GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140, In Tone 8

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

O Christ, during this spiritual service,* we sing to You these evening prayers,* commemorating the mercy You have shown us* by Your resurrection.

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

O Lord, O Lord, do not cast us away from Your face;* but in Your kindness have mercy on us* through Your resurrection.

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

Rejoice, O holy Zion,* the Mother of Churches and the dwelling-place of God;* for you were the first to receive the forgiveness of sins* through the resurrection.

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

Christ the Word was begotten by God the Father before all ages;* yet in these latter times,* He freely willed to take flesh from the Virgin who did not know man.* By His death on the cross and His resurrection,* He saved mankind from the ancient curse of death.

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

O Christ, we glorify Your resurrection;* for by rising from the dead* You freed the race of Adam from the sufferings of Hades,* and as God You granted eternal life* and great mercy to 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.

Glory to You, O Christ our Saviour,* the only-begotten Son of God;* for You were nailed to the cross,* and then arose from the dead on the third day.

In Tone 8

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

O holy father John,* truly have you ever carried on your lips the praises of the Lord,* and with great wisdom have you studied the words of Holy Scripture,* that teach us how to practice the ascetic life.* So have you gained the riches of grace,* and you have become blessed,* overthrowing all the purposes of the ungodly.

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

O holy father John,* truly have you ever carried on your lips the praises of the Lord,* and with great wisdom have you studied the words of Holy Scripture,* that teach us how to practice the ascetic life.* So have you gained the riches of grace,* and you have become blessed,* overthrowing all the purposes of the ungodly.

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

Most glorious father John,* with the fountain of your tears you have cleansed your soul,* and by keeping vigils through the night* you have gained God’s mercy.* You were raised on wings, O blessed one,* to the love of Him and of His beauty;* and as is right you dwell now in His unending joy,* with your fellow soldiers in the spiritual fight,* O holy saint of God.

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

O holy father John,* through faith you have lifted up your mind on wings to God;* hating the restless confusion of this world,* you have taken up your Cross;* and, by following Him who sees all things* you have subjected your rebellious body to His guidance through ascetic discipline,* by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Tone 5

Glory…

O holy father,* hearing the voice of the Gospel of the Lord,* you have forsaken the world, counting as naught its riches and its glory;* and so you have cried out to all:* “Love God,* and you shall find eternal grace.* Set nothing higher than His love,* that, when He comes in glory,* you may find rest with all the saints.”* At their prayers, O Christ, guard and save our souls.

In Tone 8

Now…

Out of his love for mankind* the King of heaven appeared on earth and dwelt with men,* for He assumed a human body from the pure Virgin* and was seen in the flesh He received from her.* He is the One and only God* having two natures but not two persons.* Wherefore we profess and declare the truth* that Christ our God is perfect God and perfect Man.* O Mother, who knew not carnal union,* intercede with Him that He may have mercy on our souls.

Aposticha

In Tone 8

O Jesus, You descended from heaven* so that You might ascend the cross.* O immortal Life, You came to die.* You are the true light to those who live in darkness,* and You are the resurrection of the fallen.* Therefore, O Saviour of all, we glorify You.

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

Let us glorify Christ, the Saviour of our Souls* Who arose from the dead.* For He took upon himself a soul and a body,* and during His passion He separated the one from the other.* His pure soul went down to conquer Hades,* while His holy body lay uncorrupted in the grave.

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

O Christ, we glorify Your resurrection with psalms and hymns.* For by Your victory over death* You delivered us from the sufferings of Hades,* and as God You granted us eternal life and great mercy.

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

O Lord of all, Creator of heaven and earth,* You are above all understanding.* Through Your passion on the cross* You freed us from the sufferings of Hades.* And, after condescending to be buried, You arose in glory;* and with Your mighty arm You also raised up Adam.* O most merciful Lord, we glorify You;* for by Your resurrection on the third day* You granted us remission of sins and eternal life.

In Tone 2

Glory…

Let us honour John, angel upon earth and man of God in heaven,* adornment of the world, joy of the good and virtuous, glory of the ascetics.* For planted in the house of God he has blossomed with the flower of holiness,* and spread abroad like a cedar in the desert,* causing the sheep of Christ’s spiritual flock to increase* in sanctity and righteousness.

Now…

O wondrous event exceeding every miracle that ever happened!* Who ever heard that a mother could conceive without a man,* and that she would hold in her arms the One who contains the whole universe?* This was the will of the One who was born of you.* Woman most pure,* never cease to intercede for those who honour you,* together with the One you carried in your arms as a child.* You have the power of a Mother:* therefore, intercede with Him that He may have mercy on us* and save our souls.

Troparia, In Tone 8

You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You.

