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.

Tone 2, Podoben “When from a Tree…”

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

O glorious martyr Demetrius, like a radiant star you ever illumine your native land;* for you ever protect it from lies and destruction wrought by the foe,* and deliver it from misery and every tempest.* Therefore, blessed one, it joyously offers praise to you, keeping your yearly commemoration,* singing with faith and love the Lord who has glorified you.

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

O martyr and passion-bearer of Christ, holy Demetrius,* you illumine the world with miracles like the sun.* Therefore, on the day of your commemoration* we all delight in your wonders, O blessed one, keeping festival with faith.* Thus, as you have boldness before the Lord,* beseech Him to save your servants from corruption and tribulations.

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

Your side was pierced by spears for the sake of the Saviour* whose side was pierced on the Cross;* for with love you emulated Him in your wounds, O passion-bearer Demetrius,* revealing to all the steadfastness of your witness.* Therefore, the tyrant fell wounded,* receiving the shaft of your confession, O athlete of Christ.

Tone 8, Podoben “O most glorious wonder…”

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

O most glorious wonder!* Today, on the commemoration of the martyr Demetrius,* joy has shone forth in heaven and on earth.* He is crowned with praises by the angels and receives hymns from men.* O, how he suffered! How well he fought the fight!* Thereby the evil foe was felled when Christ conquered him.

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

O most glorious wonder!* With rays of miracles brighter than the sun* Demetrius ever enlightens the ends of the earth,* he that is illumined with the never-fading light* and delights in the Light unwaning.* By his rays have clouds of barbarians been dispelled, infirmities driven away,* and the demons vanquished.

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

O most glorious wonder!* The thrice-blessed Demetrius, pierced for the sake of Christ,* has ever shown himself to the foe as a two-edged sword,* mowing down the uprisings of the enemy* and casting down the audacity of the demons.* Let us cry out to him:* O holy Demetrius, save us that ever faithfully honour you with love!

Tone 6, Glory…

Today the universal festival of the passion-bearer calls us together.* Come, then, you that love the feasts of the Church,* and let us radiantly celebrate his commemoration, saying:* Rejoice, you that rendered the garment of impiety with faith* and robed yourself in manliness of spirit!* Rejoice, you that wrecked the schemes of the alien one* with the might given you by the One God!* Rejoice, you that with your pierced limbs spiritually portrayed the suffering of Christ for us!* Entreat Him, O Demetrius, adornment of athletes,* that we be delivered from enemies, visible and invisible,* and that our souls be saved!

Tone 3, 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.

Readings

(1) Isaiah 63:15-19; 64:1-9; (2) Jeremiah 2:2-12; (3) Wisdom 4:7-15

At the Lytia

Tone 1

Be you glad in the Lord, O city of Thessalonica!* Rejoice and hold chorus, splendidly arraying yourself with faith,* for you have as a treasure within your bosom Demetrius,* the most glorious passion-bearer and witness to the truth.* Delight in his miracles, see the healing he accomplishes,* and behold him that casts down the audacity of the aliens;* and cry out in thanksgiving to the Saviour:* O Lord, glory to You!

With the comeliness of hymns let us brighten this day,* and let us proclaim the struggles of the martyr;* for the great Demetrius moves us to praise.* For, having bravely put down the assaults of the demons,* he zealously entered the stadium and, having gloriously carried off the trophies of victory,* he entreats the Saviour, that our souls be saved.

Tone 2

O wise Demetrius, Christ God has blamelessly set your soul in the dwellings on high;* for you were a champion of the Trinity* and, hard as adamant, you bravely suffered in the stadium;* and pierced in your incorrupt sides, O most honoured one,* emulating Him that was pierced on the Tree for the salvation of the whole world,* you received the gift of working miracles, richly bestowing healings upon people.* Therefore, today we celebrate your repose as is meet,* glorifying the Lord who has glorified you.

