The Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete

Two hundred and fifty troparia that take the whole of Scripture, from Adam to the thief on the cross, and turn every figure in it into an accusation against the one singing. Cain and Abel are the singer’s own two thoughts; Rachel and Leah are action and contemplation; the man who fell among thieves on the way to Jericho is the singer again. The refrain never changes: have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. It is read in four parts in the first week of Great Lent and whole, with the Life of St Mary of Egypt, on the Thursday of the fifth week, standing, with prostrations.