To the Holy Trinity: I confess Thee to be undivided in essence, unconfused in persons, One Triune Divinity, co-enthroned and co-reigning. I sing Thee the great song thrice sung on high.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Thou givest birth and livest a virgin life, and in both remainest a virgin by nature. He Who is born of thee renews the laws of nature, and a womb gives birth without travail. Where God wills, the order of nature is overruled; for He does whatever He wishes.

The Eirmos is repeated...

Ode 5.

Eirmos: Out of the night watching early for Thee, enlighten me, I pray, O Lover of men, and guide even me in Thy commandments, and teach me, O Saviour, to do Thy will.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

Imitate, my soul, the woman bent earthward; come and fall down at the feet of Jesus, that He may straighten you to walk upright in the footsteps of the Lord. (Luke 13:11)

Though Thou art a deep well, O Lord, pour on me streams from Thine immaculate wounds, that like the Samaritan woman I may drink and thirst no more; for from Thee gush rivers of life. (John 4:13-15)

May my tears be for me a Siloam, O Sovereign Lord, that I may wash the eyes of my soul and mentally see Thee Who art that light which was before creation. (John 9:7; Genesis 1:2-19)

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.

To St Mary of Egypt: Thou, all-blessed one, didst yearn with matchless love and longing to worship the Tree of Life, and thy desire was granted; make us also worthy to attain to the glory on high.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To the Holy Trinity: Thee, O Trinity, we glorify, the one God: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, Father, Son and Spirit, simple Being, Unity ever adored.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: From thee, O pure maiden Mother and Virgin, God Who created the worlds and ages was clad in my clay and united to Himself human nature.

The Eirmos is repeated...

Ode 6.

Eirmos: I cried with my whole heart to the merciful God, and He heard me from the lowest hell and raised my life out of corruption.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

I am the coin with the royal image which was lost of old, O Saviour. But light the lamp, Thy Forerunner, O Word; seek and find Thy image. (Luke 15:8)

Rise and make war against the passions of the flesh, as Joshua did against Amalek, and ever conquer the Gibeonites - illusive thoughts. (Exodus 17:8; Joshua 8:21)

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.

To St Mary of Egypt: To extinguish the flame of the passions, O Mary, thou didst ever shed rivers of tears and fire thy soul with divine love. Grant also to me, thy servant, the grace of tears.

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.

To St Mary of Egypt: Thou didst acquire heavenly dispassion by thy sublime life on earth, O mother. Therefore pray that those who sing of thee may be delivered from the grip of passions.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To the Holy Trinity: I am the Trinity, simple and undivided, divided Personally, and I am the Unity, united in nature, says the Father, the Son, and the Divine Spirit.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Thy womb bore God for us Who took our form. Implore Him as the Creator of all, O Mother of God, that through thy intercessions we may be justified.

The Eirmos is repeated...

Kontakion, Tone 6:

My soul, my soul, arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is drawing near, and you will be confounded. Awake, then, and be watchful, that Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fillest all things.

Ode 7.

Eirmos: We have sinned, transgressed, done wrong before Thee, we have not watched or done as Thou hast commanded us. But do not give us up utterly, O God of our Fathers.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

My days have vanished like a dream on waking. Therefore I weep on my bed like Hezekiah that years may be added to my life. But what Isaiah will come to you, my soul, except the God of all? (IV Kings 20:3; Isaiah38:2)

I fall, down before Thee and bring Thee as tears my words. I have sinned like the harlot, and transgressed as no other on earth. But have compassion, O Lord, on Thy work, and recall me.

I have buried Thy image and broken Thy commandment. All my beauty is darkened and my lamp is extinguished by my passions, O Saviour. But have compassion and restore to me, as David sings, joy. (Psalm 50:14)

Return, repent, uncover what is hidden. Say to God Who knows everything: Thou knowest my secrets, O only Saviour; but have mercy on me, as David sings, according to Thy mercy. (Psalm 50:1)

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.

To St Mary of Egypt: By crying to the immaculate Mother of God, thou didst repel the rage of passions which once violently harassed thee, and didst put to shame the enemy tempter. But now grant me, thy servant, also help out of trouble.

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.

To St Mary of Egypt: He Whom thou lovest, He Whom thou desires, He on Whose track thou camest, mother, found thee and granted thee repentance, for He is God Who alone is compassionate. Implore Him unceasingly to deliver us from passions and adversities.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To the Holy Trinity: O Trinity simple and undivided, of one essence and one nature, Lights and Light, three Holies and one Holy, God the Trinity is hymned. But sing, my soul, and glorify the Life and Lives, the God of all.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: We sing of thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, O Mother of God, for thou gavest birth to one of the inseparable Trinity, the one Son and God, and to us on earth thou hast opened the heavenly realms.

The Eirmos is repeated...

Ode 8.