Tone 5, Podoben “Let us trumpet forth…”

Glory…

Let us make haste with faith and love,* and let us cry out hymns of festivity,* and let us all clap our hands during this festival of our chief leader.* Let the armies of heaven rejoice over him* that was pierced for the King and Lord who was pierced with a spear,* and who boldly cast down the audacity of Lyaeus.* Let the earth and the sea marvel at the most glorious signs wrought by the radiant luminary.* Let the young praise, as is fitting, the bridler of youth,* the staff of old age, the intercessor amid misfortunes,* the enricher of the destitute, the guide on the good path,* the ally in war, O city of Thessalonica,* and in prayer let us say: O most glorious Demetrius, go you before us and rescue us from every need,* and save your servants by your prayers.

Now…

Let us sound forth with the trumpet of hymns,* for, the Virgin Mother, the Queen of all, bending down from on high,* with blessings crowns them that sing to her.* Let kings and princes make haste, and let them clap their hands in hymns* to the Queen who gave birth to the King who, in His love for mankind,* was well pleased to loose them that before were held fast by death.* O pastors and teachers, assembling, let us praise the all-pure Mother of the Good Shepherd,* the golden candle-stick, the Light-bearing cloud,* who is more spacious than the heavens,* the animate tabernacle, the fiery throne of the Master,* the golden jar that held the Manna, the door of the Word, the refuge of all Christians,* and praising her with divinely eloquent hymns, let us say thus:* O palace of the Word, vouchsafe the kingdom of heaven to us,* the lowly, for nothing is impossible to your mediation.

Aposticha

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.

Tone 8, Glory…

O ever-memorable Demetrius, your most blessed and immaculate soul* has the heavenly Jerusalem as a dwelling place,* whose walls have been adorned by the all-pure hands of the invisible God.* And on earth this most eminent temple possessed your most precious and much-suffering body* as an inviolate treasury of miracles, a medicine for infirmities;* amid having recourse thereto we draw forth healings. O all-praised one,* from the obstacles of the adversary you keep this city which magnifies you,* for you have boldness before Christ, who has glorified you.

Now…

O unwedded Virgin, who ineffably gave birth to God in the flesh, Mother of God Most High:* accept you the entreaties of your servants, O all-immaculate one,* bestowing upon all cleansing from transgressions.* And now, receiving our supplications, pray that we all be saved.

Tone 1

Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace!* The Lord is with you.* Blessed are you among women,* and blessed is the fruit of your womb.* For you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls. (2)

Tone 3

In you, O martyr Demetrius,* the world has discovered a champion in its travails,* for you have routed the nations* and so, as you smashed the pride of Lyaeus*, encouraging Nestor to struggle,* pray to Christ our God to grant great mercy to our souls. (3)

 

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)

Tone 8

O Christ our God, who looks on the earth and makes it tremble:* deliver us from the dreadful threat of earthquake,* and send down upon us Your rich mercies and save us,* through the prayers of the Theotokos.

Tone 3, Glory…

In you, O martyr Demetrius,* the world has discovered a champion in its travails,* for you have routed the nations* and so, as you smashed the pride of Lyaeus*, encouraging Nestor to struggle,* pray to Christ our God to grant great mercy to our souls.

Now…

We sing your praises, O Virgin;* for, as the Mother of God, you always intercede for the salvation of the human race.* It is from you that our God and Your Son took flesh. * Then, by suffering the passion on the Cross,* and out of love for mankind, He delivered us from corruption.

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

Magnification

We extol you,* O holy passion-bearer Demetrius,* and we honour your precious sufferings,* which you endured for Christ.

verses:

Our God is refuge and strength.* A helper in afflictions which mightily befall us.

Therefore shall we not fear* when the earth is shaken.

Glory… Now…

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!* Glory be to You, O God (3)

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.’

