Pope Martin
April 14th, 2000
6th Week of the Great Fast


OPENING PRAYERS

The Trisagion Prayers
In the Name of the Father +, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, You are everywhere present and fill all things. Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.

Holy God., Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; O Lord, cleanse us of our sins; O Master, forgive our transgressions; O Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for Your Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Three times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)

Come, let us adore + the King our God.
Come, let us adore + Christ the King and our God.
Come, let us adore and bow down + to the only Lord Jesus Christ the King and our God.
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Pray either the morning or evening prayer, depending on the time of day.

Morning Prayer to the Holy Trinity
         Arising from sleep, I thank You, O Most Holy Trinity, that, for the sake of Your great kindness, and long suffering, You have not had indignation against me, for I am slothful and sinful.  Neither have You destroyed me in my transgressions.  But You have shown Your customary love toward mankind, and have raised me up as I lay in heedlessness, that I might sing my morning hymn and glorify Your sovereignty.  Do now enlighten the eyes of my understanding, open my ears to receive Your words, and teach me Your commandments.  Help me to do Your will, to sing to You, to confess You from my heart, and to praise Your All-Holy Name:  of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.  Amen.

Prayer for the Evening
         O eternal God, King of all creation, Who have kept me safe to attain to this hour, forgive me the sins which I have committed this day in thought, word, and deed.  And cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from every stain of flesh and spirit.  Grant me, O Lord, to pass this night in peace, to rise from my bed, and to please Your holy Name all the days of my life, and to vanquish the enemies, both corporeal and incorporeal, that contend against me.  Deliver me, O Lord, from the vain thoughts that stain me, and from evil desires.  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 ever, and forever.  Amen.
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The Nicene Creed
         I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God. Born of the Father before all ages. God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God. Begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father. By whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And He became flesh by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary: and was made man. He was also crucified for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And on the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. And of His kingdom there will be no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father. Who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, and who spoke through the prophets. And one holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. And I await the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the world to come. Amen.
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Intercessory Prayers
         Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Your mercies and loving kindnesses, which have been from everlasting, and for the sake of which You did become man and deign to endure crucifixion and death for the salvation of all who rightly believe in You.  You rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, and sit at the right hand of God the Father, and regard the humble prayers of all who call upon You with their whole heart.  Incline Your ear and hear the humble entreaty of me, your unprofitable servant, who offers it for an odor of spiritual fragrance for all Your people.  And first of all remember Your Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church which You have purchased with Your precious blood.

         Confirm and strengthen it, enlarge and multiply it, keep it in peace, and preserve it unconquerable by the gates of hell forever.  Heal the schisms of the churches, quench the ragings of the heathen, speedily undo and root out the growths of heresies, and bring them to naught by the power of Your Holy Spirt.

         Save, O Lord, and have mercy on all world rulers, on our president, Bill Clinton (or another name, depending on your country), and on all our civil authorities.  Speak peace and blessing in their hearts for Your holy Church, and for all Your peoples, in order that we may live a calm and peaceful life, in all godliness and dignity.

         Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon John Paul II, the Pope of Rome, and upon all patriarchs, metropolitans, archbishops, priests, ministers and deacons, and all the clergy of Your Church, which You have established to feed the flock of Your word, and by their prayers have mercy upon me, and save me, a sinner.

         Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon my spiritual father (name) and by his holy prayers forgive me my transgressions.

         Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon my parents, my spouse, my brothers and sisters, my children, my kinsmen after the flesh and my friends, and grant them Your blessings both here and hereafter.

         Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon the old, the young, the needy, the orphans and the widows, and on all that are in sickness and sorrow, in distress and affliction, in oppression and captivity, in prison and confinement.  More especially have mercy upon Your servants who are under persecution for Your sake and for the sake of the Catholic Orthodox faith at the hands of heathen nations, of apostates, and of heretics:  remember them, visit, strengthen, keep and comfort them, and make haste to grant them, by Your power, relief, freedom and deliverance.

         Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon all who are sent on duty, all who travel, our fathers, brothers and sisters, and upon all true Christians.

         Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon all who envy and affront me, and do me mischief, and do not let them perish through me, a sinner.

         Those who depart from the Orthodox Catholic faith, dazzled by destroying heresies do enlighten by the light of Your holy wisdom, and unite them to Your Holy, Apostolic, Catholic Church.

(Add here any further petitions)
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Pray either the morning or evening prayer, depending on the time of day.