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!

SUNDAY MATINS

Usual Beginning; Hexapsalm; Great Litany; God the Lord, Tone 8

Troparia, Tone 8

You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You. (2)

In Tone 1, Glory…

A dweller in the wilderness and an angel in the body!* You manifested a wonderworker, O John our God-bearing Father!* You received heavenly gifts through fasting, vigil, and prayer:* healing the infirm and the souls of those who flee to you with faith.* Glory to Him Who has given you strength!* Glory to Him Who has crowned you!* Glory to Him Who through you works healings for all!

Now…

When Gabriel announced to you, “Rejoice!”, O Virgin,* the Master of all became incarnate within you, the holy tabernacle,* at his cry, as the righteous David said. You were shown to be more spacious than the heavens,* having borne your Creator.* Glory to Him Who made His abode within you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you! ** Glory to Him Who has set us free by your birthgiving.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany; Sessional Hymn, Tone 8

You the Life of all, did rise from the dead,* and an Angel of light cried out to the women saying:* Cease your tears. Bring the good tidings unto the Apostles.* Cry aloud in hymns that Christ the Lord has arisen* who as God was well-pleased to save mankind.

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

When You were indeed risen from the tomb* You commanded the holy women to announce the Resurrection to the Apostles, as it is written;* and Peter, having arrived quickly, stood by the grave* and seeing the light in the tomb was frightened,* observing the grave clothes lying therein, without the divine body,* and believing he cried aloud:* Glory be to You O Christ God our Saviour, who has saved us all,* for You are the radiant splendour of the Father.

Glory… Now…

Let us hymn the heavenly gate and ark,* the all-holy mountain, the cloud of light, the heavenly ladder,* the spiritual Paradise, the redemption of Eve,* the great treasure of the world;* because salvation for the world and forgiveness of ancient offences were wrought in her.* Therefore, we cry to her:* Intercede with your own Son and God to grant forgiveness of offences* to those who devoutly worship your most holy Offspring.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany; Sessional Hymn, Tone 8

Mortals have sealed Your tomb, O Saviour* and an Angel has rolled away the stone from the door.* Women saw You risen from the dead,* and announced the good tidings to Your Disciples in Sion:* The life of all has risen and the bonds of death are loosed.* O Lord, glory be to You.

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

The women having brought sweet-smelling burial spices* heard an Angel’s voice coming from the tomb:* Cease your tears and bring joy instead of sorrow.* Wherefore cry aloud in hymns that Christ the Lord is risen,* who as God was well-pleased to save the race of mankind.

Glory… Now…

In you, O Full of grace, does all creation rejoice,* the ranks of Angels and the race of mankind;* O all-hallowed Temple and spiritual Paradise, boast of Virgins.* For from youGod became incarnate* and He who is our God before the ages became a child.* He has made your womb a throne and rendered it wider than the heavens.* In you, O Full of grace, does all creation rejoice;* glory be to you.

Polyeleos; Evlogitaria; Small Litany; Hypakoe, Tone 8

The myrrh-bearing women standing at the tomb of the Giver of life* seeking the immortal Master among the dead;* and having received the glad tidings of joy from the Angel* announced to the Apostles that Christ the Lord is risen,* granting the world great mercy.

Hymn of Ascent, Tone 8

Antiphon 1

From my youth the enemy tempts me, enflaming me with the desire for pleasures;* but placing my trust in You O Lord, I put him to flight.

Let those that hate Sion,* become like grass before it is tilled;* for Christ severs their necks with the sharp blade of torments.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit all things have life;* Light from Light, eminent God:* we hymn Him* together with the Father and the Word.

Antiphon 2

Let my humble heart be sheltered by the fear of You;* lest it fall away from You by being conceited,* O exceedingly compassionate One.

He who has his hope in the Lord* will not be afraid when the Lord judges all things* with fire and torment.

Glory… Now…

Everyone inspired by the Holy Spirit sees all and foretells,* working the greatest wonders, singing of one God in three Hypostases;* for though the Divinity radiates with triune light,* it rules as one.

Antiphon 3

I have cried to You, O Lord, hearken to me,* bend Your ear to my supplications when I cry to You,* and cleanse me before taking me from this life.

Each and every one who returns to mother earth* will depart to receive torments or rewards* in reward for their life’s actions.

Glory… Now…

Contemplation of God by the Holy Spirit is of a thrice-holy unity;* for the Father is beginningless, from Whom the Son was begotten before time,* and the Spirit equal in essence and majesty,* blazes forth equally from the Father.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8

The Lord will reign forever, Sion’s God, from age to age.

verse: My soul, give praise to the Lord; I will praise the Lord all my days.