Sessional Hymn

Tone 4, Podoben “You have appeared today…”

Today we piously celebrate the feast of the passion-bearer Demetrius,* for he entreats Christ unceasingly* to grant peace and mercy to all.

Tone 4, Podoben “Go quickly before…”

Your memorial has rendered the Church of Christ splendid, O glorious martyr Demetrius,* and has brought all together to praise you fittingly with hymns* as a true warrior and destroyer of the enemy, O divinely wise one.* Therefore, by your supplications deliver us from temptations.

Tone 8, Podoben “Of the Wisdom…”

Glory…

As with rays of the radiance of miracles you illumine and enlighten all the ends of the earth like a most luminous star.* And like another paradise you make fragrant and gladden souls, and cause infirmities to cease.* Therefore, we hymn you as is meet, O most blessed one,* and with love we honour your precious memory.* O passion-bearer Demetrius, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offenses* to them that honour your holy memory with love. (2)

Now…

All we, the generations of humanity, bless you as the Virgin* who, alone among women, have given birth without seed to God in the flesh;* for the Fire of the Godhead made His abode within you,* and you give suck to your Creator and Lord as a babe.* Therefore, we, the generation of angels and men, glorify your all-holy birthgiving as is meet,* and together we cry out to you:* Beseech Christ God to grant remission of offenses* to them that worship your all-holy birthgiving with faith.

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

John 20:19-31

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.

Most holy Theotokos, saves us!

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.

Canon II to the Great Martyr Demetrius

Irmos: The staff of Moses once, working a wonder,* striking the sea in the form of a cross and dividing it,* drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh and saved Israel,* who fled on foot chanting a hymn to God.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

O Demetrius, you open wellspring of fragrant and precious myrrh, who washes my heart clean of the filth of the passions, having shown me to be the fragrance of Christ through the exercise of the virtues, fill my mind with grace, that I may hymn your divine graces.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Rivers of living water flow from the midst of the faithful, saith the word of God. Therefore, the ever-flowing springs of your myrrh are poured forth, whose streams gladden the city of God, which glorifies your martyr’s boldness.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Of old, the staff of Moses, striking the rock in the desert land, disclosed gushing streams of water; and your body, O Demetrius, pierced by a spear, has shown forth a wellspring of myrrh, refreshing the new Israel

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

O Demetrius, who has received a recompense for the wounds of your martyrdom such as eyes have not seen, nor ear heard, you now pour forth a sea of myrrh, the rewards of purity, upon the ends of the earth, washing away the passions of our souls.

Glory… Now…

O all-pure one, the Word of God, finding you to be an all-undefiled dwelling, made His abode in your womb; and having anointed with His divinity that which He took from you, He came forth with both alone and called Himself flowing Myrrh, for Christ is both God and man.

Katavasia: I shall open my mouth, and the Spirit will inspire it,* and I shall utter the words of my song to the Queen and Mother:* I shall be seen radiantly keeping feast* and joyfully praising her wonders.

 

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.

Most holy Theotokos, saves us!

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.

Canon II to the Great Martyr Demetrius

Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven* and Creator of the Church:* establish me in Your love, O Summit of desire,* Confirmation of the faithful, who alone love mankind.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Begotten from on high by God, you were an heir of divine blessings, being called His son, a co-heir with Christ; and you reign with Him, for your myrrh is a token thereof, O Demetrius.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Planted by flowing waters like the tree mentioned by David, O glorious one, you put forth the great fruit of martyrdom, and are now shown to be a wellspring of myrrh, which flows to the ends of the earth.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Drawing forth the grace of Christ, from whose side flowed forth blood and water, you shed your blood, pierced for His sake, and now you pour forth fragrant myrrh like water upon our hearts, O Demetrius.

Glory… Now…

O all-pure one, your sacred and spiritual vessels are full of fragrance and the myrrh of the divine Spirit who descended upon you. For, having given birth to God, you have rescued the faithful from the stench of the passions.

