Behold the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night;

and blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching,

but unworthy is he whom He shall find in slothfulness.

Beware then, O my soul, and be not overcome by sleep,

lest thou be given over to death and shut out from the Kingdom.

But return to soberness and cry aloud :

Holy Holy Holy art Thou, O God

Through the prayers of the Theotokos have mercy upon us.

The service of Matins

Holy and Great Monday