Our Venerable Father Sisoes the Great.
Divine Liturgy
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: The divine image was faithfully preserved in you, O father,* for taking up the Cross you followed Christ.* By your deeds you have taught us to see beyond flesh, which passes,* and care for the soul, a thing immortal.* and so, O Venerable Sisoes,* your spirit rejoices with the angels.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 2: Divinely armed with purity of spirit* and mightily wielding the lance of unceasing prayers,* you overcame the powers of demons,* Venerable Sisoes, pray without ceasing for all of us.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable ones.
verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all the things He has rendered to me? (Psalm 115:15,12)
Epistle
1 Corinthians 5:9-6:11
Brothers and Sisters, I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons— not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? God will judge those outside. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.”
When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels—to say nothing of ordinary matters? If you have ordinary cases, then, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between one believer and another, but a believer goes to court against a believer—and before unbelievers at that?
In fact, to have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—and believers at that.
Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments.
verse: His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth. (Psalm 111:1,2)
Gospel
Matthew 13:54-58
At that time, when Jesus came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house.” And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.”
Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)
Vespers
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 5, Podoben “Rejoice…”
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
I weep and am downcast, envisioning the dread sentence of the Word,* for which I, a wretch, have not the least reply for my guilt.* Therefore, I pray: Before the unseemliness of my end overtake me,* before I am mowed down by death,* before I must needs be condemned to the place* where the fire is unquenchable and the darkness is absolute,* where are the worm and gnashing of teeth, and sinners are consumed,* О my Christ, grant me great mercy and deliverance from my offenses.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Disdaining Your laws and the Scriptures, wretch that I am,* I have rejected Your commandments, О God my Creator.* How will I ever avoid the torment which is to come, О Saviour!* Therefore, before my end grant me forgiveness and a shower of tears,* imparting true compunction to me, О Saviour.* As You are the supremely good God,* drive far from me the hordes of the demons* who seek to drag me down into the abyss of Hades, for I entreat You:* Take not Your almighty hand from me!
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Woe is me! How have I been darkened in mind?* How have I withdrawn from You and, wretch that I am, enslaved myself to sin;* and, enslaved to the passions, given myself wholly over to carnal pleasure* which lives within me, who am passion-fraught?* Now I await my departure from this life and the coming reckoning.* О supremely good Lord, grant me tearful repentance* and release from my countless transgressions,* for with faith I beseech You who grants the world great mercy.
Tone 4, Podoben “You have granted a sign…”
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Your all-festive commemoration has radiantly shone forth like the sun, O venerable one, illumining the thoughts of the faithful with the splendour of your wonders and enlightening them with the rays of your virtuous works, O all-blessed one. Wherefore, celebrating it, we joyously honour and faithfully bless you, the boast of monks.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
You lived as an earthly angel, you who are most rich, and laid waste to your body as though it belonged to another, ever divinely instructing yourself with vigils and the remembrance of death, O father, and growing through great ascents to thine ultimate desire. Wherefore, you have truly drawn nigh to perfection itself.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
A wonder past comprehension took place at the time of your repose, O wondrous one of venerable wisdom, when a choir of saints suddenly stood before you, O father; for your countenance shone like the sun, O wise one, revealing your luminous form and the purity of your soul, assuring all of what manner of repose you received.
Tone 8, Glory…
We honour you as the instructor of a multitude of monks, O Sisoës our father; for, following your steps, we have truly learned how to walk the straight path. Blessed are you who laboured for Christ, and denounced the power of the enemy, O converser with angels and companion of the venerable and the righteous. With them entreat the Lord, that He have mercy upon our souls!
Tone 8, Now…
Taking up the cry of the Archangel Gabriel, let us say: * Rejoice, O Mother of God, * who has given birth to Christ, * the bestower of life upon the world!
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!
Sunday Evening, Psalm 133, Tone 8
And now bless the Lord,* all you servants of the Lord.
v. Who stand in the temple of the Lord, in the courtyards of the house of our God.
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 5
O Lord, I cease not to sin,* nor do I perceive Your love for mankind which You have granted me.* Vanquish my lack of discernment, O You who alone are good,* and have mercy upon me.
I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us.
O Lord, from reverent fear of You I tremble,* yet I cease not from committing sins.* Who, when called to trial, does not fear the judge?* Or who, desiring to be healed, angers the physician, as I do?* O longsuffering Lord, have compassion upon my weakness,* and have mercy upon me.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud.
Not caring for all earthly things, and manfully braving tortures,* you were not disappointed in your goodly hopes,* but became inheritors of the kingdom, of heaven, О all-praised martyrs.* Having boldness before God the Lover of mankind,* ask peace for the world and great mercy for our souls.
Glory… Now…
O strange, awesome and great mystery!* The Uncircumscribable One has made His abode within a womb,* and a Mother remains a Virgin even after birthgiving,* for from her she gave birth to God Incarnate.* To Him, then, let us cry aloud,* to Him let us raise a hymn, chanting with the angels:* Holy are You, O Christ God, who was incarnate for our sake!* Glory be to You!
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 8
The divine image was faithfully preserved in you, O father,* for taking up the Cross you followed Christ.* By your deeds you have taught us to see beyond flesh, which passes,* and care for the soul, a thing immortal.* and so, O Venerable Sisoes,* your spirit rejoices with the angels.
Glory… Now…
Rejoice, O woman who at the angel’s greeting contained the Joy of the world!* Rejoice, for you gave birth to your Creator and Lord!* Rejoice, for you were made worthy to become the Mother of God.
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.
Great Dismissal during Pascha Season
Deacon: Wisdom!
All: Give the blessing.
Priest: Blessed is the One-Who-Is, Christ our God, always, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen. O God, make firm the holy orthodox faith now and for ever and ever.
Priest: O most holy Mother of God, save us.
All: Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem.* for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you,* Exalt now and be glad, O Sion.* And you, O chaste Mother of God,* take delight in the resurrection of your Son.
Priest: Glory be to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory be to You.
All: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs, giving life!* Lord, have mercy. (3)* Give the blessing.
Priest: Christ our true God, (risen from the dead) 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.