The Great Canon v On Thursday of the First Week - Page 20 of 20

On Thursday of the First Week of Lent, during Great Compline, after
Psalm 69, the Canon is sung. The Eirmosi are sung twice, at the
beginning and end of each Song. Before each Troparion we make the sign
of the Cross and bow three times. 



Song 1. 

Tone 6.

 

 Eirmos: He is my Helper and Protector, and has become my salvation.
This is my God and I will glorify Him. My father's God and I will exalt
Him. For gloriously has He been glorified. (Exodus 15:2, 1; Psalm
117:14) 

 

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. 

 

Troparia: 

 

O Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of all, take from me the heavy
yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of compunction. (John
1:29) 

 

I fall prostrate before Thee, O Jesus. I have sinned against Thee, be
merciful to me. Take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy
compassion grant me tears of compunction. 

 

Enter not into judgment with me, by recording my deeds, demanding an
account of my words, and examining my motives and desires. But in Thy
compassion disregard my terrible past and save me, O God All-Powerful. 

 

It is time for repentance. I draw near to Thee, my Creator. Take from me
the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of
compunction. 

 

I have squandered in profligacy the substance of my soul, and I am
barren of virtues and piety; but famished I cry: O Father of mercies,
forestall and have compassion on me. (Luke 15:13, 17) 

 

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us. 

 

To St. Mary of Egypt: By submitting to Christ's divine laws Thou didst
draw near to Him, having left the unbridled craving for pleasure, and
with all discretion thou didst achieve every virtue as one. 

 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: 

 

To The Trinity: Superessential Trinity, adored in Unity, take from me
the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of
compunction. 

 

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. 

 

Theotokion: Mother of God, hope and intercessor of those who sing of
thee, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and as thou art our pure Lady,
accept me who repent. 

 

Song 2. 

 

 Eirmos: See, see that I am God, Who rained manna and made water spout
from the rock of old for my people in the wilderness, by My right hand,
and by My strength alone. 

 

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. 

 

Troparia: 

 

"I have killed a man to the wounding of myself," said Lamech, "and a
young man to my own hurt," he cried out wailing. But you, my soul, do
not tremble, while polluting the flesh and defiling the mind. (Genesis
4:23) 

 

You would have contrived to build a tower, my soul, and erect a
stronghold for your lusts, had not the Creator confounded your plans and
brought your schemes crashing to earth. (Genesis 11:3-4) 

 

O how I have emulated that old murderer Lamech! By my pleasure-loving
cravings I have killed my soul as the man, my mind as the young man, and
my body as my brother, like Cain the murderer. (Genesis 4:23) 

 

The Lord rained fire from the Lord of old, and burnt up the wanton
wickedness of Sodom. But you, my soul, have kindled the fire of hell in
which you are about to be bitterly burnt. (Genesis 19:24) 

 

I am struck and wounded! See the arrows of the enemy with which my soul
and body are pierced all over! See the wounds, the sores and the
mutilations that cry out and betray the blows of my self-chosen
passions! 

 Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us. 

 

To St. Mary of Egypt: Thou didst stretch out thy hands to the merciful
God, O Mary, when sunk in the lowest vices. And He Who by every means
was seeking thy conversion, lovingly stretched out a helping hand as to
Peter. 

 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: 

 

To The Trinity: Unoriginate, uncreated Trinity, indivisible Unity,
accept me who repent, save me who have sinned. I am Thy creation,
despise me not, but spare me and deliver me from the fire of
condemnation. 

 

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. 

 

Theotokion: Spotless Lady, Mother of God, hope of those who run to thee,
and haven of those in distress, obtain grace for me from the merciful
One, Thy Son and Creator, by thy prayers. 

 

Song 3. 

 

 Eirmos: Establish Thy Church on the unshakable rock of Thy
commandments, O Christ. 

 

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. 

 

Troparia: 

 

You, my soul, have become like Hagar the Egyptian of old. You have
become enslaved by your own choice and have a new Ishmael - stubborn
self-will. (Genesis 16:15) 

 

You know, my soul, of the Ladder shown to Jacob reaching from earth to
Heaven. Why have you not clung to the sure step of piety? (Genesis
28:12) 

 

Imitate that Priest of God and solitary King who was an image of the
life of Christ in the world among men. (cf. Melchizedek: Hebrews 7:1-4;
Genesis 14:18) 

 

Be converted and groan, wretched soul, before the pageant of life comes
to an end, before the Lord shuts the door of the bridal hall. 

