Fraction for Jonah’s Fast :: قسمة لصوم يونان

O merciful God, who does not desire the death of a sinner, but rather that he return to You and lives. Therefore, when the wickedness of the people of Nineveh rose before You, You sent Jonah to proclaim repentance to them.

For Jonah knew that You are a compassionate and merciful God, slow to anger, abundant in mercy, and forbearing in chastisements. Therefore, he fled from rebuking and warning the people of Nineveh for their wickedness. But You firmly taught him how to obey You and fulfill Your service.

You delivered Jonah to death and burial in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights, and afterward he came forth alive, that You might make him an example and a symbol of the Death of Your Son, His Burial in the tomb, and His Resurrection from the dead on the third day, for our salvation.

Jonah cried out to You from the depths of the seas, trusting in the coming of his prayer before You, in the lifting up of his life from the depths of Hades, and in his return to behold the temple of Your holiness; for You preserve Your chosen one in the time of his distress.

The people of Nineveh heard Jonah and believed in You; they regretted their sins and offered true repentance when they proclaimed a fast; they clothed themselves in sackcloth, from the greatest among them to the least; they cried out to You with great fervor, and each one turned from their evil way and from the violence that was in their hands; so You turned away from Your fierce anger and forgave them.

O our Lord Jesus Christ, You praised the people of Nineveh because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and You appointed them as judges over the sinners who did not repent.

May we remember the words of the prophets, understand the commandments of Your Gospel, not harden our hearts, nor despise the riches of Your kindness, Your forbearance, and Your longsuffering toward us; for these lead us to repentance and returning to You.

O our God, You chose the tax collector, You accepted the right-hand thief, and You forgave the adulteress; Your mercy has no end.

Grant us to strive with fasting, prayer, and continual prostrations, that Your mercies may overtake us; and that You may grant us the forgiveness of our sins; and that we may be worthy to partake of the sacrifice of Your holy Body and Blood, and to cry out toward Your good Father who is in the heavens, and say: “Our Father who art in heaven…”