Monthly Liturgical Texts

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

We never cease to adore Your life-giving Cross, O Christ our God,* And we glorify Your resurrection on the third day.* For You, Almighty One, have thereby restored the corrupted nature of all* and reopened the way to heaven,* since You alone are gracious and You love mankind.

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

O Saviour, You have absolved the penalty of disobedience,* committed through the tree of Eden,* by willingly being nailed to the tree of the Cross.* As Almighty God, You descended into Hades* and broke asunder the bonds of death.* We, therefore, venerate Your resurrection from the dead,* and joyfully cry out to You:* Almighty Lord, glory to You!

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

O Lord, You have battered down the gates of Hades,* and by Your death You have dissolved the realm of death.* You have freed mankind from corruption,* bestowing life, incorruption, and Your great mercy upon the world.

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

Come, all you people,* let us sing the praises of our Saviour’s resurrection on the third day.* For we have, thereby, been delivered from the invincible bonds of Hades,* and we have received incorruption, together with eternal life.* Therefore, we cry out to You* after Your crucifixion, burial, and resurrection:* Save us by Your resurrection, for You love mankind.

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

O Saviour, with the angels we sing the praises of Your resurrection on the third day.* For the very ends of the universe have, thereby, been enlightened,* and we have been saved from the deceit of the enemy.* Therefore, we cry out to You,* Almighty Saviour, Giver of Life, and Lover of mankind:* Save us by Your resurrection.

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

O Christ our God, You have demolished the brazen gates of Hades.* You have broken asunder the bonds of death,* and lifted up the fallen human race.* Therefore, we cry out with one accord:* O Lord, who arose from the dead, glory to You!

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

O Lord, Your birth from the Father is timeless and eternal;* Your incarnation from the Virgin is beyond the understanding of all,* and beyond the expression of our words.* Your descent into Hades and victory over Death* caused Satan and his angels to tremble with fear.* Your resurrection on the third day* brought to mankind incorruption and great mercy.

In Tone 4

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

Having completed the course and kept the faith,* Marcian and Martyrius,* you have been wreathed with a crown of martyrdom!* You are unshakable pillars of the Church,* breasts flowing with wholesome milk,* beacons and shining pearls,* you have enlightened creation with the splendour of your piety!

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

You were godly twins,* sharing a single heart and mind!* You destroyed the division of Arius,* by teaching worship of the unoriginate Son, co-eternal with the Father,* and worship of the Spirit:* the Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity,* one Essence in three undivided Persons!

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

You showed yourselves to be followers of Paul,* the preacher of holy truths:* You were like him in zeal; one with him in mind and heart:* You drowned the adversaries with your outpoured blood* drying up the torrent of wicked heresies!* You were revealed, Marcian and Martyrius,* to be rivers of true worship watering the Church of Christ!

In Tone 1

Glory…

You were disciples and followers* of the one who preached and confessed the consubstantial Trinity.* You were persecuted with him, blessed ones,* for the sake of the Trinity.* You preferred death by the sword to blasphemous heresy.* Since God has adorned you with crowns of martyrdom* and you have received boldness before Him,* pray that those who honour your memory may be delivered from misfortunes!

In Tone 4

Now…

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

Aposticha

In Tone 4

In being lifted upon the Cross, O Lord,* You abolished the curse which we had inherited from our fathers.* By going down into Hades,* You freed from eternal captivity those imprisoned there,* and granted incorruption to mankind.* We, therefore, praise Your life-giving and redeeming resurrection.

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

By hanging on the Cross, O Almighty One,* You shook the whole creation to its foundations.* When You Yourself were laid in the grave,* You raised to life those who had been lying in the graves,* and You granted life and incorruption to mankind.* We, therefore, praise and glorify Your resurrection on the third day.

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

O Christ, the lawless people showed their ingratitude to You, their Benefactor,* by delivering You to Pilate who condemned you to be crucified.* But You willingly suffered death and burial;* and, as God, You rose by Your own power on the third day,* granting us everlasting life and great mercy.

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

The women, shedding bitter tears, came to see You in Your tomb;* and not finding Your body, they lamented, saying:* O Saviour and King of All, how were You stolen?* What place holds Your life-bearing body?* An angel answered them, saying:* Do not weep, but go and proclaim that the Lord is risen,* filling our hearts with joy;* for He alone is most compassionate.

Glory… Now…

O most pure Virgin, hear the petitions of your servants.* Remove the burdens which oppress us,* and deliver us from our sorrows;* for you are the only firm and constant support on whom we rely.* O Mother of God, never permit us who call upon you* to be overwhelmed by our cares.* Hasten to fulfil the supplications of all who, in faith, cry out to you:* Rejoice, O Lady, helper of all mankind,* the joy, the refuge, and the salvation of our souls.

Troparia

In Tone 4

When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.”

In Tone 1

Glory…

Be swayed by the pains that the saints have suffered for You, O Lord,* and heal all our pains,* O Lover of mankind, for this we pray.

Now…

O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel called out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him who came forth from you!* Glory to Him who has set us free* through your life-giving birth!

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 4: When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.”

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: My Saviour and Deliverer from the grave* as God raised out of bondage the children of the earth* and shattered the gates of Hades;* and as Master, He rose on the third day.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 4: By your birth, O immaculate one,* Joachim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness,* and Adam and Eve* from the corruption of death.* And your people, redeemed from the guilt of their sins,* celebrate as they cry out to you:* “The barren one gives birth to the Mother of God* and nourisher of our life.”

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
How great are Your works, O Lord* You have made all things in wisdom.
verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, You are exceedingly great. (Psalm 103:24,1)

Epistle: Galatians 2:16-20 (NRSV)
Brothers and Sisters, we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Poise yourself and advance in triumph and reign in the cause of truth, and meekness, and justice.
verse: You have loved justice and hated iniquity. (Psalm 44:5,8)

Gospel: Luke 8:5-15 (NRSV)
The Lord spoke this parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.” As he said this, he called out, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”

Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that ‘looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.’

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)

All-Night Vigil Feast. A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy.

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

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

O glorious martyr Demetrius,* like a bright star you glisten forever for your fatherland* because you always protect it from destruction at the hands of enemies,* and you deliver it from every strife and menace.* Therefore, O blessed one, your people annually observe your memory* and celebrate with joy,* and with faith and love they extol the Lord who glorified you.

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

O glorious martyr Demetrius,* like a bright star you glisten forever for your fatherland* because you always protect it from destruction at the hands of enemies,* and you deliver it from every strife and menace.* Therefore, O blessed one, your people annually observe your memory* and celebrate with joy,* and with faith and love they extol the Lord who glorified you.

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

O Demetrius, martyr and sufferer of the Passion of Christ,* your miracles shine upon the world like the sun.* Therefore, all of us are filled with joy as we remember them,* and in faith we fittingly celebrate.* Since you have favour with the Lord,* pray that He may save your servants from corruption.

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

Your side was pierced by a spear for the sake of the Saviour* whose side had been pierced on the cross.* By your wounds you lovingly resembled Him, O Martyr.* You showed to all that you were an unconquerable witness.* Thereby, your torturer was also wounded and made helpless* when he was the instrument of the test of your faith,* O Demetrius, great sufferer for Christ.

In Tone 8

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

O, what a great marvel!* There is joy in heaven and on earth,* for this day glistens in the remembrance of the martyr Demetrius.* He is crowned by the praises of angels and by the hymns of all.* O, how he suffered and how well he struggled!* Through him the Evil One fell and was conquered for Christ.

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

O, what a great marvel!* There is joy in heaven and on earth,* for this day glistens in the remembrance of the martyr Demetrius.* He is crowned by the praises of angels and by the hymns of all.* O, how he suffered and how well he struggled!* Through him the Evil One fell and was conquered for Christ.

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

O, what a great marvel!* It is the most radiant of wonders.* It is more brilliant than the sun.* Demetrius shines upon the ends of the earth at all times.* He is filled with the radiance of the Light that never grows dim* and beautified by the Light which never sets.* By his rays, the clouds of foreign foes have been dispersed,* illnesses have been cast out, and demons conquered.

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

O, what a great marvel!* Having been slain for the sake of Christ, O thrice-blessed Demetrius,* you have always manifested yourself to be a two-edged sword,* humbling the exaltations of the enemies* and bringing to naught the intrigues of the demons.* Let us cry out to him:* O Demetrius, protect us at all times,* for in faith and love we venerate you.

In Tone 6

Glory…

Today the universal feast of the martyr summons us.* Come, therefore, O lovers of feasts,* let us celebrate his memory in splendour and say:* Rejoice, for you overcame the snares of the enemy* by the might given to you by the one God.* Rejoice, for you suffered wounds by the thrusts of a sword,* and thus spiritually depicted for us the blessed passion of Christ.* O Demetrius, O inspiration of martyrs,* implore Him that we be delivered from visible and invisible enemies,* and that our souls may be saved.

Now…

Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He Who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man.* He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may mercy on our souls.

Readings

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

At the Lytia

In Tone 1

Rejoice in the Lord, O city of Thessalonica!* Adorn yourself with faith and leap and dance with joy!* Like a treasure, hold onto Demetrius,* the glorious Martyr and witness to the truth.* Be full of delight at the sight of his miraculous healings;* look as he repels the foreign invaders;* and thankfully cry out to the Savoir:* O Lord, glory to You!

O city of Thessalonica, together with everyone,* let us brighten this day with beautiful hymns,* and let us glorify the martyr’s deeds* because the great martyr Demetrius is deserving of praise.* He courageously repelled the onsets of demons.* He fervently came into the arena and gloriously won a victory.* He is praying to the Savoir that our souls may be saved.

In Tone 2

O wise martyr Demetrius,* Christ our God has placed your spotless spirit in the abode on high,* for you were a defender of the Trinity.* And unbreakable as a diamond,* you courageously suffered martyrdom in the arena.* Your holy side was pierced, O all-precious one,* just like Him who was pierced on the cross* for the salvation of the whole world.* You received the power of healing,* and you freely grant healings to all.* We, therefore, fittingly celebrate your dormition today,* and we glorify you as you glorified the Lord.