 

Do not be a pillar of salt, my soul, by turning back; but let the
example of the Sodomites frighten you, and take refuge up in Zoar.
(Genesis 19:26) 

 

Reject not the prayer of those who praise Thee, O Lord; but have
compassion on us, O Lover of men, and to those who ask with faith grant
forgiveness. 

 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: 

 

To The Trinity: Simple, uncreated Unity, unoriginate Nature praised in a
Trinity of Persons, save us who with faith worship Thy power. 

 

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. 

 

Theotokion: O Mother of God, unwedded thou gavest birth in time to the
timeless Son of the Father. And - O strange wonder! - thou remainest a
Virgin while suckling Him. 

 

Song 4. 

 

 Eirmos: The Prophet heard of Thy coming, O Lord, and was afraid that
Thou wast to be born of a Virgin and appear to men, and he said, "I have
heard the report of Thee and am afraid." Glory to Thy power, O Lord.
(Habbakuk 3:2) 

 

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. 

 

Troparia: 

 

Brief is my lifetime and full of pain and wickedness, but accept me in
penitence and recall me to awareness of Thee. May I never be the
possession or food of the enemy. O Savior, have compassion on me.
(Genesis 47:9) 

 

The opulent and righteous man, arrayed in royal dignity, crown and
purple, abounding in wealth and cattle, was suddenly shorn of his
riches, glory and kingdom and became a beggar. 

 

If he who was righteous and blameless beyond all did not escape the
snares and nets of the deceiver, what will you do, my soul, who are
sin-loving and wretched, if something unexpected happens to you? 

 

Boastful I am, and hard-hearted, all in vain and for nothing. Condemn me
not with the Pharisee, but rather grant me the humility of the Publican,
O only merciful and just Judge, and number me with him. (Luke 18:9-14) 

 

I have sinned, I know, O merciful Lord, and outraged the vessel of my
flesh, but accept me in penitence and recall me to awareness of Thee.
May I never be the possession or food of the enemy. O Savior, have
compassion on me. 

 

I am become my own idol, and have injured my soul with passions, O
merciful Lord, but accept me in penitence and recall me to awareness of
Thee. May I never be the possession or food of the enemy. O Savior, have
compassion on me. 

 

I have not listened to Thy voice, I have disobeyed Thy Scripture, O
Lawgiver, but accept me in penitence and recall me to awareness of Thee.
May I never be the possession or food of the enemy. O Savior, have
compassion on me. 

 

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us. 

 

To St. Mary of Egypt: Though dragged down to the depth of great
offences, thou wast not held there. But with better thought thou didst
return by action to consummate virtue beyond all expectation, to the
amazement of angel kind, O Mary. 

 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: 

 

To The Trinity: I confess Thee to be undivided in essence, unconfused in
persons, One Triune Divinity, co-enthroned and co-reigning. I sing Thee
the great song thrice sung on high. 

 

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. 

 

Theotokion: Thou givest birth and livest a virgin life, and in both
remainest a virgin by nature. He Who is born of thee renews the laws of
nature, and a womb gives birth without travail. Where God wills, the
order of nature is overruled; for He does whatever He wishes. 

 

Song 5. 

 

 Eirmos: Out of the night watching early for Thee, enlighten me, I pray,
O Lover of men, and guide even me in Thy commandments, and teach me, O
Savior, to do Thy will. 

 

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. 

 

Troparia: 

 

Imitate, my soul, the woman bent earthward; come and fall down at the
feet of Jesus, that He may straighten you to walk upright in the
footsteps of the Lord. (Luke 13:11) 

 

Though Thou art a deep well, O Lord, pour on me streams from Thy
immaculate wounds, that like the Samaritan woman I may drink and thirst
no more; for from Thee gush rivers of life. (John 4:13-15) 

 

May my tears be for me a Siloam, O Sovereign Lord, that I may wash the
eyes of my soul and mentally see Thee Who art that light which was
before creation. (John 9:7; Genesis 1:2-19) 

 

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us. 

 

To St. Mary of Egypt: Thou, all-blessed one, didst yearn with matchless
love and longing to worship the Tree of Life, and thy desire was
granted; make us also worthy to attain to the glory on high. 

 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: 

 

To The Trinity: Thee, O Trinity, we glorify, the one God: Holy, Holy,
Holy art Thou, Father, Son and Spirit, simple Being, Unity ever adored. 

 

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. 

