East Syrian Daily Offices (Maclean translation)

East Syrian Daily Offices (Maclean translation)

continued

Compline

1 HULALA 3 (Ps. xxii. to xxx. inclusive). Prayer. For thy nature, page 95. Ps. lxxxviii. No Gloria or farcing. Prayer. Thee, who art hidden in thy being, page 160. Ps. xc. No Gloria or farcing. Prayer. Thee, who art hidden from all, page 159. Ps. cxxx. and cxliii. No Gloria or farcing. Prayer. Thee, who dost form us in thy lovingkindness, and dost cause us to die in thy justice, and dost quicken us in the overflowing multitude of thy mercy, we confess, worship, and glorify, at all times, Lord of all, etc. He says one of the ANTHEMS OF THE DEPARTED (pp. 190 sqq.). Prayer. May thy compassion, O my Lord, rise before us, and may thy lovingkindness pardon our sins, and may the everlasting mercies of thy glorious Trinity come to the assistance of thy worshippers who call (on thee) and beseech thee, at all times, Lord of all, etc.

2 CANON: to the tune God is worshipped. Bow down thine ear, O Lord, and answer me. In that thy judgment, O Greatest of judges. When thy justice hath dominion over all. May thy compassion intercede for us. And thy lovingkindness stand before us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. At the door of thy mercies, O our Lord Jesus. Thy servants knock, beseeching. And asking of thee compassion, and mercies, and forgiveness of trespasses. Return answer to them when they pray.* By the prayer of Mary the blessed mother, and John, who baptized his Lord. The apostles, who made disciples of all nations, and the teachers, who preached the truth. And the martyrs, who endured all afflictions, for the love of Christ the King. May thy worshippers be preserved. TISHBUKHTA. At that hour when thy judgment-seat instituted the searching. Enter not, O Lord, into judgment with thy servants. At that hour when thy will visiteth them that have lain down. Cast us not out, O Lord, into outer darkness. O Christ, who forsakest not any who cry to thee. In thy mercy reject not the request of thy worshippers.

3 The deacon says the KARUZUTHA. Let us all stand up, etc. (page 6). O Living one, who didst descend among the dead, and didst preach a good hope to the souls that were held in Sheol, we, etc. O thou by whose wounds our scars have been healed, and who by thy death didst slay the Slayer, we, etc. O, thou at whose passion the lights (of heaven) were darkened, and all creatures clothed themselves with weeping and sorrow, we, etc. O thou at whose crucifixion the spiritual beings groaned, when the will of thy Father restrained them, that they should not destroy them that crucified thee, we, etc. O thou who by thy death didst burst the graves, and didst quicken the dead, to reprove them that crucified thee, we, etc. O thou who didst mingle thy blood with our blood, and didst redeem our trespasses with the sacrifice of thyself on Golgotha, we, etc.

4 For the welfare of our holy fathers NN, and all those who serve under them, we, etc. O merciful God, who in mercy governest all, we, etc. O thou whom the angels of light glorified in heaven at thy death, and at whose slaying the earth was sad, and in whose resurrection it rejoiced, we, etc. O thou good Shepherd, who didst give up thy life for thy sheep, and didst save them from death by thy blood, save, O my Lord, our life from the Evil one, and have mercy upon us. Prayer. Forgive, O my Lord, our trespasses in thy compassion, wipe out our offences and make them to pass away in the overflowing multitude of thy mercy, O thou who forgivest trespasses and sins, Lord of all, etc. Another. Blessed and adorable, page 153. He says the MADRASHA (pp. 192 sqq.). Prayer. Thee, the Quickener of the dead, and the good Hope of them that are buried, we confess, and worship, and glorify, at all times, Lord of all, etc.

5 Ps. xci., forced alternately, after each clause, with Protect me, O God, and From the Evil one and his hosts. No Gloria. Ps. cl. and cxvii., both forced after each clause with Glory be to thee, O God. They say, Glory be to the Father, etc.* Glory be to thee, O God. From everlasting to everlasting, Amen.* Glory be to thee, O God. TISHBUKHTA. Glory to thee, O my Lord, page 221. Prayer. Thee, O Giver of our life, and good Hope of our souls, we confess, and worship, and glorify, at all seasons and times, Lord of all, etc. Ps. cxxi., forced after each clause with Preserve me, O God. No Gloria. TISHBUKHTA. Glory be to thee, O God, page 215. Prayer. May the mercies, O my Lord, which formed me without entreaty, beg and beseech for me of thy justice in the great and glorious day when thy greatness is revealed from heaven, O just Judge, who art full of mercy, and who forgivest trespasses and sins, Lord of our death and of our life, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for ever. Amen.

6 Ps. li., forced alternately, after each clause, with O Christ the King, have mercy upon us, and O Christ the King, glory to thy Name. (In the last clause substitute offerings for young bullocks.) Then, O be favourable and gracious unto my miserable soul. O Christ the King, have, etc. And build thou its walls, which have been thrown down and have fallen by wickedness and sin. O Christ the King, glory, etc. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, and with perfect burnt-offerings. O Christ the King, have, etc. And then shall they lift up to thee the fruits of glory and praise. O Christ the King, glory, etc. Glory be, etc. O Christ the King, have, etc. From everlasting, etc. O Christ the King, glory, etc. Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy lovingkindness. O Christ the King, have, etc. And according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences. O Christ the King, glory, etc.

7 TISHBUKHTA. O Christ, who in thy mercies hast compassion on sinners. Turn to the prayer of thy weak servants. And as thou hast kept us in the day which is past. May thy lovingkindness keep us in the night which is full of terror. And drive away from us the Evil one, our Enemy. And may thy cross be a wall to our souls. And waken us when we sleep in the multitude of thy compassion. That we may stand and glorify thee, who in thy goodness dost preserve us. Let us kneel and worship thee. For ever and ever, Amen. They proceed. In thy cross I have taken refuge, O our Saviour. Under its wings protect me from the Evil one and his host. With the publican we ask mercy. Have compassion on us, and have mercy upon us. O our Lord, with thy right hand overthrow Satan. Who maketh (men) drunken without wine, and causeth them to slip without mud. At thy hands, O God, whose mercies are manifold. May our correction be, and not at the hands of man. O Christ, who forsakest not any who call to thee. In thy mercies reject not the request of thy worshippers.

8 TISHBUKHTA by the holy Mar Ephraim. Grant me, O my Lord, that if I wake. I may stand watchfully before thee. And that if I lie down. My sleep may be without sin. And if I grow slothful in watching. May I be pardoned by thy lovingkindness. And if I sin in lying down. May thy compassion forgive me. And by the cross of thy humiliation. Grant me restful sleep. And deliver me from evil dreams. And from abominable phantoms.1* And in peaceful sleep. Lead me all the night. And let not the Evil ones have dominion over me. And thoughts full of wickedness. And from hateful desires. May I be delivered by thy body with which thou hast fed me. And may I lie down and rest in quietness. And may sleep be my preserver. And make the wall of thy mercies to surround. The soul which is thy image. And may thy right hand overshadow. The body which thy hands have fashioned. And surround me with the wall of thy mercies. As with a mighty shield. That when (my) body is at rest and in quiet. Thy power may be its preserver. And as the fragrance of incense. May my sleep be before thy greatness. And let not the Evil one approach my bed. By the supplication of her who bare thee. And by thy sacrifice for us. Stay Satan, that he harm us not. And fulfil in me thy promise. And by thy cross preserve my life. That when I wake I may confess thee. For that thou hast shown thy love to my feebleness. And that I may lift up glory to thee and to thy Father. And to the Holy Ghost who sanctifieth.* Both now and always. For ever and ever.

9 They say, Holy God (p. 10), and Our Father. Prayer. May thy living and life-giving voice, O my Lord, which called and raised Lazarus unto a resurrection for a season, call and raise thy servants (to be) on thy right hand, in the great and glorious day when thy justice is revealed from heaven, O just Judge, who art full of mercy, and who forgivest trespasses and sins, Lord of all, etc. Another. Quicken them that have fallen asleep, in thy compassion, and preserve them that are alive, in the overflowing abundance of thy mercy; and grant a good resurrection to the departed who have fallen asleep in the hope of the quickening, that they may lift up to thee praise, and honour, and confession, and worship, at all times, Lord of all, etc. Or this. Be with us, O my Lord, continually, in thy mercies, and lead us according to the goodwill of thy God-head, and protect and help our life under the wings of thy care; and save and rescue our bodies and our souls from the Evil one and his hosts, at all seasons and times, Lord of all, etc.