In Tone 5

Glory…

Let us hasten with faith and love;* let us shout with festive joy;* let all of us clap our hands on this feast of our leader.* May the heavenly hosts be happy* because he was pierced in behalf of Christ the Lord* who was pierced by a spear,* and because he destroyed the boldness of the arrogant Leo.* May the heavens and the sea be astounded* by the glorious witness given by the great luminary.* May they praise him who restrains the young and leads those in danger.* He enriches the lowly and brings good fortune;* he wins in battle and sails with those at sea.* He is a staff in old age and our own steadfast defender.* So let us pray to him and say:* O glorious Demetrius, be our leader, rescue us from every anguish,* and save your servants by your prayers.

Now…

Let us sound the trumpets of praise,* for the Queen of all, the Virgin Mother,* looks down from on high to crown with blessings those who honour her.* Let kings and leaders come together* to praise the Queen who gave birth to the King.* Because of his love for all,* He released those who had been condemned to death.* O shepherds and teachers,* come together and praise the most pure Mother of the Good Shepherd.* She is the lampstand that gleams like gold,* the light-bearing cloud more spacious than the heavens,* the living tabernacle and golden urn containing the manna,* the sealed door of the Word and refuge of all Christians.* Let us praise her with God-inspired songs, saying:* O palace of the Word,* make us lowly ones worthy of the kingdom of heaven,* for nothing is impossible through your intercession.

Aposticha

In Tone 2

The ground is quaking in fear of your anger.* The hills and mountains are trembling, O Lord.* But look upon us with compassion.* Do not shower your wrath upon us,* but show mercy to the work of your hands.* Free us from the terrifying menace of the earthquake,* since You are gracious and the Lover of Mankind.

In Tone 6

Having created the earth, You look upon it and it quakes.

You are awesome, O Lord, and who can bear your just anger?* Or who will implore You?* Who will restrain You, O Gracious One,* in behalf of the sinful people who are without hope?* The heavenly ranks, the Angels, and Principalities,* Powers, Thrones, Dominions, and Seraphim* are crying out to You in our behalf:* Holy, holy, holy, are You, O Lord!* Because of your merciful compassion,* do not reject the work of your hands, O Gracious One,* but save the city which is in danger.

You shook the ground, and You made it quake.

The Ninevites heard the threat about their destruction* by an earthquake because of their sins.* The rising up of Jonah from the whale was a sign of intercession.* He pleaded for them to repent.* Just as You accepted in generosity* the lamentation of your people with their children and animals,* for the sake of your rising on the third day,* also be merciful and spare us who have been chastised.

In Tone 8

Glory…

Your sublime and spotless soul,* O ever-commemorated Demetrius,* has the heavenly Jerusalem as an abode.* Its walls were painted by the most pure hands of the invisible God.* This beautiful church on earth* also contains your very precious body which had suffered so much,* It is a treasure of miracles that cannot be stolen away,* and it is a medicine for illnesses* whenever we hasten to draw upon its healing.* O all-praiseworthy one,* protect from threatening destruction the city which extols you,* for you have found favour before Christ who glorified you.

Now…

O Virgin, you have never known wedlock,* yet you conceived God in the flesh* in a manner which words can never describe.* You thus became the Mother of God on high.* O immaculate Lady, receive the supplication of your servants* and grant us the cleansing of our sins.* Accept now our prayers and beseech God to save all of us.

Troparia

In 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)

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Tropaion and Kontakion

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.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, 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 7

The just man shall be glad in the Lord,* and shall hope in Him.

verse: Hear, O God, my voice, when I make my petition to You. (Psalm 63:11,2)

Epistle

2 Timothy 2:1-10

Alleluia, Tone 4

verse: The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, and he shall grow like the cedar in Lebanon.

verse: They who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 91:13-14)

Gospel

John 15:17-16:2

Communion Hymn

The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6-7)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 5

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

With Your precious Cross, O Christ,* You have put the Devil to shame.* With Your Resurrection You have deadened the sting of sin,* and have saved us from the gates of death.* We, therefore, glorify You, O only-begotten Son of God.

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

O Christ, Who granted resurrection to mankind,* You were led like a lamb to the slaughter.* Then the princes of Hades were struck with terror* as they saw the gates of their tearful domain being lifted up;* for Christ, the King of Glory, entered therein* and exclaimed to those in chains: Go forth from here!* And to those in darkness: Go forth into the light!

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

What a great wonder!* The Creator of invisible beings suffered in the flesh for mankind,* and rose from the dead as immortal.* Come, therefore, all you nations and adore Him;* for through His compassion we have been freed from the snares of the Devil,* and we have learned to praise the one God in three Persons.

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

We offer to You our evening worship,* O Light whom the darkness of night can never extinguish.* For in these latter days Your radiance has appeared to the world,* shining in Your flesh as light reflected from a mirror.* Your brilliance has descended even to the depths of Hades and dissolved its gloom.* O Lord, Giver of Light, glory to You;* for You have shown the radiance of Your resurrection to all the nations.

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

Let us glorify Christ, the Author of our Salvation;* for by His resurrection from the dead,* the world has been delivered from the deception of Satan.* The choirs of angels rejoice as the treachery of evil spirits vanishes.* Fallen Adam arises, and the devil is vanquished.

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

Those who guarded the tomb of Christ* were told by the evil men who hired them:* Take this silver and keep silent.* Tell no one of the resurrection of Christ;* rather tell everyone that while you were sleeping His body was stolen.* But who has ever heard of a body being stolen,* a body which had already been anointed?* Why would anyone take a body from the grave naked,* and leave the burial shroud in the tomb?* Do not deceive yourselves, O people of Judea.* Study the teachings of the Prophets,* and you will come to understand that Jesus Christ is Almighty God,* and truly the Saviour of the world.

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

O Lord our Saviour,* who subjected hell and conquered Death,* and enlightened the world through Your precious Cross,* have mercy on us.

In Tone 6

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

Having placed all their hope in heaven,* the saints laid up for themselves* a treasure which cannot be stolen away:* They freely received and freely give healing to the infirm!* Following the Gospel, they acquired neither silver nor gold,* but performed works of mercy for both men and beasts,* that obedient to Christ* they might pray with boldness on behalf of our souls!

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

The two holy ones who shared a single character and single soul,* as like-minded companions,* disdained corruptible things on earth,* showing themselves to be citizens of heaven like the angels,* though dwelling in the body:* Therefore they grant healings to all who suffer,* performing good works for those in need without exacting any fee!* Let us fittingly honour them with an annual festival,* for they pray to Christ with boldness on behalf of our souls!

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

The divinely wise Cosmas and Damian,* the ever-memorable two,* made themselves wholly the dwelling of the Trinity!* They pour forth the waters of healing like torrents* from the life-giving source,* by their touch, their relics cure suffering* and their very names drive infirmities away from all those* who turn to the saving harbour of Christ!* They pray with boldness on behalf of our souls.

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

Holy unmercenaries, Cosmas and Damian,* you scorned the tyranny of suffering,* trampling down in Christ, every snare of the evil serpent!* You were revealed to be as radiant as beacons,* ever illumining the whole world with divine signs,* driving away darkness and infirmities by grace;* showing yourselves to be the saviours of all who with steadfast faith* celebrate your glorious memory, all-wise ones!

In Tone 6

Glory…

Boundless is the grace of the saints* which they have received from Christ!* Therefore their relics continually work miracles by the power of God,* and their names, invoked with faith, heal incurable diseases.* Through them free us also from passions of soul and body,* Lord and Lover of mankind!

In Tone 5

Now…

A symbol of the undefiled Virgin and bride* was revealed in the Red Sea.* There, Moses divided the waters;* here, Gabriel is the messenger of the miracle.* There, the Israelites crossed the deep and their feet were not even wet;* here, the Virgin gives birth to Christ without human seed.* There, the sea remained uncrossed after the passing of Israel;* here, the immaculate remained incorrupt after giving birth to Emmanuel.* Therefore, O immortal God, who appeared in the flesh as true Man,* have mercy on us!

Aposticha

In Tone 5

O Christ our Saviour,* we lift up our voices in song to glorify You.* For, in Your love for mankind,* You became incarnate without leaving heaven;* You accepted the Cross and death;* You cast down the gates of Hades;* and on the third day You arose from the dead* for the salvation of our souls.

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

O Giver of Life,* streams of forgiveness, life, and salvation* poured forth from Your pierced side upon us all.* By accepting physical death, You granted us immortality;* by lying in the tomb, You freed us from Hades,* and as God, by rising from the dead,* You raised us with Yourself in glory.* Therefore, we cry out to You:* O Lover of mankind, glory to You!

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

O Lover of mankind,* Your crucifixion and descent into Hades are most wondrous.* For, as God, You thereby conquered the power of Hades,* and raised up in glory, with Yourself, those who were long imprisoned there.* You reopened Paradise and enabled them to enter.* Grant forgiveness of sins to us* who glorify Your resurrection on the third day,* for You alone are all-merciful.

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

O Lover of mankind,* You accepted suffering in the flesh* and rose from the dead on the third day.* Therefore, heal the passions of our flesh,* raise us from our dreadful iniquities, and save us.

Glory… Now…

O most pure Virgin,* you are the temple, the gate, the palace, and the throne of the King.* Christ, our Redeemer and Lord,* appeared through you to those who slumbered in darkness.* For He, as the Sun of Righteousness,* wished to enlighten those whom He created with His own hands* according to His own image.* Therefore, O Lady, whom we always praise in song,* we beseech you to intercede with Christ for the salvation of our souls;* for, as His Mother, you can approach Him with the greatest confidence.

Troparia

In Tone 5

Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

In Tone 8

Glory…

Holy selfless physicians and wonderworkers, Cosmas and Damian, visit our infirmities.* Freely you have received, freely give to us.

Now…

O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;* through Your death on the cross You conquered death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people!

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 5: Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.

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

Kontakion, Tone 5: You, my Saviour, descended to Hades,* and as the Almighty, You shattered its gates.* With Yourself You, as the Creator, raised the dead and shattered the sting of death,* and delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Mankind.* And so we cry out: “Save us, O Lord.”

