Here's the Great Canon itself, with appropriate scriptural refernces. Not the best translation, but hardly a bad one either. Ut explains more Orthodox theology on the Fall, the nature of mankind, repentence and theosis.
THE ORDER OF THE GREAT CANON OF SAINT ANDREW OF CRETE.
This service is on Wednesday evening. Matins begins as usual in Lent, till the 8th Kathisma (55-63) and the Sedalion with its Theotokion. The first half of the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt is now read. Then, after Psalm 50 we at once begin to sing the Canon anon, leisurely and with compunction. Before each Troparion, we make the sign of the cross and bow three times, saying: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Song 1.
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:
1. Where shall I begin to lament the deeds of my wretched life? What
first-fruit shall I offer, O Christ, for my present lamentation? But
in Thy compassion grant me release from my falls.
2. Come, wretched soul, with your flesh, confess to the Creator of
all. In future refrain from your former brutishness, and offer to God
tears in repentance.
3. Having rivalled the first-created Adam by my transgression, I
realize that I am stripped naked of God and of the everlasting kingdom
and bliss through my sins. (Genesis 3)
4. Alas, wretched soul! Why are you like the first Eve? For you have
wickedly looked and been bitterly wounded, and you have touched the
tree and rashly tasted the forbidden food.
5. The place of bodily Eve has been taken for me by the Eve of my mind
in the shape of a passionate thought in the flesh, showing me sweet
things, yet ever making me taste and swallow bitter things.
6. Adam was rightly exiled from Eden for not keeping Thy one
commandment, O Saviour. But what shall I suffer who am always
rejecting Thy living words? (Hebrews 12:25; Genesis 3:23)
7. I have willfully incurred the guilt of Cain's murder, since by
invigorating my flesh I am the murderer of my soul's awareness, and
have warred against it by my evil deeds. (Genesis 4:8)
8. I have not resembled Abel's righteousness, O Jesus. I have never
offered Thee acceptable gifts, nor divine actions, nor a pure
sacrifice, nor an unblemished life. (Genesis 4:4)
9. Like Cain, we too, O wretched soul, have likewise offered to the
Creator of all foul deeds, defective sacrifice and a useless life.
Therefore we too are condemned. (Genesis 4:5; Hebrews 11:4)
10. In molding my clay into life, O Potter, Thou didst put in me flesh
and bones, breath and vitality. But, O my Creator, my Redeemer and
Judge, accept me who repent. (Genesis 2:7; Jeremiah 18:1-10; Romans
9:21)
11. I confess to Thee, O Saviour, the sins I have committed, and the
wounds of my body and soul which murderous thoughts like robbers within
have inflicted upon me. (Luke 10:30)
12. I have sinned, O Saviour, yet I know that Thou art the Lover of
men. Thou strikest compassionately and pitiest warmly. Thou seest me
weeping and runnest towards me as the Father recalling the Prodigal.
(Luke 15:20)
13. In old age even, O Saviour, do not cast me out empty to hell as I
lie prostrate before Thy gates. But before my end, in Thy love for
men, grant me release from my falls.
14. I am the one by my thoughts who fell among robbers; and now I am
all wounded by them, full of sores. But stand by me, O Christ my
Saviour, and heal me. (Luke 10:30)
15. The priest saw me first and passed by on the other side. Then the
Levite took a look at my sufferings and disdained my nakedness. But
stand by me, O Jesus Who didst dawn out of Mary, and have compassion on
me. (Luke 10:31-33)
16. 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[1] (John 1:29)
17. 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.*
18. Abhor me not, O Saviour, cast me not away from Thy face. Take
from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me release
from my falls.*
19. All my sins, voluntary and involuntary, obvious and secret, known
and unknown, forgive, O Saviour, for Thou art God; be merciful and save
me.
20. From my youth, O Christ, I have rejected Thy commandments. I have
passed my whole life without caring or thinking as a slave of my
passions. Therefore, O Saviour, I cry to Thee: At least in the end
save me.
21. I have squandered in profligacy my substance, O Saviour, 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)
22. 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.
23. 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.
