The middle of the kathisma

I am thine, save me, for I have sought thy commandments. Sinners began to wait for me to destroy me, but I understood Thy testimony. I have seen the limit of every accomplishment – Thy commandment is very broad. How I have loved Thy law, O Lord, it is my occupation all day long. Thou hast made me wise more than my enemies by Thy commandment, for it is mine for ever. I have come to understand me better than all those who teach me, for Thy testimonies are my occupation. I have come to understand better than the elders, for I have sought Thy commandments. I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Thy words. I have not shunned Thy judgments, for Thou hast given me the law. How sweet are thy words to my throat, better than honey to my lips. From Thy commandments I have gained understanding, therefore I have hated every way of iniquity. Thy law is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my paths. I have sworn and decreed to keep the courts of Thy righteousness. I have been humbled to the extreme, O Lord, revive me according to Thy word. Accept the voluntary sacrifices of my mouth with favor, O Lord, and teach me Thy judgments. My soul is constantly in Thy hands, and I have not forgotten Thy law. Sinners have laid a snare for me, but I have not deviated from Thy commandments. I have inherited thy testimonies for ever, for they are the joy of my heart. I have inclined my heart to do thy commandments for ever, for the sake of recompense. I have hated transgressors, but I have loved Thy law. My helper and my intercessor is Thou, in Thy words I have trusted. Depart from me, you who do evil, and I will search the commandments of my God. Sustain me according to Thy word, and I will live, and do not shame me in waiting for me. Help me, and I will be saved, and I will always heed Thy commandments. Thou hast counted as nothing all those who depart from Thy commandments, for their thoughts are unrighteous. I have considered all the sinners of the earth to be transgressors, therefore I have loved Thy testimonies. Nail my flesh with fear of Thee, for I have feared of Thy judgments. I have done justice and righteousness, deliver me not to those who despitefully use me. Receive Thy servant for good, lest the proud slander me. My eyes are faint for the sake of Thy salvation and the word of Thy righteousness. Do with Thy servant according to Thy mercy and teach me Thy commandments. I am Thy servant, give me understanding, and I will know Thy testimonies. It is time for the Lord to act: they have broken Thy law, therefore I have loved Thy commandments more than gold and topaz; therefore I have been directed to all Thy commandments: I have hated every way of iniquity. Wondrous are Thy testimonies, therefore my soul has begun to examine them. The manifestation of Thy words enlightens and admonishes infants. I have opened my mouth, and have drawn the Spirit into me, for I have coveted Thy commandments.

Glory, and now: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. (3) Lord, have mercy. (3) Glory, and now:

Article 3

Look upon me and have mercy on me according to the judgment of those who love Thy name. Direct my steps according to Thy word, and let no iniquity take possession of me. Deliver me from the slander of men, and I will keep Thy commandments. Show the light of Thy face to Thy servant, and teach me Thy commandments. Fountains of water have poured out my eyes, for I have not kept Thy law. Righteous art Thou, O Lord, and Thy judgments are just. Thou hast commanded righteousness, thy testimonies, and truth, firmly. My zeal for Thee has worn me out, for my enemies have forgotten Thy words. Thy word is fully purified by fire, and Thy servant has loved it. I am very young and contemptible, and I have not forgotten Thy commandments. Thy righteousness is righteousness for ever, and thy law is truth. Sorrows and troubles overtook me; Thy commandments are my occupation. Thy testimony is righteousness for ever; enlighten me, and I will live. I have cried with all my heart, Hear me, O Lord, I will seek thy commandments. I have cried unto thee, save me, and I will keep thy testimonies. I hastened at an inopportune hour and cried out: "I have trusted in Thy words." My eyes were opened until dawn, to delve into Thy words. Hear my voice, O Lord, according to Thy mercy, revive me according to Thy judgment. Those who persecute me lawlessly have drawn nigh, but they have departed from Thy law. Thou art near, O Lord, and all Thy ways are truth. From the beginning I knew from Thy testimony that Thou hast founded them for ever. Behold my humiliation, and deliver me, for I have not forgotten thy law. Judge my case, and deliver me: according to Thy word, revive me. Salvation is far from sinners, for they have not sought Thy commandments. Great is Thy compassion, O Lord: according to Thy judgment revive me. Many who cast me out and oppress me, I have not deviated from Thy testimonies. I saw the foolish, and fainted, for they have not kept your words. Behold that I have loved Thy commandments, O Lord, and by Thy mercy revive me. The beginning of Thy words is truth, and for ever all the judgments of Thy righteousness. The princes persecuted me innocently, but at Thy words my heart was afraid. I will rejoice in Thy words, as one who finds much spoil. I have hated unrighteousness, and abhorred it, but I have loved thy law. Seven times a day I have praised Thee for the judgments of Thy righteousness. Great peace is to them that love Thy law, and there is no stumbling block to them. I have waited for Thy salvation, O Lord, and I have loved Thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies, and loved them earnestly. I have kept Thy commandments and Thy testimonies: for all my ways are before Thee, O Lord. Let my prayer draw near before Thy face, O Lord, – according to Thy word, enlighten me. Let my petition go up before Thy face, O Lord, – deliver me according to Thy word. My lips shall pour out a song, when Thou hast taught me Thy commandments. My tongue shall speak thy words: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Thy hand be for my salvation, for I have chosen Thy commandments. I have desired Thy salvation, O Lord, and Thy law is my occupation. My soul shall live and praise Thee, and Thy judgments shall help me. I am lost like a lost sheep; seek thy servant, for I have not forgotten thy commandments.

Glory, and now:

Creed

1 I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. 2 And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, uncreated, of one essence with the Father, through whom all things came to pass. 3 For our sake, men, and for our salvation, Who came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit, and of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. 4 And he who was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. 5 And rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. 6 And he who ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. 7 And again he that cometh with glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom shall have no end. 8 And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-giving, proceeding from the Father, equally worshipped and glorified with the Father and the Son, who spoke through the prophets. 9 Into the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. E-10 I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. E-11 I look forward to the resurrection of the dead, 12 and the life of the age to come. Amen.

The Trisagion. Glory, and now: Most Holy Trinity: Lord, have mercy. (3) Glory, and now: Our Father: Priest: For Thine is the Kingdom: Reader: Amen.

Troparia, tone 8

Behold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight, / and blessed is the servant whom He finds awake, / but on the contrary, he whom He finds careless is unworthy. / See then, my soul, / that you are not overcome by sleep, / that you are not put to death, / and imprisoned outside the Kingdom, / but arise, crying out: / "Holy, Holy, Holy Thou art God, / through the prayers of the Mother of God, have mercy on us!"

Glory: Thinking of that dreadful day, O my soul, / watch, kindling thy lamp shining with oil, / for thou knowest not when thou shalt be overtaken / by a voice proclaiming: "Behold, [your] Bridegroom!" / Take heed, O my soul, / that thou dost not slumber and remain outside the chamber, / knocking like five virgins, / but remain patiently without sleep, / to meet Christ with fat oil, / and He will give thee the divine palace of His glory.

And now: To Thee, the impregnable wall / and the salvific stronghold, O Virgin Mother of God, we beseech: / to frustrate the plans of the adversaries, / to turn the sorrow of Thy people into joy, / to protect Thy city, to strengthen pious Christians, / pray for peace of peace, / for Thou, the Mother of God, is our hope.

[On feast days, instead of these troparia, the troparion of the feast is read. ] 2