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 5: Rejoice, O rampart and protection of those who have recourse to you!* Rejoice, O tranquil haven and Virgin,* who gave birth in the flesh to your Maker and God!* Fail not to intercede for those* who sing and worship the Child you bore.

Prokeimenon, Tone 5

You, O Lord, will guard us and will keep us* from this generation and for ever.

verse: Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer left a just man. (Psalm 11:8,2)

Epistle

Galatians 6:11-18

Alleluia, Tone 5

verse: Your mercies, O Lord, I will sing for ever; from generation to generation I will announce Your truth with my mouth.

verse: For You have said: Mercy shall be built up for ever; in the heavens Your truth shall be prepared. (Psalm 88:2,3)

Gospel

Luke 16:19-31

Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

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

O Christ, You won the victory over Hades,* You ascended the Cross so that You might raise up with Yourself* all those who dwelt in the darkness of death.* Almighty Saviour, You are free from death* and bestow life by Your divine light.* We, therefore, beseech You to have mercy on us.

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

Today Christ has conquered Death.* He has risen from the grave as He foretold,* bestowing great joy upon the world.* Therefore, let us all lift up our voices and sing:* O Fount of Life, O Light Whom no one can approach,* Almighty Saviour, have mercy on us.

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

O Lord, where can we sinners flee from You,* for You are present in all creation?* You are present in heaven, for it is Your dwelling place.* Your power prevails in Hades where You conquered Death.* O Master, Your sustaining hand touches even the depths of the sea.* Where, then, can we take refuge except in You?* We, therefore, prostrate ourselves before You and pray:* O Lord, risen from the dead, have mercy on us.

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

We exult in Your Cross, O Christ,* and we sing the glory of Your Resurrection.* For You are our God, and we have no other Lord but You.

In Tone 4

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

O Archangel Michael, you manifested yourself* to be the greatest defender of the thrice-holy Source of Light.* Together with the Powers on high, you joyfully call out:* Holy are You, O Father.* Holy are You, O Co-eternal Word.* Holy are You, O Holy Spirit.* You are the one glory, the one kingdom, and one nature;* You are the one Divinity and Power.

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

O Archangel Michael, you are like a flaming fire,* and your godliness is awesome.* By your bodiless nature you cross the ends of the earth,* fulfilling the commands of the Creator of all.* You also make your Church a fountain of healings.* You are venerated because of your holy calling.

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

You made the winds Your messenger* and flaming fire Your servant, just as it is written.* Among the ranks of Your archangels, O Lord,* You have shown Michael the Archangel to be the leader.* He is obedient to Your commands, O Word.* With fear he sings the thrice-holy hymn to Your glory.

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

By divine grace, O Gabriel,* the eternal intelligence created you to be a second light.* You were to illumine the whole world* that you might reveal a divine and truly great mystery* which had been hidden from eternity:* that God Who is bodiless was made flesh in a virgin womb* and became man to save mankind.

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

O Gabriel, you stand before the throne of the thrice-holy Source of Light.* Glistening with celestial splendour.* We on earth joyfully dance and sing your praises.* O leader of the heavenly hosts,* O intercessor for our souls,* deliver us from the darkness of our passion* by illuminating us with your light.

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

O Gabriel, leader of the heavenly hosts* and intercessor for our souls,* crush the boldness of those who attack your flock.* Put an end to schisms within the Church.* Calm the storm of numberless temptations.* Deliver from trial and tribulation* those who lovingly venerate you* and hasten to protect us with the shadow of your wings.

In Tone 6

Glory…

Rejoice with us, all you leaders of the angels;* for the great Archangel, your captain and our guardian,* appears today in his holy church.* He wondrously watches over us and truly sanctifies this place.* Therefore, singing his praises daily,* let us cry out to him:* Keep us safe by the protection of your wings,* O great Archangel Michael.

In Tone 6

Now…

Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He Who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man.* He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may mercy on our souls.

Readings

(1) Joshua 5:13-15; (2) Judges 6:7, 11-24; (3) Isaiah 14:6-20

Litiya

In Tone 1

The leaders of the heavenly hosts* stand unceasingly before the throne of the Master.* They pray to the Lord to grant peace to the world* and great mercy to our souls.

As the leader of the Powers on high,* Michael has summoned us today for the feast.* He is always by our side* and preserves us today from every attack of the devil.* Come, therefore, O lovers of the feasts and lovers of Christ,* let us carry the flowers of virtue;* and with a pure mind and a clear conscience,* let us venerate the feast of the Archangel.* For he stands unceasingly before God, singing the thrice-holy hymn,* interceding for our souls to be saved.

In Tone 2

O bodiless Powers, you intercede for us.* O Leaders of the heavenly hosts,* by the brightness of your thrice-radiant glory* you give light to the whole world;* with unceasing voices you sing the thrice-holy hymn.* Pray, therefore, that our souls may be saved.

O intelligent, celestial, and bodiless Powers,* you surround the heavenly throne* and with flaming lips sing the thrice-holy hymn to God the ruler:* O holy God, O eternal Father;* O holy, mighty, and co-eternal Son;* O holy and immortal Spirit having the same nature,* and glorified together with the Father and the Son.

With immaterial lips and spiritual mouths,* the angelic ranks offer hymns to Your unapproachable divinity, O Lord.* Both the pure spirits and ministers of Your glory,* together with the incorporeal Michael and Gabriel, praise You, O Lord.* The leaders of the heavenly powers,* and the chiefs of the angels welcome us today.* They invite us to sing to Your unapproachable glory.* O Lover of Mankind,* they pray unceasingly for our souls.

In Tone 4

Glory…

With flaming lips, the Cherubim extol You, O Christ God;* and with immaterial mouths, the choirs of Archangels* loudly extols Your glory.* Michael, the captain of the heavenly powers,* unceasingly offers a song of victory to Your glory.* He has prepared us today for this feast,* so that even with lips of clay,* we may worthily sing aloud the thrice-holy hymn* as it is in the psalms.* All creation is filled with the praise of You, O Christ.* For this reason You give great mercy to the world.

Now…

Today the Theotokos, the Temple that is to contain God,* is being escorted into the Temple of the Lord,* and Zechariah receives her.* Today the Holy of Holies greatly rejoices,* and the choir of angels mystically celebrates this feast.* Let us also celebrate with them today* and cry out with Gabriel:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you,* and He grants us great mercy.

Aposticha

In Tone 6

O Christ our Saviour,* the angels in heaven sing the praises of Your Resurrection;* make us on earth also worthy* to extol You with a pure heart.

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

Almighty God, You destroyed the brazen gates and bars of Hades,* and raised up fallen mankind.* Therefore, with one accord, we cry out:* O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!

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

Christ willed to renew us from our corruption of old* by being nailed to a cross and placed in a tomb.* When the women came to anoint His body they tearfully cried out:* O, what sorrow afflicts us!* O Saviour of All, how could You consent to occupy a grave?* If you truly willed this, then why did You allow Your body to be stolen?* How were You removed?* What place now conceals Your life-bearing body?* O Lord, appear to us as You promised* and put an end to our tears.* As they were lamenting, an angel appeared and cried out to them:* Do not weep, but tell the Apostles that the Lord is risen,* granting sanctification and great mercy to the world.

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

O Christ, You were crucified of Your free will,* and by Your burial You imprisoned Death.* As God, You rose in glory on the third day,* granting life and great mercy to the world.

In Tone 8

Glory… Now…

O Archangel, since you are a soldier* and leader of the heavenly hosts* and the captain of the angels, O glorious one,* deliver from every care and worry,* from illnesses and bitter sins,* those who faithfully extol and beseech you.* You see the Lord Who is Spirit;* you are illumined by the unapproachable light of the Master’s glory.* For He, out of love for all people,* became incarnate of the Virgin for our sake.* By this, He wished to save mankind.

Troparia

In 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)

In Tone 4

Princes of the heavenly hosts,* we, though unworthy, beg you* to encircle us through your prayers* under the shelter of the wings of your spiritual glory.* Guard us as we come to you and sincerely cry:* “Deliver us from dangers,* O princes of the powers on high!”

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 6: Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!

Troparion, Tone 4: Princes of the heavenly hosts,* we, though unworthy, beg you* to encircle us through your prayers* under the shelter of the wings your spiritual glory.* Guard us as we come to you and sincerely cry:* Deliver us from dangers,* O princes of the powers on high!

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

Kontakion, Tone 6: With His life-giving hand* Christ our God, the Giver of life,* raised all the dead from the murky abyss* and bestowed resurrection upon humanity.* He is for all the Saviour,* the resurrection and the life, and the God of all.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 2: Princes of God’s hosts, ministers of divine glory,* leaders of angels and guides of men,* pray for our welfare and for great mercy,* O princes of the incorporeal powers.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6

Save Your people, O Lord,* and bless Your inheritance.

verse: Unto You I will cry, O Lord, my God, lest You turn from me in silence. (Psalm 27:9,1)

Prokeimenon, Tone 4

verse: He makes spirits His angels and flaming fire His ministers.

Epistle

Ephesians 2:4-10; Hebrews 2:2-10

Alleluia, Tone 6

verse: He who lives in the aid of the Most High, shall dwell under the protection of the God of heaven.

verse: He says to the Lord: You are my protector and my refuge, my God, in Whom I hope. (Psalm 90:1,2)

verse: Praise the Lord, all you His angels; praise Him, all you powers.

verse: For He spoke, and they came into being; He commanded and they were created (Psalm 148:2,5)

Gospel

Luke 8:26-39; Luke 10:16-21

Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* He makes spirits His angels,* and flaming fire His ministers.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 103:4)

All-Night Vigil Feast. A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy.

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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

O Josaphat, you are worthy of glory.* Your sacred vestment was stained with your martyr’s blood,* and now you have entered into the Holy of Holies* with the Lord who rejoices for you.* From Him you have received victory for your labours,* an eternal crown, everlasting beauty, and the life of Paradise.* O great martyr Josaphat,* now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches* and great mercy to our souls.

