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HOLY AND GREAT THURSDAY

VESPERS
(SUNG ON HOLY AND GREAT THURSDAY MORNING)

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HOLY AND GREAT THURSDAY VESPERS

SUNG ON HOLY AND GREAT THURSDAY MORNING

 

PRIEST

Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

READER: Amen.

O come, let us worship and bow down before our King and our God.

O come, let us worship and bow down before Christ our King and our God.

O come, let us worship and bow down before the very Christ our King and our God.

THE INTRODUCTORY PSALM 103 [104]

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou hast clothed Thyself with praise and honour: who dost robe Thyself with light as a garment; spreading out the heavens as a curtain. Who covers His chambers with waters; who makes the clouds his chariots: who walks on the wings of the wind. Who makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flaming fire. Who establishes the earth on her sure foundation: it shall not be moved forever. The deep, as it were a garment, is His covering: the waters shall stand on the hills. At Thy rebuke they shall flee; at the voice of Thy thunder they shall be alarmed. They go up to the mountains, and down to the plains, to the place which Thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound which they shall not pass, neither shall they turn again to cover the earth. He sends forth His fountains among the valleys: the waters shall run between the mountains. They shall give drink to all the wild beasts of the field: the wild asses shall take of them to quench their thirst. By them shall the birds of the sky lodge: they shall utter a voice out of the midst of the rocks. He waters the mountains from His chambers: the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He makes grass to grow for the cattle, the green herb for the service of men, to bring bread out of the earth; and wine makes glad the heart of man, to make his face cheerful with oil: and bread strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of sap; even the cedars of Lebanon which He has planted. There the sparrows will build their nests; and the house of the heron takes the lead among them. The high mountains are a refuge for the stags, and the rock for the rabbits. He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knows his going down. Thou didst make darkness, and it was night; in it all the wild beasts of the forest will be abroad: even young lions roaring for prey, and to seek meat for themselves from God. The sun arises, and they shall be gathered together, and shall lie down in their dens. Man shall go forth to his work, and to his labour till evening. How great are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou wrought them all: the earth is filled with Thy creation. So is this great and wide sea: there are things creeping innumerable, small animals and great. There go the ships; and this dragon whom Thou hast made to play in it. All wait upon Thee, to give them food in due season. When Thou hast given it them, they will gather it; and when Thou hast opened Thine hand, they shall be filled with good. But when Thou hast turned away Thy face, they shall be troubled: Thou wilt take away their breath, and they shall fail, and return to their dust. Thou shalt send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in His works; who looks upon the earth, and makes it tremble; who touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord while I live; I will sing praise to my God while I exist. Let my meditation be sweet to Him: and I will rejoice in the Lord. Let the sinners fail from off the earth, and transgressors, so that they shall be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

And again

The sun knows his going down, Thou didst make darkness, and it was night.

How great are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou wrought them all.

Glory… Now and for ever…

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory be to Thee, O God. [3]

Our hope, glory be to Thee, O Lord.

DEACON

In peace let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. And after each petition.

For the peace from on high, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray unto the Lord.

For the peace and union of the whole world, and for the good estate of the holy churches of God, let us pray unto the Lord.

For this holy temple and for them that enter therein with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray unto the Lord.

For our Archbishop [Name], for the honourable order of priesthood, and for the diaconate which is in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray unto the Lord.

For this city [village, monastery]; for every city and land, and for them that dwell therein with faith, let us pray unto the Lord.

For fair seasons and the abundance of the fruits of the earth, let us pray unto the Lord.

For them that travel by land, by water, by air; for the sick and the suffering, For those in captivity, And for their salvation, let us pray unto the Lord.

That we may be deliver from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray unto the Lord.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace.

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and of all the saints; Let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST

For unto Thee belong all glory, honour and worship, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit; now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

PSALM 140 [141]

Tone 1

Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hear me: hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hear me, give ear to the voice of my prayer, when I cry unto Thee, hear me, O Lord.

Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord.

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuse with pretexts for sins.
With men that work iniquity; I shall not join with their chosen.

The righteous shall chasten me with mercy, and reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

For yet shall my prayer be in the presence of their pleasures; their judges have been swallowed up against the rock.

They will hear my words, for they are sweet. As when a lump of earth is broken up upon the ground, so have their bones been scattered at the mouth of Hades.

For mine eyes are unto Thee, Lord, O Lord; in Thee have I hoped; take not away my soul.

Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and from the stumblingblocks of the workers of iniquity.

The sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until that I pass hence.

PSALM 141 [142]

I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make supplication.

I will pour out my supplication before Him; I will show before Him my trouble.

When my spirit was fainting within me, then Thou knewest my paths.

In this way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

I looked on my right hand, and beheld; but there was none that knew me.

Flight failed me, and there is none that watcheth for my soul.

I cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said, Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living.

Attend unto my supplication, for I am brought very low.

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Tone 2.

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy name.

In haste, the council of the Jews assembles, that it may deliver the Creator and Fashioner of all to Pilate. Oh, the transgressors, Oh, the unbelievers; for they make ready to deliver unto judgement him who comes to judge the living and the dead, they prepare for the Passion him who cure the passions. O Longsuffering Lord, great is thy mercy, glory to thee.  

The righteous shall await me, until Thou shalt reward me.

In haste, the council of the Jews assembles, that it may deliver the Creator and Fashioner of all to Pilate. Oh, the transgressors, Oh, the unbelievers; for they make ready to deliver unto judgement him who comes to judge the living and the dead, they prepare for the Passion him who cure the passions. O Longsuffering Lord, great is thy mercy, glory to thee. 

PSALM 129 [130]

Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord. Lord hear my voice.

Judas the transgressor, who, O Lord, dipped his hand with thee in the dish at supper, stretch out his hands to receive the silver, and having reckoned up the value of the myrrh, was not fearful in selling thee who is above all price. He stretched out his feet to be washed, yet deceitfully kissed the Master to betray him to the transgressors. Cast out from the company of the Apostles, and casting away the thirty pieces of silver, he did not see thy Resurrection on the third day, through this thy Resurrection have mercy on us.

Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

 Judas the transgressor, who, O Lord, dipped his hand with thee in the dish at supper, stretch out his hands to receive the silver, and having reckoned up the value of the myrrh, was not fearful in selling thee who is above all price. He stretched out his feet to be washed, yet deceitfully kissed the Master to betray him to the transgressors. Cast out from the company of the Apostles, and casting away the thirty pieces of silver, he did not see thy Resurrection on the third day, through this thy Resurrection have mercy on us.

If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee.

Judas the deceitful traitor, with a deceitful kiss handed over the Lord and Saviour; he sold the Master of all as a slave to the transgressors, and like a sheep to the slaughter, so the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, followed, for he alone is plenteous in mercy.

For Thy name's sake have I waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited for Thy word. My soul hath hoped in the Lord.

Judas the deceitful traitor, with a deceitful kiss handed over the Lord and Saviour; he sold the Master of all as a slave to the transgressors, and like a sheep to the slaughter, so the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, followed, for he alone is plenteous in mercy.

From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, let Israel hope in the Lord.

Judas the servant and deceiver, the disciple and conspirator, the friend and fiend, was revealed by his deeds; for he followed the Master yet inwardly he plotted the betrayal; saying to himself, "I shall deliver him over and gain the money that has been agreed"; he wanted the myrrh to be sold and Jesus to be taken by deceit; he gave a kiss and handed over Christ; and like a sheep to the slaughter so he followed, for he alone is compassionate and the lover of mankind.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Judas the servant and deceiver, the disciple and conspirator, the friend and fiend, was revealed by his deeds; for he followed the Master yet inwardly he plotted the betrayal; saying to himself, "I shall deliver him over and gain the money that has been agreed"; he wanted the myrrh to be sold and Jesus to be taken by deceit; he gave a kiss and handed over Christ; and like a sheep to the slaughter so he followed, for he alone is compassionate and the lover of mankind.

Psalm 116

O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

The Lamb whom Isaiah proclaimed comes willingly to the slaughter, and gives his back to scourges, his cheeks to blows, and turns not away his face from the shame of the spittings; he is condemned to a disgraceful death; he who is without sin accepts all these things willingly, that he may grant to all the resurrection from the dead.

For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.

The Lamb whom Isaiah proclaimed comes willingly to the slaughter, and gives his back to scourges, his cheeks to blows, and turns not away his face from the shame of the spittings; he is condemned to a disgraceful death; he who is without sin accepts all these things willingly, that he may grant to all the resurrection from the dead.

Glory… Now and for ever…

Tone 6

Truly is Judas of the generation of vipers, who ate manna in the wilderness and murmured against him who fed them, for while the food was still in their mouths, they ungratefully spoke against God, so also the impious Judas, still bearing in his mouth the heavenly Bread, went and betrayed the Saviour. O insatiable passion and inhumane boldness! He sold him who nourished him and delivered to death the Master whom he kissed; truly the transgressor is their son, and with them he has inherited destruction. But spare, O Lord, our souls from such inhumanity, O thou who alone art boundless in long-suffering.