Katavasia: O Mother of God, living and plentiful fount,* give strength to those united in spiritual fellowship,* who sing hymns of praise to you:* and in your divine glory vouchsafe to them crowns of glory.

 

Kontakion, Tone 2

With the streams of your blood, O Demetrius,* God, who gave you invincible strength,* has dyed the Church in royal crimson* and preserved your city invulnerable* for you are its fortification.

Ikos

Assembling in faith, let us all hymn the great Demetrius as a warrior and martyr of Christ, crying out together in hymns and songs to the Master and Creator of the universe: Deliver us from earthquake and want, O Lover of mankind, through the prayers of the Theotokos and of all Your holy martyrs, for in You do we all place our trust, that we be delivered from misfortunes and tribulations. For You are our fortification.

Kontakion for the Earthquake, Tone 4

Deliver us all from the grievous trembling of the earth, O Lord,* and from plagues unbearable on account of our sins.* Take pity on the Orthodox people which You have purchased* with Your blood, O Lord and Master,* and deliver not this city to destruction by dreadful earthquake;* for we know none other God than You,* and to them that hymn You have You exclaimed:* I am with you, and no one is against you!

Sessional Hymn

Tone 4, Podoben “Jospeh was amazed…”

With psalms do we cry out to the valiant athlete,* the mighty warrior of Christ, who reigns over all:* Rejoice, adornment and comeliness of martyrs!* Rejoice, radiant star of the Church!* Rejoice, rampart and refuge of them that have recourse to you!* O glorious great martyr Demetrius,* from every wound and affliction of the alien save all that hymn you. (2)

Tone 4, Podoben “Having been lifted up…”

Glory… Now…

You have not despised them that have greatly sinned against You,* but, chastising them, You have mercifully corrected them.* You caused the earth to quake with Your divine gaze, O longsuffering Master,* in no wise harming all Your servants, in Your great lovingkindness.* Therefore, we sing Your glory with thankful voices* and glorify You in fear.

 

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.

Most holy Theotokos, saves us!

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.

Canon II to the Great Martyr Demetrius

Irmos: You are my strength, O Lord; You are my power.* You are my God; You are my joy, who did not leave the Father and have visited our lowliness.* Therefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry to You:* Glory to Your power, O Lover of mankind!

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Having done away with all the defilement of your birth through the washing of regeneration, you showed yourself to be one who preserved his purity even to the end. Therefore, Christ has transformed your natural goodness into myrrh, as He changed water into wine.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

As the nature of fire is bestowed upon all, preserving its whole power, so your myrrh is drawn forth by all, yet remains undiminished, O sufferer. Therefore, bowing down in worship, we piously hymn God, who has given you grace.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Who can render You audible praises, O Christ, You, O Word of God, beholding the graces which You have bestowed upon Your sufferers? For, behold, the myrrh of the martyr Demetrius flows like a fountain, and his fragrance wafts forth, and he dispels the gloom of wickedness.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

A fountain springing up from the earth gave you to drink before watering all the face thereof; and having been hidden beneath the earth, you have been shown to be a wellspring of fragrant myrrh, O martyr Demetrius; for a multitude of spears opened your veins, and you now water the ends of the earth.

Glory… Now…

O Theotokos, we know you to be the Bride and Mother of God, for the Word of God, finding you as a fragrant rose blossoming amid the lowly valley of humanity, desired your beauty and, having come forth from you, He has perfumed the faithful.

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: 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.

Most holy Theotokos, saves us!

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.