10 Then follow the prayers for help, and the rest, page 16.

Anthems of the Departed and Madrashi at Compline — SUNDAY

11 Bow down thine ear, O Lord, and answer me. O Christ the Ps. lxxxvi. 1. Son, who didst come for our salvation. That thou mightest renew the image of Adam which was destroyed. And didst put on our flesh, and in it didst save our race. And didst give us a good expectation of the resurrection of the dead. In thy lovingkindness pardon thy servants in the day of thy coming. For thy lovingkindness, O God. In thy lovingkindness thou didst create our race in the beginning. And didst clothe it with excellent glory in Paradise. And because it did foolishly, and sinned and fell from glory. Thou didst send thy beloved Son to us. And he gave us in his compassion the promised life which hath no end. For I put my trust in thee. In the abundance of thy mercy Ps. xxxi. 16. I put my trust. O God, and beseech thy loving-kindness. Give me in thy mercies forgiveness

12 of (my) trespasses. By which I offend before thee. And (may) peace and tranquillity lead me all (my) days. Give ear, Lord, unto my prayer. At the time when thou callest the dead from the graves. That thou mayest pay to every man according to his deeds. The books are opened to bear witness to (men's) works. And he that openeth (his) mouth fleeth, and is hidden. Let thy mercies pity thy servant, that he may not utterly perish. Until thou have mercy upon us. At the door of thy mercy I knocked. That I might enter, but thy justice answereth me not. In thy mercies have pity on me, for as the prophet I cry. That if thou judgest justly, O my God. Our humanity cannot be justified in the terrible judgment. Let us go before him with praise. Let us all offer praise to God. In the memorial of Mary, the mother of Christ. And in her name let us take refuge, that we may receive help. And by her prayers may our congregation be preserved from the harm (wrought by) the Apostate. Who hateth our nature.

13 Seek the Lord and be strong. O saints, prophets, apostles, and teachers. And confessors, and martyrs, and priests, and monks. Beseech for us all of Christ, who gave you the victory. That by your prayers we may receive from his treasury. An answer to all our petitions in the way that may best help us. Glory be, etc. Glory to thee, Jesus, our victorious King. Who by thy cross hast saved our race from error. May thy great power renew our nature. And may death be brought to naught, and the quickening reign. And may we be worthy of mercies by thy will, O King the Quicken. From everlasting, etc. O Compassionate one, whose door is open to the penitent. And who careth that sinners should repent. Pardon my trespasses and make my offences to pass away. And grant and vouchsafe that I may inherit the kingdom. In the great day when thou comest with all thy saints.

14 MADRASHA. Antiphon. O just Judge, who hast no respect of persons. Make me worthy in thy mercies to see thee in the day of judgment. Verses. O thou who helpest me, and art full of mercies, have compassion on me when I am lost. And grant me to have a share among the companies of the saints.* In lovingkindness thou hast fashioned our dust, and hast called us thine image. In thy mercies mingle our lives with the life which endeth not.

MONDAY

15 Praise the Lord, O ye righteous. The souls of the righteous are in the hands of the Lord. For they loved him, and believed him, and kept his commandments. O glorify him with a new song of praise. Because thou didst please Christ, he hath taken thee from the world. That thou mightest go and have joy in the bridechamber of the kingdom. God is my hope, even from my youth. My hope from my youth is he who quickeneth me. That in the day of thy coming I may stand and confess thee. These pass away, but thou endurest. This world now passeth away. Come, let us beg for mercies and forgiveness of trespasses. Both behind and before. All generations and families of the house of Adam. Look to, and wait for the Epiphany of thy coming. Both small and great. Lo, all the departed have lain down in thy hope. That by thy glorious resurrection thou mayest raise them in glory.

16 O hear ye this, all ye peoples. Adam among the dead was made subject to death. For eating of the tree took away his independence of it. He lifted up his voice, and the earth was moved. the dead heard a voice saying. Be of good courage, for the penalty is taken away by the Son. Blessed is he in whom thou art well pleased. whose countenance shineth. In the hour when the judgment seat of the kingdom is set. All ye servants of God. Famous priests and Pray for me, that I may go (hence) and be accepted. Turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me. when thy judgment seat is set for the searching. Enter not into judgment, O Lord, with thy servants. And show some token upon me for good. In that hour when thy will visiteth them that have lain down. Cast us not out, O Lord, into outer darkness.

17 Open me the gates of righteousness. O Gate of truth, which art open to them that are lost. Call us to enter into thy treasury above. Unto the godly hath shone forth a light in the darkness. Make thy light, O our Lord, to dwell in our souls. And bring to nought among us the wars of the Crafty one. By day and by night. May the prayer of the Virgin be a wall to us. And drive away from us the wars of the Crafty one. Seek the Lord and be strengthened. Prophets and apostles and martyrs and teachers. Seek of God mercies for the world. At all seasons and times. O our holy father, beseech Christ. That he may make his peace to dwell in the four quarters (of the world). Beg of the Lord, and pray before him. Ask of thy Lord for us, O martyr George. Compassion and mercies and forgiveness of trespasses.

18 Adam among Ps. xlvi. 6. Blessed is he holy nation. Ps. lxvi. 14. At that hour Ps. xxv. 15. Ps. lxxxvi. 17. Ps. cxviii. 19. Ps. cxii. 4. Ps. xlii. 3. Ps. cv. 4. Ps. xxxvii. 7. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Praise to thee, Jesus our Saviour. For death is in thy hands, and life at thy will. MADRASHA. Antiphon. May our Lord, whose cross thou didst confess. Give rest to thy spirit, O our brother. And when he cometh in great glory. May he give thee joy with him in the kingdom. Verses. O our brother, go thou in peace. May our Lord be with thee. May the cherub who keepeth Paradise. Open the door before thee.* In the service wherein I have served with you. Let not my love be forgotten by your love. And when ye stand in the sanctuary. Remember me in prayer.

Tuesday

19 O Lord God of my salvation. O Lord God, the Lord of death and mortality. May thy sweet Spirit lead me. In the way of life. When thou comest in thy kingdom. I will alway bless the Lord. Blessed is Christ, who descended and tasted death. And gave us his body and his blood. And gave life to Adam. And saved his children by his cross. Ascribe ye praise unto God. The children of Adam lauded the Son with hosannas. And with voices of praise. Glorified him and sang to him. For he is the Quickener of our departed. And I have stretched forth my hands unto thee. Grant and vouchsafe to me that in the day when thy mercies shine forth. I may go forth to meet thee with hosannas. And with all thy saints. Make me worthy to inherit the kingdom. He lifted up his voice, and the earth was moved. O Voice, which saidst to the sinful woman, Thy trespasses are forgiven. Forgive me my trespasses in thy judgment. That I may stand and confess thee. With the just who were approved before thee.

20 How good and beautiful. The Voice, which called Lazarus from the grave. Calleth thee and quickeneth thee. And placeth thee at his right hand. In the day when his greatness shineth forth. Ps. cxxxiii. 1. Thou hast brought me down to the lowest pit. Death hath brought me and cast me into devouring Sheol. And hath caused me to tremble exceedingly. Ps. lxxxviii. 5. And hath terrified my mind. And hath separated (my) soul from (my) body. As the embers of an oak tree. Bitter is death, and dire is the day of departure. Which divideth brother from brother. And parents also. From speech with their loved ones. Both small and great. Pray for me, all ye my friends and beloved ones. That I may be worthy of Abraham's bosom. And with Lazarus. Have joy there in the kingdom. Ps. cxv. 13. VERSE OF PRAYER. And sinners shall be converted unto thee. Pardon and save all sinners. For thou art merciful and canst forgive trespasses. And takest away the offences of the sons of men. Who come to thee in repentance. Ps. li. 13.

21 Glory be, etc. O Mary, the holy Virgin, mother of Jesus our Saviour. Beseech and beg for mercies for sinners that they perish not. For they take refuge in thy prayers. May thy prayer be a wall to us in this world and in that which is to come. From everlasting, etc. By the prayer of the just, who propitiated thee, and the righteous, who were approved before thee. The prophets, and apostles, and teachers, and martyrs, and priests and monks. Keep the congregation of thy worshippers, that they may lift up to thee a new (song of) glory. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. MADRASHA. Antiphon. Blessed is he, who, in (his) loving-kindness, created our nature in the beginning. And in his love accomplished our renewal in the end of times. Verses. Remain in peace, O habitation which is but for a season, (and is) full of distresses. For lo, the weight of my trespasses hindereth me from the kingdom.* In the morning when all creatures rise for the searching of the judgment. Let me not be confounded, O my Lord, (but let me stand) among the congregations that are clothed with light.

Wednesday

22 From this time forth for evermore. Remain in peace, O habitation which is but for a season. Which cannot save them that possess it. For I will depart and see the country of light. Where the just who have laboured, do dwell. For there is no salvation in his hand. Remain in peace, O transitory world. Whose pride cometh to nought, and whose glory vanisheth away. For I will depart and see the city of the just. Jerusalem which is above. And all my bones shall say. Blessed is thy day, O Son of the Lord of all. Who comest and rendest the bosom of Sheol. Glorious is thy quickening, which is looked for. By the generations who have passed away, and (by those) which remain. They pass away, but thou abidest. Lo, this world passeth away. And all its desires come to nought. And blessed is he who hath prepared for himself. Provision for the world which passeth not away.

