Twenty-eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Octoechos Tone 3; Dec 10.

Nativity Fast. The Gospel of the 29th Sunday after Pentecost is prescribed for today this year.

Great Vespers, Sunday Matins and Divine Liturgy

 

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading: “Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140, In Tone 3

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

By Your cross, O Christ our Saviour,* the power of Death has been vanquished* and the deceit of the devil has been destroyed.* Therefore, mankind, saved by faith,* offers You hymns of praise forever.

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

O Lord, all creation has been enlightened by Your resurrection,* and paradise has been reopened;* therefore, all creation extols You* and offers You hymns of praise forever.

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

I glorify the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;* and I praise the dominion of the undivided Divinity,* the consubstantial Trinity,* who reigns forever and ever.

Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

We adore Your precious cross, O Christ,* and with hymns of praise we glorify Your resurrection;* for by Your wounds we have all been healed.

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Let us sing the praises of the Saviour,* who was incarnate of the Virgin;* for He was crucified for our sake,* and on the third day He arose from the dead,* granting us His great mercy.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Christ descended into Hades and announced to those confined there:* Take courage, for today I have conquered death.* I am the Resurrection, the One who will set you free.* I shattered the gates of the realm of death.

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

O Christ our God, we unworthily stand in Your most pure temple,* and offer to You our evening hymns.* From the depths of our souls we cry out to You:* O Lover of mankind, who has enlightened the world* by Your resurrection on the third day,* deliver Your people from the hands of Your enemies.

In Tone 1

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

All-glorious Martyr Menas,* when your heels were struck,* your eyes put out and your God-speaking tongue removed,* you endured with steadfastness, looking for divine rewards.* Therefore pray that God may grant peace and great mercy to our souls!

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

The glorious Hermogenes* desired the severing of his hands and feet.* beholding the fire, he showed forth a greater burning of heart* as he clung to his God!* Now we pray to Him that He may grant peace and great mercy to our souls!

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Your limbs were broken, wise saints;* You were cast into the depths of the sea!* having drowned the malice of the serpent,* you were guided by the hands of the Most High* to the calm haven of sweetness!* Therefore pray that God may grant peace and great mercy to our souls!

In Tone 3, Glory… Now…

O Lady most honourable,* how could we but be rapt in wonder* at your giving birth to the Incarnate God* who, without a mother, was born of a Father before all ages?* You gave Him birth in the flesh without a father,* without a man’s instrumentality.* He is God and man whose two natures are intact,* neither one losing any of its properties.* Therefore, O Virgin Mother,* intercede with Him to save the souls* of those who believe and profess in true faith* that you are the Mother of God.

Aposticha

In Tone 3

O Christ, who darkened the sun by Your passion* and enlightened all creation by Your resurrection,* accept our evening prayer; for You love mankind.

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

O Lord, Your life-giving resurrection has enlightened the entire universe* and has revived Your creation which lay in corruption.* Therefore, we, who have been released from the curse of Adam, cry out to You:* Almighty Lord, glory to You!

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

O God, although in Your divine nature You are unchangeable,* yet in Your human nature You underwent change by suffering in the flesh.* All creation was prostrate with fear* when it saw You hanging on the cross,* and it groaned in sorrow as it sang the praises of Your long-suffering.* But You descended into Hades and arose on the third day,* granting life and great mercy to the world.

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

You suffered death, O Christ, to deliver mankind from death.* And when You arose from the dead on the third day,* You enlightened the world* and resurrected all who acknowledge You as God.

Glory… Now…

O Virgin Mother, you conceived the Son of God without seed* by the will of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit.* He was begotten by the Father, without a mother, from all eternity.* Yet for our sake, He was born of you in the flesh without a human father,* and you nursed Him as an infant with your milk.* Therefore, never cease to entreat Him to deliver our souls from affliction.

Troparia

In Tone 3

Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.

In Tone 1, Glory…

Be swayed by the pains that the saints have suffered for You, O Lord,* and heal all our pains,* O Lover of mankind, for this we pray.

Now…

O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel cried out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him who came forth from you!* Glory to Him who has set us free* through your life-giving birth!

 

SUNDAY MATINS

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 3

Troparia, Tone 3

Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world. (2)

In Tone 1, Glory…

Be swayed by the pains that the saints have suffered for You, O Lord,* and heal all our pains,* O Lover of mankind, for this we pray.

Now…

Let us sing a hymn of praise to the Virgin Mary,* glory of the whole world!* She was herself formed by human seed,* yet she became the Mother of the Master, the Gate of heaven,* the theme of the angels’ hymn and beauty of the faithful.* She was seen as being heavenly* and the Tabernacle of the Godhead.* She indeed tore down the wall of enmity between God and man,* and brought peace in its place.* She opened up the kingdom of heaven.* Let us therefore cling fast to her for she is the anchor of faith,* and let us receive as our stronghold the Lord Who was born of her.* Be of good cheer, then, and have confidence, O people of God,* for He will fight our enemies for us,* He is all-powerful!