Canon II to the Great Martyr Demetrius

Irmos: Why have You thrust me from Your presence, O Light never-waning?* Why has a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am?* But turn me and guide my steps* to the light of Your commandments, I pray.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

You were a cistern collecting the mercy of Him that descended from the heavens, as it were rain or dew; and you gushed forth with mystical gifts, and now you put forth a wellspring of myrrh from your tomb, O Demetrius.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Following the rule of athletes, you stripped yourself naked, but of all earthly love, O martyr; and you anointed yourself with the oil of grace, and, having vanquished the prince of darkness, you received the reward of pouring forth sweet-smelling myrrh, O Demetrius.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

You were shown to be a rose blooming in the midst of the Master’s meadow, O Demetrius, empurpled with the blood of your torment and with the wounds of your lancings, and with your pangs of suffering.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Lo! The martyr’s temple is again seen to be a divine ark wherein is a lamp, his tomb, which holds myrrh and oil, and around which we leap in spirit; and, holding chorus, we praise.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Wounded with zeal for the love of Christ, like a new Elijah you denounced the emperor and gave yourself over to death. Yet you live and have shown your tomb to be a wellspring of myrrh, like to the inexhaustible ewer of oil.

Glory… Now…

Of old your forefather, chanting, described your mystery and all the glory within the daughter of the King, glorifying you as her that is blessed among men. Rejoice, you restoration of the whole world.

Katavasia: The whole world was amazed* at your divine glory:* for you, O Virgin who have not known wedlock,* have held in your womb the God of all* and have given birth to an eternal Son,* who rewards with salvation all who sing your praises.

 

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.

Most holy Theotokos, saves us!

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.

Canon II to the Great Martyr Demetrius

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Saviour, for many are my transgressions,* and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray You;* for to You have I cried, and You have heard me,* O God of my salvation!

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

You flourished spiritually, like a fruitful olive tree, and were forcibly pressed by the hands of soldiers. But now you comfort the faithful, O Demetrius, pouring forth myrrh from your divine tomb.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Like a bee, you showed yourself to be a cultivator of all the virtues wrought by God, O blessed one, keeping your immaculate soul like a honeycomb; and now you pour forth myrrh, delighting our souls.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

You loved Christ with all your soul and followed Him to the myrrh of sweet fragrance; and you partook thereof through a better union. And now you pour forth unending streams of myrrh, O Demetrius.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

The droplets of the blood of your sufferings, falling upon the ground, have made it a wellspring of fragrant myrrh. And now you continually pour it out for them that draw it forth, O Demetrius.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Drenched with the flow of your blood, O wise one, like another, new, wellspring, like a river, you richly put forth your myrrh for the healing of them that ask it and that earnestly approach, O blessed one.

Glory… Now…

Beholding the golden and ever burning lamp of the Light, we that have darkened our souls with a multitude of sins draw nigh, for she gives us illumination and drives away all darkness.

Katavasia: As we celebrate* this sacred and solemn feast of the Mother of God,* let us come, clapping our hands, O people of the Lord,* and give glory to God who was born of her.

 

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.

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.

Most holy Theotokos, saves us!

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.

Canon II to the Great Martyr Demetrius

Irmos: The Hebrew children boldly trampled down the flame in the furnace and transformed the fire into dew, crying aloud:* Blessed are You, O Lord God, forever!

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Isaiah in prophecy commands the thirsting to draw forth water, O Demetrius. And if he had seen your tomb, he would certainly have cried: Come to the wellspring of myrrh and draw forth salvation!

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

You were born of earth and have made your abode in the land of the meek, where the water of sweetness is found; and having drunk your fill thereof, you now pour forth an ever-flowing wellspring of myrrh, O Demetrius.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

You grow like the branch of a vine, remaining joined to God, without being cut off. And filled with the ineffable sap thereof, you now pour forth myrrh in streams upon all, O Demetrius.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

O, your new struggles! O, the strange sufferings of your martyrdom! For, accepting the drops of sweat which you poured forth for Him, Christ has shown you to be a wellspring of myrrh, O blessed one.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Pouring forth the stream of thy myrrh, O Demetrius, you have spread out a great abyss of miracles and drown therein the infirmities of our bodies and souls, calming every tempest of temptation.

