Have you ever heard of the Lenten Triodion, the book? This is a book that holds all the hymns and special verses for all services from the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee (four Sundays before Lent begins) all the way through Holy Saturday, the day before the Resurrection of Christ. Mostly it just has weekend services but there are some of the bigger weekday ones, like this first week of Great Lent. The entire week is devoted to repentance and there are services every evening. In the Lenten Triodion though it also has the matins services which in our small parish we do not do. Many churches probably do not do every single service prescribed.
This morning I decided to pick this book up and read some of the hymns and special verses for the services we don’t do and that I wouldn’t get to here.
I am sure glad I did! What a treasure! Beautiful prayers and encouragement. Let me share some with you.
As we begin the second day of saving abstinence, we cry to Thee, O Lord: Pierce the hearts of us Thy servants with compunction and accept the prayers we offer Thee in fear. Grant us without stumbling to complete the course of the Fast, and bestow upon us cleansing and great mercy.
Sessional Hymn from Matins on Tuesday of the 1st week.
What a beautiful prayer. “…bestow upon us cleansing and great mercy.”
And here is my favorite for the day…my favorites get special attention…
This verse from Matins really makes me happy. It fills me with hope and strengthens me. The Triodion references Matthew 6:16, “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”
May we strive with joy through this season that we may “gain holiness.”
Kindler of Joy! 