ANOTHER CANON, OF SAINT MARY OF EGYPT to the same Tone and Eirmos:
Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.
To St. Mary of Egypt: Grant me that illuminating grace from on high
given thee by Divine Providence that I may escape the darkening of the
passions and fervently sing of the thrilling achievements of thy life,
O Mary.
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.
Refrain: Holy father Andrew, pray for us.
To St. Andrew of Crete: By thy prayers, O Andrew, deliver us from
degrading passions, and make us who with faith and love sing of thee
partakers now of the Kingdom of Christ, O renowned father, we pray.
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: Attend, O heaven, and I will speak, and will sing of Christ who
came to dwell among us in flesh which He took from the Virgin.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
1. Attend, O heaven, and I will speak; O earth, give ear to a voice
repenting to God and singing praises to Him.
2. Attend to me, O God my Saviour, with Thy merciful eye, and accept
my fervent confession. (Proverbs 15:3; Psalm 33:15)
3. I have sinned above all men, I alone have sinned against Thee. But
as God have compassion, O Saviour, on Thy creature. (I Timothy 1:15)
4. A storm of passions besets me, O compassionate Lord. But stretch
out Thy hand to me too, as to Peter. (Matthew 14:31)
5. The tears of the harlot, O merciful Lord, I too offer to Thee. Be
merciful to me, O Saviour, in Thy compassion. (Luke 7:38; 18:13)
6. I have darkened the beauty of my soul with passionate pleasures,
and my whole mind I have reduced wholly to mud.
7. I have torn my first garment which the Creator wove for me in the
beginning, and therefore I am lying naked. (Genesis 3:21)
8. I have put on a torn coat, which the serpent wove for me by
argument, and I am ashamed. (Genesis 3:4-5)
9. I looked at the beauty of the tree, and my mind was seduced; and
now I lie naked, and I am ashamed. (Genesis 3:7)
10. All the demon-chiefs of the passions have plowed on my back, and
long has their tyranny over me lasted. (Psalm 128:3)
11. I have lost my first-created beauty and comeliness; and now I lie
naked, and I am ashamed.
12. Sin which stripped me of my former God-woven clothing has also
sewn on me coats of skin. (Genesis 3:21)
13. I am wrapped in a garment of shame as with fig leaves, in reproof
of my selfish passions.
14. I am clad in a coat that is spotted and shamefully bloodstained by
the flow of my passionate and pleasure-loving life.
15. I have stained the coat of my flesh, and soiled what is in Thy
image and likeness, O Saviour.
16. I fell under the burden of passions and corruption of matter, and
from then until now I am oppressed by the enemy.
17. Having preferred a possessive and pleasure-loving life to
spiritual poverty, O Saviour, I am now harnessed with a heavy yoke.
(Matthew 5:3)
18. I have adorned the idol of my flesh with the many-coloured
clothing of shameful thoughts, and I am condemned. (I John 5:21)
19. I have been anxiously concerned only about outward adornment, and
have neglected the inner temple made in the image of God. (I Peter
3:3-4)
20. Having formed by my pleasure-loving desires the deformity of my
passions, I have marred the beauty of my mind.
21. I have buried with passions the beauty of the original image, O
Saviour. But seek and find it, like the lost coin. (Luke 15:8)
22. Like the harlot I cry to Thee: I have sinned, I alone have sinned
against Thee. Accept my tears also, O Saviour, as perfume. (Luke
7:37-50)
23. I have slipped and fallen like David through lack of discipline,
and I am covered with filth; but wash me too, O Saviour, with my
tears. (II Kings 11:1-4)
24. Like the publican I cry to Thee: Be merciful, O Saviour, be
merciful to me; for no child of Adam has sinned as I against Thee.
(Luke 18:13)
25. No tears, no repentance have I, no compunction. But as God, O
Saviour, grant me these.
26. Close not Thy door to me then, Lord, Lord; but open it to me who
repent to Thee. (Matthew 25:11)
27. O Lover of men, Who wishest all to be saved, in Thy goodness
recall me and receive me who repent. (I Timothy 2:4)
28. Give ear to the sighs and groans of my soul, and accept the drops
of my eyes, O Saviour, and save me.