Psalter Reading

Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 3

Christ has arisen from the dead, the first fruits of those that sleep.* The First-born of creation and Creator of all that has come to be,* has renewed in Himself the corrupted nature of our race.* Death, no longer is your lord,* for the Master of all things has destroyed your dominion.

Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.

Having tasted death in the flesh, O Lord,* You have blotted out the bitterness of death by Your arising* strengthening mankind against it, and announcing the abolition of the ancient curse.* Defender of our lives, O Lord, glory be to You!

Glory… Now…

Awed by the beauty of your virginity* and the exceeding radiance of your purity,* Gabriel called out to you, O Theotokos:* What worthy hymn of praise can I offer to you?* And what shall I name you?* I am in doubt and stand in awe.* Wherefore as commanded, I cry to you:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace.

Psalter Reading

Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 3

Awed by Your immutable Godhead* and by Your voluntary passion, O Lord,* Hades lamented: I tremble at Your body’s essence, which remains incorrupt.* I behold You, the One who is invisible, mystically making war against me;* wherefore those whom I hold cry out:* ‘Glory, O Christ, to Your Resurrection!’

I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.

We the faithful contemplate an ineffable mystery:* Your incomprehensible Crucifixion and Your inexplicable Arising.* For today Death and Hades have been despoiled,* but mankind has been clothed in incorruption.* Wherefore with thanksgiving we cry aloud to You:* Glory, O Christ, to Your Resurrection!

Glory… Now…

Mystically did you contain in your womb* the Incomprehensible and Uncircumscribed One,* consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit;* and we acknowledge in your Offspring one unconfused energy of the Trinity Who is glorified in the world.* And so with thanksgiving we cry to you, ** ‘Rejoice, O full of grace!’

Polyeleos

Evlogitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 3

A Cause of amazement by his appearance,* and source of refreshment by his speech,* the radiant Angel spoke to the myrrh-bearing women saying:* Why do you seek the living in a grave?* He has arisen, emptying the graves.* Know that the unchangeable One has changed corruption.* Wherefore cry to God saying,* ‘How fearful are Your works!* For You have saved mankind.’

Hymn of Ascent, Tone 3

Antiphon 1

You, O Word, delivered the captivity of Sion from Babylon,* Deliver me also* from the passions to life.

Those who sow in the South* with tears inspired by God,* shall in joy reap sheaves of everlasting life.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit,* together with the Father and the Son* shines forth the reflection of every good gift,* In Him all things live and have their being.

Antiphon 2

Except the Lord build the house of the virtues,* in vain do we labour.* While He protects our soul no one lays waste our city.

The Saints, O Christ, fruits of the womb,* are by the Spirit, always sons to You,* as You are to the Father.

Glory… Now…

The Holy Spirit is the inspiration of all that is holy and wise;* for He quickens every creature.* Let us worship Him* together with the Father and the Son, for He is God.

Antiphon 3

Those who fear the Lord are blessed* as they walk along the paths of His commandments;* for they partake of the life-giving fruit.

Be glad, Chief Shepherd,* beholding Your offspring around Your table* bearing the branches of good works.

Glory… Now…

In the Holy Spirit is a superabundance of glory;* for from Him proceeds forth grace and life* into all creation;* wherefore He is praised together with the Father and the Word.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3

Proclaim to the nations: God is king. The world He made firm in its place.

verse: O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth.

Let everything that lives, Tone 3

Gospel

Luke 24:36-53

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

Verses at Psalm 50

Canon, Tone 3

Ode 1

Irmos: In time past by his divine command he gathered the waters into one heap* and divided the sea for the people of Israel:* this is our God, he is glorious,* to him alone we sing, for he is glorified.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

He condemned the earth to bring forth thorns, fruit of the transgressor’s sweat; he received in the flesh a crown of thorns from the hands of lawless men : this is our God, he has done away with the curse, he is glorified.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

He whom death smote is declared the conqueror who won the victory over death; for taking living flesh subject to suffering, he wrestled with the tyrant and raised up all with himself: he is our God, he is glorified.

Glory… Now…

All nations glorify you, true Mother of God, who seedlessly bore your child; for he, our God, stole down into your hallowed womb and, invested with our being, God and man was born of you.

Ode 3

Irmos: Almighty Lord,* you brought all things from nothing into being,* created by the Word, perfected by the Spirit.* Make me firm in your love.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The ungodly man was brought to shame by your cross; he dug a pit and opened it up and fell into it himself; the horn of the lowly, O Christ, is lifted up in your resurrection.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The proclamation of righteousness to the nations as water has covered the seas, O Lover of man, for you have risen from the grave and revealed the splendour of the Trinity.