23 Praise him with the voice and with crying. At the sound of the horn and of the trumpet. All the departed rise. And lift up glory to the Father, and to the Son. And to the Holy Ghost, for he quickeneth us. Both small and great. All men tread the way of death. And not even the just remain behind. And each of them runneth that he may obtain. According to his deeds in this world. My lovers and my neighbours did stand looking upon my trouble. My lovers have left me, and have gone far from me. And also my possessions have remained for others. And my trespasses alone surround me. And (their) penalty maketh me tremble. The hope of all the ends of the earth. We have no hope in which we can boast. But thy cross which pardoneth our trespasses. For it is a high wall to us. And delivereth us from harm.

24 Excellency and glory are before him. In the day when Christ the King shineth forth. He giveth life to the dead and changeth the living. And the just fly to meet him in the air. Pray for me that I may be with them. And I sought him, but I found him not. I saw that the world faded away and perished. Through this wickedness which reigned in it. And I ran and took refuge. In the living cross of the Son of the Lord of all. From this time forth for evermore. Remain in peace, my brethren and my companions. Our Lord re-compense (you) with a reward for your love. And when ye stand in the sanctuary. Remember me in your prayers. Glory be, etc. The archangel flew and came down. To the holy one, the daughter of David. And gave her the message by which was typified. Peace and tranquillity to the race of man.

25 From everlasting, etc. May the prayers of the apostles, who were blessed fountains. In the thirsty and distressed world. And who gave the world to drink of a spiritual drink. Be a wall to our race. MADRASHA. Antiphon. Glory to the voice which cried on the tree. And took away the penalty of the transgression of the commandment. Verses. May that voice which called Lazarus call thee. And make thee to dwell in the country where the just dwell.* May the voice of the horn call thee, May the trumpet waken thee. May the Holy Ghost join thee to the ranks of the Saints.

Thursday

26 Unto thee, O Lord, I lifted up my soul. O Christ the King, our Saviour. In the day of thy coming quicken us. And raise us to thy right hand. In the day when thy greatness shineth forth. O God, in thee have I trusted, let me not be confounded. We venerate thy cross, O my Lord. By which we are raised and quickened. And by which our departed are quickened. And their bodies are clothed with glory. Such as are gentle, them doth he learn his way. Lo, in the prophets is our quickening. And in the apostles our recompense. And in the gospel of our Lord is the way. Which leadeth to the kingdom. He lifted up his voice, and the earth was moved. The voice of the Son quickeneth. Adam, who lay in sorrow. And instead of the promised land. Giveth him a bride-chamber on high for an inheritance.

27 How good and beautiful. The voice, which called Lazarus. And the maiden, the daughter of Jairus. Calleth and quickeneth thee. And placeth thee at his right hand. Mine eyes have looked for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. Mine eyes have looked for thy salvation. And the word of thy righteousness. Leave thou me not in Sheol. O thou good Hope of them that are in the graves. And let my soul be joyful in God. And let my soul be joyful in God. And have pleasure in his salvation. And all my bones shall say. Lord, in thy lovingkindness give me life. Because I am in trouble answer me speedily. Because I am in trouble answer me speedily. Bring my soul near to thy salvation. When I have lain down, may thy voice awaken me. From the grave (to enter) the kingdom. Ps. lxix. 18. They shall rejoice and sing. May the bodies of the departed, who have clothed themselves with thee, O our Lord. In the waters of baptism. Be made clean by thee. From the stains of sin. Ps. lxv. 14.

28 Let them be glad in his joy. To the departed, who have eaten thy body. And have had joy in thy living blood. Grant, O our Lord, memorials. In the land where the just dwell. Ps. lxviii. 3. The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine. Both worlds are thine, O my Lord. This world and that hereafter alike. Preserve the living in thy compassion. And grant a quickening to the dead. Ps. lxxxix. 12. The Lord is faithful in his words. May our departed, O my Lord. Who have confessed thy Trinity. Receive the promise which the robber. Received from thee on Golgotha. Ps. cxlv. 13, Syr. Fear hath fallen upon me. It is not an (earthly) judgment that I fear. Nor am I troubled that I have fallen asleep. But I fear thy judgment, O my Lord. For God judgeth by fire. Ps. lv. 5. VERSES OF PRAYER. O Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed. In dire sickness of body. Am I tormented, O Lord. Heal my pain in thy compassion. As (thou didst heal) just Hezekiah. On whom the prophet placed a cake of figs and he was healed. So place on me, O my Lord, the medicine of thy mercies. Ps. vi. 2.

29 Give ear to my words and receive (them). As the censer which Aaron offered. May the savour of our assembly please thee. And as the request of the Ninevites. Receive the prayer of thy servants, O my Lord. And as thou didst answer Daniel in the pit. Answer, O my Lord, and help thy worshippers. Glory be, etc. Blessed art thou, O holy Virgin. Blessed art thou, Mother of Christ. Blessed art thou, whom all generations. And peoples call blessed. And because of thy Child thy name is exalted in creation. As the prophet said. From everlasting, etc. By the prayer of the just, who propitiated thee. O Christ our King and our Lifegiver. Rescue thy Church from the evil ones. And preserve her children by thy cross. And bring to nought in her wars, and strifes, and divisions. For she hath been bought by thy living blood. MADRASHA: to the tune Blessed is he who in lovingkindness. Antiphon. Flee from the world, flee from its riches, and also from its wickedness. And look and find out how bitter is the way of death. Verses. Look on me, my brethren (and see), that though I have run my course and have worked. Yet lo, I depart, and none of my possessions have accompanied me.* The wealth of the world saveth not the race of men. And not even that which clotheth him entereth with him into the kingdom.

FRIDAY

30 Tune: Thou hast named thy vineyard. He that is before the worlds. The Father, who formed Adam. Ps. lv. 20. Called him also his image. And because he rebelled and transgressed the commandment. He brought him in his turn under death. Over which he had had dominion. In the days of old. In the beginning thou didst fashion our image, O Creator. And because (man) sinned and broke thy law. Thou didst dissolve his form. And he turned again to his earth. Thou hast fashioned me, and laid thine hand upon me. Thy command hath fashioned us and brought us into being. And thou hast set us in Eden, in Paradise. And because we have transgressed thy word. We have inherited a land of thorns. Thou hast brought me down to the lowest pit. Lo, death hath taken me and hidden me in his clefts. Bring thou my soul out of the house of bondage. Ps. lxxxviii. 5. That I may confess and praise thee. O Quickener of the dead.

31 We have sinned with our fathers and have done amiss and dealt wickedly. We have trodden down thy commandment, and have transgressed thy word. Ps. cvi. 6. And have been condemned because we sinned and dealt wickedly. And now we beseech (thee). In thy mercies forgive our trespasses. Thou art merciful, O Lord, and righteous. O just Judge, Creator of the world. Quickener of all the departed. Quicken us who are dead. In thy great mercies. Ps. cxvi. 5. O come, let us praise the Lord. Life that is not destroyed and blessings that fade not. And joy that lasteth for all generations. Do the righteous inherit. Ps. xcv. 1. In the day of thy coming. VERSES OF PRAYER. Our God is our strong refuge. O Christ, the true refuge and hope. Neglect us not at any time. And pardon our trespasses. And cleanse our stains. Ps. xlvi. 1. Hear my voice, O God, when I beseech thee. O thou that hearest, and neglectest not, and savest, and rescuest. Hear, O my Lord, the request of thy worshippers. And return answer to our requests. From the treasure of thy mercies. Ps. lxiv. 1.

32 In the evening, and morning, and at noonday. Thou hast called us to the vineyard of thy Gospel, O Lord of all. Strengthen us, that we may do thy will. And may thy mercies preserve us. By night and by day. Ps. lv. 18. Glory be, etc. By the prayer of her who bare thee, O Christ our Saviour. Pardon our trespasses in thy lovingkindness. And forgive our offences. According to the multitude of thy mercies. From everlasting, etc. O prophets and apostles and martyrs and teachers. Beseech and make requests for us all. That we may be worthy of forgiveness of trespasses. In the judgment. And let all the people say Amen and Amen. A blessing which passeth not away is kept for thee in heaven. O our holy father, the dwelling-place of the Holy Ghost. Pray for our assembly. That we may be worthy of forgiveness. MADRASHA: to the tune At the door of thy mercies. Antiphon. O El, O God, hear our request, which is audible to thee. And in thy mercies return answer to the petition of our soul by which thou art persuaded. Verses. At the door of thy mercies thy servants knock, O thou who willest that we should live. Open to us that we may enter and receive an alms as poor men. O thou who art overflowing with compassion, show thy love as thou art wont. Lest the hater of man mock the work of thy hands. O thou who art mighty in the worlds, support that which thou hast fashioned by the force of thy power. For lo, it is disturbed by evil sufferings and by demons.

