GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 5
- Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
With Your precious Cross, O Christ,* You have put the Devil to shame.* With Your Resurrection You have deadened the sting of Death.* We, therefore, glorify You, O only-begotten Son of God.
- The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Christ, Who granted resurrection to mankind,* You were led like a lamb to the slaughter.* Then the princes of Hades were struck with terror* as they saw the gates of their tearful domain being lifted up;* for Christ, the King of Glory, entered therein* and exclaimed to those in chains: Go forth from here!* And to those in darkness: Go forth into the light!
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
What a great wonder!* The Creator of invisible beings suffered in the flesh for mankind,* and rose from the dead as immortal.* Come, therefore, all you nations and adore Him;* for through His compassion we have been freed from the snares of the Devil,* and we have learned to praise the one God in three Persons.
- Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
We offer to You our evening worship,* O Light Whom the darkness of night can never extinguish.* For in these latter days Your radiance has appeared to the world,* shining in Your flesh as light reflected in a mirror.* Your brilliance has descended even to the depths of Hades and dissolved its gloom.* O Lord, Giver of Light, glory to You;* for You have shown the radiance of Your Resurrection to all the nations.
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Let us glorify Christ, the Author of our Salvation;* for by His Resurrection from the dead,* the world has been delivered from the deception of Satan.* The choirs of angels rejoice as the treachery of evil spirits vanishes.* Fallen Adam arises, and the Devil is vanquished.
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Those who guarded the tomb of Christ* were told by the evil men who hired them:* Take this silver and keep silent.* Tell no one of the Resurrection of Christ;* rather tell everyone that while you were sleeping His body was stolen.* But who has ever heard of a body being stolen,* a body which had already been anointed?* Why would anyone take a body from the grave naked,* and leave the burial shroud in the tomb?* Do not deceive yourselves, O people of Judea.* Study the teachings of the Prophets,* and you will come to understand that Jesus Christ is Almighty God,* and truly the Saviour of the world.
In Tone 6
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
O Word and lover of Mankind,* infinite and beyond description in Your taking flesh for our sake,* the nobles assembly of Fathers proclaimed that You are both perfect man and perfect God,* one person in two perfect natures with two perfect wills.* Therefore, we profess that You are one God with the Father and the Holy Spirit.* We sing a hymn of praise to the Fathers, and we adore You.
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O glorious Fathers of the Councils,* you demonstrated that Pyrrhus, Sergius, and Onuphrius,* Dioscorus, and Nestorius were in error* concerning the doctrines of Christ.* You save the flock by teaching the true principle* that Christ is one divine person in two natures.* This Christ we adore as perfect man and perfect God,* one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.* O holy Fathers, we honour you and sing to you a hymn of praise.
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The Fathers of the Councils, inspired by God,* declare and explain that in Christ* there is a divine act and a divine will,* uncreated and infinite:* the act and will of the Son of God.* There is also a human act and a human will:* those of the Son of Man.* Thus, they proclaim that Christ is one divine person having two natures,* the one is divine and the other is human.* Therefore, we the faithful honour these Fathers every year* and glorify Christ who glorified them.
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
The Fathers of the Councils proclaim to us today* that the eternal Trinity is one God and one Lord.* They explain the Trinity is of one nature,* consubstantial, of one will and one act,* not divided nor shared but existing in the simplicity of God’s being.* They define that this will and act of God* had no beginning and will never have and end.* Therefore, we the faithful glorify these Fathers* as the equals of the Apostles,* for they taught all people the true doctrine of God.
In Tone 6, Glory…
Let us honour today those mystical trumpets of the Spirit,* namely the God-mantled Fathers,* who speaking of divine things,* sang in the midst of the Church a hymn in unison,* teaching that the Trinity is one,* not differing in substance or Godhead,* refuting Arius and defending the orthodox faith.* They always intercede with the Lord* to have mercy on our souls.
In Tone 5, Now…
A symbol of the undefiled Virgin and bride* was revealed in the Red Sea.* There, Moses divided the waters;* here, Gabriel is the messenger of the miracle.* There, the Israelites crossed the deep and their feet were not even wet;* here, the Virgin gives birth to Christ without human seed.* There, the sea remained uncrossed after the passing of Israel;* here, the immaculate remained incorrupt after giving birth to Emmanuel.* Therefore, O immortal God, who appeared in the flesh as true Man,* have mercy on us!