Refrain: Most holy Mother of God, save us.
Theotokion: Spotless Mother of God, only all-hymned Virgin, pray
intensely that we may be saved.
Another 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.
29. See, see that I am God: give ear, my soul, to the Lord Who is
appealing to you, and tear yourself from your former sin, and fear Him
as the Avenger, and as your Judge and God. (Deuteronomy 32:35; Hebrews
10:30)
30. Whom do you resemble, O most sinful soul? Surely the first Cain
and that wicked Lamech. For you have stoned your body with evil deeds,
and you have murdered your mind with irrational appetites. (Genesis 4;
4:23)
31. Running through all who lived before the Law, my soul, you have
not been like Seth, nor imitated Enos, nor Enoch by translation, nor
Noah. But you are seen to be bereft of the life of the righteous.
(Genesis 5)
32. You alone have opened the cataracts of the wrath of God, my soul,
and have flooded as the earth all your flesh and actions and life, and
have remained outside the Ark of Salvation. (Genesis 6-8)
33. "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)
34. 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)
35. 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)
36. 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!
37. 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)
38. Know and see that I am God, Who searches hearts, punishes
thoughts, reproves actions, and burns sins, and judges the orphan, the
humble and the poor. (Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 67:5)
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.
Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.
To St. Mary of Egypt: With all eagerness and love thou didst run to
Christ, abandoning thy former way of sin. And being nourished in the
untrodden wilderness, thou didst chastely fulfil His divine
commandments.
Refrain: Holy father Andrew, pray for us.
To St. Andrew of Crete: Let us see, let us see, O soul, our Lord and
God's love for men. So before the end let us fall down before Him with
tears and cry: By the prayers of Andrew, O Saviour, have mercy on us.
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:
1. The Lord rained fire from the Lord, my soul, and burnt up the
former land of Sodom. (Genesis 19:24)
2. Escape to the mountain like Lot, my soul, and make Zoar your refuge
in time. (Genesis 19:22)
3. Run from the burning, my soul! Run from the heat of Sodom! Run
from the destruction of the divine flame. (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews
12:29)
4. I confess to Thee, O Saviour, I have sinned, I have sinned against
Thee, but absolve and forgive me in Thy compassion.
5. I alone have sinned against Thee, sinned above all men. O Christ
my Saviour, spurn me not.
6. Thou art the good Shepherd; seek me, Thy lamb, and neglect not me
who have gone astray. (John 10:11-14)
7. Thou art my sweet Jesus, Thou art my Creator; in Thee, O Saviour, I
shall be justified.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To The Trinity: O Trinity, Unity, God, save us from delusion and
temptations and distressing circumstances.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Rejoice, God-receiving womb! Rejoice, throne of the Lord!
Rejoice, Mother of our Life!
Another Eirmos: Establish, O Lord, my unstable heart on the rock of Thy
commandments, for Thou only art Holy and Lord.
8. In Thee, the Conqueror of death, I have found the Source of Life,
and from my heart I cry to Thee before my end: I have sinned, be
merciful, save me.
9. I have imitated those who were licentious in Noah's time, and I
have earned a share in their condemnation of drowning in the flood.
(Genesis 6)
10. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against Thee. Be merciful to
me. For there is no one who has sinned among men whom I have not
surpassed by my sins.
11. You have imitated Ham, that spurner of his father, my soul. You
have not concealed your neighbour's shame by returning to him looking
backwards.[2] (Genesis 9:20-27)
12. You have not inherited Shem's blessing, wretched soul, nor have
you received that vast possession like Japheth in the land of
forgiveness. (Genesis 9:26-27)
13. Come out, my soul, from sin, from the land of Haran! Come into
the land of eternal life flowing with incorruption which Abraham
inherited. (Genesis 12:4)
14. You have heard, my soul, how Abraham of old left the land of his
fathers and became a nomad. Imitate his resolution. (Genesis 12:1)
15. At the Oak of Mamre the Patriarch entertained Angels, and
inherited in his old age the spoil of the promise. (Genesis 18:1)
16. Knowing, my wretched soul, how Isaac was mystically offered to the
Lord as a new sacrifice and holocaust, imitate his resolution. (Genesis
22:2)
17. You have heard of Ishmael (be watchful, my soul!) who was driven
out as the son of a slave-girl. Beware lest you suffer something
similar by your lusting. (Genesis 21:10)
18. 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)
19. 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)
20. 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)
21. 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)
22. Run, my soul, like Lot from the fire of sin; run from Sodom and
Gomorrah; run from the flame of every irrational desire. (Genesis 19)
23. Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on me, I implore Thee, when Thou
comest with Thy Angels to requite us all as our actions deserve.