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

O Josaphat, you are worthy of glory.* Your sacred vestment was stained with your martyr’s blood,* and now you have entered into the Holy of Holies* with the Lord who rejoices for you.* From Him you have received victory for your labours,* an eternal crown, everlasting beauty, and the life of Paradise.* O great martyr Josaphat,* now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches* and great mercy to our souls.

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

O all-precious orator,* you first offered yourself as an unbloody sacrifice to God.* Like the unblemished fruit, your holy work was an acceptable sacrifice.* Then you brought yourself to Christ, by means of your blood,* as a true and great martyr.* Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches* and great mercy to our souls.

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

O all-precious orator,* you first offered yourself as an unbloody sacrifice to God.* Like the unblemished fruit, your holy work was an acceptable sacrifice.* Then you brought yourself to Christ, by means of your blood,* as a true and great martyr.* Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches* and great mercy to our souls.

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

You destroyed the vanity of the dissenters* by your sanctifying words.* You also strengthened the faith of the weakened hearts.* You have entered into the eternal life,* having suffered for the cause of unity.* You were a witness to the Lord, O great martyr Josaphat.* Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches* and great mercy to our souls.

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

Your sacred vestments were stained crimson by your blood, O holy one.* So you received from Christ a two-fold crown, O generous father.* You also rejoice with the angels in heaven* as you stand in the presence of the Blessed Trinity.* Now also pray that God may grant unity and peace to our Churches* and great mercy to our souls.

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

O great martyr Josaphat,* in chastity you yearned for an honourable life.* You worshiped Christ the Almighty,* and you led the people into union with Him* by your precious words and by his grace.* You washed yourself with the blood of martyrdom, O blessed one of God.* You have entered into eternity.* Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches* and great mercy to our souls.

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

In thought you ascended into the unsetting cloud of the ineffable Light.* You, a great martyr and shepherd,* knew the ineffable mysteries of Christ.* As a martyr you were enlightened,* and as a shepherd you were mystically taught.* Because of that, you also received two crowns from the glory on high.* Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches* and great mercy to our souls.

In Tone 6

Glory…

O great martyr Josaphat,* you were a true priest until the time of your death.* As a priest you were a minister of the ineffable mysteries of Christ.* You poured out your blood as did Christ our God,* presenting yourself as an acceptable sacrifice.* Because of that, you are confident in his presence.* Pray for the faith of those who observe and venerate your all-holy memory,* so that your flock and the whole world* may be delivered from all dangers, invasions, enemies, and sieges.

Now…

Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He Who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man.* He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may mercy on our souls.

Readings

(1) Proverbs 3:13-16; 8:35, 4-6, 8, 9; (2) Wisdom 4:7, 16-20; 5:1-7; (3) Wisdom 5:15-6:3

Litiya

In Tone 1

Come, let us all celebrate in spirit with heavenly priestly words* the memory of the great martyr Josaphat.* Because he cleared the thorns of division* and with abundant virtue through the fruit of the sanctuary,* he planted the teachings of salvation* for our souls.

As a priest you acted according to the divine gospel.* You sealed the divine teachings with your blood* at the hands of the flock in disunity, O great martyr Josaphat.* You dried up the river of demons,* and you went up into heaven* as a conqueror receiving the crown of victory.

O great martyr Josaphat,* the Eastern Church possessed you and your priestly works.* Now you protect her in an unshakeable manner from hostile wolves* as she preaches about your courage and extols you, O blessed one.

In Tone 5

Glory…

The Church celebrates your light-bearing feast,* and she rejoices, O great martyr Josaphat.* She faithfully venerates you.* As a shepherd do not cease to bless her.* Pray for the salvation of all.

Now…

O most pure Virgin,* you are the temple, the gate, the palace, and the throne of the king.* Christ, our Redeemer and Lord,* appeared through you to those who slumbered in darkness.* For He, as the Sun of Righteousness,* wished to enlighten those whom He created with his own hands* according to his own image.* Therefore, O Lady, whom we always praise In song,* we beseech you to intercede with Christ for the salvation of our souls,* for as his mother you can approach Him with the greatest confidence.

Aposticha

In Tone 4

Like a very bright sun* you shone upon the firmament of the Church.* By the splendour of your words, by your God-inspired teaching,* and by your life equal to that of an angel,* you enlightened the souls that were darkened by the wickedness of the enemy.* You led back onto the way of truth those who had strayed.* Because of that, we rejoice today* and observe your light-bearing and holy memory.

Your priests shall be clothed with holiness; your faithful shall ring out their joy.

O great martyr Josaphat,* you were equal in honour to the apostles.* You received an understanding like theirs.* You did not fear the cruelty of malicious torturers,* but manfully and courageously you preached the unity of the faith.* You suffered many varied wounds and torments.* And now you have received a great reward for your long-suffering* from the Source and Judge of victory, Christ our God.* Implore Him for all who in faith venerate your holy memory.

Precious in the eyes of the Lord Is the death of his faithful.

O great martyr Josaphat,* offering up precious service and a spotless sacrifice to the Master, Christ our God,* you offered yourself as a perfect holocaust to Him.* You courageously suffered out of love for Him by spilling your blood.* As a true shepherd and follower of Christ,* you did not cease to cry out:* O Father, protect everyone in your name.* All-blessed Josaphat, now pray that the Churches and all people be reunited* and that we may be saved.

Glory…

Your good deeds are radiant like the sun upon heaven and earth,* O conciliator of Christ, all-blessed great martyr Josaphat.* You rightly preached to us the true and spotless faith of Christ.* For this, as a good shepherd, you also laid down your life,* following the wellspring of shepherds, Christ our God.* O all-blessed sanctifier, O God-bearer,* Implore that all may be saved* who lovingly celebrate the precious memory of your sufferings.

Now…

O most pure Virgin, hear the petitions of your servants.* Remove the burdens which oppress us* and deliver us from our sorrows;* for you are the only firm and constant support on whom we rely.* O Mother of God, never permit us who call upon you* to be overwhelmed by our cares.* Hasten to fulfil the supplications of all who, in faith, cry out to you:* Rejoice, O Lady, helper of all mankind,* the joy, the refuge, and the salvation of our souls.

Troparia

In Tone 4

You appeared as a radiant light,* O priest-martyr Josaphat.* Like the Good Shepherd, you lay down your life for your sheep;* killed by enemies who loved division, you entered the holy of holies to dwell with the bodiless powers.* Therefore we pray you, long-suffering saint:* beg Christ, the Prince of Shepherds,* to number us among the sheep at His right hand and to save our souls. (twice)

In 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.

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 4: You appeared as a radiant light,* O priest-martyr Josaphat.* Like the Good Shepherd, you lay down your life for your sheep;* killed by enemies who loved division, you entered the holy of holies to dwell with the bodiless powers.*Therefore we pray you, long-suffering saint:* beg Christ, the Prince of Shepherds,* to number us among the sheep at His right hand and to save our souls.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: Enlightened in childhood* by the flame from the crucified Christ,* you resembled the angels in your life as a monk,* and as bishop you lived in godliness.* You clearly preached unity and with your martyr’s blood, you calmed hearts inflamed by love for dispute.* From Christ you received the crown.* And so remember us as we cry to you:* Rejoice, O unshakeable pillar of unity.

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

Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Alleluia, Tone 2

verse: Your priests shall clothe themselves with justice, and Your venerable ones shall rejoice.

verse: For the Lord has chosen Sion; He has chosen it for His dwelling. (Psalm 131:9,13)

Gospel

John 10:9-16

Communion Hymn

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

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

Let us praise in song* the God-inspired instrument and golden-forged trumpet,* the boundless depth of dogma,* the affirmation of the Church and the heavenly mind,* the depth of wisdom and the chalice of purest gold* that poured forth sweet rivers of learning* and nourished all creation.

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

Let us praise in song* the God-inspired instrument and golden-forged trumpet,* the boundless depth of dogma,* the affirmation of the Church and the heavenly mind,* the depth of wisdom and the chalice of purest gold* that poured forth sweet rivers of learning* and nourished all creation.

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

Let us worthily honour John of the golden words,* the never-setting star which enlightens everything under the sun* with his rays of teaching.* He is the preacher of penance* and the sponge of purest gold* which removes the cruel dampness of ignorance.* He gives life to hearts that are torn by sin.

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

Let us worthily honour John of the golden words,* the never-setting star which enlightens everything under the sun* with his rays of teaching.* He is the preacher of penance* and the sponge of purest gold* which removes the cruel dampness of ignorance.* He gives life to hearts that are torn by sin.

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

Let Chrysostom be exalted,* for he is the earthly angel and the heavenly man,* the eagle of great and good speech* and the treasury of virtues.* He is the firm rock and the example of the faithful,* the one who is like the martyrs* and who stands equal with the angels,* for his teaching was the same as the apostles.

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

Let Chrysostom be exalted,* for he is the earthly angel and the heavenly man,* the eagle of great and good speech* and the treasury of virtues.* He is the firm rock and the example of the faithful,* the one who is like the martyrs* and who stands equal with the angels,* for his teaching was the same as the apostles.

In Tone 6

Glory…

O thrice-venerable and most holy Father,* you are the good shepherd and the student of Christ the chief Shepherd* who gave his life for his flock.* Now, ever-praised John Chrysostom,* grant that through your prayers we may receive great mercy.

Now…

Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He Who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man.* He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may mercy on our souls.

Readings

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

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Rejoice, O golden, glittering, and beautiful God-inspired instrument of the Church.* Rejoice, O orator who with loving-kindness* prescribed for us various examples of penance.* Rejoice, O golden-formed mind,* golden-tongued swallow, and dove who radiated virtues on green pastures.* Rejoice, most golden stream which pours firth the waters of divine speech,* the stream entrusted with the divine love for the human race.* Ask Christ to send great mercy to our souls.

My lips will speak words of wisdom. My heart is full of insight.

Rejoice, father of orphans and quick helper of the needy.* Rejoice, benefactor of the poor,* food of the hungry, and corrector of those who sin.* Rejoice, most honourable and most pleasing healer of souls.* Rejoice, sublime knowledge of theology* and narrator of spiritual writings.* Rejoice, keeper of the law and retainer of the most just order.* Rejoice, O sublime wisdom of visions and deeds.* Ask Christ to send great mercy to our souls.