Glory… Now…

With your milk you nourished your God, who was born of you incarnate, that He might lighten the affliction in Hades of Adam, who ate of the tree of knowledge and transgressed God’s commandment.

Katavasia: The holy children bravely trampled upon the threatening fire,* refusing to worship created things in place of the Creator,* and they sang in joy:* Blessed are You and praised above all, O Lord 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.

Most holy Theotokos, saves us!

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.

Canon II to the Great Martyr Demetrius

Irmos: Madly the Chaldean tyrant heated the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones;* but, beholding them saved by a better power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer:* O children, bless; O priests, hymn;* O people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

May God reveal you to them that are in this world, O Demetrius, as one who has kept the lamp of your soul alight, ever filled with the oil of good works.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Doors, as of a chamber, have been opened to you, and He shows you to be an ever-flowing wellspring of divine myrrh, imparting grace thereto as the reward of your purity.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Not of blood, nor of the lust of the flesh, O Demetrius, were you born, as the Gospel says, but of God; for you honour the incarnate God, and zealously exhausting yourself for His sake, you received wondrous grace from on High, and pour forth divine myrrh, perfuming souls.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

You are shown to be an animate ladder firmly anchored to the ground by pillars of flesh, but reaching to the heavens; for you were enriched by God, who was established within you, O martyr. And having been shown to be a pillar anointed with the oil of the struggles of martyrdom, you now pour forth a wellspring of divine myrrh upon them that approach with faith.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

David, chanting prophetically, O Demetrius, described you as the river of God filled with waters; for, lo! the flow of your myrrh is inexhaustible. Therefore, the watery multitude of rivers lift up their voices and clap their hands to the glory of God, who has glorified you by all of these.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

You alone are the thrice-holy Lord, O Almighty God, of whom the sufferer Demetrius theologized when locked in prison, having slain the noetic serpent with a tangible whip and cast down the audacity of Lyaeus through the divine Nestor; and he was pierced by a spear, and now myrrh flows forth from his tomb.

Glory… Now…

In place of Adam, the Lord; in place of Eve, you, O all-pure one; instead of the lying serpent, Gabriel; instead of the tree; the Cross; instead of Eden, the garden of the tomb; Rejoice! instead of grief; the spear instead of the fiery sword, and the purple robe instead of the fig leaves. Therefore, we hymn you, O maiden, as the cause of these things.

We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord. We extol and exalt Him above all for ever.

Katavasia: The Offspring of the Theotokos saved the holy children in the furnace.* He who was then prefigured has since been born on earth,* and He gathers all the creation to sing:* O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.

 

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.

Most holy Theotokos, saves us!

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.

Canon II to the Great Martyr Demetrius

Irmos: Heaven is struck with awe, and the ends of the earth* are amazed that God has appeared to men in the flesh,* and that your womb has become more spacious than the heavens.* Therefore, the legions of men and angels magnify you as the Theotokos.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

You received a soul like to an alabaster box filled with the divine myrrh of virtue, and Christ bowed His head toward you, O martyr; for your life was calmed by the brilliance of purity. Therefore, you were blessed and filled with the grace to pour forth myrrh upon the ends of the earth.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

Behold the radiant types of ineffable rewards that await you! Behold the wellspring of ever-flowing myrrh, O sufferer! Therefore, standing before God with the boldness of a martyr, beg victory for Orthodox Christians over their adversaries.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

With the sign of the Cross of the Victor you vanquished the savagery of Lyaeus, setting over him as victorious your fellow contender Nestor. And now, do you subject every barbaric nation to holy Orthodoxy, O Demetrius.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

We that have recourse with fervent love from the depths of our hearts to the coffer of your relics, which pours forth rivers of myrrh, O martyr of Christ, deliver from soul-destroying deeds and from the deluge of the stench of the passions by your prayers; and show them forth as sweet fragrances before the Lord.

Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!