The Deacon and Priest holding the Holy Gospel  shall now exit the Sanctuary by the North door and make the Little Entrance.

DEACON: Let us pray unto the Lord.

PRIEST

Evening, and morning, and at noon we praise Thee, we bless Thee, we give thanks unto Thee, and we pray unto Thee, O Master of all: Let our prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and incline not our hearts to any evil thing. But keep us from all who would lay a snare for our souls; For our eyes wait upon Thee, O Lord. In Thee, O Lord, is our trust. Confound us not, O God.

For unto Thee belong all glory, honour and worship, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

DEACON: Master, bless the Holy Entrance.

PRIEST

Blessed is the entrance into the holiest, always, now and for ever: world without end.

DEACON: Amen. Wisdom. Stand steadfast.

CHOIR

O Gladsome light of the holy glory, of the Immortal Father, heavenly, holy, blessed, Jesus Christ. As we approach the setting of the sun, and see the evening light, we hymn Thee, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, God.

Meet it is at all times for Thee to be praised by righteous voices, O Son of God, the Giver of life. Wherefore the world glorifies Thee.

DEACON: Evening

READER: Prokhimenon Tone 1 Psalm 139

Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man.

Verse: Who imagine mischief in their hearts.

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The reading is from Exodus.

DEACON: Let us give heed.

READER

Chap. 19: 10-19

The Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest down, do thou solemnly testify unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes; and let them be ready against the third day: for on the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. And thou shall separate the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, nor touch any part of it: every one that toucheth the mount shall surely die. There shall not an hand touch it, for he shall be stoned with stones, or shot through with a dart; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the voices and trumpets and cloud depart from off the mount, they shall come up to the mount. And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified them; and they washed their clothes. And he said unto the people, Be ready; for three days come not near a woman. And it came to pass on the third day, as it was toward the dawning of the day, that there were voices, and lightnings, and a dark cloud upon mount Sinai: the voice of the trumpet sounded loud, and all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses led forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood by under the mount. Now the mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke ascended as the smoke of a furnace; and the people were exceeding astonished. And the sounds of the trumpet waxed louder and louder. Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.

Prokhimenon Tone 7 Psalm 58

Deliver me from mine enemies, O God.

Verse: Deliver me from them that work iniquity.

The reading is from Job.

DEACON: Wisdom. Let us give heed.

READER

Chap. 38:1-21, 42:1-5

The Lord spake unto Job through the whirlwind and clouds, saying, Who is this that hideth counsel from Me, and layeth up words in his heart, and thinketh to conceal them from Me? Gird up thy loins like a man; and I will ask thee, and answer thou Me. Where wast thou when I founded the earth? tell Me now, if thou hast knowledge, who set the measures of it, if thou knowest? or who stretched a line upon it? Whereupon are the rings thereof fastened? and who is He that laid the cornerstone thereon? When the stars were made, all Mine angels praised Me with a loud voice. And I shut up the sea with gates, when it brake forth, issuing out of her mother’s womb. And I made a cloud the garment thereof, and swathed it in mist. And I set bounds to it, surrounding it with bars and gates. And I said unto it, Hitherto shalt thou come, but thou shalt not go beyond, but thy waves shall be confined within thee. Or did I order the morning light in thy time; and did the morning star then first see his appointed place; to lay hold upon the extremities of the earth, to cast out the ungodly out of it? Or didst thou take clay of the ground, and form a living creature, and set him with the power of speech upon the earth? And hast thou withholden light from the ungodly, and crushed the arm of the proud? Or hast thou gone unto the source of the sea, and walked in the tracks of the deep? And do the gates of death open unto thee for fear; and did the porters of Hades quake when they saw thee? And hast thou been instructed in the breadth of the whole earth under heaven? tell Me now, what is the extent thereof? And in what kind of a land doth the light dwell? and of what kind is the place of darkness? If thou couldest bring Me unto their uttermost boundaries, and if also thou knewest their paths; I know then that thou wert born at that time, and the number of thy years is great. Then Job answered and said unto the Lord, I know that Thou canst do all things, and nothing is impossible with Thee. For who is he that hideth counsel from Thee? or who keepeth back his words, and thinketh to hide them from Thee? and who shall tell me what I knew not, great and wonderful things, which I understood not? But hear me, O Lord, that I may also speak: and I will ask Thee, and do Thou teach me. I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye hath seen Thee.