The mouth of the just utters wisdom, and his lips speak what is right.

O Chrysostom, the Church sings to you:* Rejoice in Christ, your Bridegroom.* For by your virtues and your words,* you have enlightened the world more than the rays of the sun.* Rejoice, O wisest of men, greater than all other orators.* Rejoice, defender of the true faith.* You are the one who uncovered falseness, O teacher of penance.* Rejoice, quiet depth of knowledge,* who like the great Paul followed Christ completely.* Now ask Christ to send great mercy to our souls.

In Tone 6

Glory…

O Chrysostom, you spoke most purely* and showed yourself to be the golden-sounding trumpet.* You purified the hearts of the faithful* by your true and dedicated teaching.* The message of your teaching* has gone forth prophetically, O venerable Father,* and you have enlightened the ends of the earth.

Now…

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

Troparia

In Tone 8

Grace shone forth from your mouth like a fiery beacon* and enlightened the universe,* bestowing on the world not the treasures of greed,* but rather showing us the heights of humility.* As you teach us by your words, O John Chrysostom, our father,* intercede with the Word, Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls.

Glory… Now…

O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;* through Your death on the cross You conquered death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people!

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 8: Grace shone forth from your mouth like a fiery beacon* and enlightened the universe,* bestowing on the world not the treasures of greed,* but rather showing us the heights of humility.* As you teach us by your words, O John Chrysostom, our father,* intercede with the Word, Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls.

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

Kontakion, Tone 6: From heaven you received divine grace;* your lips have taught us all to worship the Triune God,* O blessed John Chrysostom.* It is fitting that we praise you;* for you are a teacher clarifying things divine.

Prokeimenon, Tone 1

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

verse: Hear these things, all you nations; give ear al you inhabitants of the world. (Psalm 48:4,2)

Epistle

Hebrews 7:26-8:2

Alleluia, Tone 2

verse: The mouth of the just man shall meditate wisdom and his tongue shall speak judgement.

verse: The law of God is in his heart, and his steps will not falter. (Psalm 36:3-31)

Gospel

John 10:9-16

Communion Hymn

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

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

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

Having established action, blessed one, as an entrance into true vision,* and vision as the end of divine action,* you implored Christ to show you the ineffable glory of the Father,* for every reasonable creature desires witness of God.* You received the desired, glorious one, of which the Son is the image!* Pray to Him boldly for our souls!

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

Having established action, blessed one, as an entrance into true vision,* and vision as the end of divine action,* you implored Christ to show you the ineffable glory of the Father,* for every reasonable creature desires witness of God.* You received the desired, glorious one, of which the Son is the image!* Pray to Him boldly for our souls!

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

Having established action, blessed one, as an entrance into true vision,* and vision as the end of divine action,* you implored Christ to show you the ineffable glory of the Father,* for every reasonable creature desires witness of God.* You received the desired, glorious one, of which the Son is the image!* Pray to Him boldly for our souls!

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

As Moses of old, you were instructed by divine ascent.* Desiring to see God you spiritually saw His image.* You accepted the Son as knowledge and testimony of the Father,* for they are known as one Being: the Unity honourably exalted by all,* the kingdom, power, glory and worship!

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

As Moses of old, you were instructed by divine ascent.* Desiring to see God you spiritually saw His image.* You accepted the Son as knowledge and testimony of the Father,* for they are known as one Being: the Unity honourably exalted by all,* the kingdom, power, glory and worship!

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

As Moses of old, you were instructed by divine ascent.* Desiring to see God you spiritually saw His image.* You accepted the Son as knowledge and testimony of the Father,* for they are known as one Being: the Unity honourably exalted by all,* the kingdom, power, glory and worship!

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

God-seer Philip, you proclaimed with divine inspiration* and the teaching of the Holy Spirit,* sounding the Saviour’s heavenly Gospel in the world with a fiery tongue.* You burned all deceit to ashes like dried grass.* You proclaimed the Lord Christ in the universe,* Who is master over all.

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

God-seer Philip, you proclaimed with divine inspiration* and the teaching of the Holy Spirit,* sounding the Saviour’s heavenly Gospel in the world with a fiery tongue.* You burned all deceit to ashes like dried grass.* You proclaimed the Lord Christ in the universe,* Who is master over all.

Glory…

You burn with the brilliance of a great light, O Philip,* shining as a light of the universe.* Seeking the light of God you found illumination in the Son,* whose image is equal to the first image.* Implore Him, Apostle, to save those sealed by divine blood.

Now…

Who would not call you blessed, * O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth * without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He Who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man.* He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may mercy on our souls.

Readings

(1) 1 Peter 1:1-2:6; (2) 1 Peter 2:21-3:9; (3) 1 Peter 4:1-11

Aposticha

In Tone 6

Your heavenly proclamation, O blessed one,* has resounded throughout the world, * filling it with divine dogmas, * mystically blessing the Father, Son and Spirit!* apostle, we glorify the one essence.* Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth,* and their words to the ends of the universe!

Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the universe!

Thrice-blessed Philip,* as the light-bearer of Christ’s apostles, * you possess the bright light of the honourable church. * Our souls, all-praised one, are enlightened by your prayers,* and delivered from fierce calamities.

The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork!

Worthy Philip, * having finished your task by suffering on the cross, * you were given the crown of victory. * Therefore you have entered the heavenly kingdom!* Apostle, as you stand before Christ, implore him to save us!

In Tone 2

Glory…

Apostle Philip, your mouth is a vessel of sweet spices, * pouring out a life-giving drink for the faithful. * Entering by action into vision, you welcomed and followed Christ. * You adorned the barren and childless church of the pagans, * by teaching and increasing her children. * You can do much since you are near to God:* pray that the church may be saved from need and distress!

Now…

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

Troparia

In Tone 3

O holy apostle Philip,* pray to the merciful God* that he may grant to our souls* remission of our transgressions!

Glory… 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.

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 3: O Philip, proclaimer of God’s word,* the world is adorned and Ethiopia dances for joy* for it is arrayed in beauty as with a crown.* Enlightened by you it feasts your memory.* For you taught all to believe in Christ,* finishing the course of the Gospel as is right.* And so, Ethiopia boldly lifts up its hands to God.* Pray to Him to grant great mercy to us.

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

Kontakion, Tone 8: The God-inspired Philip,* Your friend, disciple and imitator of the Passion,* proclaimed You as God to the whole world,* O Christ, all merciful.* By his intercessions* and those of the Mother of God* guard Your Church and every city* from lawless enemies.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8

Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world.

verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands. (Psalm 18:5,2)

Epistle

1 Corinthians 4:9-16

Alleluia, Tone 1

verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.

verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 88:6,8)

Gospel

John 1:43-51

Communion Hymn

Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their word unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 18:5)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 7

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

Come, let us rejoice in the Lord,* Who destroyed the power of death* and enlightened the human race;* and let us cry out with the angels:* Glory to You, our Creator and Saviour!

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

O Saviour, for our sake You suffered crucifixion and burial;* and, as God, You destroyed death by Your death.* Therefore, we adore Your resurrection on the third day* and we sing: Glory to You, O Lord!

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

On seeing the resurrection of the Creator,* the Apostles were amazed,* and they sang an angelic hymn of praise:* This is the glory of the Church,* this is the richness of the Kingdom!* O Lord, Who suffered for our sake, glory to You!

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

O Christ, although You were taken captive by Your enemies,* I still acknowledge You as my God,* and am not ashamed of You;* I will not hide the fact that You were nailed to the Cross.* Your death is my life, almighty Lord,* and I extol Your resurrection.* O Lover of mankind, glory to You!

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

In fulfilment of the prophecy of David,* Christ revealed His majesty to His disciples in Sion.* He showed Himself to be worthy of equal praise* with His Father and the Holy Spirit;* for He existed from all eternity as God the Word, without a body;* then, out of love for mankind, He became incarnate,* and for our sake He was put to death as a man;* finally, by His own power He arose from the dead.

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

O Christ, of Your own free will, You descended into Hades;* and, as God the Lord, You destroyed death.* On the third day You arose from the dead and raised up Adam* from the bonds of Hades and corruption.* In joy he cried out and said:* Glory to Your resurrection, O Lover of mankind!

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

O Lord, You were placed in the tomb as one sleeping,* and on the third day You arose in might and power.* You raised up Adam from the corruption of death,* for You alone are almighty.

In Tone 4

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

The most wise Abibus, the wondrous Samonas, and the glorious Gurias,* the three passion-bearers who have formed a common choir for the faithful,* now join our chorus and rejoice with us;* for God has granted to the souls of the martyrs* to behold spiritually the things that are taking place.

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

You endured pain and unbearable torments,* you suffered valiantly, O Samonas, Abibus, and blessed Gurias,* martyrs who are equal in number to the Trinity.* Now you enjoy the bliss of the eternal delight of Christ,* Who grants you the reward of your labours.* Entreat Him fervently that our souls may be saved!

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

Having gone over to the serene harbour,* to the quiet life and to the all-tranquil haven,* you have exchanged your pains for abiding dispassion.* You have received fitting honours from God* as a reward from God for your labours,* O blessed passion-bearing martyrs.

In Tone 2

Glory…

Edessa rejoices, for she is enriched with the shrine of the three martyrs,* holy Abibus, Samonas and Gurias.* She cries out, summoning the Christ-loving flock:* “Come, all who love the martyrs,* be illumined on their splendid memorial!* Come and rejoice, all who love the feasts of the Church!* Come and behold the heavenly lights who lived on earth!* Come and hear what a bitter death the valiant and steadfast ones* endured for the sake of everlasting life!* As guarantors of the Truth they saved the virgin who was thrown alive in a grave,* committing the pitiless murderer who reviled them to condemnation.* They pray earnestly to the Holy Trinity* that those who celebrate their memory in faith* may be delivered from corruption, temptations and all evil.

