Polyeleos Feast.

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140, In Tone 4

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

Let us joyfully sing the praises of Chrysostom, the golden trumpet,* the divinely-inspired organ, the inexhaustible sea of doctrine,* the pillar of the Church, the heavenly mind,* the abyss of wisdom, the gilded vase.* He pours forth sweet streams of dogma like honey* for the refreshment of the world.

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

Let us joyfully sing the praises of Chrysostom, the golden trumpet,* the divinely-inspired organ, the inexhaustible sea of doctrine,* the pillar of the Church, the heavenly mind,* the abyss of wisdom, the gilded vase.* He pours forth sweet streams of dogma like honey* for the refreshment of the world.

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

Let us joyfully sing the praises of Chrysostom, the golden trumpet,* the divinely-inspired organ, the inexhaustible sea of doctrine,* the pillar of the Church, the heavenly mind,* the abyss of wisdom, the gilded vase.* He pours forth sweet streams of dogma like honey* for the refreshment of the world.

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

Let us worthily honour John Chrysostom,* he is the ever-shining star all nations with the rays of true teaching.* He is the preacher of repentance;* the golden sponge wiping away the despair of sadness.* His words are a refreshing dew* reviving hearts which are worn by sin.

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

Let us worthily honour John Chrysostom,* he is the ever-shining star all nations with the rays of true teaching.* He is the preacher of repentance;* the golden sponge wiping away the despair of sadness.* His words are a refreshing dew* reviving hearts which are worn by sin.

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

Let us worthily honour John Chrysostom,* he is the ever-shining star all nations with the rays of true teaching.* He is the preacher of repentance;* the golden sponge wiping away the despair of sadness.* His words are a refreshing dew* reviving hearts which are worn by sin.

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

With joyful hymns let us praise Chrysostom:* an earthly angel and a heavenly man.* He is a sweet and well-tuned harp, a treasury of virtues;* an immovable rock, a model of the faithful,* an imitator of the martyrs, a dweller with the holy angels,* and a companion of the apostles.

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

With joyful hymns let us praise Chrysostom:* an earthly angel and a heavenly man.* He is a sweet and well-tuned harp, a treasury of virtues;* an immovable rock, a model of the faithful,* an imitator of the martyrs, a dweller with the holy angels,* and a companion of the apostles.

Glory…

The Church, enriched by your radiant teachings, cries out to you, Chrysostom,* I am nourished by your golden pastures;* I feed at the sweet streams of your words,* by your example, I am led from action to contemplation.* I am united to Christ my bridegroom and reign with him.* Now we, assembled in your memory, cry out to you,* cease not to pray that our souls may be saved.

Now…

O Mother of God, because of You David the Prophet* became an ancestor of God;* he foretold and sang a joyous hymn of praise* and cried out to Him who worked wonders in you:* “The Queen stood at your right hand.”* God revealed you as a life-giving mother,* when He chose to be incarnate of you without a father.* He renewed in man His image which the passions had corrupted.* He found the lost sheep in the mountains, carried it on His shoulders,* offered it to the Father, generously numbered it among the powers of heaven,* and saved the whole world, since He is Christ of great and rich mercy.

Readings

(1) Proverbs 10:6-8; 8:6-21; (2) Wisdom 8:17-21; 9:1-4; (3) Wisdom 4:1, 6-20

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Grace is poured out on your lips, holy father Chrysostom.* The Lord anointed you to be a priest of his people,* to feed his flock in holiness and justice.* Armed with the sword of strength, you cut off the confusion of error:* cease not to pray for peace for the world* and salvation for our souls.

My mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart understanding!

Rejoice, father of orphans, sufferer of unjust banishment,* treasury of the poor, food of the hungry,* converter of sinners, skilled physician of souls,* interpreter of holy Scripture, living law of the Holy Spirit:* pray to Christ our God, that He may have mercy on us.

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom and his tongue speaks justice.

The world is enlightened by your words, brilliant sun,* your charity is a bright star, a shining lamp, and a beacon for all,* guiding to salvation those lost in the stormy sea of this world.* Venerable John, intercede for us.

In Tone 6

Glory…

Holy father, as a loyal pastor you suffered unjustly,* you drank the bitter cup of tribulation and exile.* You received a blessed death, glorifying God for all things.* As a courageous soldier, you overcame the crafty enemy.* Chrysostom, offer our prayers to Christ our God,* who glorified you with the crown of victory.

Now…

Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,* came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.* He clothed Himself in our human flesh* to set us free from the original curse of Adam.* Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,* as the true Virgin Mother of God,* and we sing with the angels:* Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector, and salvation of our souls.

Troparia

In Tone 8

The divine Church rejoices* and the whole world keeps feast with radiance* at the transfer of your relics, O venerable hierarch John Chrysostom.* Your life as a bishop was godly* and you willingly became a martyr.* Therefore we cry to you, O martyr, passion-bearer and hierarchs’ companion:* Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Glory… 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 8: The divine Church rejoices* and the whole world keeps feast with radiance* at the transfer of your relics, O venerable hierarch John Chrysostom.* Your life as a bishop was godly* and you willingly became a martyr.* Therefore we cry to you, O martyr, passion-bearer and hierarchs’ companion:* Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 1: The precious Church rejoices mystically* at the transfer of your holy relics* and treasuring them as costly gold* it lavishly grants to those who hymn you the grace of healing,* by your prayers, O John the Golden-mouthed.

Prokeimenon, Tone 1
My mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart understanding.
verse: Hear these things, all you nations; give ear all you inhabitants of the world. (Psalm 28:4,2)

Epistle: Hebrews 7:26-8:2

Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: The mouth of the just man shall meditate wisdom and his tongue shall speak judgment.
verse: The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps will not falter. (Psalm 36:30,31)

Gospel: John 10:9-16

Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)