Prayer for the Beginning of the Day
         O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon Your holy will.  In every hour of the day reveal Your will to me.  Bless my dealings with all who surround me.  Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Your will governs all.  In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings.  In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by You.  Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others.  Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring.  Direct my will, teach me to pray.  And, Yourself, pray in me.  Amen.

Prayer for the End of the Day
         O Christ our God, Who at all times and in every hour in heaven and on earth are worshiped and glorified; Who are longsuffering, merciful and compassionate; Who love the just and show mercy upon sinners; Who call all to salvation through the promise of the good things to come; O Lord, in this hour receive our supplications and direct our lives according to Your commandments.  Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our minds; deliver us from all tribulation, evil and distress.  Surround us with Your Holy Angels, so that Guided and guarded by them, we may attain to the unity of the faith and to the full knowledge of Your unapproachable glory.  For You are blessed now and ever, and forever.  Amen.

Prayer Just Before Going to Sleep
         Into Your hands, O Lord Jesus Christ, I commend my spirit and body; bless me, save me, and grant me eternal life.  Amen.
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Benediction
         Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.  Amen.




PSALMS

Friday Morning: Psalms 103

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit; who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

The LORD performs righteous deeds, and judgments for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us; nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more; and its place acknowledges it no longer. But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, To those who keep His covenant, and who remember His precepts to do them. The LORD has established His throne in the heavens; and His sovereignty rules over all.

Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the LORD, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion; bless the LORD, O my soul!


Friday Evening: Psalms 17

Hear a just cause, O LORD, give heed to my cry; give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips. Let my judgment come forth from Thy presence; let Thine eyes look with equity. Thou hast tried my heart; Thou hast visited me by night; Thou hast tested me and dost find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. As for the deeds of men, by the word of Thy lips I have kept from the paths of the violent. My steps have held fast to Thy paths. My feet have not slipped. I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt answer me, O God; incline Thine ear to me, hear my speech.

Wondrously show Thy lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Thy right hand from those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of Thy wings, From the wicked who despoil me, My deadly enemies, who surround me. They have closed their unfeeling heart; with their mouth they speak proudly. They have now surrounded us in our steps; they set their eyes to cast us down to the ground. He is like a lion that is eager to tear, and as a young lion lurking in hiding places.

Arise, O LORD, confront him, bring him low; deliver my soul from the wicked with Thy sword, From men with Thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life; and whose belly Thou dost fill with Thy treasure; they are satisfied with children, and leave their abundance to their babes. As for me, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Thy likeness when I awake.




SPECIAL READINGS FOR THE GREAT FAST

Mark 10:35-45

35        And James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Him, saying to Him, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You."
36        And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
37        And they said to Him, "Grant that we may sit in Your glory, one on Your right, and one on Your left."
38        But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
39        And they said to Him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.
40        "But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared."
41        And hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.
42        And calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
43        "But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
44        and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
45        "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."




EPISTLE

Eph 2:4-10

4         But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5         even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6         and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus,
7         in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8         For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9         not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
10        For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.




GOSPEL

Matt 4:1-11

1         Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2         And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.
3         And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
4         But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
5         Then the devil took Him into the holy city; and he had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,
6         and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'He will give His angels charge concerning You'; and 'On their hands they will bear You up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"
7         Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
8         Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory;
9         and he said to Him, "All these things will I give You, if You fall down and worship me."
10        Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'"
11        Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.




SAINT

HOLY APOSTLES OF THE SEVENTY, ARISTARCHOS, PUDENS & TROPHIMOS
ST TASSACH, HIERARCH

Our holy father and confessor, Martin, Pope of Rome, combated the Monothelites. Several attempts were made against his life, and he was deported to the isle of Naxos in the Aegean. After a year of untold privation he was taken to Constantinople suffered extreme ignominy and died in exile in the Crimea in 655.

Troparion of the Apostles Tone 4
Together let us honour the threefold choir of Christ's Apostles/ Aristarchos, Pudens and holy Trophimos;/ Like divine, rational rivers/ they watered the world with the Word./ By their intercessions, Christ our God, have mercy on us.

Troparion of St Tassach Tone 5
O holy Hierarch Tassach,/ thou wast one of the first to follow Saint Patrick/ and didst administer the Holy Mysteries to him at the last./ Like Moses' disciples adorning the tabernacle/ thou wast a skilled artist and craftsman,/ and art now thyself an adornment of Christ's Church.

Kontakion of the Apostles Tone l
Apostles of Christ, the Saviour's labourers,/ you are the light of the world./ Intercede for us who praise your glorious memory,/ and pray that we may be saved.



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