In Tone 7

Now…

Immaculate Mother of God,* you became a mother outside the laws of nature,* remaining a virgin in a way that exceeds all description* and human understanding.* The wonder of your birth-giving could not be told in human language,* for your conception of Christ blinded intelligence,* and your birth-giving exceeded understanding:* for whenever God so desires, the laws of nature are broken.* Wherefore, we all firmly believe that you are the Mother of God,* and we eagerly beseech you to intercede for the salvation of our souls.

Aposticha

In Tone 7

O Saviour of the world, You arose from the grave,* and together with Your own flesh You raised up mankind.* O Lord, glory to You!

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

Come, let us worship Christ Who arose from the dead* and enlightened all creation.* For by His resurrection on the third day,* He set us free from the oppression of Hades,* granting us life and His great mercy.

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

O Christ, Lover of mankind,* You descended into Hades and destroyed death.* Then You arose on the third day;* and, together with Yourself You lifted up all of us* who glorify Your mighty resurrection.

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

O Lord, what a fearful sight it was to see You lying in the tomb as if asleep.* Yet on the third day You arose in great power,* and at the same time You raised up Adam who joyfully cried out:* Glory to Your resurrection, O Lover of mankind!

In Tone 2

Glory…

Come, O lovers of the martyrs,* let us honour with hymns Christ’s most excellent martyrs,* Gurias, Abibus, and Samonas.* They most wonderfully worked miracles,* for they did not refuse to respond to the oath of the maiden,* but, fulfilling her request, they saved the daughter,* and requited the lawless Goth.* Through their supplications, O Christ our God,* save our souls, as You are good and the Lover of man!

Now…

We now behold a new wonder,* greater than the wonders of old.* For who has ever known a mother to bear a child without the help of man?* Who has known a mother to hold in her arms the Source of all Creation?* It was God’s own will to be born in this manner;* and you, O most pure Virgin, carried Him as an infant in your arms.* Because of this, you can approach God with the boldness of a mother.* Therefore, we venerate you, and ask you to always beseech Him* to have mercy on us and save our souls.

Troparia

In Tone 7

By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world.

In Tone 1

Glory…

Be swayed by the pains that the saints have suffered for You, O Lord,* and heal all our pains,* O Lover of mankind, for this we pray.

Now…

O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel called out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him who came forth from you!* Glory to Him who has set us free* through your life-giving birth!

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 7: By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world.

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

Kontakion, Tone 7: No longer shall the dominion of death be able to hold humanity,* for Christ went down shattering and destroying it s powers.* Hades is bound.* The prophets exult with one voice.* The Saviour has come for those with faith, saying:* “Come forth, O faithful, to the resurrection!”

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 7: O all-praised treasury of our resurrection, we hope in you,* bring us up from the pit and depth of sin,* for you have saved those subject to sin* by giving birth to our Salvation,* O Virgin before childbirth, and Virgin in childbirth,* and still a Virgin after childbirth.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7

The Lord will give strength to His people;* the Lord will bless His people with peace.

verse: Bring to the Lord, O you sons of God; bring to the Lord young rams. (Psalm 28:11,1)

Epistle

Ephesians 2:14-22

Alleluia, Tone 7

verse: It is good to give praise to the Lord; and to sing to Your name, O Most High.

verse: To announce Your mercy in the morning, and Your truth every night. (Psalm 91:2,3)

Gospel

Luke 8:41-56

Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man…” is taken.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

The searcher of the hearts of men* inspired your mind, Apostle, with His divine knowledge:* He called you to Himself, ransoming you from the world’s deceit:* for He is the light whose rays shine to the ends of the earth.* He commanded you to proclaim His Word.* He made you worthy to write His Holy Gospel:* pray that He may enlighten and save our souls.

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

The searcher of the hearts of men* inspired your mind, Apostle, with His divine knowledge:* He called you to Himself, ransoming you from the world’s deceit:* for He is the light whose rays shine to the ends of the earth.* He commanded you to proclaim His Word.* He made you worthy to write His Holy Gospel:* pray that He may enlighten and save our souls.

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

The searcher of the hearts of men* inspired your mind, Apostle, with His divine knowledge:* He called you to Himself, ransoming you from the world’s deceit:* for He is the light whose rays shine to the ends of the earth.* He commanded you to proclaim His Word.* He made you worthy to write His Holy Gospel:* pray that He may enlighten and save our souls.

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

Once a publican, now a disciple, you accepted the urgent call of the Eternal Word.* You abandoned the collection of the taxes,* eager for the promise of communion in His Kingdom;* you cast away the raging tumult of this life.* Now you behold His glory face to face:* pray that He may enlighten and save our souls.

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

Once a publican, now a disciple, you accepted the urgent call of the Eternal Word.* You abandoned the collection of the taxes,* eager for the promise of communion in His Kingdom;* you cast away the raging tumult of this life.* Now you behold His glory face to face:* pray that He may enlighten and save our souls.

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

Once a publican, now a disciple, you accepted the urgent call of the Eternal Word.* You abandoned the collection of the taxes,* eager for the promise of communion in His Kingdom;* you cast away the raging tumult of this life.* Now you behold His glory face to face:* pray that He may enlighten and save our souls.

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

In days of old, as the earth lay waste in evil,* the prophet Daniel was endowed with clearness of sight.* He beheld a stone, cut without human hands from a mountain:* a stone which ground the riches of earthly kingdoms to dust.* In the fullness of time this all-wise Lord came down to earth:* passing by the customs-house, He chose you to be His herald,* He called you, who once served an earthly kingdom,* to serve Him, the Light of the world,* pray to Him, blessed Matthew, that He may enlighten and save our souls.

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

In days of old, as the earth lay waste in evil,* the prophet Daniel was endowed with clearness of sight.* He beheld a stone, cut without human hands from a mountain:* a stone which ground the riches of earthly kingdoms to dust.* In the fullness of time this all-wise Lord came down to earth:* passing by the customs-house, He chose you to be His herald,* He called you, who once served an earthly kingdom,* to serve Him, the Light of the world,* pray to Him, blessed Matthew, that He may enlighten and save our souls.

Glory…

You were called by Christ to heavenly discipleship;* you followed Him eagerly, chosen one of God.* He delivered you from subjection to earthly cares;* abandoning the vain collection of tribute,* you faithfully kept the accounts of the heavenly King.* Blessed evangelist, you are a light for those who dwell in darkness,* a guide to salvation for those who wander astray,* Matthew, the herald of glad tidings, pray for those who honour you!

Now…

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

Readings

(1) 1 Peter 1:1-2:6; (2) 1 Peter 2:21-3:9; (3) 1 Peter 4:1-11

Aposticha

In Tone 4

All-praised Matthew, your words are a trumpet* drawing men to the knowledge of God.* They have delivered the inhabitants of the earth from enslavement to evil,* leading us into the true faith, the unity of righteousness:* Pray to Christ our God to deliver us from corruption and danger.

Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the universe!

By a fiery tongue you were armed mightily with the spirit;* apostle, your words overthrew the deceitful enemy.* Christ our God whom you proclaimed to be the fulfilment of the prophets,* adorned you with the resplendent crown of His love:* Pray to Christ our God to deliver us from corruption and danger.

The heavens are telling the glory of God and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.

The publican in a single moment becomes an apostle,* the tax collector seizes riches from the fount of joy;* abundantly blessed with the fullness of the Spirit,* He made you to be the bearer of glad tidings for us.* Pray to Christ our God to deliver us from corruption and danger.

In Tone 6

Glory…

The full stature of goodness is made manifest in you, blessed Matthew:* in the fullness of time you abandoned the occupation of an evil age,* soaring as an eagle to the heights of righteousness,* you have filled the earth with the wisdom hidden from all eternity,* following fervently in the footsteps of Christ,* you have borne the Gospel of peace, life, and salvation to men,* filling with divine commandments those who hunger after righteousness,* blessed guide, well-pleasing to the Creator,* pray for us who bless your memory.

Now…

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

Troparia

In Tone 3

O Matthew, proclaimer of God’s word,* you earnestly turned from the tax collector’s booth* and followed the Master, who our His love* appeared to us on earth and summoned you.* You shone to the world as chosen apostle and loud herald of the Good News.* Because of this we feast your memory;* pray to God all-merciful* for the forgiveness of sins.

Glory… 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.

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 3: O Matthew, proclaimer of God’s word,* you earnestly turned from the tax collector’s booth* and followed the Master, who our His love* appeared to us on earth and summoned you.* You shone to the world as chosen apostle and loud herald of the Good News.* Because of this we feast your memory;* pray to God all-merciful* for the forgiveness of sins.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: Casting off the yoke of the custom house* you yoked yourself to justice;* revealed as an excellent merchant* you gained wisdom— wealth from on high.* From whence you preached the word of truth,* arousing sluggish souls by describing the hour of judgment.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8

Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world.

verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands. (Psalm 18:5,2)

Epistle

1 Corinthians 4:9-16

Alleluia, Tone 1

verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.

verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 88:6,8)

Gospel

Matthew 9:9-13

Communion Hymn

Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their word unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 18:5)

One of the 12 Great Feasts. Holy Day of Obligation.

GREAT VESPERS

Beginning of Vespers with Litiya: Glory be to the holy, consubstantial, life-creating and undivided Trinity, now and ever and for ages of ages. Amen.

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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

O faithful, let us leap for joy today,* singing psalms and hymns of praise* in honour of Mary, his mother,* the holy Tabernacle and Ark that contained the Word* whom nothing can contain.* She is offered to God as a child in a marvellous way,* and Zechariah the high priest receives her with great joy,* for she is the dwelling place of the Most High.

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

O faithful, let us leap for joy today,* singing psalms and hymns of praise* in honour of Mary, his mother,* the holy Tabernacle and Ark that contained the Word* whom nothing can contain.* She is offered to God as a child in a marvellous way,* and Zechariah the high priest receives her with great joy,* for she is the dwelling place of the Most High.

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

Today the living Temple of the holy glory of Christ our God,* Mary, the pure and blessed One,* is being brought into the temple according to the Law* to live in its holy precincts.* Joachim and Anne and all the virgins* rejoice with her in spirit.* They sing hymns of praise to the Lord* and honour his Mother.