Let everything that lives, Tone 8; Gospel: John 20:11-18; Hymn of Resurrection; Psalm 50; Verses at Psalm 50

In Tone 8, Glory…

Open to me the doors of repentance, O Giver of Life.* As we worship in Your temple this morning,* teach us how to purify the temples of our bodies,* and in Your compassion, purify me by the goodness of Your mercies.

Now…

Lead me to the paths of salvation, O Mother of God,* for I have condemned myself with shameful sins* and have wasted all my life in slothfulness.* By your intercession purify me from all sinfulness.

In Tone 6

Have mercy on me, God, in Your kindness. In Your compassion blot out my offense.

When I think upon the multitude of my evil deeds,* I tremble for the terrible day of judgment.* But trusting in the compassion of Your mercy, O Lord,* I cry to You like David:* Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy.

 

Canon, Tone 8

Ode 1

Irmos: When the wonder-working rod of Moses* smote the sea with the sign of the cross and divided it,* Pharaoh the charioteer it overthrew in the deep,* but fugitive Israel, fleeing on foot, it saved,* and he raised a glad shout* of praise to God.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

How should we not wonder at the mighty power of Christ’s divinity? Freedom from passions and incorruption to all the faithful flow from his Passion; drop by drop from his holy side a deathless fountain falls; and from the grave comes life unending.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

How beautiful the angel now reveals himself to the women! Bearing the signs of innate and immaterial purity, and in his far-shining form revealing the splendour of the resurrection, he cries: the Lord is risen.

Glory… Now…

Glorious things are spoken of you, O Virgin Mother of God, from generation to generation, for, remaining undefiled, you found room in your womb for God the Word. Therefore, we honour you as our protector after God.

Irmos: Our God and Saviour led the people of Israel across the Red Sea as if on dry land* and drowned Pharaoh and his whole army.* Let us praise Him who alone is worthy of our songs,* for He is clothed with glory.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

O Christ, I have become like the man who fell among thieves, and grievously beaten, was left barely alive, O Saviour; and more than he, I am also grievously wounded with my sins.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Stripped of all Your wealth, he cried out lamenting: “O Saviour, I am gravely wounded; leave me not to the thieves.” Likewise, I also pray to You: “Merciful Lord, save me.”

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Heal me who am noetically deadened by the scourging of sin, from the unrighteous thieves, my wicked thoughts, O Christ Saviour; save me since You are plenteous in mercy.

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

O you who inexplicably gave birth to the Wisdom and Word of the Father, grant healing to my grievously wounded soul, and assuage the infirmity of my heart.

Irmos: When Israel passed through the waters as upon dry land* and escaped the malice of the Egyptians,* they cried out:* Let us sing to our Redeemer and our God.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

Ascending from the sorrow of things material, O holy John, you dwelt in the immaterial noetic light: by your intercessions to the Lord, grant me this light.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

Suckled on the sweetness of abstinence, you cast away the bitterness of sensuality; and so, father, you have granted us a pleasure sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.

Glory…

Having ascended to the heights of the virtues, scorning as worthless, sensual pleasures, you have appeared to your flock as the sweetness of salvation, O venerable father.

Now…

O you who ineffably gave birth to the Word and Wisdom of the Father, heal the harsh wounds of my soul and assuage the infirmity of my heart.

Katavasia: I shall open my mouth, and be filled with the Spirit,* and utter discourse to the Queen and Mother;* and be seen radiantly keeping festival,* joyfully praising her wonders.

 

Ode 3

Irmos: In the beginning, O Christ, you established the heavens in understanding,* and founded the earth upon the waters:* establish me upon the rock of your commandments,* for none is holy but you, only Lover of man.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The saving suffering of your flesh, O Christ, justified Adam, condemned by the taste of sin; for as the sinless one you were shown in the trial as owing no debt to death.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Jesus , my God, shed the light of his resurrection upon those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death; and by his divinity he bound the strong man and seized all his goods.

Glory… Now…

Higher than Cherubim and Seraphim you are declared to be, Mother of God, for you alone, undefiled, received within your womb the illimitable God. Therefore, all the faithful ever sing to you and bless you.

Irmos: O Christ, by the power of Your Cross, strengthen our hearts so that we may sing and glorify Your saving Ascension.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

I have wickedly journeyed on the path of life, O Christ, and been sorely wounded by thieves through my passions: but I beseech You, raise me up.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Thieves have robbed my mind and, wounded by my sins, leaving me barely alive: but heal me, O Lord.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

I have been stripped bare of Your commandments by the passions, O Christ Saviour, and I have been scourged by sensual pleasures, but pour upon me Your mercy.