Saturday

33 I was glad when they said unto me. Our Lord cometh and quickeneth the dead. And giveth hope to all the departed. I will alway bless the Lord. Blessed is he who made death to come but once. Which taketh both good and bad alike. And let my soul be joyful in God. Let my soul, which hath taken refuge in thy cross. See thy compassion in the day of thy coming. Thou hast fashioned me, and laid thine hand upon me. When I was not thou didst fashion me from the dust. And, now that I have lain down, give me life that I may confess thee. Ps. cxxxix. 4. I will magnify thee, O my Lord the King. Christ our King shineth forth from on high. And giveth life to the dead, and raiseth them that are in the graves. Ps. cxlv. 1. Turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me. O Son of God, quicken our departed. And clothe them with glory in thy kingdom. Ps. xxv. 15.

34 He lifted up his voice, and the earth was moved. At the voice of the Son the graves are rent. And the dead rise and give glory. Ps. xlvi. 6. Unto the godly hath shone forth light in the darkness. A new sun shineth forth on them that are in the graves. And from their graves they shall confess thy majesty. Ps. cxii. 4. Turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me. Have compassion on me and give me life, and forgive me my trespasses. That I may see thy compassion in the day of thy coming: Ps. xxv. 15. And show a token upon me for good. Thy will is accomplished, and thy commandment hath led me. In thy mercies give me life, that I may stand and confess thee. Ps. lxxxvi. 17. Both small and great. At the mouth of the graves stand the souls. And look on the Son, who shineth forth from on high. Ps. cxv. 13.

35 Blessed be the Name of the Lord. Blessed is Christ, who quickened us when we were dead. And hath promised hope and life to the departed. Ps. cxiii. 2. From this time forth for ever more. Remain in peace, O Church with thy children. May our Lord be a wall to thy flock. Ps. cxxxi. 4. And they shall bear thee in their arms. Moses and Elijah go forth to meet thee. And receive thee in tabernacles of fire. For ever and ever. Remain in peace, O habitation, and ye that dwell therein. May peace increase in thee from whom I have gone out. There shall be thy habitation and thy rest. Among the desirable trees of Paradise. Shall be thy habitation and thy rest. Glory be, etc. Glory to the Father, and confession to the Son. And to the Holy Ghost who quickeneth us. From everlasting, etc. Praise to thee, Jesu our Saviour. In whose hands is death, and at whose will is life.

36 MADRASHA: to the tune Blessed is he who in lovingkindness. Antiphon. Where is Adam, whom the Lord formed from dust. And called him his image, and made heaven and earth subject to him? Verses. Where is Moses, who on the Mount of Sinai saw his Maker. And the power of the Lord spake with him face to face.* Where is David, the prophet and king, the heart of the Lord. Of whom the Lord who chose him bore witness, that there was none like him.

The Services in the Fast: Sundays

1 All the services as on other Sundays of the year (pp. 151, 155), except as is here provided; and except that the Qali d'Shahra are said in inverted order, those for weeks 'after' being said on weeks 'before,' and those for weeks 'before' on weeks 'after.' On the five Sundays of the Fast the priest, after Glory be to God (p. 151), puts incense in the censer and vests himself in the ma'apra, and holding the censer in his hand, stands before the shkhinta and says this Canon. The people repeat it, and it is said five times, and the priest says the prayer that follows it. CANON. In the middle of the night I have arisen to confess thee for thy judgments, O Righteous one.* In the night with the watchful ones. Let us sing glory to him. To him who watcheth and sleepeth not. Whom the watchful ones serve. In the night when are silent. The voices of all conditions (of men). May our prayer please thee. O Lord, who hast goodwill to the penitent. Who hearest and neglectest not. Who answerest, and savest, and resuest. Hear, O my Lord, our request. And return answer in thy mercies to our petitions. For thou alone. Art full of mercy and forgivest trespasses.

2 He proceeds. In the middle of the night I have arisen to confess thee for thy judgments, O righteous one. They answer, I am the friend of all that fear thee and keep thy commandments. By night with the watchful ones. The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercies, O teach me thy commandments. By night with the watchful ones. Glory be to the Father, etc. By night, etc.* From everlasting to everlasting. By night, etc. Prayer. In the middle of the night we arise, O my Lord, wakefully to serve thee. Repeat. When the voices of all conditions (of men) are alike silent, let us sing praise to thy glorious Trinity without ceasing, O thou Watchful one, who art continually served by the watchful ones, O thou Holy one, who dwellest in thy holy ones, and art willingly propitiated. Pardon, O my Lord, our trespasses in thy compassion, and enlighten the eyes of our hearts with the light of thy knowledge. That we may know how to offer to thee in pureness of thought pure sacrifices of our minds, with the spoken fruits of our lips, with praises which befit thy holy Name, Lord of all, etc.

3 He proceeds. Our Father, etc. (page 151). On all Sundays of the Fast they say after the Motwa this TISHBUKHTA by Mar Saurishu Catholicos. Our Father which art in heaven. Holy in thy nature. Make thy worshippers worthy. To sing Holy to thy Name.* May thy kingdom come. In a mystery before the times. As though already. We lived in it. Let us fulfil thy will. On earth without fear. As in heaven. There is none that (can) harm us. The bread of our need. Give us all the days. Of the nature of mortals. For it is ever needy. Before we are fashioned. Thou knowest our wickedness. In thy love thou hast fashioned us. In thy mercies wipe out our trespasses. We have trespassed against thy being. And have offended against one another. May we forgive each other. And do thou, O Lord, (forgive) us all. That we stand not in temptations. Of demons and lusts. Which chastise us. For we are weak. In thy pity, O Compassionate one. Save us from the Evil one. For thou alone art able. To overcome his cruelty. Thine is the kingdom. And the power, and the glory. Grant that we may be. Heirs of thy Beloved. And with thy saints. May we pay to thy majesty. The glory which is meet for thee. For ever and ever, Amen.

At the Morning Service

4 All as on other Sundays (page 164), except the following. Prayer before the Morning Psalms. Grant us, O our Lord and our God, although we are not worthy. Repeat. And make us worthy, although we deserve it not, to bear the yoke of the holy fast, with a meek heart boiling over with true love towards thee. And take away from us slothfulness, which is a barren mother, and forbidden to virtuous sons; and sow in us diligence, and energy, and watchfulness, lest one of our senses break the fast while another keepeth it, and confusion reign over that which we have begun. But when the body fasteth from food, may the soul also fast from evil and hateful (deeds), that our fast may be perfect and complete; and when we are watchful and cautious, and when we sing Holy, purely and circumspectly and in holiness, may we serve before thee with Moses, and Joshua, and Elijah, and Daniel, and the company of Ananias, and all other just men who have striven in this contest. And may our service please thee, O my Lord, and our prayer persuade thee; may our beseeching honour thee, and our entreating propitiate thee. And may the mercies and compassion of thy Godhead pardon the trespasses of thy people, and forgive the sins of all the sheep of thy pasture, which thou hast chosen to thyself in thy lovingkindness and mercies, Lord of all, etc.

5 Another. Receive, O our Lord and our God, the pure fast of thy servants, in thy lovingkindness, and be propitiated by them in the greatness of thy mercy, as thou wast propitiated by the just, who kept the fast purely and circumspectly, and strove therein in watchfulness and holiness. And may their prayers by night and by day be heard before the terrible judgment-seat of thy greatness, and may their alms, which they pour forth for the poor, obtain a good memorial before the high throne of thy majesty, and be unto them as armour and a shield to drive away from them tribulations which take hold on them; and as (their gifts) are openly made use of in abundance, so may they be heard secretly in pureness and righteousness, that thou mayest shed forth on them (that gave them) thy mercies and compassion, and continually sprinkle their hearts (therewith), O thou who didst create the light in thy lovingkindness, and didst order the darkness in thy wisdom, and in the knowledge of thy Godhead, which cannot be fathomed by spiritual beings, or by those that are in the body, Lord of all, etc.

6 THE PSALMS are said thus on Sundays and week-days :— Ps. c., as on ferias, page 103. Prayer. To thee, O my Lord, all creatures, page 165. Ps. xci., Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High. And is made glorious in the shadow of God. Thou art my confident hope: O Christ, may I never be confounded. Whoso dwelleth . . . and show him my salvation (two clauses by each side). Thou art my confident hope, etc. Glory be. From everlasting. When thou didst create the light which is poured forth, the spiritual ones glorified thee. And it was made known to them that he who created the light, created them also. Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High. And is made glorious in the shadow of God. By angels thou art glorified. And by the sons of men thou art praised. And all together with one accord cry and say, Blessed is thy fast, O Christ our Saviour. Let us pray, Peace be with us.

