_A tradition has developed in the Church of reading three (sometimes
four) Canons the evening before receiving Holy Communion. Many monastic
Rules of Prayer prescribe this reading daily. Many Canons have been
composed over the years, and certain Canons are prescribed for specific
days of the week. We have not attempted to publish a large selection of
Canons in the limited space of what is, essentially, a "pocket" Prayer
Book. We have provided three of the most commonly used Canons and printed
them in the order in which they are traditionally read. This order can
also serve as a model for combining other Canons. If these Canons are not
read during Compline (p. 37), they are preceded by the Opening Prayers
and Psalm 50 (pp. 37 to 41)._
THE THREE CANONS
ODE 1 (Tone 6)
Irmos: Treading over the floor of the sea as over dry land, and seeing
their pursuer Pharaoh drown, Israel cried out: Let us sing to God
a song of victory!