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Without ceasing, pray, O pure one, to Him who came forth from your womb, that those who sing your praises may be delivered from the wiles of the evil one.

Irmos: You are the rampart of those who hasten to You;* the inhabitants of darkness find their light in You;* and my soul praises You, O Lord.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

With the fiery coal of your asceticism, O saint, you have burnt up the thorns of the passions, warming all those who follow the monastic life.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

The aroma of the sanctifying myrrh of your ascetic struggles, O venerable father, has filled all with the odour of the spiritual fragrance of God.

Glory…

Attentively learning the laws of ascetic struggle, you burned up the passions, as though another army of Pharaoh, by the flow of your tears.

Now…

Put a stop the restless tumult of my thoughts, O pure one, and guide me, O Mother of God, to your Son.

Katavasia: O Theotokos, living and plentiful fount,* establish in spiritual fellowship those who sing hymns to you,* and in your divine glory* grant them crowns of glory.

 

Sessional Hymn, Tone 5

Having Your Most-pure Cross as a weapon of salvation, O Saviour, we cry to You: “O You Who willingly suffered for our sake, save us, O God of all, since You are plenteous in mercy.”

In Tone 4, Glory…

Having ascended to the Heavens, resplendent with virtues and holiness, you have properly entered into the boundless depth of the contemplation of God. Having defeated all the snares of the demons, and protecting mankind from their wickedness, O John—ladder of the virtues—you ever intercede on behalf of your servants, that they be saved.

Now…

He Who is enthroned upon the cherubim and Who dwells in the bosom of the Father, has sat incarnate in your bosom, O Lady, as upon His holy throne. For as God He is the ruler of all nations, and with understanding we now sing to Him; beseech Him, O pure one, on behalf of your servants that they be saved.

 

Ode 4

Irmos: O Lord, you are my strength and my might, you are my God and my joy;* without leaving the deep recesses of the Father, you visited our poverty;* so with Habakkuk the prophet, I cry to you:* Glory to your power, O Lover of man.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Merciful Saviour, you loved me much when I was at enmity with you; in strange self-emptying you came to earth, not rejecting the last recesses of my pride. While remaining still upon the heights of your ineffable glory, you glorified me, formerly so disgraced.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Who is not amazed, O Lord, at seeing death done away through sufferings, corruption take flight through a cross, Hell emptied of its possessions through a death? This is the marvellous work of the divine sovereignty of you, the Crucified One, O Lover of man.

Glory… Now…

Boast of the faithful, Bride unwed, you are the protection and refuge of Christians, city wall and harbour; for you bring our petitions to your Son and save from danger those who acknowledge you in faith and love as the pure Mother of God.

Irmos: O Lord, I heard Your voice and I was filled with fear;* I meditated on Your work of salvation,* and I glorify You, the only Lover of mankind.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Thieves have despoiled me of my godly actions and left me wounded and in pangs.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

My unstable thoughts have stripped me bare of Your commandments, O Saviour, and I have been scourged by my transgressions.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The Levite, when he saw me wounded, passed me by, O Saviour; but save me.

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Regally do we glorify you, O unwedded Theotokos, and we the faithful flee to your safe haven for refuge.

Irmos: O Lord, I have heard Your voice, and I was filled with fear.* In your ineffable plan, since You are the eternal God,* You came forth in the flesh from the Virgin.* Glory to Your condescension and Your power, O Christ.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

You are a fragrant flowered meadow and a living paradise of the virtues, in which abstinence blossoms; and with which you nourish all who honour you.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

As a lawgiver for ascetics, and a most meek rule for monastics, you are truly like Moses and David, O father, wherefore we bless you.

Glory…

Planted by the waters of abstinence, you have been revealed O blessed one, to be a vine blossoming with, and bearing, the grapes of piety.

Now…

Within time, O Mother of God, you bore for us Him Who has shone forth timelessly from the Father. Entreat Him to save those who sing your praises.

Katavasia: He who sits in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus the true God,* is come in a swift cloud* and with His sinless hands he has saved those who cry:* Glory to Your power, O Christ.

 

Ode 5

Irmos: Why have you thrust me away from the never-setting light of your face,* so that alien darkness has covered me, most wretched one?* Turn me back, I beg you, and direct my ways* to the light of your commandments.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Before your Passion, O Saviour, you allowed yourself to be clothed in the robe of mockery, thus covering the shameful nakedness of man; and to be nailed naked to the cross while putting off the garment of death.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

When you arose from the dust of death, O Christ, you built again my beggared nature and rendered it immortal, revealing once again the kingly image, radiant with the light of incorruption.