7 Prayer. Glorious, O my Lord, page 104. Ps. civ. 1-15a. Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art become exceeding great. The glory of the Lord shall be for ever. Bless the Lord, O my soul . . . out of the earth (two clauses at a time). The glory, etc. Glory be. From everlasting.* The glory of the Lord shall be for ever. Prayer. To thee, O Creator of all natures, and Maker of all beings, Fashioner of the height and depth in thy loving-kindness and mercies, we lift up praise, and honour, and confession, and worship, at all times, Lord of all, etc. The following psalms are said, two clauses at a time, with farcings at the beginning and end, in the weeks of the mysteries. In other weeks they are said as on [ordinary Sundays and] ferias (pages 166, 104). Ps. cxiii. Praise the Lord, ye his servants. O praise the Name of the Lord. Glory to him who created the light. Praise the Lord, ye his servants . . . joyful mother of children. (No Gloria.) Glory to him who created the light.

8 Ps. xciii. The Lord is King, and hath put on glorious apparel. The Lord hath put on strength and hath waxed strong. We worship thy Godhead, O my Lord. The Lord is King . . . becometh thine house. O Lord, for ever. (No Gloria.) We worship, etc. Ps. cxlviii. 1-7. O praise the Lord of heaven. Praise him in the height. Let them praise God. O praise the Lord of heaven . . . shall not be broken. (No Gloria.) Let them praise God. Ps. cxlviii. 7—end. Praise the Lord upon earth. Ye dragons and all deeps. Give praise to God. Praise the Lord upon earth . . . even the people that draweth near to him. (No Gloria.) Give praise to God. Ps. cxlix. O praise the Lord with a new song of praise. His song of praise in the congregation of the saints. For him praise is meet. O praise the Lord with a new song of praise . . . all his saints. (No Gloria.) O Son of God, have pity on us.

9 Ps. cl. O praise the Lord in his holiness. Praise him in the firmament of his power. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. O praise the Lord in his holiness . . . praise the Lord. (No Gloria.) Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Ps. cxvii. O praise the Lord, all ye heathen. Praise him, all ye nations. O Christ the Light, we praise thee. O praise the Lord, all ye heathen. Praise him, all ye nations.* For his merciful kindness is strong upon us. Truly he is the Lord for ever. O Christ the Light, we praise thee.* Glory be, etc. From everlasting, etc. O Christ the Light, we praise thee. They add, Glorify the Lord, all the whole earth.* O Giver of light, O Lord, even to thee do we lift up glory. Deacon. Let us pray, Peace be with us. For the rest, see above, page 167.

The Services in the Fast: Weeks of the Mysteries

1 Glory be to God in the highest, etc. Our Father, etc., as on ferias, page 1. Evening Prayer. Let us confess, O my Lord, page 2. They say the proper Hulala, with its prayer (pp. 86 to 95). They proceed. Glorious art thou, O our Lord, and it is meet that we should lift up glory to thee. Every day, for ever and ever, Amen. Glory to Christ, and confession to him who hath opened our mouth. And hath granted us to chant hallelujahs in his praises. Glory to Christ, and confession to him who hath opened our mouth. And granted us to sing in his praises. Glory to Christ and confession to him who hath opened our mouth. And granted us to glorify (him) in his praises. To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Let us lift up glory, for ever, Amen. Repeat thrice. Our mouth is not sufficient to confess thee, O our Lord. All the days of our life, for thy lovingkindness. Our mouth is not sufficient to praise thee, O our Lord. All the days of our life, for thy lovingkindness. Our mouth is not sufficient to glorify thee, O our Lord. All the days of our life, for thy lovingkindness.

2 O Lord, who art merciful to mortals. Have compassion on us in thy lovingkindness, and have mercy on us.* For none that liveth among (thy) creatures is justified before thee. Thou, O my Lord, hast turned us from all error, for thou art God, and for thee glory is fitting, for ever and ever, Amen. They say the LAKHUMARA, with its collects before and after, as on ferias, page 3. They say the FIRST SHURAYA for the day (page 3, etc.). Prayer. Thy mercy, O our Lord, page 5. PSALMS cxli., cxlii., cxix. 105-113, cxvii., as above, page 5. Prayer. Hear, O our Lord, page 5. They say the SECOND SHURAYA and the KARUZUTHA, as above, page 6. Prayer. To thee, O Lord, mighty God, page 10. Deacon. Lift up your voices, etc. They say, Holy God, page 10. Prayer. Holy and glorious, page 10. Deacon. Bless, O my Lord. Bow your heads, etc., page 11.

3 Priest. May Christ make, etc. Prayer. May our souls be perfected, page 11. They say the EVENING ANTHEM (page 11, etc.). Prayer. Pity us, O thou Compassionate one, page 11. THIRD SHURAYA from the Khudhra, and the SUBA'A (if it is said here), with its proper collect, but without Our Father, and its collects, May thy Name, and In heaven and on earth (as on Memorials in the Festival Service, page 82); the Martyrs' Anthem is not said in the Fast. Prayer. Make us worthy, page 82. They say the verses appointed in the Khudhra; then the prayer of the Shuraya and the CANON and TISHBUKHTA in the Khudhra. KARUZUTHA. O mighty Lord, Almighty, page 82. They say, Holy God (page 10) and Our Father. Prayer. Of thee who art full of mercies, as at the Festival Night Service, page 152. Another. Blessed and adorable (page 153). Then follow the prayers for help, and the rest as before (page 16).

Night Service

4 Priest. Glory be to God in the highest, etc. (page 85). CANON. Psalm iii. 5—end. I laid me down and slept, and rose up again. For the Lord sustained me. It is meet and right that we should sing Holy to thee and glorify thee, O our Saviour, and that we should chant with the angels, with voices full of praise, Glory be to thee, O God. I laid me down . . . upon thy people. It is meet and right, etc. Ps. cxxxiv. Bless the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord. Ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord. The saints sing Glory by night with the watchful ones, and tens of thousands of the companies on high repeat the glory of the greatness of Jesus our victorious King. Bless the Lord, all ye servants . . . out of Sion. The saints sing, etc.

5 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. To him whom the Cherubim surround. To whose honour Seraphim sing Holy. The glory of whose greatness angels and the sons of men repeat. Jesus our victorious King.* Who came and saved us by his cross. And promised us the kingdom, which passeth not away, and is not destroyed. And joy without end. To him be glory, and on us be his mercies. They proceed. I laid me down and slept and rose up again. For the Lord sustained me. As those that are on high are watchful. And cease not from praising thee. Make us also that are below to be watchful. That we may glorify thee with the angels. Glory and honour are fitting. For Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. From those that are on high and those that are below. From spiritual ones and them that are in the body. And especially from the sons of the Church. Whom he hath made worthy to praise him. That they may glorify him in threefold wise. With a threefold song of his holiness. To him be glory from all and in all. And I laid me down in my sins. And slept the sleep of wickedness. And now I have risen up again by thy will. And have obtained a portion with them that glorify thee. Forgive me all my sins and offences. And make me worthy to glorify thee. Whom I have loved. Glory to thee who dost waken us. Glory to thee who dost raise us. Glory to thee who dost quicken us. Glory to thee who dost renew us.

6 When this is done the priest prays before the Sanctuary doors as follows, uncovering his head, and holding the censer in his hand. Of thee, who wakenest them that sleep, and raisest the fallen, who comfortest the afflicted and pardonest sinners, who art the great refuge of the repentant, we beseech and ask, Waken us who sleep, O my Lord, in thy compassion, and lighten the weight of our sloth in thy pity. And grant that we may be made worthy to arise and serve before thee, purely and circumspectly, watchfully and diligently. O Watchful one, whom the watchful ones serve with their hallelujahs, and Seraphim with their crying of Holy, and those that are below with their songs, and all nations with their adorations, Lord of all, etc. They answer, Our Father, farced (page 1). Deacon. Let us arise to prayer. Let us pray, Peace be with us. Prayer. Let us arise, as on ordinary ferias, page 85.