Eirmos: Him Whom the heavenly hosts glorify and before Whom Cherubim and Seraphim tremble, let every breath and all creation praise, bless and exalt throughout all ages.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

The alabaster jar of my tears, O Saviour, I pour out on Thy head as the perfume, and like the harlot I cry to Thee, seeking Thy mercy. I offer prayer and ask to receive forgiveness. (Matthew 26:7; Luke 7:38)

Though no one has sinned against Thee as I, yet accept even me, O compassionate Saviour, repenting with fear and crying with love: Against Thee only have I sinned. I have done wrong, have mercy on me.

Spare, O Saviour, Thine own creation, and seek as Shepherd Thy lost sheep; snatch the stray from the wolf, and make me a pet lamb in Thy sheep pasture. (Psalm 118:176; John 10:11-16)

When Thou sittest as Judge and in Thy compassion showest Thy dread glory, O Christ, O what fear there will be then, when the furnace is burning and all shrink from Thy inexorable Tribunal! (Matthew 25:31-46)

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.

To St Mary of Egypt: The Mother of the unwaning Light enlightened thee, and freed thee from the darkness of the passions. So now thou art admitted to the grace of the Spirit, enlighten, O Mary, those who faithfully praise Thee.

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.

To St Mary of Egypt: Beholding in thee a new wonder, O mother, divine Zosimas was truly amazed. For he saw an angel in a body and, filled with utter astonishment, he praises Christ for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To the Holy Trinity: Eternal Father, co-eternal Son, gracious Comforter, Spirit of Truth; Father of the Divine Word, Word of the Eternal Father, living and creative Spirit, Trinity in Unity, have mercy on us.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: As from scarlet silk, O spotless Virgin, within thy womb the spiritual purple was woven, the flesh of Emmanuel. Therefore we honour thee as in truth Mother of God.

The Eirmos is repeated...

Ode 9.

Eirmos: Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception, unsullied the pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews natures. So in all generations we magnify thee in Orthodox fashion as the Mother and Bride of God.

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia:

Have compassion and save me, have mercy on me, O Son of David, Who didst heal with a word the demoniac. And let Thy voice of tender compassion speak to me as to the robber, 'Truly I tell you, you will be with Me in Paradise when I rise in My glory.' (Luke 9:38-42; 23:43)

A robber accused Thee, and a robber confessed Thee to be God, for both were hanging on a cross with Thee. But open even to me, O most compassionate Saviour, the door of Thy glorious Kingdom as to Thy faithful robber who acknowledged Thee to be God. (Luke 23:32-42)

Creation was in anguish, seeing Thee crucified; mountains and rocks were split with fear, the earth quaked, hell was emptied, and the light grew dark in the daytime, beholding Thee, Jesus, nailed to the Cross in Thy flesh. (Matthew 27:51-53; Luke 23:44-45)

Do not require of me fruits worthy of repentance, for my strength is spent in me. Grant me ever a contrite heart and spiritual poverty, that I may offer these gifts to Thee as an acceptable sacrifice, O only Saviour. (Matthew 3:8; 5:3; Psalm 50:17)

O my Judge and my Light, Who alone knowest me and art coming again with Thine Angels to judge the whole world, regard me then with Thy merciful Eye and spare me, O Jesus. And have compassion on me who have sinned more than all mankind. (Matthew 25:31-32)

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.

To St Mary of Egypt: Thou didst astonish all by thy strange life, both the Orders of Angels and the councils of men, by living immaterially and surpassing nature. Then treading firmly the waves like an immaterial being, O Mary, thou didst cross the Jordan.

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray to God for us.

To St Mary of Egypt: Intercede with the Creator on behalf of those who praise thee, holy mother, that we may be delivered from the sufferings and afflictions which beset us on all sides, that being delivered from our temptations, we may unceasingly magnify the Lord Who glorified thee.

Refrain: Holy father Andrew, pray to God for us.

To St Andrew of Crete: Venerable Andrew, thrice-blessed father, shepherd of Crete, cease not to pray to God for those who sing of thee,that He may deliver from anger, oppression, corruption, and our countless sins, all of us who faithfully honour thy memory.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

To the Holy Trinity: Let us glorify the Father, exalt the Son, and faithfully worship the Divine Spirit, inseparable Trinity, Unity in essence, as the Light and Lights, the Life and Lives, giving life and light to the ends of the earth.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Protect thy city, spotless Mother of God, for in thee it faithfully reigns, and in thee is made strong, and through thee it conquers and routs every trial and temptation, and spoils its foes and rules its subjects.

And again the Eirmos of the Ninth Ode, as the conclusion of the Canon:

Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception, unsullied the pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews natures. So in all generations we magnify thee in Orthodox fashion as Mother and Bride of God.

Then the rest of Great Compline.

---

NOTES:

[*] In some parish communities it is customary to sing the Eirmosi only at the beginning of each Ode, and not to repeat them at the end.

[+] It is now the custom in many parish communities to make the sign of the Cross and bow only once.