Glory… Now…

As you possess a mother’s boldness before your Son, All-pure, do not refuse your far-seeing care for our race, we pray you. For you alone, as Christians, we present to the Lord for gracious favour and propitiation.

Irmos: As we watch in the night and wait for morning,* O Lord, we cry to You:* Have mercy on us and save us,* for You are truly our God and we know no other but You.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

O Jesus, bind the wounds of my soul, as of old the Samaritan did to him that fell among thieves, and heal me from my pain, I pray You, O my Christ.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Sickened by the wounds of my transgressions, I lay helpless, O my Christ, naked and bereft of the divine virtues; but I beseech You, save me.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

When the priest and the Levite saw me, they could not help me, but passed by on the other side. But since You are compassionate You have granted me salvation and saved me.

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

I beseech You, O Lord, turn not away from me, wretched as I am, for my mind is painfully scourged by noetic thieves, but have compassion upon me, O Saviour, by the prayers of her who gave birth to You.

Irmos: Why have You driven me far from your face, O inaccessible Light?* The outer darkness has enveloped me, wretched creature that I am.* Make me return, I pray You,* and direct my paths toward the light of Your law

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

O blessed father, you quenched all the passions with the dew of your ascetic struggles, abundantly aflame with love and faith you were a lamp of abstinence, a light of dispassion, and a child of the day.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

With your divine husbandry, O father, you tended to the grapes of faith; and gathering them into the winepress you have pressed them out by your ascetic labours; making glad the heart of your flock.

Glory…

Having well withstood the assaults and the wounds of your enemies, you were revealed to be a pillar of patience, strengthening your flock you have guided them with your blessed staff, nourishing them on the waters of abstinence, O blessed one.

Now…

As spoken by your own lips, we emulate you, O all-pure one, and call you blessed. For the Lord has indeed done great things to you and has magnified you as the true Mother of God, born from your womb.

Katavasia: All creation stands in awe of your divine glory;* for you, O Virgin who has not known wedlock,* contained within your womb* the God of all,* and gave birth to the timeless Son,* bestowing peace upon all who hymn you.

 

Ode 6

Irmos: Be merciful to me, O Saviour, for many are my transgressions;* bring me up from the depths of evil, I pray you.* For I have cried out to you,* hear me, O God of my salvation.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Mightily, through a tree, the originating evil overthrew me; uplifted on the cross, O Christ, you cast him down with a greater might, putting him to shame and raising me, the fallen.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Rising from the tomb in compassion you took pity on Zion, by your divine blood bringing about the new in place of the old; and now you reign in her, O Christ, throughout the ages.

Glory… Now…

May we be rescued from all our grievous stumblings by your prayers, pure Mother of God, and may we meet with the divine outshining of the Son of God, ineffably made flesh of you.

Irmos: The abyss surrounds me completely;* the sea monster holds me as if in a tomb;* I cried to You, O Lover of mankind,* and Your right hand has saved me.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

I have wasted the blessed life given me with passions, O Master, and grievously scourged in every part by my transgressions, I turn back to You for refuge and pray: “Have compassion upon me.”

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Thieves have seized my wealth and left me as one dead, having scourged my mind with the passions. But have compassion upon me and save me, O Lord.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Unable to bear the sight of my pain and wounds, the Levite passed me by; but O Compassionate One, pour on me the oil of Your great mercy.

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

As the bush unconsumed by fire, as the mountain and living ladder, as the heavenly gate, we worthily glorify you, Mary most glorious, the praise of the Orthodox.

Irmos: Grant Your forgiveness, O Saviour,* despite the number of my sins;* draw me out of the abyss of evil, I pray You;* for it is to You that I cry:* O God of my salvation,* hear me, O Lord!

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

You received within your soul the divine wealth of the Spirit; unblemished prayer, purity, modesty, constant watchfulness, the labours of abstinence; by which you have become a temple of God.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

O wise one, you passed by material things as worthless, and having raised your mind on high through noetic prayer; by the perfection of your life thou hast manifest yourself as an heir of peaceful repose in the highest.

Glory…

You truly extinguished the fiery darts of your enemies by your ascetic struggles, and having kindled the fire of faith, you burned up the boastful unbelief of heresy.

Now…

The majesty of the Most High has shone forth from Sion; through an ineffable union He has assumed flesh from you, O undefiled one, and shed light upon the world.

Katavasia: Celebrating the divine and solemn feast of the Mother of God* O you divinely wise,* let us come, clapping our hands,* and glorify God who was born of her.

 

Kontakion, Tone 4

Truly has the Lord placed you in the firmament* like an immovable star of abstinence* shedding its light upon all creation,* O father John our teacher.

