On Monday of the first week of Great Lent during Great Compline, we begin the first section of the Great Canon after the reading of Psalm 69.  

ODE 1
TONE 6
Irmos: A helper and a protector, He has become my salvation. This is my God, I will glorify Him, my father’s God will I exalt, for gloriously has He been glorified.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Troparia.
Where shall I begin to lament the deeds of my wretched life? How shall I begin, O Christ, to relieve my present tears? But as Thou art deeply compassionate, grant me tears of tenderness.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Come, O wretched soul, and together with thy body confess to the Creator of all so that henceforth, thou shalt abstain from thy past foolishness and offer tears of repentance to God.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Having rivaled the first-formed Adam by my transgressions, I have found myself stripped naked of God, of the everlasting kingdom and all of its delights, because of my sins.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Woe is me, O wretched soul, for thou art become like the first Eve! For thou hast looked in wickedness and wast bitterly wounded; for thou hast touched the tree and rashly tasted the forbidden fruit.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

In the place of the physical Eve, the temptation of Eve hath taken flesh in my mind, showing me what seems to be sweet; but making me taste and swallow bitterness.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Adam was rightly banished from Eden, O Saviour, because he disobeyed
one of Thy commandments. What then shall I suffer, for constantly rejecting Thy words of life?

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Of mine own free will have I incurred Cain’s guilt of murder; for I have murdered my own conscience by cultivating my flesh and making war upon my soul’s awareness by my wicked actions.

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

To the Trinity: O Trinity, Who surpasses all creation and is adored in Unity, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Thy compassion grant me tears of compunction.

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

Theotokion: O Theotokos, the hope and protection of those who praise thee, take from me the heavy yoke of sin and as thou art our Most-pure Lady, accept me in repentance.

ODE 2
Irmos: Attend, O heaven and I will speak, I will sing of Christ, Who from the Virgin took flesh to dwell with us.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Troparia.
Attend, O heaven and I will speak; give ear, O earth to the voice of one who repents before God and sings His praises.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Look upon me, O God my Saviour, with Thy merciful eye, and accept my fervent confession.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

I have sinned above all men, I alone have sinned against Thee; but as God take pity on Thy creature, O Saviour.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

A storm of passions surrounds me, O compassionate Lord. But stretch out Thine hand to me, as once Thou didst to Peter.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Like the Harlot I cry to Thee: I have sinned, I alone have sinned against Thee. Oh, accept my tears as a sweet ointment, O Saviour.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

I have stained the garment of my flesh and have defiled that which was made in Thine image and likeness, O Saviour.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

I have darkened the beauty of my soul with passionate pleasures and have turned my whole mind entirely to dust.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

I have torn the garment that the Creator first wove for me in the beginning, and therefore I lie naked.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

I have clothed myself in the torn robe that the serpent hath spitefully stitched for me by his counsel, and now I am ashamed.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

I offer to Thee, O merciful One, the tears of a harlot. Cleanse me, O Saviour, in Thy compassion.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

I looked upon the beauty of the forbidden tree and my mind was deceived; and now I lie naked and ashamed.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The demons of passion have ploughed long furrows on my back, prolonging their wickedness upon me.

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

To the Trinity: I sing praises to the One in Three Persons, God of all, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

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

Theotokion: O Most-pure Theotokos and All-laudable Virgin, fervently intercede for our salvation.

ODE 3
Irmos: Establish Thy Church, O Christ, on the unshakable rock of Thy commandments.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Troparia.
The Lord once rained fire from heaven and consumed the land of Sodom.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Seek salvation on the mountain as did Lot, O my soul, and find thy refugein Zoar.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Flee from the flames, O my soul, flee from the burning heat of Sodom, flee the destruction of the divine fire.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

I confess that I have sinned, I have sinned against Thee, O Saviour. But in Thy compassion absolve me and forgive me.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

I alone have sinned against Thee, I have sinned above all men; reject me not, O Christ my Saviour.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Thou art the Good Shepherd: seek me, the lamb that has gone astray and do not forsake me.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Thou art my sweet Jesus, Thou art my Creator, and in Thee shall I be justified, O Christ.

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

To the Trinity: O God, the Trinity, One in Unity, save us who have sinned against Thee, and deliver us from corruption.

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

Theotokion: Rejoice, O Womb that bore Divinity! Rejoice, O Throne of the Lord! Rejoice, O Mother of our Life!

ODE 4
Irmos: 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.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Troparia.
Despise not Thy works, O Righteous Judge, and forsake not Thy creation though I alone have sinned more than any other man. Yet Thou, as the Lord of all, hast the power to remit all sins, O Lover of mankind.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The end draws near, O my soul, the end draws near; yet thou dost not prepare, neither dost thou care. The time grows short. Arise, for the Judge is at the very doors. The days of our lives pass quickly, as if they were a dream, as if they were a flower. O why do we trouble ourselves in vain?