 

Theotokion: From thee, O pure maiden Mother and Virgin, God Who created
the worlds and ages was clad in my clay and united to Himself human
nature. 

 

Song 6. 

 

 Eirmos: I cried with my whole heart to the merciful God, and He heard
me from the lowest hell and raised my life out of corruption. 

 

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. 

 

Troparia: 

 

I am the coin with the royal image which was lost of old, O Savior. But
light the lamp, Thy Forerunner, O Word; seek and find Thy image. (Luke
15:8) 

 

Rise and make war against the passions of the flesh, as Joshua did
against Amalek, and ever conquer the Gibeonites - illusive thoughts.
(Exodus 17:8; Joshua 8:21) 

 

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us. 

 

To St. Mary of Egypt: To extinguish the flame of the passions, O Mary,
thou didst ever shed rivers of tears and fire thy soul with divine love.
Grant also to me, thy servant, the grace of tears. 

 

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us. 

 

To St. Mary of Egypt: Thou didst acquire heavenly dispassion by thy
sublime life on earth, O mother. Therefore pray that those who sing of
thee may be delivered from the grip of passions. 

 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: 

 

To The Trinity: I am the Trinity, simple and undivided, divided
Personally, and I am the Unity, united in nature, says the Father, the
Son, and the Divine Spirit. 

 

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. 

 

Theotokion: Thy womb bore God for us Who took our form. Implore Him as
the Creator of all, O Mother of God, that through thy intercessions we
may be justified. 

 

Kontakion, tone 6: 

 

My soul, my soul, arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is drawing near,
and you will be confounded. Awake, then. and be watchful, that Christ
our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fills all things. 

 

Song 7. 

 

 Eirmos: We have sinned, transgressed, done wrong before Thee, we have
not watched or done as Thou hast commanded us. But do not give us up
utterly, O God of our Fathers. 

 

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. 

 

Troparia: 

 

My days have vanished like a dream on waking. Therefore weep on my bed
like Hezekiah that years may be added to my life. But what Isaiah will
come to you, my soul, except the God of all? (IV Kings 20:3; Isaiah
38:2) 

 

I fall, down before Thee and bring Thee as tears my words. I have sinned
like the harlot, and transgressed as no other on earth. But have
compassion, O Lord, on Thy work, and recall me. 

 

I have buried Thy image and broken Thy commandment. All my beauty is
darkened and my lamp is extinguished by my passions, O Savior. But have
compassion and restore to me, as David sings, joy. (Psalm 50:14) 

 

Return, repent, uncover what is hidden. Say to God Who knows everything:
Thou knowest my secrets, O only Savior; but have mercy on me, as David
sings, according to Thy mercy. 

 

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us. 

 

To St. Mary of Egypt: By crying to the immaculate Mother of God, thou
didst repel the rage of passions which once violently harassed thee, and
didst put to shame the enemy tempter. But now grant me, thy servant,
also help out of trouble. 

 

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us. 

 

To St. Mary of Egypt: He Whom thou lovest, He Whom thou desires, He on
Whose track thou camest, mother, found thee and granted thee repentance,
for He is God Who alone is compassionate. Implore Him unceasingly to
deliver us from passions and adversities. 

 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: 

 

To The Trinity: 0 Trinity simple and undivided, of one essence and, one
nature, Lights and Light, three Holies and one Holy, God the Trinity is
hymned. But sing, my soul, and glorify the Life and Lives, the God of
all. 

 

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. 

 

Theotokion: We sing of thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, O Mother of
God, for thou gavest birth to one of the inseparable Trinity, the one
Son and God, and to us on earth thou hast opened the heavenly realms. 

 

Song 8. 

 

 Eirmos: Him Whom the heavenly hosts glorify and before Whom Cherubim
and Seraphim tremble, let every breath and all creation praise, bless
and exalt throughout all ages. 

 

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. 

 

Troparia: 

 

The alabaster jar of my tears, O Savior, I pour out on Thy head as the
perfume, and like the harlot I cry to Thee, seeking Thy mercy. I offer
prayer and ask to receive forgiveness. (Matthew 26:7; Luke 7:38) 

 

Though no one has sinned against Thee as I, yet accept even me, O
compassionate Savior, repenting with fear and crying with love: Against
Thee only have I sinned. I have done wrong, have mercy on me. 

