Saturday Before Meatfare

Great Vespers: 18^th Kathisma;

Lord, I have cried, Tone 1, on 6: Octoechos, Tone 1 (Martyrs, See Lenten Triodion, pp. 142-9); 3; Triodion 3(O ye faithful, remembering); G: Triodion (I lament and weep); N: Dogmatic Theotokion, Tone 1 (Let us hymn the Virgin Mary).

No Entrance; In place of Prokimenon, Alleluia, Tone 8 with verses for the departed (Verse 1: Their souls shall dwell among good things & Verse 2: Blessed are thy whom Thou hast chosen and taken to Thyself, O Lord. Their memorial is from generation to generation).

Vouchsafe, O Lord; Litany: Let us complete our evening prayer.

Aposticha: Octoechos, Tone 1 (Martyrs: 1; Departed: 2 – See Lenten Triodion, pp. 142-9); G: Triodion (Thy creative ordinance); N: Theotokion from the Triodion (At the intercessions of the Mother).

Troparia: Tone 8, O Thou Who by the depth of Thy wisdom; G/N: Theotokion (In thee we have a wall and a haven).

Litany: Have mercy on us, O God; Dismissal

Matins: Usual beginning

In place of God is the Lord, we sing Alleluia, Tone 8 with verses for the departed; then Troparia, Tone 8: O Thou Who by the depth of Thy wisdom x2; G/N In thee we have a wall and a haven.

16^th Kathisma. Small litany (usual, not for the departed). Sessional Hymns from the Octoechos, Tone 1

After the 16^th Kathisma, small litany, followed by the sessional hymns of the martyrs, Tone 1 (from the Octoechos or the Lenten Triodion Supplementary Text);

Choir: Lord, have mercy x3; Glory; Reader: Both now; and he begins the first half of the 17^th Kathisma, with the refrain Blessed art Thou, O Lord, sung slowly, softly, and repeatedly, by the choir, while this is read. The last two verses (If Thy law had not been; & I will never forget Thy statutes) are sung thrice by the choir. Small Litany (for the departed); Priest: Let us pray to the Lord; Choir: Lord, have mercy (40 times); Exclamation; Amen.

The second half of the 17^th Kathisma is read, with the refrain Save me, O Savior, sung while this is read, as above. Last two verses (My soul shall live; & I have gone astray) are sung thrice.

Then immediately, the choir sings the Evlogitaria of the Departed (Blessed art Thou, O Lord; The choir of the saints; and the rest). Small Litany (departed). Sessional Hymn (Give rest, O our Savior); G/N Theotokion (O Christ God, Who didst shine forth); Psalm 50.

Canon: Temple 6,

Triodion 8, Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy departed servants.

Irmos of the Temple; Katavasia from the Triodion: O ye people, let us raise a song.

After Ode 3, Small Litany (usual) and sessional hymns from the Triodion (O Savior, who for our sakes); After Ode 6, Small Litany (departed), Kontakion (With the saints give rest) and Ikos; At Ode 9, More Honorable; After ode 9: Small Litany (usual)

Exapostilaria from the Triodion: O Thou who hast Authority; G: Give rest to Thy servants; N: O Mary, Bride of God.

Praises, (all the verses are read, down to Praise Him for His mighty acts), on 4: Triodion 4 (Come, brethren); G: Triodion (As a flower withers); N: Theotokion in the Triodion (Rejoice Mary Theotokos, temple); Small Doxology is read; Litany: Let us complete our morning prayer.

Aposticha: Octoechos 4 (stichera and verses from the Octoechos in the tone of the week, also found in the Lenten Triodion Supplementary Text); G: Triodion (In days of old in Eden); N: Theotokion from Triodion (Thou art our God).

It is good to give praise x1; Trisagion prayers; Troparia: O Thou Who by the depth of Thy wisdom; G/N: In thee we have a wall and a haven.

Augmented Litany; First Hour; and Dismissal

The Hours: Troparion and Kontakion from the Triodion

Liturgy: Beatitudes on 8: Triodion: 4, from Ode 3; Triodion: 4, from Ode 6.

After the entrance: Troparion: O Thou Who by the depth of Thy wisdom; G: Kontakion: With the saints; N: In thee we have a wall and a haven.

Prokimenon for the departed, Tone 6: Their souls shall dwell among good things.

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 10:23-28 (§146) & 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 (§270)

Alleluia: Tone 6

Gospel: Luke 21:8-9,25-27,33-36 (§105) & John 5:24-30 (§16)

Communion verse: Blessed are they whom Thou hast chosen and hast taken to Thyself, O Lord, and their memorial is unto generation and generation.

After the Liturgy: A general Pannikhida for all Orthodox Christians is served.