The reading is from Isaiah.

DEACON: Wisdom. Let us give heed.

READER

Chap. 50:4-11

The Lord giveth me the tongue of instruction, to know when it is fitting to speak a word: He hath appointed it for me early in the morning, He hath given me an ear to hear: and the instruction of the Lord, even the Lord, openeth mine ears, and I do not disobey nor dispute. I gave my back to scourges, and my cheeks to blows; and I turned not my face away from the shame of spitting: but the Lord God was mine helper; therefore I was not ashamed, for He that hath justified me draweth near; who is he that pleadeth with me? Let him draw nigh unto me. Behold, the Lord, even the Lord, will help me; who will hurt me? Behold, all ye shall wax old as a garment, and a moth shall devour you. Who is among you that feareth the Lord? let him hearken to the voice of His servant: ye that walk in darkness, and have no light, trust in the Lord, and stay upon God. Behold, all ye kindle a fire, and feed a flame: walk in the light of your fire, and in the flame which ye have kindled. This came upon you for my sake; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

DEACON: Let us pray unto the Lord.

PRIEST

O Holy God, who restest in the holies; unto whom the seraphim sing the thriceholy song; whom the cherubim glorify, and all the heavenly hosts adore; who didst bring into being all that exists; who didst create man in Thine image and likeness, and didst adorn him with Thine every gift; who givest wisdom and understanding to him that asketh, and art not wroth with the sinner, but dost grant repentance to salvation; who hast deemed us, Thine humble and unmeritable servants, worthy at this hour to stand before the glory of Thy Holy Altar, to bring unto Thee rightful worship and praise: accept, O Master, from the mouths of us sinners the thriceholy hymn, and visit us with Thy goodness. Pardon our offences, voluntary and involuntary. Sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant us to serve Thee in holiness, all the days of our life. By the prayers of the Mother of God, and of all the saints, which have been well pleasing unto Thee since the world began.

For Thou our God art holy, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and for ever:

DEACON: And world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

O Holy God, holy and Strong, holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us. [3]

Glory be to the father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.

PRIEST: Power.

CHOIR: O Holy God, holy and Strong, holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.

READER: Prokhimenon: Tone 7. [Psalm 2]
The rulers took counsel together, against the Lord, and against his Anointed,

DEACON: Let us attend.

READER

Verse: Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

DEACON: Let us attend.

READER

1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Brethren, I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Alleluia [3]. Tone 6. [Psalm 40]

Verse: Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy.

Verse: Mine enemies have spoken evil of me, saying, when shall he die, and his name perish?
Verse: He which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

PRIEST: Wisdom. Stand steadfast. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.

Peace unto all.

CHOIR: And unto thy spirit.

DEACON: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

PRIEST: Let us give heed.

CHOIR: Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

DEACON:

Matthew 26:2-20, John 13:3-17, Matthew 26:21-39,Luke 22:43-45, Matthew 26:40-27:2

The Lord said unto his disciples: Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people. Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto  him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

CHOIR: Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee.  

Then follows the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.

Instead of the Cherubic Hymn we sing "Of thy Mystical Supper..." At the words "nor will I give Thee a kiss like Judas" the Great Entrance takes place and after the Entrance the left choir will continue the hymn from "but like the thief..."

At the "More especially our most holy and undefiled..." we sing "Hail, thou who art full of grace..."

Communion Hymn: "Of Thy mystical supper..."

Instead of "We have seen the true light..." we sing: "Of Thy mystical supper..."

Tone 6

Of Thy mystical supper, O Son of God, accept me this day as a partaker; for I will not speak of the mystery to Thine enemies, nor will I give Thee a kiss like Judas; but like the thief I will acknowledge Thee: remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom.

 

Dismissal

May He who through his immeasurable goodness didst reveal humility as a way of excellence when He washed the Disciple's feet, and didst for our sakes willingly condescend to the Cross and death, Christ our true God, by the prayers of His most holy Mother; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protection of the heavenly bodiless hosts; through the supplications of the glorious Prophet and Forerunner, John the Baptist; of the holy and all-glorious Apostles; of the holy, glorious and triumphant martyrs; of our holy God-bearing fathers; of [Name of the saint to whom the Church is dedicated]; of the holy and righteous progenitors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints, have mercy upon us, and save our souls: For He is good and loving-kind.      

By the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

CHOIR: Amen.