24. 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.
Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.
To St. Mary of Egypt: I am hard pressed by the waves and billows of my
sins, mother. But now bring me safely through, and lead me to the
haven of divine repentance.
Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.
To St. Mary of Egypt: In offering a fervent prayer at this time to the
compassionate Mother of God, O Saint, by thy intercession open to me
the divine right of entry.
Refrain: Holy father Andrew, pray for us.
To St. Andrew of Crete: By thy prayers grant me release from my debts,
O Andrew, prelate of Crete, for thou art an unsurpassed guide to the
mysteries of repentance.
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.
And again the Eirmos:
Establish, O Lord, my unstable heart on The rock of Thy commandments,
for Thou only art Holy and Lord.
Little Litany: Again and again in peace ...
Exclamation: For Thou art our God ...
Sedalion, tone 8, the work of Joseph:
O divinely shining lights, Apostles and eyewitnesses of the Saviour,
enlighten us in the darkness of life, that we may walk honestly as in
the day, routing the passions of the night with the lamp of temperance
and continence, and may see the glorious Passion of Christ rejoicing.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Another, the work of Theodore:
O God-chosen band of the Twelve Apostles, offer now especially prayer
to Christ, that we may all finish the course of the Fast, completing
the prayers with compunction, and zealously practising the virtues,
that we may attain to see the glorious Resurrect ion of Christ our God,
offering Him glory and praise.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Pray with the Apostles, O Mother of God, to the
incomprehensible Son and Word of God, Who beyond understanding was
ineffably born of thee, that He may bestow true peace on the world, and
before our end grant us forgiveness of sins, and in thy extreme
goodness make thy servants fit for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Second half of the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt is read here.
TRIODION or THREE SONGS (without bows) The work of Joseph.
Song 4. Tone 8.
Eirmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy plan, I contemplate
Thy works and glorify Thy divine nature.
Refrain: Holy Apostles, pray for us.
Troparia:
1. Having lived in continence,[3] the enlightened Apostles of Christ
make easy for us the time of continence by their divine intercessions.
2. Like a twelve-stringed instrument, the divine choir of the
Disciples sings the song of salvation, and confounds the racket of the
evil one.
3. With showers of the Spirit, O all-blessed Apostles, you have
watered everything under the sun and banished the drought of
polytheism.
Refrain: Most holy Mother of God, save us.
Theotokion: Humble and save me who have lived high-mindedly, O all-pure
Virgin, who gavest birth to Him Who exalted our humbled nature.
ANOTHER TRIODION, the work of Theodore.
Eirmos: I have heard, O Lord, the report of Thee, and am afraid. I
contemplate Thy works and glorify Thy power, O Lord.
Refrain: Holy Apostles, pray for us.
Troparia:
4. Most holy choir of Apostles, pray to the Creator of all and ask Him
to have mercy on us who sing your praises.
5. As workers who cultivated the whole world with the word of God, O
Apostles of Christ, you always offered Him your fruits.
6. You were a vineyard for the truly beloved Christ, for from you the
wine of the Spirit gushed into the world, O Apostles.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
To The Trinity: Eternal, co-equal, all-powerful Holy Trinity; Father,
Word and Holy Spirit; God, Light and Life, guard Thy flock.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Rejoice, fiery throne! Rejoice, luminous lamp! Rejoice,
mountain of sanctification, ark of life, tabernacle, holy of holies.
CONTINUATION OF THE GREAT CANON.