Ikos

Truly, O father, you have made yourself into a temple of God, adorned through your divine virtues with faith, hope, and true love, as if with gold shining from afar; you have explained the laws of God, and practiced abstinence as if a bodiless one; having acquired wisdom, courage, chastity and humility, you have been raised on high, illumined with unceasing prayer, you have attained to the tabernacles of heaven, O father John our teacher.

 

Ode 7

Irmos: The fire in Babylon once was put to shame by the descent of God* and the young men danced in the furnace,* with joy in their steps, as in a grassy meadow,* and sang: Blessed are you, the God of our fathers.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Your glorious abasement and the divine wealth of your beggary, O Christ, struck the angels with amazement when they saw you nailed to the cross to save those who cry in faith to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

By your divine descent the lowest depths were filled with light, and the darkness and torment of former ages driven away. Then those in age-old bonds rose up and cried: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.

Glory… Now…

In accordance with orthodox doctrine, we proclaim you Lord of all, only Father of the one, only-begotten Son, and we know the one true Spirit proceeding from you, one with you in nature and co-eternal.

Irmos: The Most High, the Lord and God of our fathers,* extinguished the flame and covered the Youths with dew;* and with one voice they sang:* Blessed are You, O Lord, God of our fathers.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Thieves fell upon me, wretch that I am, and left me with wounds as one dead; wherefore I pray to You: O God come Yourself and visit me.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

My mind, ceaselessly robbed by my thoughts, has pierced me through with the passions, and because of the multitude of my transgressions, left me as one dead. But, O Saviour, grant me healing.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Having seen me ailing with painful wounds, the Levite could not bear to look upon me, thinking my wounds incurable, and passed me by O my Savioyr, but You Yourself grant me healing

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Having taken flesh from the Virgin, You have saved me, in Your compassion pouring upon my wounds Your rich mercy, O Christ, wherefore I glorify You.

Irmos: The Youths who came from Judah to Babylon* trampled on the flames in the furnace* by their faith in the Trinity,* and they sang: Blessed are You, O God of our fathers.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

Into the fair meadows of the Kingdom on high, you have lead your flock to pasture, O father, and with the rod of true dogma you have driven away the wild beasts of heresy; chanting: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Venerable father John, Pray to God for us.

You have entered on high, into the heavenly bridal chamber of Christ the King, clothed in a garment worthy of Him that has called you; and seated therein, you cried aloud: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Glory…

You are a river of abstinence unpolluted by sin, O father; purging the thoughts and cleansing the filth of those, who sing with faith, “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Now…

The Lord of all came forth from your womb, taking flesh from you, O Virgin. Wherefore with true Orthodox faith we honour you as the Theotokos, and cry aloud to your Son: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Katavasia: Refusing to worship created things in place of the Creator,* the divinely wise youths bravely trampled down the threatening fire* and rejoicing they sang aloud: * O supremely hymned Lord and God of our Fathers, blessed are You.

 

Ode 8

Irmos: The Chaldaean tyrant in fury kindled the furnace sevenfold for those who feared God;* then, as he beheld them saved alive by a mightier power than his, their Creator and Redeemer himself,* he cried: Bless him, young men, praise him, O priests,* highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The power supremely divine of the Godhead of Jesus has shone out in these things: on the cross he tasted death in the flesh for all men, and he brought to nothing the might of Hell. Bless him without ceasing, young men, praise him, O priests, highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The crucified one arose, the boastful and vainglorious fell, the fallen and the broken are restored, corruption is banished, incorruption has blossomed, for death is swallowed up by life. Bless him, young men, praise him, O priests, highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.

Glory… Now…

Godhead of threefold light, in single radiance shining from one three-personed nature, Begetter without beginning, Word of the Father’s nature and Spirit consubstantial, co-reigning: bless him, young men, praise him, O priests, exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.

Irmos: In the furnace the Youths weaved a dance* with the whole universe for You, O God and Creator,* and they sang: Praise the Lord, all you works of the Lord,* and exalt Him forever.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

From the noetic thieves of my thoughts, O Saviour, I have been robbed, and from the wounds of my transgressions, my life has wasted away, from whence I have been stripped of the divine image of You, O God, who are the Lover of mankind, but have compassion upon me.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

You came down from on high to the earth, O Saviour, and have compassion upon me, and as I lay wholly wounded by the scourging of sin, O Compassionate One; You have poured the oil of Your mercy upon me, O Christ.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

For my sake, O Master and Saviour, You have given Your soul and body over to deliver me, and save me, who lay incurably wounded by the sword of my sins, since You are Compassionate.

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Transcending all understanding have you given birth to the Lord, God-man and Word, yet remaining a virgin; wherefore, O Virgin, with all creation we bless and supremely exalt you throughout all ages.

