The Holy Martyr Agathonicus and those with him; Blessed Hieromartyr Symeon Lukach, Bishop and Confessor.

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!

Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of Life, come, and dwell within us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, and O Good One, save our souls.

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

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

Trinity most holy, have mercy on us. Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord* pardon our transgressions, O Master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One; for the sake of Your Name.

Lord, have mercy. (3)

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

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Priest: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (12)

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

Come, let us bow in worship before the King, our God.

Come, let us bow in worship before Christ, the King, our God.

Come, let us bow in worship and fall down before the very Lord Jesus Christ, our King and God.

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul! You are very great O Lord, my God;

Clothed in pomp and brilliance; arrayed with light as with a cloak.

Stretching out the sky as a tent-cloth, covering Your lofty halls with water.

You make the clouds Your conveyance. You surge on the wings of the wind.

You make spirits Your messengers, and flaming fires Your attendants.

You settle the earth on its firm foundation; it shall stand unmoved from age to age.

The abyss covers it like a garment; waters stand over the mountains.

At Your rebuke they will take flight; at the peal of Your thunder they will fear.

They hurdle the hills and run down the dales, to the place You have chosen for them.

You have set up a boundary not to be passed; they shall never return to cover the earth.

Down in the gullies You make springs to rise; water shall go down between the mountains.

They shall give drink to the beasts of the field; wild asses will seek them to quench their thirst.

The birds of the sky will abide by them; from among the rocks they will raise their song.

From Your lofty halls You refresh the mountains; the earth shall be fed with the fruit of Your works.

You make green pastures for the cattle and food-plants for the service of all,

So that bread may be brought forth from the earth, and wine that gladdens the heart of man.

So that oil may put a gleam upon his face; and that bread may strengthen the heart of all.

The trees of the plain will be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted.

The sparrows will build their nests in them; and the herons will call them their home.

To the deer belong high mountains, to rodents, the shelter of the rocks.

You have made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows the time of its setting.

You establish darkness, and it is night wherein the forest creatures prowl around.

Young lions roar for their prey, and call out to God for their meat.

As the sun rises, they will come together, and lay themselves down in their dens.

Man will go out to his labour and work until eventide.

How great are Your works, O Lord, in wisdom You have wrought them all.

The earth is filled with Your creatures. Even the wide and open sea itself, within it there are countless creeping things, living beings small and large.

Upon it there are ships a-sailing, and that great beast You made to have fun.

All of them look up to You, to give them their food in due time.

You provide and they gather up; You open Your hand and they are full.

You hide Your face and they cringe; You suspend their breath, and they die and return to their dust.

You send forth Your breath and they live; You renew the face of the earth.

May the Lord’s glory endure for ever: may the Lord rejoice in His works;

He looks upon the earth and makes it quake; He touches the mountains and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will praise my God as long as I last.

Would that my thoughts be pleasing to Him: and I will rejoice in the Lord.

May sinners vanish from the earth, and may the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

The sun knows the time of its setting. You establish darkness, and it is night.

How great are Your works, O Lord, in wisdom You have wrought them all.

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

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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

Litany of Peace

Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For peace throughout the world, for the well-being of God’s holy churches and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence, and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the most holy universal Pontiff, (name), the Pope of Rome, our most blessed Patriarch, (name), our most reverend Metropolitan, (name), our God-loving Bishop, (name), for the reverend priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For our nation under God, for our government, and for all the military, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For this city, for every city and country and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For favourable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the seafarers and travellers, for the sick and the suffering, for those held captive, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and misfortune, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help and save, have mercy, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life, to Christ our God.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For all glory, honour, and worship befit You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Psalm 140

O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me. Hear me, O Lord! O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me. Receive the voice of my prayer when I call upon You. Hear me, O Lord!

Let my prayer rise like incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord!

Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth and a portal around my lips.

Incline my heart away from evil dealings, from finding excuses for sinful deeds.

In company with those who work iniquity, let me not partake of what they choose.

May the just chasten me with justice and reprove me; may the oil of the wicked never touch my head.

Yet even then shall I pray for their welfare. Their rulers were swallowed near the rock.

My words will be heard, for they were sweet. As a lump of clay broken on the ground, so their bones were strewn near the grave.

On You, Lord, O Lord, my eyes are fixed. In You have I trusted; take not my life.

Keep me from the snare that was set for me, and from the stumbling-blocks of the wicked.

The wicked shall fall into their own nets, while I remain alone until I can escape.

Psalm 141

With my voice I cried to the Lord; with all my voice I implored the Lord.

