Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

In the first four days of Lent (Mon., Tues., Wed. Thur.) in the churches, the service of the Great Compline is performed with the reading of the penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete which is divided into four sections. The canon is a dialog between St. Andrew and his soul. The ongoing theme is an urgent exhortation to change one’s life. St Andrew always mentions his own sinfulness placed in juxtaposition to God’s mercy, and uses literally hundreds of references to good and bad examples from the OT and NT to “convince himself” to repent.

Here is a good link to familiarize yourself with the OT characters: http://www.pravmir.com/the-whos-who-of-the-great-canon.../

With its constant refrain 'Have mercy upon me, O God, have mercy upon me', the Great Canon forms a prolonged confession of sin, an unremitting call to repentance.

For those who do not have the Lenten Triodion, you can read the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete here

http://www.orthodox.net/.../great-canon-of-andrew-of...