7 They say, Hallelujah, etc. Prayer. Strengthen, O our Lord (page 85). They say, Hallelujah, etc. Prayer. May the secret strength (page 86). They say the HULALI according to the directions of the Khudhra, and between them they say, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, yea Hallelujah, Glory be to thee, O God; repeat thrice. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Let us arise to prayer. Let us pray, Peace be with us. They say the MOTWA as directed in the Khudhra. Prayer of the Shubakha. To thee be glory, page 97. They say the SHUBAKHA (page 97) to a sad tone. Between each clause they say, Glory be to thee, O God. They add the Gloria. TISHBUKHTA, by Mar Abraham of Izla. Glory be to thee, O God. Repeat. By day and by night. Glory be to thee, O God. At all seasons and times. In thy mercy have compassion on us, O God. We ask mercy of thee. And forgiveness of sins. Remove from us the Evil one. Who alway layeth snares for us. Keep us by thy living sign. That the Evil one may see (it) and depart. Make thy right hand which is full of mercies. O Lord, to overshadow us. O Lord, thy mercies are everlasting. Forsake not the work of thy hands. May thy cross be a wall to us. O Christ, who by it hast saved us. Glory to thee, O our Lord Jesus. And praise to the Father who sent thee.* And to the Holy Ghost be sung hallelujahs. For ever and ever. For ever and ever. And for evermore. Amen.

8 KARUZUTHA. O mighty Lord, eternal Being, page 101. Prayers. Of thee who art full of mercies, and Blessed and adorable, as in the Festival Night Service, page 152. They say the Verses [of the MADRASHA] from the Khudhra. Prayers of the Suyakhi. Before the first Psalm, For thy nature, page 95. Prayer of the second psalm. Thee who art hidden from all, page 159. Prayer of the third psalm. Thee who art hidden in thy being, page 160. The prayers of the Qali d'Shahra are as on Feasts (page 153), and the Qali d'Shahra are as in the Khudhra. Prayer of the Night Anthem. By the speaking mouths, page 154. They say the NIGHT ANTHEM; then the prayer, Pity us, O thou Compassionate one, page 11. They say the proper CANON, and TISHBUKHTA for the day, and the KARUZUTHA, O thou who didst teach us, as on page 162.

Morning Service

9 Prayer before the Morning Psalms. Vouchsafe, O our Lord and our God, that our services and prayers may be joined with those of the monks who pleased thee in their fasts, and of the Nazarites who propitiated thee by their life, and caused the will of thy majesty to be well pleased with their services, and prayers, and supplications. Receive our little fast, and our scanty prayers and weak requests; and return answer to our petitions in thy mercies from thy rich and overflowing treasury. And may the service of our weakness, O my Lord, please thee, and the prayer of our poverty persuade thee, and the fast of our sinfulness propitiate thee; and may the mercies and compassion of thy Godhead grant the pardon of the trespasses of thy people, and the forgiveness of the sins of all the sheep of thy pasture, which thou hast chosen to thyself, in thy lovingkindness and mercies, Lord of all, etc.

10 Another. Thee, O Christ, the true Light of all lights, who feedest lights from thy light, and dwellest in the excellent light, which no son of man hath seen nor can approach unto, we beseech and ask thee, even we who are weak and sinful, to enlighten the darkness of our minds by the brightness of thine unspeakable light; so that the lamps of our souls being enlightened with the oil of mercy and pity, we may also be enlightened with the light of thy light which enlighteneth all, and may rejoice in the joy of thy countenance which delighteth all, and may desire to meet (thee at) thy manifestation which reneweth all, O thou who didst create the light in thy loving-kindness, and dost order the darkness in thy wisdom, and in the knowledge of thy Godhead, which cannot be fathomed by spiritual ones or by those that are in the body, Lord of all, etc.

11 Prayer before the Morning Psalms on Fridays of the Fast. Blessed art thou who art worshipped in thy Church on earth by earthly worshippers; and glorious art thou who art to be worshipped in thy Church in heaven by heavenly worshippers; and adorable is the nature of thy Being, one in essence, and three in attributes, by all intelligences and minds of beings of fire and spirit, who around the appointed place of the Shechinah of thy greatness, in noiseless cries, sing Holy and Hallelujah with mouths of fire, and in the mountains where they meditate on thy glory, kneel and worship continually without inclining, O thou who art worshipped by true worshippers, who worship thy majesty in spirit and in truth. And may the service of our weakness, etc., as in the former of the above prayers. Another for the same. Hear, O our Lord and our God, the prayer of thy people who wait for thee; and receive the supplication of (the sheep of) thy pasture which knock at the door of thy majesty, and pity and have mercy on thine offending servants. Bring back, O my Lord, the erring and the lost, save the captives and the persecuted; have mercy on the oppressed and tormented; turn to the miserable and poor, and pity the strangers and exiles; provide for the orphans and give sustenance to the widows; loosen (the bonds of) those that are bound and are held in the grasp of iniquity;

12 and protect those that journey by sea or by land; for thou art our God who helpest (from) above in thy mercy, O thou who didst create the light, etc., as in the latter of the above prayers. THE PSALMS follow as noted under Sundays in the Fast. See above, page 208. Prayer of the Lakhumara. Thee, O my Lord, we are bound, page 104. They say the LAKHUMARA antiphonally; when the one side says it the other side makes a prostration; the farcing is, To show thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faith in the night season. Prayer. Thee who quickenest, page 104. Psalm li., with the proper farcings, from the Khudhra. Prayer. Sprinkle us, O our Lord and our God, with the refreshing dew of the kindness of thy love, and wash us with it from the defilements of sin, O good Shepherd who camest forth to seek us, and didst find us when we were lost: who willest that we should return, in thy lovingkindness and mercies, Lord of all, etc.

13 The officiant says, My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord: and in the morning I will be prepared, and will appear before thee. The people answer the same. And they go on to the Verses [of the MORNING ANTHEM] in the Khudhra. The deacon says the KARUZUTHA. He that openeth the gate of repentance, and that which follows it. [From the Khudhra.] At the end of the Karuzutha the deacon says. Let us commit our own souls and one another's souls to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Prayer. To thee, O Lord, mighty God, page 10. TISHBUKHTA. To thee be glory, O our God, page 105. Prayer. O Christ the good Hope, and Holy God, as on page 106. Prayer. Holy and glorious, page 10. Deacon. Bless, O my Lord. Bow your heads, etc., page 11. Prayer. May our souls be perfected, page 11. They then say an extra Hulala, called Quṭaʿa.

14 Prayer. Thy glorious Godhead, full of mercies and compassion, the hope and life and salvation of all creatures, are we bound to confess, worship, and glorify, at all seasons and times, Lord of all, etc. They proceed. Glorious art thou, O our Lord . . . glory for ever, Amen. Repeat thrice. (As at the Evening Service in the Fast, page 211.) TISHBUKHTA, as in the Khudhra. They say, Holy God (page 10) and Our Father, farced (page 1). Prayers. O Compassionate one, whose Name, and Bless, O my Lord, thy servants, page 106. They say the prayers for help, and the rest as on ordinary ferias, pages 16, 108.

The Services in the Fast: Ordinary Weeks

1 This is as in the weeks of the mysteries (page 211), except that before the Suba'a they always say the Lord's Prayer and its collects (page 212).

Night Service

2 Priest. Glory to God in the highest, etc. (page 85). CANON. Ps. exix. 57-65. In the portion of the Lord I have resolved to keep thy statutes. And I have looked for thy presence with my whole heart, O save me, according to thy word. At this time I have risen to confess thee, O our Lord, for thy judgments, and I wonder at the deeds of thy wisdom, and confess thy Name. In the portion . . . O teach me thy statutes. At this time, etc. Ps. xcii. 1, 2. It is a good thing to confess the Lord. And to sing unto thy Name, O most Highest. In the night, with the watchful ones, let us sing praise to him that watcheth and sleepeth not; and in the night, when all is silent, let us chant a song of glory to him. It is a good thing to confess the Lord. And to sing unto thy Name, O most Highest. To show forth thy lovingkindness in the morning. And thy faith in the night season. In the night, etc.

3 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Glory to thee, O our Saviour. Who didst give us rest in the night, and didst preserve us. And in the morning didst awaken us, that with the watchful ones we might sing to thee a song of glory.* In the portion of the Lord I have resolved to keep thy statutes. And I have looked for thy presence with my whole heart. O save me, according to thy word. Not by us are our ways determined, O Christ our Saviour. But thou art the Fashioner of our deeds in thy power and wisdom. Send us from thy presence help and healing, O Christ our Saviour. That by the power of thy grace we may please thee in words and in deeds. At the door of thy lovingkindness we knock, O Christ our Saviour. And we ask for forgiveness for our offences, have pity on us in thy mercies. To thee, O our Lord, we call, and ask for compassion and mercies from thy treasury. For we know that thou art compassionate and merciful, and forgivest (our) trespasses. O feeble soul, how long hast thou lain in thy bed in the sleep of ease? Arise, put oil in thy lamp, for lo, the bridegroom is come. Lo, the virgins, thy fellows, are ready to enter with the bridegroom. And thou, why art thou careless, and remainest in the filth of thine (ill) deeds? Come, my brethren, let us take refuge in prayer, for it is a strong armour. And by it we will conquer Satan, our enemy, who hateth our nature.