Before Him I pour out my supplications; before Him I declare my distress.

When my breath was escaping me, then You knew my paths;

On the road upon which I was walking, they set up snares for me.

I looked to my right and observed there was no one friendly to me;

Even flight was denied me; there was no one to take care of my life.

I cried out to You, O Lord, and said: You are my hope, my share in the land of the living.

Listen to my supplication, for I am laid very low.

Deliver me from my oppressors, for they have overwhelmed me.

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

The just shall gather around me when You give me my due reward.

Psalm 129

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

Let Yours ears be attentive to the voice of my prayer.

At Psalm 140

Tone 4, Podoben “You have given a sign…”

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

At your glorious Dormition* the heavens rejoice, and the armies of Angels exult.* The whole earth is glad, addressing its funeral hymn to you,* the Mother of the Master of all things,* all-holy Virgin who knew not wedlock,* who have delivered the human race from the ancestral condemnation.

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

At a divine command* the chief Apostles gathered from the ends of the earth to bury you,* and when they saw you being taken from earth to heaven* they cried out with joy in Gabriel’s words:* “Rejoice, chariot of the whole Godhead!* Rejoice, for you alone by your childbearing* have joined together things on earth with those on high!”

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

O Virgin Mother, Bride of God,* who carried the Life within your womb,* by your revered falling asleep you have passed over to immortal life.* Angels, Rulers and Powers, Apostles, Prophets and all creation escorted you,* and your Son received your most pure soul in His immaculate hands.

Tone 4

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

Seeking to regain the original beauty* and the splendour that surpasses all understanding,* you went joyously to the noble combat, O Agathonicus.* Having fought the enemy, you bravely crushed him into the ground.* You wove a brilliant crown of victory.* Entreat the Lover of mankind for those who honour you.

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

Adorned with the wisdom of God,* you abounded with words which pour out life;* you refuted the foolish ones, reproved the torturer, and calmed the storm of idolatry.* You strengthened the faithful to persevere in God’s grace.* For this you were cruelly burned alive,* but as a crown-bearer you entered the kingdom of heaven.

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

Bathed in the blood of your passion, O Martyr,* you stood before the Master as a fragrant and pleasing sacrifice,* a pure and favourable gift,* a sacred offering and a spotless victim.* O Agathonicus, martyr of the Lord,* by your prayers watch over the whole Church in peace.

Tone 1, Glory…

O long-suffering Agathonicus,* your name is synonymous with a good victory,* and you were covered with wounds because of your love for God.* Having rejected the error of idols and torturers,* you gloriously entered eternal life.* Because of the grace you have with God,* on this day of your illustrious memory,* entreat Him to save our souls.

Now…

Because the disciples had been both the eye-witnesses and servants of the Word,* it was also fitting that they should witness the final mystery,* the Dormition of his Mother according to the flesh.* They not only saw the ascension of the Saviour from earth to heaven,* but they also were witnesses of the translation of the Mother who bore Him.* They came to Zion to escort the Virgin, who surpasses the Cherubim,* as she hastened in her journey to heaven.* With them let us also bow low* before the One who intercedes for our souls.

Deacon: Wisdom! Stand aright!

Hymn of Light

Tranquil Light, of the holy glory of the immortal heavenly, holy blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: as we come upon the sunset, as we see the evening light, we sing to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. At all times You are worthy of being hymned by joyful voices; O Son of God, You are the giver of life. For this the whole world glorifies You.

Prokeimenon

Deacon: Let us be attentive!

Priest: Peace be with all.

Deacon: Wisdom! Let us be attentive!

Friday Evening, Psalm 58, Tone 7

O God, You are my defender* and Your mercy goes before me.

v. Deliver me from my enemies, O God; save me from those who rise up against me.

Deign, O Lord

Deign, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin.

Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name for ever. Amen.

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us because we have set our hope in You.

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your commandments.

Blessed are You, O Master, make me understand Your commandments.

Blessed are You, O Holy One, enlighten me with Your laws.

O Lord, Your mercy endures forever; do not despise the work of Your hands.

It is proper to praise You, and hymns belong to You.

Glory belongs to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Litany of Supplication

Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help and save, have mercy, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That this whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: For all that is good and beneficial for our souls and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: That we may spend the rest of our lives in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: For a Christian end to our lives, one that is painless, unashamed, and peaceful; and for a good defence at the awesome tribunal of Christ, let us ask.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ our God.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For You, O God, are gracious and You love mankind, and we glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Priest: Peace to all of you.

