Watching and waiting for the Lord, who will come again to judge the living and the dead.

The Icon of the Bridegroom
To learn more about the Icon of the Nymphios (Bridegroom), the services of the Nymphios,
and their relationship to Holy Week and Pascha, click the icon. A new browser window will open.

April 29, 2013

Troparion:
Behold, the Bridegroom comes in the midst of the night,
and blessed is the servant whom He shall find vigilant;
and unworthy is he whom He shall find heedless.
Beware, therefore, O my soul,
that you will not be overcome by sleep,
lest you be given up to death,
and be shut out from the Kingdom.
Wherefore, rouse yourself, crying out:
Holy, Holy, Holy are you, our God,
through the intercession of the Forerunner, have mercy on us.

Exaposteilarion:
I see Your Bridal Chamber adorned,
O my Savior,
and I have no wedding garment, that I may enter therein;
O Giver of Light, make radiant the vesture of my soul,
and save me.

Kontakion:
Having realized, O my soul, the hour of the end,
and remembering the cutting down of the fig tree,
work therefore most diligently,
O wretched soul,
with the talent, which has been given to you,
in vigilance and crying aloud:
"May we not remain outside the Bridal Chamber of Christ."

Oikos:
Why are you heedless, O my miserable soul?
Why do You inopportunely imagine vain cares?
Why do You occupy Yourself with that which flows away?
The last hour is at hand,
and we shall shortly be parted from earthly things.
Therefore, gaining time, rouse yourself and cry out:
"I have sinned against you, my Savior;
do not cut me down like the unfruitful fig tree;
but as the merciful Christ, have pity on me,
for with fear I cry out:
May we not remain outside the Bridal Chamber of Christ."

What you're hearing:
Exapostelarion of the Bridegroom, in English, chanted by Fr. Seraphim Dedes.
This hymn is chanted at each Nymphios service.
(from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America's website)

The Nymphios (Bridegroom) Services are served only during Holy Week
on Palm Sunday evening, Holy Monday, and Holy Tuesday.

Click here to listen to other hymns of the Bridegroom Services
and to learn more about the Orthodox musical tradition.

If you can't hear the hymn, click the badge to download and install QuickTime Player from Apple.

The Second Service of the Nymphios (Bridegroom), 7:00 PM
The readings:
Psalms 3, 19 (20), 20 (21), 37 (38), 50 (51), 62 (63), 87 (88), 102 (103), 142 (143);
Matthew 22:15-46 and 23:1-39

Observance of the strict fast continues.