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:
1. Despise not Thy works and forsake not Thy creation, O just Judge
and Lover of men, though I alone have sinned as a man more than any
man. But being Lord of all, Thou hast power to pardon sins. (Mark
2:10)
2. The end is drawing near, my soul, is drawing near! But you neither
care nor prepare. The time is growing short. Rise! The Judge is near
at the very doors. Like a dream, like a flower, the time of this life
passes. Why do we bustle about in vain? (Matthew 24:33; Psalm 38:7)
3. Come to your senses, my soul! Consider the deeds you have done,
and bring them before your eyes, and pour out the drops of your tears.
Boldly tell your thoughts and deeds to Christ, and be acquitted.
4. There has never been a sin or act or vice in life that I have not
committed, O Saviour. I have sinned in mind, word and choice, in
purpose, will and action, as no one else has ever done.
5. Therefore I am condemned, wretch that I am, therefore I am doomed
by my own conscience, than which there is nothing in the world more
rigorous. O my Judge and Redeemer Who knowest my heart, spare and
deliver and save me, Thy servant.
6. The ladder of old which the great Patriarch saw, my soul, is a
model of mounting by action and ascent by knowledge. So, if you wish
to live in activity, knowledge and contemplation, be renewed. (Genesis
28:12; Romans 12:2; Titus 3:5)
7. Because of his crying need the Patriarch endured the scorching heat
of the day, and he bore the frost of the night, daily making gains,
shepherding, struggling, slaving, in order to win two wives. (Genesis
29:16-30; 31-40)
8. By the two wives understand action and direct knowledge in
contemplation: Leah as action, for she had many children, and Rachel as
knowledge, which is obtained by much labour. For without labours, my
soul, neither action nor contemplation will achieve success.
9. Watch, my soul! Be courageous like the great Patriarchs, that you
may acquire activity and awareness, and be a mind that sees God, and
may reach in contemplation the innermost darkness, and be a great
trader. (Genesis 32:28; Luke 19:13-15)
10. The great Patriarch, by begetting the twelve Patriarchs,
mystically set up for you, my soul, a ladder of active ascent, having
wisely offered his children as rungs, and his steps as ascents.
11. You have emulated the hated Esau, my soul, and have given up your
birthright of pristine beauty to your supplanter, and you have lost
your father's blessing, and have been tripped up twice in action and
knowledge. Therefore, O wretch, repent now. ( Genesis 25:31; 27:37)
12. Esau was called Edom for his extreme passion of madness for
women. For ever burning with incontinence and stained with pleasures,
he was named Edom, which means a red-hot sin-loving soul. (Genesis
25:30)
13. Have you heard of Job who was made holy on a dunghill, O my soul?
You have not emulated his courage, nor had his firmness of purpose in
all you have learned or known, or in your temptations, but you have
proved unpersevering. (Job 1)
14. He who was formerly on a throne is now naked on a dunghill and
covered with sores. He who had many children and was much admired is
suddenly childless and homeless. Yet he regarded the dunghill as a
palace and his sores as pearls. (Job 2:7-8)
15. 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.
16. 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?
17. My body is defiled, my spirit is sullied, and I am all covered
with sores. But as the Physician, O Christ, heal, wash and cleanse
both body and spirit with repentance, and make me, my Saviour, purer
than snow.
18. Thou didst lay down Thy body and blood for ail, O crucified Word:
Thy body in order to renew me, Thy blood in order to wash me, and Thou
didst surrender Thy spirit, O Christ, in order to bring me to the
Father.
19. Thou hast wrought salvation in the midst of the earth, O merciful
Creator, that we may be saved. Thou wast voluntarily crucified on the
Tree: Eden that was closed is open; things on high and below, creation
and all peoples are saved and worship Thee. (Psalm 73:12)
20. May the blood and water that wells from Thy side be a font for me
and a draught of forgiveness, that I may be cleansed, anointed and
refreshed by both as with drink and unction by Thy living words, O
Word. (John 19:34; Acts 7:38)
21. I am bereft of the bridal hall, I am bereft of the marriage and
supper. My lamp has gone out for want of oil, the door has been locked
while I was asleep; the supper is eaten; and I, bound hand and foot, am
cast outside. (Matthew 25; Luke 14:7-35; Matthew 22:1-14)
22. The Church has acquired Thy life-giving side as a chalice, from
which gushes forth for us a twofold torrent of forgiveness and
knowledge as a type of the two covenants, Old and New, O our Saviour.