We celebrate a day of spiritual joy, O Demetrius, beholding the wellspring of thy myrrh, which flows unceasingly. Driving away the gloom of the passions as one filled with divine light, grant that we walk nobly, as in daylight, that we may behold the unapproachable light of God.

Glory… Now…

You, O all-pure one, are a golden dove which bears the Word of God like an olive sprig, anointing your flesh with the oil of divinity. And the sufferer, having accepted Him into his heart, as in a coffer, pour forth myrrh from his tomb and anoint the faces of the faithful.

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:* Rejoice! Pure and blessed Ever-Virgin, who gave birth to God.

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

Though the doors were locked, O Lord,* You entered and filled Your apostles with the Holy Spirit,* and breathing over them, You gave them Your peace.* You said to them: Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven;* whose sins you bind, they are bound.* After eight days You showed Thomas Your hands and Your side.* With them, therefore, we cry to You: You are my Lord and my God!

Glory…

You armed Nestor with the Cross, destroying the audacity of Lyaeus through him in the stadium, O Demetrius; like Christ, your side was opened by a spear, and with it you have preserved your flock.

Now…

O Lord, who look down upon the earth from heaven and make all things to tremble: Deliver us from earthquake through the prayers of the Theotokos, whom You have given to Christians as an intercessor.

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.

Tone 4, Podoben “As valiant among the martyrs…”

Having been pierced, you wounded the Adversary with your spears* and rendered him dead and of no effect;* deliver us from his malice, O Demetrius,* rendering us ever strong against the tormenting passions by your sacred prayers,* piercing our hearts and souls with divine fear, O holy one.

Beholding you to be a river full of spiritual waters, O holy one, we pray you:* In your great goodness sacredly bedew our souls,* which have wasted away through offenses of the passions,* and them that are amid defilement wash clean, and deliver from manifold misfortunes* and eternal torment.

As a most radiant star have you shone forth upon the earth in the splendour of miracles;* and you ever enlighten the earth, O glorious Demetrius,* driving away the gloom of darkness from our souls by your prayers. * Heal the infirmities of them that celebrate your memory with love,* O glory and boast of the martyrs.

Tone 5, Podoben “Rejoice…”

O martyr of Christ, come to us that beseech your merciful visitation,* and deliver them that are afflicted with threats of torment and the mad raging of heresy.* For as captives and naked are we persecuted by them,* moving often from place to place and straying into the caves and mountains.* Therefore, spare us, O all-praised one, and grant us liberty;* calm the tempest and dampen the displeasure which is directed against us,* entreating God, who grants great mercy to the world.

Tone 5, Glory…

In the fullness of time, O Christ,* You appeared among Your beloved ones on the Sabbath evening.* And through a new wonder,* You confirmed Your resurrection from the dead* by Your entrance while the doors were closed.* You filled the disciples with joy,* granting them the Holy Spirit and bestowing on them power to forgive sins.* As for Thomas, You did not permit him to drown in the depths of faithlessness.* Therefore, grant us the knowledge of the truth* and forgiveness of sins, O compassionate Lord.

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: In you, O martyr Demetrius,* the world has discovered a champion in its travails,* for you have routed the nations* and so, as you smashed the pride of Lyaeus*, encouraging Nestor to struggle,* pray to Christ our God to grant great mercy to our souls.

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 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.

Kontakion, Tone 2: With the streams of your blood, O Demetrius,* God, who gave you invincible strength,* has dyed the Church in royal crimson* and preserved your city invulnerable* for you are its fortification.

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)

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The just man shall be glad in the Lord and shall hope in Him.

Epistle: Galatians 1:11-19 (NRSV) & 2 Timothy 2:1-10
Brothers and sisters,For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother.

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)
verse: The just man shall flourish like the palm tree; and he shall grow like the cedar in Lebanon. (Psalm 91:13)

Gospel: Luke 7:11-16 (NRSV) & John 15:17-16:2
At that time, the Lord went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!”

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