 

Spare, O Savior, Thy own creation, and seek as Shepherd Thy lost sheep;
snatch the stray from the wolf, and make me a pet lamb in Thy sheep
pasture. (Psalm 118:176; John 10:11-16) 

 

When Thou sittest as Judge and in Thy compassion showest Thy dread
glory, O Christ, O what fear there will be then, when the furnace is
burning and all shrink from Thy inexorable Tribunal! (Matthew 25:31-46) 

 

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us. 

 

To St. Mary of Egypt: The Mother of the unwaning Light enlightened thee,
and freed thee from the darkness of the passions. So now thou art
admitted to the grace of the Spirit, enlighten, O Mary, those who
faithfully praise Thee. 

 

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us. 

 

To St. Mary of Egypt: Beholding in thee a new wonder, O mother, divine
Zosimas was truly amazed. For he saw an angel in a body and, filled with
utter astonishment, he praises Christ for ever. 

 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: 

 

To The Trinity: Eternal Father, co-eternal Son, gracious Comforter,
Spirit of Truth; Father of the Divine Word, Word of the Eternal father,
living and creative Spirit, Trinity Unity, have mercy on us. 

 

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. 

 

Theotokion: As from scarlet silk, O spotless Virgin, within thy womb the
spiritual purple was woven, the flesh of Emmanuel. Therefore we honor
thee as in truth Mother of God. 

 

Song 9. 

 

 Eirmos: Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception,
unsullied the pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews
natures. So in all generations we magnify thee in orthodox fashion as
the Mother and Bride of God. 

 

Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. 

 

Troparia: 

 

Have compassion and save me, have mercy on me, O Son of David, Who didst
heal with a word the demoniac. And let Thy voice of tender compassion
speak to me as to the robber, "Truly I tell you, you will be with Me in
Paradise when I rise in My glory." (Luke 9:38-42; 23:43) 

 

A robber accused Thee, and a robber confessed Thee to be God, for both
were hanging on a cross with Thee. But open even to me, O most
compassionate Savior, the door of Thy glorious Kingdom as to Thy
faithful robber who acknowledged Thee to be God. (Luke 23:32-42) 

 

Creation was in anguish; seeing Thee crucified; mountains and rocks were
split with fear, the earth quaked, hell was emptied, and the light grew
dark in the daytime; beholding Thee, Jesus, nailed to the Cross in Thy
flesh. (Matthew 27:51-53; Luke 23:44-45) 

 

Do not require of me fruits worthy of repentance, for my strength is
spent in me. Grant me ever a contrite heart and spiritual poverty, that
I may offer these gifts to Thee as an acceptable sacrifice, O only
Savior. (Matthew 3:8; 5:3; Psalm 50:17) 

 

O my Judge and my Light, Who alone knowest me and art coming again with
Thine Angels to judge the whole world, regard me then with Thy merciful
Eye and spare me, O Jesus. And have compassion on me who have sinned
more than all mankind. (Matthew 25:31-32) 

 

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us. 

 

To St. Mary of Egypt: Thou didst astonish all by thy strange life, both
the Orders of Angels and the councils of men, by living immaterially and
surpassing nature. Then treading firmly the waves like an immaterial
being, O Mary, thou didst cross the Jordan an. 

 

Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us. 

 

To St. Mary of Egypt: Intercede with the Creator on behalf of those who
praise thee, holy mother, that we may be delivered from the sufferings
and afflictions which beset us on all sides, that being delivered from
our temptations, we may unceasingly magnify the Lord Who glorified thee.


 

Refrain: Holy father Andrew, pray for us. 

 

To St. Andrew of Crete: Venerable Andrew, thrice-blessed father,
shepherd of Crete, cease not to pray to God for those who sing of thee,
that He may deliver from anger, oppression, corruption, and our
countless sins, all of us who faithfully honor thy me memory. 

 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: 

 

To The Trinity: Let us glorify the Father, exalt the Son, and faithfully
worship the Divine Spirit, inseparable Trinity, Unity in essence, as the
Light and Lights, the Life and Lives, giving life and light to the ends
of the earth. 

 

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. 

 

Theotokion: Protect thy city, spotless Mother of God, for in thee it
faithfully reigns, and in thee is made strong, and through thee it
conquers and routs every trial and temptation, and spoils its foes and
rules its subjects. 

 

And again the Eirmos: 

 

Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception, unsullied the
pregnancy of a Virgin Mother, for the birth of God renews natures. So in
all generations we magnify thee in orthodox fashion as Mother and Bride
of God. 

 

Then the rest of Great Compline.