Readings
(1) Genesis 14:14-20; (2) Deuteronomy 1:8-11, 15-17; (3) Deuteronomy 10:14-21
Aposticha
In Tone 5
O Christ our Saviour,* we lift up our voices to glorify You.* For, in Your love for mankind,* You became incarnate without leaving heaven;* You accepted the Cross and death;* You cast down the gates of Hades;* and on the third day You arose from the dead* for the salvation of our souls.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
O Giver of Life,* streams of forgiveness, life, and salvation* poured forth from Your pierced side upon us all.* By accepting physical death, You granted us immortality;* by lying in the tomb, You freed us from Hades,* and as God, by rising from the dead,* You raised us with Yourself in glory.* Therefore, we cry out to You:* O Lover of mankind, glory to You!
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O Lover of mankind,* Your crucifixion and descent into Hades are most wondrous.* For, as God, You thereby conquered the power of Hades,* and raised up in glory, with Yourself, those who were long imprisoned there.* You reopened Paradise and enabled them to enter.* Grant forgiveness of sins to us* who glorify Your Resurrection on the third day,* for You alone are all-merciful.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Lover of mankind,* You accepted suffering in the flesh* and rose from the dead on the third day.* Therefore, heal the passions of our flesh,* raise us from our dreadful iniquities, and save us.
In Tone 4, Glory…
O holy Fathers of the Councils,* you are the faithful keepers of the Apostles’ traditions.* By proclaiming that the three persons of the Holy Trinity* are one and consubstantial,* you refuted the blasphemy of Arius.* By teaching that the Holy Spirit is a distinct person,* one with the Father and the Son,* you put Macedonius, Severus and other heretics to shame.* Therefore, we beseech you to intercede for us,* preserving us from heresy and error* and keeping our lives blameless in God’s sight.
Now…
O most pure Virgin, hear the petitions of your servants.* Remove the burdens which oppress us,* and deliver us from our sorrows;* for you are the only firm and constant support on whom we rely.* O Mother of God, never permit us who call upon you* to be overwhelmed by our cares.* Hasten to fulfil the supplications of all who, in faith, cry out to you:* Rejoice, O Lady, helper of all mankind,* the joy, the refuge, and the salvation of our souls.
Troparia
In Tone 5
Let us, the faithful, acclaim and worship the Word* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh,* to suffer death and to raise the dead,* by His glorious Resurrection.
In Tone 8, Glory…
Christ our God, You are glorified above all,* You established our fathers as beacons on earth* and through them guided all of us to the true faith.** Glory to You, most compassionate Lord.
Now…
O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin: * through Your death on the Cross You conquered Death; * and through Your resurrection You revealed Yourself as God. * O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands, * but show forth Your love for mankind. * Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf. ** O Saviour, save Your despairing people.
DIVINE LITURGY
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 5: Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.
Troparion, Tone 8: Christ our God, You are glorified above all,* You established our fathers as beacons on earth* and through them guided all of us to the true faith.* Glory to You, most compassionate Lord.
+Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 6: The Son who ineffably shone from the Father* was born two-fold of nature from a woman.* Beholding Him, we do not reject the image of His form;* but depicting it, we revere it faithfully.* Therefore, the Church, holing the true faith,* kisses the icon of Christ’s becoming man.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Theotokion, Tone 6: Undaunted patroness of Christians,* O steadfast intermediary with the Creator,* turn not away from the suppliant voices of sinners,* but in your kindness come to help us who cry out to you in faith.* Be quick to intercede, make haste to plead,* for you are ever the patroness of those who honour you, O Mother of God.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Blessed are You, Lord God of our fathers,* and praised and glorified is Your Name forever.
verse: For You are righteous in everything that You have done to us. (Daniel 3:26-27)
Epistle
Hebrews 13:7-16
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The God of gods, the Lord, spoke and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
verse: Gather to Him His devout ones, who with sacrifice make covenant with Him. (Psalm 49:1,5)
Gospel
John 17:1-13
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens,* praise Him in the highest.* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalms 184:1; 32:1)
Неділя Святих Отців шести вселенських соборів.
Troparia and Kontakia
Тропар (глас 5): Рівнобезначальне з Отцем і Духом Слово,* що від Діви народилося на спасіння наше,* прославмо, вірні, і поклонімся,* бо Воно благозволило тілом зійти на хрест* і смерть перетерпіти, і воскресити померлих* славним воскресінням Своїм.
