GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 2
- Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Come, let us adore God the Word,* Who was born of the Father before all ages,* and was incarnate of the Virgin Mary;* for of His own free will He suffered the Cross* and submitted Himself to burial,* and arose from the dead to save me, a sinful one.
- The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Christ our Saviour cancelled the decree that was written against us,* by nailing it to the Cross;* and He abolished the dominion of Death.* Let us glorify His Resurrection on the third day.
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Let us, together with the archangels, sing of Christ’s resurrection;* for He is the Redeemer and Saviour of our souls.* He will come again in awesome glory and mighty power* to judge the world which He has fashioned.
- Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Although You died and were buried,* the angel yet declared You as Master.* He said to the women: Come and see where the Lord was placed;* for He is risen as He foretold,* because He is almighty.* Therefore, we worship You, the only Immortal One,* and we beseech You to have mercy on us, O Giver of Life.
In Tone 4
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Let us fittingly bless the glorious Bartholomew:* the glorious sun, the never-setting star;* the living heaven declaring the glory of God,* the divinely-inspired preacher of salvation* and the enlightener of nations,* the river pouring forth streams of knowledge,* enriching the hearts of all!
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
The coffin with your relics was put through the great waters;* your paths were seen in the sea, Apostle!* For beyond human understanding, Bartholomew, you went to the west, * while noble martyrs from the east accompanied you,* with the honour that comes from the God and Master of all!
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Your relics sanctified the watery depths, apostle Bartholomew,* as you mysteriously sailed them and came to the island of Liparis.* you gushed forth myrrh, glorious one, healing incurable passions and disease! * You became a saviour and refuge for the people,* their deliverer and patron before the King and Saviour of all!
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
You proclaimed the tri-personal Godhead,* churning up the idolatrous sea of the gentiles!* You rescued those floundering in the depths of godlessness,* bringing them into tranquil harbours.* You received the reward of heaven,* where you beseech the Lover of mankind for those who sing your praises!
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Your mind was illumined with divine brilliance, Titus,* as you journeyed with the divine Paul!* You were a ray of the sun enlightening those in darkness.* With him you freed the whole earth from the deepest night!* Therefore we call you blessed, as a God-chosen bishop,* an inspired apostle and most fervent intercessor!
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
The blessed Titus set out from Crete;* he returned there, established as a firm foundation!* With upright faith, he built the faithful into a building of divine and heavenly strength!* He is the chief bishop of his fatherland,* the traveling companion of Paul and the comfort of the faithful!
In Tone 1, Glory…
Apostle Bartholomew,* you forsook the things of the earth and followed after Christ.* You were marked by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit* being sent by Him to perishing nations* turning the people to the light of the knowledge of God!* You completed the godly exploits of your suffering.* you endured different tortures,* and surrendered your soul to Christ.* Entreat Him, most blessed one,* that He may grant us great mercy!
In Tone 2, Now…
O Virgin, the shadow of the Law passed away* with the realization of grace.* For as the bush had burned without being consumed,* so you gave birth while a virgin* and you remained a virgin.* Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice.* Instead of Moses, Christ God came forth,* the Saviour of our souls.
Aposticha
In Tone 2
Your Resurrection, O Christ our Saviour,* has enlightened the whole universe;* and, through it, You call back to Yourself all Creation.* Almighty God, glory to You!
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
By the wood of Your Cross, O Saviour,* You have abolished the curse of the tree;* by Your burial You have destroyed the power of death;* and by Your Resurrection You enlightened the human race.* We, therefore, cry out to You:* O Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to You!
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O Christ, when You were nailed to the Cross,* the distorted nature of creation was made manifest.* The soldiers showed their inhumanity by piercing Your side with a lance,* and the people showed their ignorance of Your power* by asking that Your tomb be sealed.* But, in Your mercy, You accepted burial* and then arose on the third day.* O Lord, glory to You!
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Christ, Giver of Life,* You freely endured the Passion for the sake of mortals.* In Your power You descended into Hades;* and snatching, as from a mighty monster, the souls of those who awaited Your coming,* You placed them in Paradise.* Therefore, show Your great mercy to us who glorify Your Resurrection,* and cleanse our souls.
In Tone 8, Glory…
You were a disciple of the chosen vessel and herald of God!* Instructed by Him in divine teachings,* you were sent to the nations to convert them to the faith,* enlightening them with the brilliance of your words!* You passed over to the ends of the earth, Apostle Titus,* proclaiming the good news of the incarnate God to all!* Earnestly entreat Him to save those who celebrate your memory in faith!
Now…
O Virgin, You have never known wedlock,* Yet You conceived God in the flesh* in a manner which words can never describe.* You thus became the Mother of God on high.* O Immaculate Lady, receive the supplication of your servants* and grant us the cleansing of our sins.* Accept now our prayers and beseech God to save all of us.
Troparia
In Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”
In Tone 1
O Bartholomew, disciple of the Lord and worthy of all praise,* the transfer of your relics is a great feast for us and time of rejoicing!* We exalt you, as we honour your relics,*giving glory to Christ* who made you a lamp of everlasting light!
In Tone 5, Glory…
O holy apostle Titus, pray to the merciful God* that He may grant to our souls* remission of our transgressions!
Now…
Rejoice, O Virgin, impassable gateway of the Lord! * Rejoice, protective wall of those who take refuge in you! * Rejoice, peaceful haven untroubled by storms! * Rejoice, Virgin who has not known wedlock * and yet has given birth in the flesh to your Creator and God! * O Mother of God, never cease to intercede * for those who praise and worship your Son.
