First Friday of the Great Fast

Two hymns from the first Friday of Great Lent for us to consider as we continue our sojourn toward Pascha.

LET US RECEIVE THE PROCLAMATION OF LENT WITH JOY!

FOR IF OUR FOREFATHER ADAM HAD KEPT THE FAST,

WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DEPRIVED OF PARADISE.

THE FRUIT WHICH KILLED US WAS BEAUTIFUL TO SEE AND GOOD TO EAT,

SO LET US NOT BE FOOLED BY OUR EYES,

FOR AFTER FOOD IS EATEN, IT IS WORTHLESS.

LET US FLEE FROM INTEMPERANCE,

SO THAT WE MAY NOT BE CONQUERED BY PASSIONS AFTER HAVING OUR FILL.

LET US SIGN OURSELVES WITH THE BLOOD OF THE ONE

WHO, FOR OUR SAKE, WAS VOLUNTARILY LED TO DEATH,

SO THAT THE DESTROYER MIGHT NOT TOUCH US.

SO WE WILL PARTAKE OF THE SACRED PASCHA OF CHRIST

FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.

The above hymn is from Matins and below the hymn is from Vespers. 

 COME, FAITHFUL!

LET US PERFORM THE WORKS OF GOD IN THE LIGHT.

LET US WALK HONESTLY AS IN THE DAY.

LET US RID OURSELVES OF UNJUST ACCUSATIONS AGAINST OUR NEIGHBORS,

SO THAT WE PLACE NO STUMBLING BLOCKS IN THEIR WAY.

LET US PUT ASIDE THE PLEASURES OF THE FLESH

SO THAT WE MAY INCREASE GIFTS TO OUR SOULS.

LET US GIVE BREAD TO THOSE IN NEED.

LET US DRAW NEAR TO CHRIST IN REPENTANCE AND SAY:

OUR GOD, HAVE MERCY ON US!