Тропар (глас 8): Препрославлений ти, Христе Боже наш, світила на землі – отців наших оснував ти і ними до істинної віри всіх нас направив ти. Багатомилосердний,слава тобі.
+Слава Отцю, і Сину, і Святому Духові.
Кондак (глас 6): Ти – iз Отця несказанно возсіявший Син – з жени родився подвійний єством. Його видячи, не відрікаємося виду зображення, але його, благочесно написавши, вірно почитаємо. І ради того Церква, держачи істинну віру, цілує ікону вочоловічення Христового.
І нині, і повсякчас, і на віки вічні. Амінь.
Богородичний (глас 6): 3аступнице християн бездоганна,* Посереднице до Творця незамінна,* не погорди молінням грішних,* але випереди, як Блага, з поміччю нам,* що вірно Тобі співаємо.* Поспішись на молитву і скоро прийди на моління,* заступаючи повсякчас, Богородице, тих, що Тебе почитають.
Прокімен (глас 4):
Благословен єси, Господи, Боже отців наших,* і хвальне, і прославлене ім’я твоє на віки (Дан 3,26).
Стих: Бо праведний єси в усьому, що сотворив ти нам (Дан 3,27).
Апостол: (Євр 13,7-16):
Браття і Сестри, пам’ятайте про наставників ваших, які звіщали вам слово Боже, і дивлячись уважно на кінець їхнього життя, наслідуйте їхню віру. Ісус Христос учора й сьогодні – той самий навіки. Не піддавайтеся різним та чужим наукам: воно бо добре укріпити серце благодаттю, не стравами, які не принесли ніякої користи тим, що віддавалися їм. Є у нас жертовник, з якого не мають права їсти ті, що при наметі служать. Бо котрих звірят кров архиєрей заносить у святиню за гріхи, тих м’ясо палиться за табором. Тому й Ісус, щоб освятити народ власною своєю кров’ю, страждав поза містом. Тож виходьмо до нього за табір, несучи наругу його, бо ми не маємо тут постійного міста, а майбутнього шукаєм. Через нього принесім завжди Богові жертву хвали, тобто плід уст, які визнають його ім’я. Добродійства та взаємної допомоги не забувайте: такі бо жертви Богові приємні.
Алилуя (глас 1):
Стих: Бог богів, Господь мовив, і призвав землю вiд сходу сонця до заходу (Пс 49,1).
Стих: Зберіть йому преподобних його, що заповідують завіт його в жертвах (Пс 49,5).
Євангеліє: (Ів 17,1-13):
Це Я вам заповідую, щоб любили один одного ви! Коли вас світ ненавидить, знайте, що Мене він зненавидів перше, як вас. Коли б ви зо світу були, то своє світ любив би. А що ви не зо світу, але Я вас зо світу обрав, тому світ вас ненавидить. Пригадайте те слово, яке Я вам сказав: Раб не більший за пана свого. Як Мене переслідували, то й вас переслідувати будуть; як слово Моє берігали, берегтимуть і ваше. Але все це робитимуть вам за Ім’я Моє, бо не знають Того, хто послав Мене. Коли б Я не прийшов і до них не казав, то не мали б гріха, а тепер вимовки не мають вони за свій гріх. Хто Мене ненавидить, і Мого Отця той ненавидить. Коли б Я серед них не вчинив був тих діл, яких не чинив ніхто інший, то не мали б гріха. Та тепер вони бачили, і зненавиділи і Мене, і Мого Отця. Та щоб справдилось слово, що в їхнім Законі написане: Мене безпідставно зненавиділи! А коли Втішитель прибуде, що Його від Отця Я пошлю вам, Той Дух правди, що походить від Отця, Він засвідчить про Мене. Та засвідчте і ви, бо ви від початку зо Мною. Оце Я сказав вам, щоб ви не спокусились. Вас виженуть із синагог. Прийде навіть година, коли кожен, хто вам смерть заподіє, то думатиме, ніби службу приносить він Богові!
Причасний:
Хваліте Господа з небес,* хваліте Його на висотах (Пс 148,1). * Другий: Радуйтеся, праведні, у Господі,* правим належить похвала (Пс 32,1). Алилуя (х3).