Irmos: He is the King of heaven whom the heavenly hosts praise;* exalt Him for all ages.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

An image and living pillar of abstinence are you shown to be in truth O father, wherefore we honour your memory, O John.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

The multitudes of monastics rejoice, and the assembly of venerable saints and righteous dance with gladness: for you have justly received a crown with them.

Let us bless Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the Lord.

Adorned with the virtues, you have entered into the ineffable glory of the noetic bridle-chamber singing hymns in praise of Christ throughout the ages.

Now…

Reject us not, O Virgin, for we are in need of your help; and we sing in praise of you and supremely exalt you throughout all ages.

We praise, bless and worship the Lord, chanting and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.

Katavasia: The Offspring of the Theotokos saved the holy children in the furnace.* He who was then prefigured has now been born on earth,* and He gathers all creation to hymn you:* all you works, praise the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.

 

Magnificat

 

Ode 9

Irmos: Heaven is amazed and the ends of the earth stricken with fear* that your womb is become wider than the heavens, and God is seen bodily by men.* Therefore, O Mother of God* the ranks of angels and of men magnify you.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Word of God, simple in your nature divine and unoriginate, by giving existence to flesh and assuming it to yourself you became compound: suffering as a man you remained beyond suffering as God. Therefore, we magnify you in the two natures, indivisible and yet without confusion.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Most High, according to the divine essence you are ever one with God as your Father; but when you took the nature of man, coming down to your servants and rising from the tomb, you made him, who is by nature God and Lord, by grace Father of those born of the earth. You with him we magnify.

Glory… Now…

O Virgin Mother of God, you are seen beyond nature bearing in the body that good Word which the Father as the One Good uttered from his heart before all ages. And we understand him now as being beyond the body, yet clothed with a body

Irmos: O Isaiah, dance for joy, for the Virgin has given birth to a Son,* and from her womb is born Emmanuel;* He is God in the flesh among us and Orient is His name.* We glorify Him, O Virgin, and we proclaim you blessed.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

I have knowingly not kept Your commandments O Lord, and following the passionate impulses of sensual pleasure, I have been stripped of grace, and cast out naked. Wherefore I beseech You, O Saviour, save me

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The Levite could not cleanse my wounds, but as one who has suffered with me, You came to me O good One, and pouring upon me the mercy of Your compassions; like the best of physicians, You have healed me.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Since You are the compassionate One, You have been compassionate to me O Christ, and saved me, who was grievously wounded by thieves, O Saviour; by giving YOur soul and body as the two dinars, in payment for my redemption.

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Your birth-giving transcends understanding, O Mother of God, for you conceived without knowing a man, and gave birth while remaining a virgin, having given birth to God, Whom magnifying, we call you blessed, O Virgin.

Irmos: Come, all you people, let us glorify the holy Mother of God,* who, without being consumed,* gave birth to the fire of the divinity in her womb;* with our unceasing hymns we extol her.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

A physician of those sick through sin, O blessed one of God, you are manifest as a slayer and expeller of evil spirits; wherefore we call you blessed.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

Leaving the earth wherein corruption dwells, you have gone to live, O father, in the land of the meek, and with them you rejoice in the sweet blessings of God.

Glory…

Today is the day of solemn festivity, for the entire flock of monastics has been called to assemble as a spiritual choir, and liturgizing, partake of eternal life.

Now…

Having taken up His abode within you, O all-immaculate One, He who has overthrown the murderer who maliciously brought about the fall of our first parents, has been born and saved us all.

Katavasia: Let every mortal born on earth,* radiant with light, in spirit leap for joy;* and let the host of the angelic powers* celebrate and honour the holy feast of the Mother of God,* and let them cry aloud:* Rejoice! O Theotokos, pure Ever-Virgin.

 

Small Litany; Holy is the Lord; Hymn of Light

When Mary saw two angels inside the grave,* she was seized with fright.* She did not recognize Christ but thought that He was the gardener;* she said to Him: “Sir, where have You placed the body of Jesus?”* She knew from His voice that He was the Saviour,* and she obeyed Him when He said:* “Touch Me not for I am going to My Father.* Tell this to My disciples.”

In Tone 3, Glory…

You shunned worldly ease as enfeebling,* and withering your flesh with fasting,* you renewed the strength of your soul, O venerable one,* gloriously enriching yourself with heavenly glory,* wherefore cease not to intercede on our behalf, O John.

Now…

Saved by you, O Lady, we nobly confess you to be the very Theotokos,* for inexpressibly you bore God, Who has destroyed death by the Cross* and called to Himself the assemblies of venerable saints,* wherefore we, with them, offer praises to you, O Virgin.