4 Then Our Father, farced, and the rest in order (page 85). The HULALI are as marked in the Khudhra. Some say the MOTWA; but some omit it, and say the Night Anthem only. SHUBAKHA, as in Ferial Service (page 97). TISHBUKHTA, by Mar Shimun Bar Ṣaba'i, Patriarch; or, as some say, by Mar Ephraim. Glory to thee, O my Lord, who didst create us. Though not moved thereto by any from the beginning. Glory to thee, O my Lord, who didst call us. Thy living image and likeness. Glory to thee, O my Lord, who didst nurture us. In freedom and as reasonable beings. Glory to thee, O just Father. Whose love was pleased to fashion us. Glory to thee, O holy Son. Who didst put on our flesh, and didst save us. Glory to thee, O living Spirit. Who didst enrich us with thy gifts. Glory to thee, O hidden Nature. Who didst reveal thy qnumi in our manhood. Glory to thee, O my Lord, who didst draw us. From the error of idols. Glory to thee, O my Lord, who didst bring us. To the knowledge of thy Godhead. Glory to thee, O my Lord, who didst make us. Reasonable instruments for thy service. Glory to thee, O my Lord, who didst invite us. To the exalted habitation of heaven. Glory to thee, O my Lord, who didst teach us. The orders of the heavenly beings. Glory to thee, O my Lord, who didst make us worthy. To glorify thee with the angels. Glory to thee from all mouths. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. From those that are above and those that are below. Glory to thy Trinity. In both worlds glory to thee. From the spiritual beings and from them that are in the body. From everlasting to everlasting. And for ever and ever, Amen.

5 KARUZUTHA. O mighty Lord, eternal Being, page 101. Prayers. Of thee who art full of mercies and Blessed and adorable, as in the Festival Night Service, page 152. They say the MADRASHA, and the SUYAKHI, as in the Khudhra. Prayer of the first Suyakha. Grant us, O my Lord, in thy compassion, and vouchsafe in thy mercy, that with the watchful ones and the companies of the angels we may sing praise, with voices full of confession, to thy glorious Trinity, at all times, Lord of all, etc. Of the second. Thee, who art hidden from all in thy being, page 159. Of the third. May thy Godhead, O my Lord, be pleased with our service, and may our prayers be received before thee, and may our petitions be answered from the treasury of thy compassion, at all seasons and times, Lord of all, etc. Prayer of the Night Anthem. By the speaking mouths, page 154.

6 Or this. By every mouth mayest thou be glorified, and by every tongue confessed, and in the heart mayest thou be believed. And with lips of glory may those in heaven and those on earth glorify thee, O thou Cause of our life and good Hope of our souls, Lord of all, etc. They say the NIGHT ANTHEM and the prayer Pity us, O thou Compassionate one, page 11, then the proper CANON, and TISHBUKHTA for the day. KARUZUTHA. O thou who didst teach us, page 162.

Morning Service

7 The prayers before the Psalms as in the ordinary Ferial Service (page 103), and the Psalms as noted under Sundays in the Fast (page 208); and the Lakhumara and Ps. li. are said as on ordinary ferias (page 104). KARUZUTHA. O Father, who in thy mercy from the Khudhra. Prayer. To thee, O Lord, mighty God, page 10. TISHBUKHTA. To thee be glory, O our God, page 105. Prayer. O Christ, the good Hope; and Holy God, as on page 106. [Prayer Holy and glorious, deacon's interjection, and prayer May our souls, as on page 218.] They say an extra Hulala, called Quṭa'a. And they conclude as on page 219.

Prayer at Noon

They begin in the usual manner (pages 1, 2), and say three Hulali as noted in the Khudhra. They proceed. Glorious art thou, etc., as at Evening Service of the Fast, page 211; then the NIGHT ANTHEM with its Prayer and CANON, and the proper TISHBUKHTA. KARUZUTHA. O thou who didst teach us, page 162. They say, Holy God (page 10), and Our Father, farced (page 1). Prayers. O thou who openest thy door and O thou who hearest, page 83. Prayers for help, and the rest as at Evening Service throughout the year (page 16).

An Occasional Karuzutha

1 Let us all stand up, etc., page 6. O our God, abounding in mercies, who justifiest sinners without recompense, we, etc. O good Shepherd, who wentest forth to seek our race, and didst give thyself for us, we, etc. O Physician of our nature, who didst come, and wast revealed in the flesh, and didst pardon our trespasses and heal our wounds, we, etc. O true Judge, who art not alway angry, but art long-suffering with us, in the hope that we may repent, we, etc. O Lord, who didst grant to the penitent hope and comfort, by (the example of) the publicans and harlots whom thou didst receive and pardon. For the welfare of our holy fathers NN, and all those who serve under them, we, etc. O merciful God, who in mercy governest all, we, etc. O thou who art glorified in heaven and worshipped on earth, we, etc.

2 For sinners, that they may repent, and for the penitent, that they may be made righteous, and for the righteous, that they may be perfected, we, etc. Have compassion on us, and pardon our trespasses in thy lovingkindness, and pour out thy compassion on our souls, and be reconciled to us all, and have mercy upon us.

The Rogation of the Ninevites

1 Tishbukhta for Monday of the Rogation, and also for Fridays of the Great Fast, by Mar John, or as some say by Mar Bar Soma. In suffering, and with tears and entreaty. We call to thee, good Lord. Be to us Physician and Guide. For bitter is our suffering, and our pain is hard (to bear). There are not among us just men who may propitiate thee. For our iniquity hath waxed strong and our trespasses have increased. They have stirred up and disturbed the sea and the dry land. And all that is in them, with our evil deeds. In our time that which is written is come to pass. For the end of the worlds hath come upon us. Save us in thy mercies from storms. Which have confused and shaken the heights and the depths. O good Shepherd, feed thy flock. For whose sake thou hast borne suffering. Vouchsafe to priests and kings alike. To dwell in peace and quietness. And may we be thine according to thy will. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.* Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. For ever and ever, Amen and Amen.

2 Another, by Mar Khnana of Khdhaiwa. In suffering and with tears, come, let us draw near. Come, let us draw near to penitence. For our iniquity hath waxed strong, and without number. Without number are our offences. The crafty foe hath found a place. Hath found a place, and lo, he spoileth us. Blessed be he that hath fought and conquered him. Hath fought and conquered him by diligence. The Lord of our race by the Son of our race. By the Son of our race hath honoured our race.* And through our slackness the evil demons. The evil demons have laughed at our weakness. Our wounds are corrupted and putrid. And putrid to those that pass on the way. Come, let us draw near to that Physician. To that Physician who healeth without price. In penitence of soul let us come to him. Let us come to him, to Jesus our King. For he in his lovingkindness will cleanse us. Will cleanse us from the stains of our soul.* And let us all give him praise. For ever and ever, Amen and Amen.

3 Another for Wednesday of the Rogation. In suffering and with tears it is meet that all men. Should weep and lament for their infirmity. And more than all it is meet that I. Should weep and lament without ceasing. For the watchful ones and men recoil from my wickedness. And I cannot show my wounds. Body and soul are corrupted and defiled. With the scars of lusts. For I desired the world with its hateful deeds. And the prince of the world hath gotten domination over me. He hath overthrown me and cast me out without pity. Like a lion ready for (his) prey. He hath robbed me and humbled me and mocked me. Like Adam among the trees. He saw that I was careless like Eve. And he had no pity on me, for he slayeth men. To thee I cry, who in thy goodness didst form me. Cover my nakedness and heal my wounds. Seek me when I am lost, and take hold of my life. For thou alone hast compassion without reward. In the day of thy revelation make me glad, O our Lord. That I may see thy face without shame. Pity me both here and hereafter. For thou alone art the Friend of men. Blessed is the Compassionate one, who aboundeth in mercies. For in (his) lovingkindness he hath compassion on those who are not worthy.* And let us all give him praise. For ever and ever, Amen and Amen.

4 In the Rogation of the Ninevites, Hallelujah is thus said between the Hulali:— Hallelujah. Halle-ingih-lujah. Yea Hallelujah. Glory be to thee, O God. Halle-ingih-lujah, yea Hallelujah. In thy mercies have compassion on us, O God. Halle-ingih-lujah, yea Hallelujah. O thou who art full of mercies, have mercy upon us. The other side answers, O our Lord, have mercy upon us. O our Lord, receive our request. O our Lord, be reconciled to thy servants. The Qaltha at the Night Service is the same as on ordinary Sundays 'after' (page 156). The Suba'a (Compline) is said at the Evening Service as in the Fast (page 212).