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Arise, O my soul and consider all the deeds which thou hast done, and set them up before thine eyes. Now pour out the drops of thy tears and boldly confess to Christ of thy deeds and thoughts, and so be thou justified.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

In life’s course, O Saviour, there has been no sin, no deed, no wicked thing, that I did not commit. I have sinned as no one has ever before, in mind, word and intent, in purpose, deed and thought.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

For this I am condemned and for this, wretch that I am, I am convicted by mine own conscience, more severe than all else in the world. O my Judge and Redeemer, Who knowest my heart, spare me, deliver me and save me, Thy servant.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The ladder seen of old by the great Patriarch Jacob is an example, O my soul, both of ascent through action and of ascent through spiritual understanding. If, therefore, it is thy desire to live by thy works, with understanding and contemplation, be thou made new.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Bearing the burning heat by day and the frost by night because of his privation, Jacob endured making daily gains, shepherding, struggling and slaving in order to win two wives.

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

To the Trinity: I confess Thee as undivided in Essence, unconfused in Persons, One Triune Divinity, co-reigning and co-enthroned! And to Thee, I raise the great Thrice-holy hymn that is sung on high.

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

Theotokion: Thou givest birth and art a virgin, and in both thou remainest a virgin by nature. He Who is born renews the laws of nature, and the womb gives birth without travail. When God so wills, the order of nature is overruled, for He does whatsoever He wills.

ODE 5
Irmos: Out of the night watching early for Thee, enlighten me I pray, O Lover of man, and guide me in Thy commandments and teach me O Saviour, to do Thy will.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Troparia.
The whole of my life has passed by in the night, for the darkness of sin has covered me like a thick fog in the middle of the night. But make me a son of the day, O Saviour.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Imitating Rueben, I have devised a wicked and lawless act against God Most High, having defiled my bed as he defiled the bed of his father.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

I confess to Thee, O Christ my King, that I have sinned. I have sinned like the brothers of Joseph of old, who sold the fruit of purity and chastity.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

His righteous and gentle soul was bound by his kinsmen and he was sold into slavery as a foretelling of the Lord. But thou, O my soul, hast sold thyself entirely to thy sins.

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

To the Trinity: We glorify Thee, O Trinity, One God! Holy, Holy, Holy, art Thou, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; simple Essence and Unity worshipped for ever.

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

Theotokion: From thee, O Virgin undefiled and maiden Mother, has God the Creator of the ages, become vested in my human flesh, uniting to Himself the nature of man.

ODE 6
Irmos: With my whole heart, I cried unto the compassionate God: and He heard me, and He lifted up my soul from the depths of hell and from corruption.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Troparia.
I offer to Thee in purity the tears of mine eyes and the sighs from the depth of mine heart, which crieth: I have sinned against Thee, O God, have mercy on me.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The waves of my sins, O Saviour, have returned and have suddenly overwhelmed me, as the waters of the Red Sea engulfed the Egyptians of old and their charioteers.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Do not be like Ephraim stung to madness like a stampeding calf, O my soul, but rather, save thy life like a gazelle fleeing from the snare on the wings of action, resolve and contemplation.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Thou hast turned thyself away from thy Lord, O my soul, as did Dathan and Abiram; but cry out from the lowest depths of hell: ‘Spare me’, that the earth may not open up and swallow thee.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Let the hand of Moses assure us, O my soul, that God can cleanse and make again as white as snow a leprous life. So do not despair, though thou thyself art leprous.

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

To the Trinity: ‘I am the Trinity, simple and undivided, yet divided in Three Persons; and I am the Unity, united by Nature’, saith the Father and the Son and the Divine Spirit.

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

Theotokion: Thy womb bore God for us, fashioned in our image. Implore thou Him as the Creator of all, O Theotokos, that we may be justified through thine intercessions.

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages, Amen.

Sedalen (Tone 6): The storm of sorrows and sins hath submerged me, o Word, into the depths of despair. Do Thou extend to me Thy powerful right hand and save me, as once Thou didst save Peter, by the prayers of the Holy Mother of God, from the depths of my sins.