DIVINE LITURGY
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 2: When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 2: You rose from the tomb, O almighty Saviour;* and Hades, seeing this wonder, was stricken with fear; and the dead arose.* Creation saw and rejoices with You, and Adam exults.* And the world, my Saviour, sings Your praises for ever.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Theotokion, Tone 2: The tomb and death could not hold the Mother of God,* unceasing in her intercession and an unfailing hope of patronage,* for as the Mother of Life she was transferred to life* by Him Who had dwelt in her ever-virgin womb.
Prokeimenon, Tone 2
The Lord is my strength and my song of praise, and He has become my salvation.
verse: The Lord has indeed chastised me, but He has not delivered me to death. (Psalm 117:14,18)
Epistle
1 Corinthians 9:2-12
Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: The Lord will hear you in the day of tribulation; the name of the God of Jacob will shield you.
verse: Lord, grant victory to the king and hear us in the day that we shall call upon You. (Psalm 19:2,10)
Gospel
Matthew 18:23-35
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)
11-а Неділя по Зісланні Св. Духа; Повернення мощів св. ап. Вартоломея. Св. ап. Тита. 25 липня
Тропарі і Кондаки:
Тропар (глас 2): Коли зійшов Ти до смерти, Життя безсмертне,* тоді ад умертвив ти блистінням Божества.* Коли ж і умерлих із глибин підземних воскресив Ти,* всі сили небесні взивали:* Життедавче, Христе Боже наш, слава Тобі.
+Слава Отцю, і Сину, і Святому Духові.
Кондак (глас 2): Воскрес єси з гробу, всесильний Спасе,* і ад, увидівши чудо, зжахнувся та й мертві встали;* а творіння, бачивши, радіє з Тобою, й Адам веселиться,* і світ, Спасе мій, повсякчас Тебе оспівує.
І нині, і повсякчас, і на віки вічні. Амінь.
Богородичний (глас 2): У молитвах невсипущу Богородицю,* і в заступництві несхитне уповання не втримали в собі гріб і смерть;* бо як Матір Життя покликав до життя Той,* Хто в лоно вселився повсякчас дівственне.
Прокімен (глас 2):
Господь – моя сила і моя пісня,* і Він став моїм спасінням (Пс 117,14).
Стих: Тяжко покарав мене Господь, та не поередав мене смерті (Пс 117,18).
Апостол: (1Кр 9,2-12): Браття і Сестри, коли іншим я не апостол, то бодай вам, бо ви, у Господі, є достовірним доказом мого апостольства. Ось моя оборона перед тими, що мене судять. Хіба ми не маємо права їсти й пити? Хіба ми не маємо права водити (з собою) сестру-жінку, як інші апостоли, брати Господні, і Кифа? Чи може один я і Варнава не маємо права не працювати? Хто колись власним коштом ходив у похід? Хто садить виноградник, і не їсть із нього плоду? Хто пасе стадо, і не живиться молоком від стада? Хіба я говорю тільки як людина? Хіба й закон не каже цього? Таж у законі Мойсея написано: «Не зав’язуй рота волові, як молотить.» Чи Бог турбується про волів? Чи, може, ради нас говорить? Бо ж ради нас написано, що, хто оре, мусить орати в надії, і хто молотить, молотить теж у надії, що матиме щось із того. Коли ж ми сіяли у вас духовне, то чи велика річ, коли пожнем ваше тілесне? І коли інші мають це право над вами, чому радше не ми? Однак, ми не користуємося цим правом, а ввесь час терпимо, щоб не робити ніякої перешкоди Євангелії Христовій.
Алилуя (глас 2):
Стих: Вислухає тебе Господь у день печалі, захистить тебе ім’я Бога Якова (Пс 19,2).
Стих: Господи, спаси царя і вислухай нас, коли будемо взивати до Тебе (Пс 19,10).
Євангеліє: (Мт 18,23-25): Сказав Господь притчу оцю: “Царство Небесне схоже на царя, що хотів звести рахунки з слугами своїми. Коли він розпочав зводити рахунки, приведено йому одного, що винен був десять тисяч талантів. А що не мав той чим віддати, то пан і звелів його продати, а й жінку, дітей і все, що він мав, і віддати. Тоді слуга, впавши йому в ноги, поклонився лицем до землі й каже: Потерпи мені, пане, все тобі поверну. І змилосердився пан над тим слугою, відпустив його й подарував йому борг той. Вийшовши той слуга, здибав одного з своїх співслуг, який винен був йому сто динаріїв, схопив його й заходився душити його, кажучи: Віддай, що винен. Тож співслуга його впав йому в ноги й почав його просити: Потерпи мені, я тобі зверну. Та той не хотів, а пішов і кинув його в темницю, аж поки не поверне борг. Якже побачили товариші його, що сталося, засмутились вельми, пішли до свого пана й розповіли йому про все сподіяне. Тоді його пан покликав його і сказав до нього: Слуго лукавий! Я простив тобі ввесь борг той, бо ти мене благав. Чи не слід було й тобі змилосердитись над твоїм товаришем, як я був змилосердився над тобою? І розгнівавшись його пан, передав його катам, аж поки йому не поверне всього боргу. Отак і мій Отець Небесний буде чинити вам, якщо кожний з вас не прощатиме братові своєму з серця свого.”
Причасний:
Хваліте Господа з небес,* хваліте Його на висотах (Пс 148,1).* Алилуя (х3).