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

Today the living Temple of the holy glory of Christ our God,* Mary, the pure and blessed One,* is being brought into the temple according to the Law* to live in its holy precincts.* Joachim and Anne and all the virgins* rejoice with her in spirit.* They sing hymns of praise to the Lord* and honour his Mother.

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

O Virgin Mother of God,* you are the One foretold by the prophets.* You are the glory of the apostles* and the pride of martyrs* and the cause of renewal for the entire human race.* Through you we have been reconciled with God.* Therefore, we honour your entrance into the temple of the Lord.* Together with the angels, all of us who are saved by your prayers sing to you:* Rejoice, O most holy One.

In Tone 4

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

The holy and immaculate One* is being led into the Holy of Holies by the Holy Spirit.* She is being nourished by angels,* since she is the holy Temple of our holy God.* He has sanctified all creation because of her entrance,* and He has deified our fallen human nature.

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

Today the maidens rejoice.* Carrying lamps, they piously escort Mary,* the spiritual lamp, into the Holy of Holies.* This is a foreshadowing of the splendid Light* that will shine forth from her,* the Light that will enlighten all* who sit in the darkness of ignorance.

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

The most praiseworthy Anne cries out in great joy:* O Zechariah, receive the One whom the prophets of God* foretold through the Spirit.* Escort her into the holy temple,* since she is to be the sublime Temple,* the palace, throne, and wondrous abode of our God.

In Tone 8

Glory… Now…

O Lady and Bride of God,* you entered the temple of God in your infancy* to be brought up in the Holy of Holies,* for you are holy.* The archangel Gabriel was sent to serve you and bring you food.* All the heavenly powers were amazed* at the sight of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you.* Therefore, O most pure and immaculate Mother of God,* since you are glorified in heaven and on earth,* through your prayers save our human race.

Readings

(1) Exodus 40:1-5,9-10,16,34-35; (2) I Kings 7:51-8:1, 3-7, 9-11; (3) Ezekiel 43:27-44:4

Litiya

In Tone 1

Today let the heavens above greatly rejoice* and let the clouds pour down gladness* at the mighty and marvellous acts of our God.* For behold, the gate that looks towards the East,* born from a fruitless and barren womb according to the promise,* and consecrated to God as his dwelling,* is now being brought into the temple* as a spotless offering.* Let David greatly rejoice and play on his harp, saying:* Virgins shall be brought to the king after her;* her companions shall be brought into the ark of the Lord* to be nourished with the life of the Incorruptible One* who was begotten from eternity* for the salvation of our souls.

In Tone 4

Today the Theotokos, the Temple that is to contain God,* is being escorted into the temple of the Lord,* and Zechariah receives her.* Today the Holy of Holies greatly rejoices,* and the choir of angels mystically celebrates this feast.* Let us also celebrate with them today* and cry out with Gabriel:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you,* and He grants us great mercy.

Come all you people,* and let us praise the only Immaculate One* who was foretold by the prophets* and is being led into the temple.* She was chosen from eternity to be the Mother;* and in time she was revealed as the Theotokos.* O Lord, by her prayers grant us your peace and great mercy.

In Tone 5

Glory… Now…

A day of joy has truly dawned.* It is a most precious feast for us,* because she who was virgin before and after childbirth,* today is offered in the temple.* The aged Zechariah, father of the Forerunner, cries aloud, rejoicing:* The intercessor of those in affliction* comes into the holy temple, since she herself is holy.* She will be sanctified in the abode of the King of all.* Let her father, Joachim, be glad* and let Anne rejoice exceedingly,* because they have offered to God* the immaculate Queen as a three year old child.* Rejoice with them, all you women;* all you virgins and barren ones, dance for joy* and celebrate with them,* for the Queen of all has opened the kingdom of heaven for us.* Let all people be glad and rejoice.

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Heaven and earth today rejoice together* at the sight of the mystical heaven;* the immaculate and pure Virgin is coming into the holy temple* to be brought up in honour. Zechariah, rejoicing in her and leaping for joy,* cried out in awe: O Door of the Lord,* I open the doors of the temple to you,* because I know and believe that the salvation of Israel is already coming,* that the Word of God will be born from you,* and that He will grant great mercy to the world.

She is led to the King with her maiden companions.

When Anne, which means grace,* was graced with the pure and ever-Virgin Mary,* she presented her into the temple of God.* She called maidens to carry candles and walk before her as she said:* O child, go to be an offering* and a fragrant incense for the One who sent you to me.* Enter into the veiled places and learn the mysteries of God.* Prepare yourself to be a delightful dwelling place for Jesus* who will give great mercy to the world.

They are escorted amid gladness and joy; they pass within the palace of the King.

The all-holy Virgin is handed over into the temple.* Maidens carrying candles go before her.* Her parents, the devoted couple, Joachim and Anne, joyfully celebrate,* for they have given birth in the flesh to the One who will bear the Creator.* She will dance for joy in the temple of God* and will be fed by the hand of an angel.* The all-immaculate Mother of Christ has appeared,* and He will grant great mercy to the world.

In Tone 6

Glory… Now…

O assembly of the faithful,* let us celebrate this day as a spiritual feast.* With great love, let us honour the maiden of God,* the Virgin and Theotokos,* as she is presented into the temple of the Lord;* for she has been chosen from among all generations* to be the dwelling place of Christ our God* who is the King of all.* O virgins, carry candles and lead the way* for the entrance of the ever-Virgin.* Follow after her who is the Mother of God* and mediatrix for the joy of the world.* Therefore, let us all cry out together with the angels:* Rejoice, for you are full of grace,* and you continually pray for our souls.

Troparion

In Tone 4

Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God the Virgin is clearly revealed,* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfillment of the Creator’s plan. (3 times)

 

FESTAL MATINS

Hexapsalm

Great Ekteny

The Lord Is God, Tone 4

Troparion, Tone 4

Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God* the Virgin is clearly revealed* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfillment of the Creator’s plan. (twice)

Glory… Now…

Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God* the Virgin is clearly revealed* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfillment of the Creator’s plan.

Kathisma & Little Ekteny

Sessional Hymn I

In Tone 1: The fruit of righteous Joachim and Ann* is brought as an offering to God in the holy sanctuary,* she who sustains our life, a young child in the flesh;* and she receives the blessing of Zacharias the priest.* Let all of us in faith call her blessed, for she is the Mother of the Lord.

Glory… Now…

The fruit of righteous Joachim and Ann* is brought as an offering to God in the holy sanctuary,* she who sustains our life, a young child in the flesh;* and she receives the blessing of Zacharias the priest.* Let all of us in faith call her blessed, for she is the Mother of the Lord.

Kathisma & Little Ekteny

Sessional Hymn II

In Tone 4: Before your conception, O pure Virgin,* you were consecrated to God;* and now after your birth you are offered as a gift to Him* in fulfillment of your parents’ promise.* To the divine temple you are brought,* yourself a Temple truly divine, innocent from the time you were a babe;* you have appeared in the sanctuary accompanied by brightly burning lamps,* who are the Receiver of the Divine Light that no man can approach.* Magnificent in truth is your entry,* O only Bride of God and ever-Virgin.

Glory… Now…

Before your conception, O pure Virgin,* you were consecrated to God;* and now after your birth you are offered as a gift to Him* in fulfillment of your parents’ promise.* To the divine temple you are brought,* yourself a Temple truly divine, innocent from the time you were a babe;* you have appeared in the sanctuary accompanied by brightly burning lamps,* who are the Receiver of the Divine Light that no man can approach.* Magnificent in truth is your entry,* O only Bride of God and ever-Virgin.

Polyeleos

Exaltation

We extol you,* O most holy Virgin!* Maiden chosen of God!* And we honour your entry into the temple!

verse:
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised:
in the city of our God and in His holy mountain!…
Holy is Your temple, and wonderful in righteousness!…
Glory…Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3 times)

Sidalen

In Tone 8: Let David the Psalmist greatly rejoice,* let Joachim and Ann be glad,* for a holy child has come forth from them,* Mary the Lamp that bears the Divine Light;* and she rejoices as she enters the temple.* The son of Zarachias, beholding her, gave her his blessing and cried out in joy:* “Hail, you wonder of the all the world!”

Glory… Now…

Let David the Psalmist greatly rejoice,* let Joachim and Ann be glad,* for a holy child has come forth from them,* Mary the Lamp that bears the Divine Light;* and she rejoices as she enters the temple.* The son of Zarachias, beholding her, gave her his blessing and cried out in joy:* “Hail, you wonder of the all the world!”

Gradual Hymns

Prokeimenon, Tone 4

Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear.
verse: My heart is overflowing with noble words.

Let Everything That Has Breath, Tone 4

Gospel

Luke 1:39-49, 56

After Psalm 50

In Tone 2, Glory…

Today the living Temple of the great King* enters the temple to be prepared as a divine dwelling-place for Him.* O people, rejoice exceedingly.

Now…

Today the living Temple of the great King* enters the temple to be prepared as a divine dwelling-place for Him.* O people, rejoice exceedingly.

In Tone 4,Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion, blot out my offense.

Today the Theotokos, the Temple that is to hold God,* is led into the temple of the Lord,* and Zacharias receives her.* Today the Holy of Holies rejoices greatly,* and the choir of angels mystically keeps feast.* With them let us also celebrate the festival today,* and let us cry aloud with Gabriel:* Hail, O you who are full of grace: the Lord is with you,* He who has great mercy.

Canon

ODE 1

First Canon – Tone 4

Irmos I shall open my mouth and the Spirit will inspire it, and I shall utter the words of my song to the Queen and

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Mother: I shall be seen radiantly keeping feast and joyfully praising her entry.

We know that you, O All-Undefiled, are a treasury of wisdom and a never-failing fountain of grace. We therefore pray: O Lady, let fall some drops of knowledge upon us, that we may sing your praises for ever.

You who are honoured, O Most Holy, far above the heavens, you who are both Temple and Palace, you are dedicated in the temple of God, to be prepared as a divine dwelling-place for His coming.

