Verse: Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name.
Ye brethren, as we fast in body, let us also fast in spirit. Let us loose all bonds of iniquity; let us undo the knots of covenants of violence. Let us tear up all unjust contracts; let us give bread to the hungry; and let us welcome to our house the beggar that hath no shelter, that we may receive great mercy from Christ God.
Verse: The righteous shall wait for me, until thou recompense me. (Repeat the above idiomelon)
Verse: Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
If there be any virtue and if there be any praise, rightly are these things ascribed to the Saints; for they bowed their necks beneath the sword for thee who didst bow the heavens and come down; their blood they shed for thee who didst empty thyself and didst take the form of a servant; they humbled themselves unto death, imitating thy poverty. By their prayers have mercy on us, O Lord, according to the multitude of thy compassions.
Verse: Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
Ye were beamed forth to all the world as streams of brilliant lightning, * O Apostles, ye eyewitnesses of God, * having been sent out by Jesus the true noetic Sun; * and the dark of error hath he dispersed * by the bright splendor * of your divine preaching; * and he hath granted light unto those who are held fast in * the evil gloom of ignorance. * Thus supplicate ye him for us, * that he also may send forth enlightenment * and great mercy unto us.
Verse: If thou, O Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? for with thee there is forgiveness.
Lo, Elias the virtuous rode in the divine chariot, * being made splendid by fasting, * and was borne to the heights of heaven. * Do thou eagerly imitate him, my humble soul, and, fasting, * do thou abstain from every evil * and all jealous quarreling; * let all luxury wither, and with it lust for pleasure. * So shalt thou flee the grievous pains * and the unending agony * of Gehenna, as thou criest unto Christ: * Glory be to thee, O Lord.
Verse: Because of thy name have I waited for thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
Divine Apostles, fervent intercessors for the world, * O ye that do ever defend the Orthodox, * and have the pow'r of boldness before Christ our God, * O all-revered ones, we beseech you: * Make ye intercession and beg ye in our behalf * that without hindrance we may keep * and may bring unto fulfillment * the good and holy season of the Fast, * and that we may receive grace, * the grace of the consubstantial Trinity. * O ye great preachers and proclaimers, greatly glorified, * lift ye prayers up in intercession, * making fervent entreaty in behalf of our souls.
Verse: From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord.
The first sticheron for the commemoration of the day is chanted from the Menaion.
Verse: For with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is abundant redemption, and he will deliver Israel from all his iniquity.
The first sticheron for the commemoration of the day from the Menaion is repeated.
Verse: Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise him, all ye peoples.
The second sticheron for the commemoration of the day is chanted from the Menaion.
Verse: For his mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.
The second sticheron for the commemoration of the day is chanted from the Menaion.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Theotokion is chanted from the Menaion.