All: And with your spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: O Lord our God, You lowered the heavens when You came down for the salvation of the human race. Now look upon Your servants and upon Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads to You, the Judge, both awesome and loving. They do not await human help but look for Your mercy and are ready to receive Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and tonight, against all enemies, against the devil’s assaults, against vain thoughts and evil dreams. May the might of Your kingdom be blessed and exalted, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Aposticha

Tone 8, Podoben “O most glorious wonder…”

O glorious marvel!* A virgin gave birth to God in the flesh,* remained a virgin, and now passes from life.* Leaving an earthly life, she passes over to everlasting life.* For this reason, the disciples and apostles of Christ* gathered together for her burial.

Go up, Lord, to the place of your rest, You and the ark of Your strength.

Let us in harmony with the angels* joyfully glorify the feast today,* the precious Dormition of the Theotokos.* Her holy and life-bearing soul has been placed into the hands of her Son.* She is now united with Him in the everlasting life,* spiritually entreating in our behalf.

The Lord swore an oath to David; He will not go back on his word.

Let us go to the glorious Gethsemane in spirit* and to the holy home of the glorious body of the Theotokos.* Filled with heavenly fragrance,* let us sing hymns with the apostles and the angels* because there is joy in her Dormition .for those on earth and in heaven.

Tone 8, Glory…

You were called an excellent treasure, O martyr Agathonicus,* and you became a temple and consecrated yourself to the King of all.* O seed of martyrs, you routed the power of the enemy* and grasped the reward of victory.* Now you stand before God on high as a crown-bearer.* Do not cease to entreat Him* in behalf of those who honour you.

Tone 1, Now…

O Theotokos, Christ your Son and our God * confirmed his two natures because He died as a man and rose as God.* O Mother of God, He also consented that you die* according to the law of nature* so that unbelievers might not question the workings of Providence.* O heavenly Bride, you were taken from earth* as though from the bridal chamber and entered heaven.* The atmosphere was sanctified by your passage through it,* just as earth was illumined by your giving birth.* The apostles assembled, and the angels carried you aloft.* After having buried your most pure body and having sung hymns,* they gazed in awe and fearfully said:* This is the ransom of the right hand of God* because He is within you, and He will not be moved.* O most honoured Mother, do not forsake us who look upon you.* We are your people and the sheep of your fold.* We invoke your name and ask for salvation and great mercy.

Hymn of Simeon

Now, O Master, You have kept Your promise; let Your servant go in peace. With my own eyes I have seen the salvation which You have prepared in the sight of every people; a Light to reveal You to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel!

Trisagion Prayers

Lector: Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

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

Trinity most holy, have mercy on us. Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord; pardon our transgressions, O Master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One; for the sake of Your Name.

Lord, have mercy. (3)

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

Our Father, Who art in heaven,* hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Priest: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Troparia

Tone 4

O Lord our God, Your holy martyrs* have deserved the crown of immortality* on account of their good fight.* Armed with Your strength, they have vanquished their persecutors* and crushed Satan’s dreadful might.** Through their supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls.

Tone 1, Glory… Now…

In giving birth you retained your virginity,* in falling asleep you did not abandon the world, O Mother of God.* You passed into life, for you are the Mother of Life,* and by your prayers** you deliver our souls from death.

Litany of Supplication

Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, in the greatness of Your compassion, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy. (3)

Deacon: We also pray the most holy universal Pontiff, (name), Pope of Rome, our most blessed Patriarch, (name), our most reverend Metropolitan, (name), our God-loving Bishop, (name), for those who serve or have served in this holy church, for our spiritual fathers, and for all our brethren in Christ.

All: Lord, have mercy. (3)

Deacon: We also pray for our nation under God, for our government, and for all the military.

All: Lord, have mercy. (3)

Petitions may be added here.

Deacon: We also pray for the people here present who await Your great and bountiful mercies, for those who have been kind to us, and for all orthodox Christians.

All: Lord, have mercy. (3)

Priest: For You are a merciful and loving God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Daily Dismissal

Deacon: Wisdom!

All: More honourable than the cherubim* and by far more glorious than the seraphim;* ever a virgin, you gave birth to God the Word,* O true Mother of God, we magnify you.

Priest: Glory be to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory be to You.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,* now and for ever and ever. Amen.* Lord, have mercy. (3)* Give the blessing.

Priest: Christ our true God, through the prayers of His immaculate Mother; the holy, glorious, and all-praiseworthy apostles; of Saint, (name, whose church it is), and of Saint, (name, whose day it is) and of all the saints, will have mercy and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.

All: Amen.