The Blessing of the Months

1 The Lord of the whole earth. Order the month, and bless it. To be the crown of the year, in thy lovingkindness. And make the month blessed. Even Ps. xcvii. 5. —— joyful in thy compassion. May our request enter before thee. O Lord of months and of years. Prayer is the key of creation. May it open for us the door of mercies. Bless, O my Lord, this month. And order it with all fruits. And give in it mercy and compassion. And increase in it peace and tranquillity. And keep, O my Lord, in thy compassion. This country and its inhabitants. From the harm and opposition. Of the Devil, the Apostate. Bless, O my Lord, this year. And its crown likewise. And let there not be in it fear. Neither commotion nor terror. Let —— come in joy. And be accepted like the request. Of Elijah and the son of Amram. May their prayer be a wall to us. Bless, O my Lord, the months of the year. The seasons and weeks and days. Bless the vineyards and things planted. Bless the crops and fields. Bless, O my Lord, ——, which hath come. And may it be enriched with all blessings. And let there not be in it punishments. Nor sufferings nor distresses. Bless, O my Lord, this year. And the months and the days. And priests and the children of the Church. And this country and city.

2 And make distresses to pass away from us. And give us times of joy. By the prayer of the fathers. Until the end of days.* Bless, O my Lord, this month. By the prayer of them that keep thy commandments. And make the plague to pass away from us. And grant us mercy and compassion. By the prayer of the blessed one. Mar N the confessor. May we be delivered from Gehenna. And enter with thee into the bridechamber. The following three verses are by Mar Abraham of Slukh. Bless the crown of the year with thy lovingkindness. O God, make the year to be blessed. May spring burst forth with fruits. May abundance be multiplied in every year. Be it leap year or an ordinary year. Raise up, O Ahiyah, in the Church. Men to keep vigil by night in (thy) service. May times of quietness come to us. May Augustus arise with victory. May Theologus, head of the priesthood. Put on healing and grace. May the threshing-floors be filled, O my Lord, with blessing. Pour forth thy mercies on creation.

3 Hear my voice, O God, when I beseech thee. Shin. Hear the voice of the crying of mankind. Mim. Ps. lxiv. 1. O Christ, thou Sea of mercy. Shin. Send the rain of blessings. Alap. Make the herbs of the fields to sprout forth. Simkath. Satisfy the orphans and widows. He. Give peace in all quarters (of the world). Resh. Appease tumults and contentions. Alap. Give concord to all kingdoms. Merciful art thou, O Lord, and righteous. O Compassionate one, overflowing with goodness. O Depth full of kindness. May our prayer be heard before thee. As the request of Nineveh. Have compassion on us as thou hadst on the sinful woman. Answer us speedily as thou answeredst the Canaanitish woman. Show us thy glory in the day of the resurrection. Make us glad with thine elect in the kingdom. The following three verses were written by Mar Gabriel in the year 1910 of the Greeks.

4 And shall glorify thy name, for thou art great. O our Lord, bless this year. And its crown with perfection. And grant a moderate climate. Temperate, quiet in goodness. Bless also with abundance. The months and weeks and days. Bless October with the wine-press. And the ingathering of all fruits. In November grant a blessing. And fill it with benefits and good things. In December, by thy lovingkindness. Satisfy the lands with rain. In January continually. Sow thou peace and concord. That (men) may sow in security. The seeds that are needed. In February, the month of distresses. Let there not be chastisement. And bless March with a blessing. That it may bring gentle rain as it is wont. And may April come with joy. And fill the earth with rejoicing. In May preserve the fields. From hail and injurious drought. In June give plenty. To orphans as well as to widows. A store without end. To all the year alike. In July bestow an overflowing. Of all good things and blessings. In August decree for mankind. Great rejoicing and joy. In September all creatures. Lift up praise to thy name. And thanksgiving and confession. Yea and Amen, with rejoicing.

5 El, El, haste thee to help me. Alap. El, compassionate God. Beith. Bless this month. Gamal. O mighty and pitiful one. Dalath. Guide us as is best for us. He. Grant us health in thy mercies. Wau. And pour forth a supply on us, O my Lord. Zain. Provide us with temporal blessings. Kheith. Have compassion on us, O merciful Lord. Teith. Give us grace in thy compassion. Yudh. Give us this day such a store. Kap. Abundant and unfailing. Lamadh. That it take away from us want of corn. Mim. O our Lord, bless this day. Nun. The sheep and the cattle alike. Simkath. Increase among us plenty and peace. 'E. And riches without loss. Pe. Save us from the hand of the calumniator. Sadhi. May thy cross rescue us. Qop. Make us holy at all times. Resh. O High and Boundless one. Shin. Increase among us every kind of food. Tau. O Depth that cannot be filled. Glory which cannot be diminished. Will we lift up to thee with (every) breath that we breathe.

6 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us. O our Lord, we stand before thee. And ask mercy of thee. And make request of thy lovingkindness. That food may be multiplied to us with blessings. And give us the bread of our need. As thou didst promise us, O my Lord. And give us a supply of all good things. Continually, at all times. Bless with thy mercies the crown of the year. And grant in it rain for our sustenance. The former (rains) that we may sow our corn. The latter that it may grow and ripen. And let not locust and young locust spread over us. And make the caterpillar to pass away from us. Let not the corn-worm be seen in our land. And cast out the white locust from our country. Let not the blight hurt our crops. And deliver us, O El, from burning winds. And let there be no palmer-worm in our time. And let not the plague overcome us. For thou knowest well that our nature. Is weak, and cannot bear. Famine and distress and affliction. Do thou in thy mercies visit our race. Give us bread that faileth not. Wheat and herbs for our sustenance. With all good gifts of food. In abundance, for in thee is our hope.* And purify us from our defilements. And cleanse that in us which is blameworthy and hateful. And wash us from our foulness. And make clean our bodies and our souls.* Have compassion on us, and pardon our trespasses. Remember not our offences against us. In (thy) lovingkindness make us worthy of forgiveness. That we may confess thee both here and above.

7 The following verses are by Mar Audishu. He that is before the worlds. Alap. O Creator of created things. Wau. Who dost grant all petitions. Dalath. Drive away from us all chastisements. Ps. lv. 20. Beith. Bless us with all blessings. Zain. Feed the hungry and the widows. He. Give peace in all quarters (of the world). Gamal. Rebuke the enemies that provoke strife. Gamal. Perfect us in all knowledge. Hear my prayer, O God. Alap. O El, the compassionate God. Beith. Bless this month. Gamal. Perfect our assembly in all victory. Dalath. That we may conquer the Evil one, the slanderer. He. Give plenty in every dominion. Wau. And quiet peace and tranquillity. Zain. Give us food continually. Kheith. Have compassion on us in the day of searching. Teith. Grant us the grace of compassion. Yuilh. O Sea of mercies and pity. And set us on the right hand. Of thy greatness, O Merciful one.

8 As a city surrounded with a wall. From this city of wrath. May the hidden Being cause to pass away. Every wrathful enemy. And robbery, with the rod of wrath. And may its king be strong. And enter into treaties with (other) kings. And gain a storehouse and treasure. Abiding and not wasting. May his city be preserved by the will. Of the Lord from every robber. And when this creation is consumed. And destroyed, as is fore-determined. May it be worthy to behold and see. The blessing which man hath not seen. Thou hast formed the earth and set it fast. In the thought of the mind of thy greatness. On the first day of the week thou didst form to thyself. Creatures in countless numbers. On the seventh (day) thou didst complete thy work. Bless our month with thy blessings. And enrich our year with thy good things. And give us joy here with thy gladness. And above number us among thy companies.

9 We shall confess thee for ever. Let us confess thy Unity. Ps. lxxix. 14. And worship thy Trinity. And ask mercy of thee. And lasting peace for thy Churches. Bless our month in thy compassion. And fill our year with thy store. And give us rest in this thy world. And in that which is to come show us thine Image. Let thy merciful kindness, O Lord, be upon us. By the holy angels. And by mortal sons of men. May this village be blessed. And may this country and its inhabiters. Be blessed with all blessings. And made rich with all good things. And may blessed times come to them. And may all lands be made prosperous. The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace. Bless 10 our assembly, O our Saviour. And make thy lovingkindness to dwell in it. And grant us the power to glorify thee. The assemblies above and those below. And all to love one another. And to gain love and concord. As the spiritual ones have gained. One will, that they may be approved by thee.* Thou art compassionate from all eternity. And merciful for ever. What is the wickedness of creation. Compared with the overflowing mercies of thy lovingkindness? Sprinkle the face of our nature. With the dew of mercy and pity. And rescue us from the hand of the Evil one. And from the tares, the sons of error.* May Adam and the camp of the just. And Moses and the chain of the prophets. And Peter and the company of the apostles. Stephen and all the martyrs. And Ephraim and the assembly of teachers. And Antony and the hermits. Beseech thee, O our Lord Jesus. That thou have mercy on the world.* The departed, who clothed themselves with thee, O our Lord. In the water of baptism. By thee may their bodies be cleansed. From the defilements of sin. To the departed who have eaten of thy body. And have had joy in thy living blood. Grant, O our Lord, a memorial. In the country where the just abide.