Glory… Now…

Glorious things are spoken of you, the living city of the King who reigns for ever. For through you, O Lady, God dwelt among those on earth.

 

Ode 4

Irmos: A mighty love you have shown to us, O Lord,* for you have given over to death for us your only-begotten Son;* therefore we thank you and cry to you:* Glory to your power, O Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Scars and bruises compassionately bearing, insult of blows enduring, long-patient under the spitting, O Christ; through these you have wrought my salvation. Glory to your power, O Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Life in mortal body, you conversed with deatiaor the sake of the misery of the poor and the sighing of the needy; and. destroying the destroyer, O glorified One, you raised up all with yourself, only Lover of man.

Glory… Now…

Remember, O Christ, your flock won by your Passion: visit the afflicted, accept the compassionate prayers of your Mother glorified and save it, O Lord, by your power.

 

Ode 5

Irmos: Early I wake to you the Creator of all* and the peace which passes all understanding:* guide me in your ordinances,* for they are light.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Through the envy of the Jews handed over to an unrighteous judge, you, the all-seeing who judges all the earth in righteousness, delivered Adam from the ancient condemnation.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Christ, risen from the dead, grant peace to your churches in the invincible power of your cross, and save our souls.

Glory… Now…

You alone, the Ever-virgin who received the Word of God unbounded by the whole creation, are declared the holy tabernacle wider than the heavens.

 

Ode 6

Irmos: The deepest abyss of sins has surrounded me* and my spirit fails me;* but stretch out your mighty arm, O Lord my pilot, as to Peter,* and save me.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The abyss of mercy and pity has surrounded me in your tender descent, O Lord, for, made flesh and taking the form of a servant, you made me as God and glorified me with yourself.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The one who dealt death has undergone death through seeing the One put to death now brought to life: these things are the tokens of your Resurrection, O Christ, and the rewards of your pure Passion.

Glory… Now…

Only All-pure, beyond understanding you were mediator between the Creator and man, pray to your merciful Son for your stumbling servants and be our defender.

 

Kontakion

You rose from the tomb, O compassionate Lord,* and led us out from the gates of death.* Today Adam exults and Eve rejoices,* and the prophets together with the patriarchs* unceasingly acclaim the divine might of Your power.

 

Ikos

Let heaven and earth dance together today and with one mind sing to Christ God for he has raised from the graves those held in bonds. All creation rejoices together and brings to our Creator and Redeemer of all its fitting songs. For today, as giver of life, with himself he drew mortal man from Hell and lifts him up to heaven, he dashes down the pride of the enemy and breaks in pieces the gates of Hell by the divine might of his authority.

 

Ode 7

Irmos: As, long ago, your dew refreshed the three godly children in the Chaldean flames,* so shine with the enlightening fire of your Godhead* upon us who cry to you:* Blessed are you, God of our fathers.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The fair veil of the temple was rent in the cross of the Creator, clearly announcing the hidden truth in the scriptures to the faithful who cry to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

When your side was pierced, O Christ, drops of your life-giving blood, flowing from God by divine dispensation, distilled upon the earth and re-made those born of the earth who cry to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.

Glory… Now…

Let us the faithful glorify the Good Spirit with the Father and the only-begotten Son, one in three, as we worship the first cause and one Godhead, crying: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.

 

Ode 8

Irmos: In the unbearable fire, unharmed by the flames,* the young men, famed for their fear of God, stood as one and sang the divine hymn:* Bless the Lord, all you his works,* and exalt him throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The brightness of the temple was rent when your cross was set on Golgotha: all creation bowed down together and raised the song: Bless the Lord, all you his works, and exalt him throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You have risen, Christ, from the grave, by the divine power of the cross you have raised man overthrown by treachery and set him straight again, crying out and saying: Bless the Lord, all you his works, and exalt him throughout all the ages.

Glory… Now…

You are declared to be the temple of God, living resting-place and ark, for you, pure Mother of God, have reconciled the Creator to mortal man and fittingly we his works sing your praises and exalt you throughout all the ages.

 

Magnificat

 

Ode 9

Irmos: Marvel new and meet for God!* Through the shut gate of the Virgin the Lord surely passes through.* Unclothed in the entering, flesh-bearing in the coming forth* God has appeared and the gate remains fast closed.* We magnify her beyond utterance* the Mother of God.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Word of God, awful it is to see you, the Creator, hanging on the tree, God suffering in human fashion for the sake of his servants; while lying lifeless in the tomb you yet had loosed the dead from Hell; for this, O Christ, we magnify you as almighty.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Laid dead in the grave, O Christ, you saved our forefathers from the corruption of death; you raised the dead and made life to blossom and, leading mortal nature by the hand to the light, you clothed it with divine incorruptibility; for this we magnify you, fountain of everliving light.

