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 protection of the Heavenly Hosts save us.”
The Exaposteilarion
I see Your Bridal Chamber adorned, O my Saviour, 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.
The Praises
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the Heavens; praise Him in the heights. To You, O God, praise is befitting. Praise Him, all His Angels; praise Him all His hosts. To You, O God, praise is befitting.
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 Saviour; 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’.”