 

Praises; Stichera of the Praises, Tone 8

O Lord, though You stood before the judgment seat* being judged by Pilate,* yet You were seated with the Father* and were not absent from Your throne.* And risen from the dead You freed the world from slavery to the stranger,* as You are full of compassionate pity and love for mankind.

O Lord, the Jews laid You as a corpse in a grave,* and soldiers guarded You as a sleeping king* sealing You with a seal as if a treasury of life;* but You arose* and grant incorruption to our souls.

O Lord, You have given us Your Cross as a weapon against the devil;* for he quakes and trembles, unable to contemplate Your power;* for raised the dead and abolished death:* wherefore we worship Your Burial and Your Rising.

Your Angel, O Lord, having proclaimed Your Resurrection,* filled the guards with fear,* but he cried to the women saying: Why do you seek the living among the dead?* Being God He is risen* granting life to the whole world.’

You endured the Cross, O You who are impassible in Your Divinity,* to free us from slavery to the enemy* and You accepted burial for three days, making us immortal,* and granting life unto us through Your Resurrection,* O Christ God, Lover of mankind.

O Christ, I worship, I glorify, and I praise Your Resurrection from the tomb,* through which You delivered us from the unbreakable bonds of Hades* and as God granted the world eternal life and great mercy.

The Lawless men, watching over Your grave* which had received life, sealed it;* but You, as the immortal and all-powerful God,* arose on the third day.

When You entered the gates of Hades, O Lord, and shattered them,* the prisoners therein cried aloud:* Who is this? for He has not been condemned to the lowest parts of the earth,* but has torn down the prisons of death as if a tent,* we received Him as One mortal, and we tremble before Him as God.* O All-powerful Saviour have mercy on us.

In Tone 1

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

Come, let us work in the mystical vineyard,* bringing forth fruits of repentance therein;* let us not labour for the sake of food and drink,* but through prayer and fasting let us increase the virtues.* And the Lord of the vineyard, pleased by our labour, will pay us the dinar,* with which He has redeemed our souls from the debt of sin,* for He alone is rich in mercy.

In Tone 1, Glory…

Come, let us work in the mystical vineyard,* bringing forth fruits of repentance therein;* let us not labour for the sake of food and drink,* but through prayer and fasting let us increase the virtues.* And the Lord of the vineyard, pleased by our labour, will pay us the dinar,* with which He has redeemed our souls from the debt of sin,* for He alone is rich in mercy.

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

You came forth from death, destroying the eternal bonds of Hades, O Lord.* You broke the curse of Death* and thus delivered us from the snares of the Evil One.* Then You appeared to your apostles and sent them forth to preach,* and through them You have bestowed your peace upon all the world,* for You alone are rich in mercy.

Insistent Litany; Litany of Supplication; Great Dismissal

Divine Liturgy

Great Fast Day 28. The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated today.

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 8: You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You.

Troparion, Tone 1: O John, our God-bearing father,* you were shown to be a citizen of the desert,* an angel in bodily form,* and a worker of miracles.* Through fasting, prayers and vigils you received heavenly gifts* to heal the sick and the souls of those who, in faith, run to you.* Glory to Him who gives you strength.* Glory to Him who crowned you.* Glory to Him who works healing for all through you.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: On the heights of true abstinence,* the Lord established you as a reliable star,* giving light for guidance to the ends of the earth,* O father John, our teacher.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Pray and give praise to the Lord our God.
verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 75:12,2)

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
verse: The venerable ones will exult in glory* and they shall be joyful in their beds. (Psalm 149:5)

Epistle: Hebrews 6:13-20 (NRSV)
Brothers and Sisters, when God made a promise to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Human beings, of course, swear by someone greater than themselves, and an oath given as confirmation puts an end to all dispute. In the same way, when God desired to show even more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it by an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God would prove false, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Ephesians 5:9-19 (NRSV)
Brothers and Sisters, for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”  Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts,

Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; let us acclaim God our Saviour.
verse: Let us come before His countenance with praise and acclaim Him with psalms. (Psalm 94:1,2)
verse: They who are planted in the hose of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 91:14)

Gospel: Mark 9:17-31; (NRSV)
At that time a man came to Jesus, fell down before him and said, “Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.” He answered them, “You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!” After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “This kind can come out only through prayer.”

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.”

Matthew 4:25-5:12 (NRSV)
At that time great crowds followed Jesus from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Hymn to the Mother of God
In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices: the angelic ranks and all the human race. Sanctified temple and spiritual paradise, virgins’ pride and boast, from whom God is made flesh and became a little Child; and He who is our God before all ages, He made your womb a throne, and He made it wider that all the heavens. In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices. Glory be to you.

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)