Glory… Now…

Temple and throne of God you are declared to be, All-pure, wherein he who dwells in the highest took up his abode, born without man and guarding entire the doors of your flesh. Holy One, by your unceasing prayers bring swiftly the nations in final subjection to our king.

 

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

After Your resurrection from the grave, O Saviour,* You revealed Your human nature as You stood in the midst of the disciples;* You ate with them and taught them the baptism of repentance.* Then You ascended to Your Father and promised to send them the Paraclete.* Therefore, O Lover of mankind and God most high,* glory to Your holy resurrection!

Glory… Now…

The Author of all creation and the God of all* took a human body from your pure womb, O holy Virgin.* He renewed our nature which had been corrupt,* preserving Your virginity after birthgiving as you were before.* Therefore, we all praise you in faith and exclaim:* Rejoice, O Queen of the whole world!

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 3

Come all you nations,* acknowledge the power of the dread mystery;* for Christ our Saviour, the beginningless Word,* was crucified for us and was willingly buried* and arose from the dead to save the whole universe.* Let us worship Him.

You guards recounted all the marvels, O Lord,* but, by filling their right hands with money,* the Sanhedrin of folly thought to conceal Your Resurrection,* which the world glorifies;* have mercy upon us.

All things have been filled with joy on receiving proof of the Resurrection.* For Mary Magdalene having come to the tomb,* found an Angel seated upon the stone,* radiant in shining raiment, saying:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* He is not here, but He has arisen, as He foretold,* and goes before you into Galilee.

In Your light, O Master and Lover of mankind,* shall we see light.* For arose from the dead,* granting salvation to the race of mankind,* wherefore all creation glorifies You, the only sinless one;* have mercy upon us.

As a morning hymn, O Lord,* the Myrrh-bearing Women offered You their tears.* For bringing perfumes of sweet fragrances, they came to Your grave, eager to anoint Your most pure Body.* An angel seated upon the stone declared to them the good tidings:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* For He has trampled down death, He has arisen as God,* granting to all His great mercy.

A radiant Angel seated by You life-giving tomb* spoke to the Myrrh-bearing women saying:* The Redeemer has emptied the tombs,* He has despoiled Hades* and has arisen on the third day as alone God and all-powerful.

On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb seeking You.* When she did not find You, she lamented and cried out with grief:* Alas, my Saviour, how have You, the King of all, been stolen?* But a pair of radiant Angels from within the sepulchre cried out:* Why do you weep, woman?* I weep, she said, because they have taken my Lord from the tomb* and I know not where they have laid Him.* Whereupon, turning back and seeing You, she at once cried out:* My Lord and my God, glory be to You!

The Hebrews shut Life within the tomb;* but the Thief opened the Paradise of pure delight with his voice when he cried aloud saying:* The One who was crucified with me and who was hung with me upon the tree* also appears to me seated upon a throne together with the Father.* For He is Christ our God, who has great mercy.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Since You are the true peace of God for us, O Christ,* You gave Your peace to Your disciples after Your resurrection.* They were frightened when they thought that they were beholding a spirit.* But You removed the anxiety of their hearts when You showed them Your hands and feet,* yet they were still in doubt.* But when You took food with them, reminding them of Your preaching,* You opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.* You made the eternal covenant with them;* You blessed them and rose, ascending into heaven. Therefore, with them, we worship You;* O Lord, glory to You!

In Tone 2, Now…

You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!

Great Doxology

Trisagion Prayers

Troparion, Tone 2

Today salvation has come to the world.* Let us sing to Him who is risen from the tomb,* the Author of Life who has crushed Death by his death* and bestowed on us victory and great mercy.

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 3: Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 3: You rose from the tomb, O compassionate Lord,* and led us out from the gates of death.* Today Adam exults and Eve rejoices,* and the prophets together with the patriarchs* unceasingly acclaim the divine might of Your power.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 3: Today the Virgin stands before us in the church* and together with the choirs of saints invisibly prays to God for us.* Angels are worshipping with hierarchs,* Apostles exult with prophets,* for the Mother of God prays in our behalf to the eternal God.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3

Sing to our God, sing; sing to our King, sing.

verse: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout unto God with the voice of joy. (Psalm 46:7,2)

Epistle: Colossians 1:12-18 (NRSV)

Brothers and Sisters, giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.

Alleluia, Tone 3
verse: In You, O Lord, have I hoped that I may not be put to shame for ever.
verse: Be a protector unto me, O God, and a house of refuge to save me. (Psalm 30:2,3)

Gospel: Luke 17:12-19 (NRSV)
As Jesus entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest (Psalm 148:1).* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.