23. 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 Saviour, have compassion on me.
(Genesis 47:9)
24. 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)
25. 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 Saviour,
have compassion on me.
26. 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 Saviour,
have compassion on me.
27. 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 Saviour,
have compassion on me.
Refrain: Holy mother Mary, pray for us.
To St. Mary of Egypt: By living a bodiless life in a body, O Saint,
thou hast truly received great grace from God to intercede for those
who faithfully honour thee. Therefore we implore thee: deliver us by
thy prayers from trials of all kinds.
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.
Refrain: Holy father Andrew, pray for us.
To St. Andrew of Crete: O Andrew, glory of the Fathers, standing before
the transcendingly divine Trinity, by thy prayers cease not to
intercede that we who invoke thee with love may be delivered from
torment, O divine intercessor, adornment of Crete.
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
Saviour, to do Thy will.
Refrain: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
1. I have passed my life ever in night, for the night of sin has been
to me thick fog and darkness; but make me, O Saviour, a Son of the
day. (Ephesians 5:8)
2. Like Reuben, wretch that I am, I have planned an unprincipled and
lawless act against God Most High, having defiled my bed as he defiled
that of his father. (Genesis 35:21; 49:3-4)
3. I confess to Thee, O Christ my King: I have sinned, I have sinned,
like Joseph's brothers of old, who sold the fruit of purity and
chastity. (Genesis 37)
4. Righteous Joseph was given up by his brothers, that sweet soul was
sold into slavery, as a type of the Lord; and you, my soul, have sold
yourself completely to your vices. (Genesis 37:27-28)
5. Imitate, wretched and worthless soul, righteous Joseph and his pure
mind, and do not be wanton with irrational desires, ever
transgressing. (Genesis 39:7-23)
6. If Joseph of old also occupied a pit, O Sovereign Lord, yet it was
as a type of Thy Burial and Rising. But will I ever offer Thee
anything like it? (Genesis 37)
7. You have heard, my soul, of Moses' ark of old, borne on the waters
and waves of the river as in a shrine, which escaped the bitter tragedy
of Pharaoh's edict. (Exodus 1:22 - 2:3)
8. If you have heard of the midwives, wretched soul, who of old killed
in infancy the manly issue and practice of chastity, then like the
great Moses, suck wisdom. (Exodus 1:16; 2-9; Acts 7:22)
9. You, wretched soul, have not struck and killed your Egyptian mind,
like great Moses. Say, then, how will you dwell in that desert
solitude where the passions desert you through repentance? (Exodus
2:12)
10. Great Moses dwelt in the wilds, my soul. So go and imitate his
life, that you too may attain by contemplation to the vision of God in
the bush. (Exodus 3:1)
11. Imagine Moses' staff striking the sea and fixing the deep as a
type of the divine Cross, by which you too, my soul, can accomplish
great things. (Exodus 14:16)
12. Aaron offered to God the fire pure and undefiled; but Hophni and
Phinehas, like you, my soul, offered to God a foul and rebellious
life. (Leviticus 9:21-24; I Kings 2:12-34)
13. How heavy in character I have become, in soul and body, like
Jannes and Jambres in Pharaoh's bitter service, and my mind has sunk
low. But help me, O Lord. (Exodus 7:11; II Timothy 3:8)
14. I, wretch that I am, have rolled my mind in mud. But wash me, O
Lord, in the bath of my tears, I pray Thee, and make the robe of my
flesh as white as snow.
15. When I examine my actions, O Saviour, I see that I have gone
beyond all men in sins; for I have sinned with knowledge consciously,
and not in ignorance.
16. Spare, spare, O Lord, Thy works. I have sinned; forgive me, for
Thou alone art pure by nature, and apart from Thee there is none
without defilement. (I Peter 3:21)
