Sorry I miscounted. There are 3 unique verses tonight, but each is repeated to give 6. But I have seen 6 (I think) or so distinct verses at times, but they may have been for Sundays.
It depends on the liturgical "rank" of the day. Weekdays at Vespers there are normally 6 verses on "Lord, I have cried". Bottom rank has 3 for the day of the week in the Tone of the week and 3 for the Saint of the day. Next rank up has 6 verses for the Saint of the day (usually only 3 distinct verses, each sung twice). Hence my allocation of one/two sets of verses ("hymns") to Vespers.
Saturday evening is more complicated, with initial verses on "Lord, I have cried" appointed to be sung to different melodies (i.e. each verse has its own melody, so they are not equivalent to a Western hymn).
Comments
It depends on the liturgical "rank" of the day. Weekdays at Vespers there are normally 6 verses on "Lord, I have cried". Bottom rank has 3 for the day of the week in the Tone of the week and 3 for the Saint of the day. Next rank up has 6 verses for the Saint of the day (usually only 3 distinct verses, each sung twice). Hence my allocation of one/two sets of verses ("hymns") to Vespers.
Saturday evening is more complicated, with initial verses on "Lord, I have cried" appointed to be sung to different melodies (i.e. each verse has its own melody, so they are not equivalent to a Western hymn).