I sincerely offer Thee with a pure intention, O Saviour, the tears of my eyes and groans from the depths of my heart, crying: O God, I have sinned against Thee; be merciful to me.

You, my soul, have revolted from the Lord like Dathan and Abiram. But with all your heart cry, “Spare!”, that a yawning gulf of the earth may not swallow you.

Like a stampeding heifer stung to madness, my soul, you have resembled Ephraim. Winged with action, resolve and contemplation, save your life like a gazelle from the noose.

Let Moses’ hand assure us, my soul, how God can whiten and cleanse a leprous life. So do not despair of yourself, even though you are leprous. — Troparia from Ode 6, Monday of the First Week of Lent