ODE 7
Irmos: 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: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Troparia.
I have sinned, I have transgressed, and I have rejected Thy commandments, for in sins have I progressed and have added sores to my wounds. But in Thy compassion have mercy on me, O God of our fathers.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

I have confessed to Thee the secrets of mine heart, O my Judge. See my humility and behold my affliction, and consider now my condemnation. But in Thy compassion have mercy on me, O God of our fathers.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Once, when Saul went searching for his father’s lost herds he found himself proclaimed as king. Be watchful, O my soul, lest while searching for thine animal desires thou shouldst overlook the Kingdom of Christ.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

David, the forefather of God, once sinned doubly, O my soul; being pierced with the arrow of adultery and struck with the spear of murder’s remorse. But thou, my soul, art more gravely ill than he, for worse than any acts are the urgings of thy will.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

David once joined sin to sin when he mixed adultery with murder; yet then he showed at once a twofold repentance. But thou, my soul, hast done worse things than he, yet thou hast not repented before God.

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

To the Trinity: O Trinity, simple and undivided, consubstantial and of One Nature. We praise Thee, Light and Lights, One Holy and Three Holies, God the Trinity! Sing, O my soul, and glorify the Life of Lives, the God of all.

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

Theotokion: We praise thee, we bless thee, we venerate thee, O Mother of God: (prostration) for thou hast given birth to Christ God, One of the undivided Trinity, and hast opened the Heavens to us on earth.

ODE 8
Irmos: Him whom the hosts of heaven glorify, whom the Cherubim and Seraphim dread, let every breath and creature praise, bless and magnify throughout all ages.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Troparia.
I have sinned, O Saviour, have mercy on me. Awaken my mind to conversion, accept my repentance and take pity on me as I cry: Against Thee only have I sinned and have done evil in Thy sight, have mercy on me.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Elias once ascended above all earthly things in the chariot of his virtues as if to Heaven. Meditate, then O my soul, on this ascent.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Eliseus once took up the mantle of Elias and received a double portion of grace from the Lord. But thou, O my soul, hast no share in this grace because of thine uncontrolled desires.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The Shunammite woman graciously gave shelter to the righteous man, but thou, O my soul, hast welcomed neither stranger nor traveler into thy house. Therefore shalt thou be cast out weeping from the bridal chamber.

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

To the Trinity: O Eternal Father, Co-eternal Son and Gracious Comforter, the Spirit of Righteousness, Father of the Divine Word, Word of the Eternal Father, and Living and Creating Spirit. O Trinity, One in Unity, have mercy on me!

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

Theotokion: The spiritual purple of Emmanuel was woven inside thy womb as if from scarlet silk, O Most-pure Virgin. Therefore we honour thee as truly Theotokos.

ODE 9
Irmos: Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception; a mother remaining pure. For the birth of God renews nature’s birth; so in all ages we magnify thee in an Orthodox manner as the Mother and Bride of God.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Troparia.
My mind is wounded, my body is feeble, my spirit is sick, my speech has lost its power, my life is ebbing, and the end is at the door. What shalt thou do, O miserable soul, when the Judge comes to examine thy deeds?

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

I have reviewed for thee, O my soul, Moses’ account of the creation of the world, and then all of the canonical Scripture that tells the story of both the righteous and the wicked. But thou, my soul, hast followed the ways of the wicked and hast sinned against God.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The Law is grown weak, the Gospel unpracticed, and the whole of Scripture is ignored by thee; the Prophets fail and the words of the righteous are useless. Thy wounds, O soul, have multiplied, and there is no physician to heal thee.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

I will now show thee, O my soul, examples from the New Testament, to lead thee to repentance. Follow the example of the righteous and avoid following the ways of the sinners and strive to regain the grace of Christ through prayer and fasting, purity and reverence.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Christ became man, calling thieves and harlots to repentance. Repent then, O my soul! For the doors of the Kingdom are already opened and the Publicans and penitent Pharisees and adulterers pass through before thee.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Christ became man by assuming my flesh and He willingly experienced all that belongs to our nature apart from our sin. Thus, He set before thee, O my soul, an example and image of His own condescension.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Christ saved the Magi, called the Shepherds, transformed a host of infants into Martyrs and glorified the Elders and the aged Widows, whose lives and deeds thou hast chosen to ignore, O my soul. But woe unto thee when the time of thy Judgement comes!

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

To the Trinity: We sing Thy praises, O Trinity, One in Essence and Unity in Three Persons: we glorify the Father, we magnify the Son, and we worship the Spirit; (prostration) One in Nature truly God, Life and Lives, Kingdom without end.

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

Theotokion: Thou didst give birth to the One God, uniquely remaining a virgin. O extraordinary Nativity from a Conception without seed; o extraordinary Conception bringing a Nativity surpassing nature! Do thou, O Bride of God, every day watch over the flock of thy Son!

Irmos: Ineffable is the childbearing of a seedless conception; a mother remaining pure. For the birth of God renews nature’s birth; so in all ages we magnify thee in an Orthodox manner as the Mother and Bride of God. Prostration.

Now the Reader continues with Psalm 4, and the rest of Great Compline follows.