She who made the light of grace shine forth, the Theotokos, has illuminated all men and brought them together to adorn with songs her most radiant triumph. O come, let us join them and hasten to her.

Having opened the gates of the temple of God, the Glorious Gate’ through which human thoughts cannot pass now urges us to enter with her and to delight in her divine marvels.

Second Canon – Tone 1

Irmos Let us all sing a triumphant song unto God who has done wondrous things with His mighty arm, and has saved Israel: for He has been glorified.

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Let us this day hasten together to the Theotokos, honouring her in songs, and let us keep spiritual feast. For she is offered in the temple as a gift to God.

Let us praise in songs the glorious advance of the Theotokos. For today as a precious gift she is prophetically offered in the temple, who is herself a Temple of God.

Ann without reproach greatly rejoiced, offering her child in the temple as a precious gift to God, while Joachim, bright with joy, kept feast with her.

David the forefather praised you of old in hymns, O Virgin Bride of God, calling you Daughter of Christ the King: Him you have borne as Mother and you have fed Him as your child.

The Theotokos, when she was three years old after the flesh, was led to the Lord; and Zacharias, the priest of God, received her in the temple with rejoicing and established her there.

You virgins carrying lamps, be of good cheer today and begin the song; you mothers, join them in praises to the Queen and Mother, as she enters the temple of Christ the King.

Glory…

O Trinity, one in essence, Father, Word, and Holy Spirit, with faith we glorify You as Maker of all, and in reverence we cry: Save us, O God.

Now…

The King and God goes forth wearing the purple dyed from your blood, O All-Undefiled. He has renewed all mankind in His compassion.

Katavasia (Tone 1) Christ is born, give glory. Christ comes from heaven, meet Him. Christ is on earth, be exalted. O all the earth, sing unto the Lord, and sing praises in gladness, O people, for He has been glorified.

ODE 3

First Canon

Irmos O Mother of God, living and plentiful fount, give strength to those united in spiritual fellowship, who sing hymns of praise to you: and on this day of your venerable entry, vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Today has the temple become a wedding adornment and a fair chamber for the Virgin, as it receives the living Bridal Chamber of God, pure and without spot, she who shines more brightly than all the creation.

David, leading the dance, leaps in gladness and rejoices with us, and you, O undefiled and all-pure Virgin, he calls the Queen, clad in raiment of many-coloured needlework, standing in the temple before the King and God.’

From Eve of old the transgression came upon mankind, and now from Eve’s stock has flowered forth our restoration and incorruption, even the Theotokos, who is brought today into the house of God.

The hosts of angels and the multitude of all mankind dance today before your face, O all-pure Lady, and carrying lamps they go before you, proclaiming your greatness in the house of God.

Second Canon

Irmos Let my heart be established in Your will, O Christ my God, who has established the second heaven above the waters, and has founded the earth upon the floods, in Your almighty power.

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O You who love the feasts, celebrate and be glad in spirit, exulting today in the holy feast of the Daughter of the King and the Mother of our God.

Be glad today, O Joachim, and rejoice exceedingly in spirit, O Ann, who now present unto the Lord your daughter, as a three-year old victim of sacrifice, holy and utterly without spot.

Dwelling-place of God, the Theotokos Mary, three years old after the flesh, is offered in the holy temple, and the virgins her companions, carrying lamps, go before her.

The ewe-lamb of God without spot, the dove without blemish, the tabernacle that is to hold God, the sanctuary of the glory, has chosen to dwell in the holy temple.

Three years old in the flesh and many years old in spirit, more spacious than the heavens and higher than the powers above, let the Bride of God be praised in song.

Celebrating the coming of the Theotokos into the sanctuary, let us too, carrying lamps today in spirit, go in joy with the virgins to the temple.

Priests of God, clothe yourselves by grace in righteousness, going in joy to meet the Daughter of the King and God as she enters the Holy Place.

Glory…

The Father is Light, His Son is Light, and the Spirit, the Comforter, is Light: for, shining forth as from one sun, the Trinity divinely illuminates and preserves our souls.

Now…

The prophets proclaimed you in ages past, speaking of you as ark of holiness, golden censer, candlestick, and table; and we sing your praises as the Tabernacle that held God.

Katavasia To the Son who was begotten of the Father without change before all ages, and in the last times was without seed made flesh of the Virgin, to Christ our God let us cry aloud: You have raised up our horn, holy are You, O Lord.

LITTLE EKTENY

SESSIONAL HYMN

(Tone 4) Cry out, O David, what is this present feast?* Is it for her of whom you have sung in the Book of Psalms,* calling her Daughter, Child of God and Virgin, saying:* ‘Her companions the virgins that follow her shall be mystically led unto the King?’* Make this feast to be held in honour throughout all the world by those who cry:* The Theotokos is come among us, mediator of salvation.

Glory… Now… [Repeat]

ODE 4

First Canon

Irmos Perceiving the unsearchable purpose of God concerning Your Incarnation from a Virgin, O Most High, the prophet Habakkuk cried: Glory to Your power, O Lord.

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Today the house of God receives the Gate through which none may pass; so it has brought an end to the worship commanded by the shadow of the Law, and it cries aloud: ‘Verily the truth has appeared to those on earth.’

The overshadowed mountain that Habakkuk foresaw and announced prophetically in days of old, has come to dwell within the sanctuary of the temple; there she has put forth flowers of virtue and with her shadow she covers the ends of the earth.

Let us, with all the earth, look upon these marvellous, strange, and wonderful events: how the Virgin, receiving food from an angel, offers us an image of the divine dispensation.

Appearing as a Temple and a Palace and living Heaven, you are dedicated today in the temple of the Law, to be kept therein, O undefiled Bride of God.

Second Canon

Irmos O prophet Habakkuk, you have foreseen in spirit the Incarnation of the Word, and have proclaimed crying: ‘You shall be acknowledged when the years draw nigh; You shall be made manifest when the times come. Glory to Your power, O Lord.’

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O prophet Isaiah, prophesy to us: who is the Virgin that shall conceive? ‘It is she who has come forth from the root of Judah and who was born of David the King, glorious fruit of a holy seed.’

O virgins, begin your songs, and with lamps in hand praise the advance of the pure Theotokos, who now enters the temple of the Lord, and keep feast with us.

Be glad, O Joachim and Ann, who now present unto the Lord in the temple, as a three-year old victim of sacrifice, your daughter that shall be the pure Mother of Christ our God, the King of all.

O venerable Holy of Holies, you love to dwell in the holy temple; and you abide, O Virgin, in converse with angels, receiving bread most marvellously from heaven, O you who sustains our life.

When all hope was gone, Joachim and Ann gave birth to the undefiled Virgin, and in piety they promised to offer her to God. Today they fulfil their promise, giving their child as a sacrifice in the house of God.

The rod of Aaron once put forth shoot, prefiguring, O undefiled Virgin, your divine childbirth. For without seed shall you conceive and not suffer corruption; and after bearing child shall you remain Virgin, giving suck to a babe who is God of all.

Virgins, with piety hasten to the Virgin, and mothers to the Mother: together let us honour the Child born to Joachim and Ann, as a blameless Sanctuary, and the Mother that bore Christ, as a holy Tree bringing forth fruit to God. Let us all joyously keep feast.

Glory…

Three in Persons, One in nature, in reverence we glorify the true God whose praises the hosts of angels and archangels sing as Master of the Creation; and in faith we all worship Him for ever.

Now…

O pure and undefiled Virgin, pray without ceasing to thy Son and God, whom you have conceived in the flesh, that He may deliver all thy servants from the manifold snares of the devil and from every temptation that assails us.

Katavasia Rod of the root of Jesse, and flower that blossomed from his stem, O Christ, You have sprung from the Virgin. From the Mountain overshadowed by the forest You have come, made flesh from her that knew not wedlock, O God who are not formed from matter. Glory to Your power, O Lord.’

ODE 5

First Canon

Irmos The whole world was amazed at your venerable entry. For you, O Virgin who have not known wedlock, yourself a Temple most pure, have gone within the temple of God, bestowing peace upon all who sing your praises.

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Glorious sanctuary and holy offering, today the most pure Virgin is dedicated in the temple of God; and in ways which He alone understands, she is kept as a dwelling-place for our God, the King of all.

Seeing the beauty of thy soul, O undefiled Virgin, Zacharias cried out with faith: ‘You are our deliverance, you are the joy of all. You are our restoration, through whom the Incomprehensible appears comprehensible to me.’

O Virgin all-undefiled, past understanding are your wonders! Strange is the manner of your birth: strange is the manner of your growing. Strange and most marvellous are all things concerning you, O Bride of God, and they are beyond the telling of mortal man.

O candlestick with many lights, O Bride of God, you have shone forth today in the house of the Lord, and you give us light through the holy gifts of grace from your wonders, O pure and far-famed Theotokos.

Second Canon

Irmos O Christ our Master and God who loves man, cause the radiant and everlasting light to shine upon us, who ponder early in the morning upon the judgements of Your commandments.

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Let us, the Orthodox, all hasten together with our lamps and glorify the Mother of God, for today she is offered to the Lord as an acceptable sacrifice.

Let the forefathers rejoice exceedingly today, O Lady, and let her that bore you make glad with your father: for their fruit is led unto the Lord.

Let us all, keeping feast in faith, sing the praises of the undefiled Maiden, most glorious and of many names, for she conceived in the flesh the divine Victim and sacrificial Offering.

The contract of your betrothal, the divine tokens of your Motherhood past understanding, O pure Virgin, are written today by the Holy Spirit in the house of God.

Let the forecourt of the glory of our God be opened and let it receive, as a victim of sacrifice three years old and without blemish, the Mother of God who was never to know wedlock.

Let us sing the praises of that greatly venerated and overshadowed mountain, the ever-Virgin who became the Mother of God. For she has made light shine to the ends of the earth.

Glory…

Let us glorify and worship the one Godhead in three Persons, undivided by nature and equal in glory, that was before the beginning and ever shall be.

Now…

We have your intercession, O Mother of God, as a fair haven and an unassailable rampart in times of trouble, and we are ever delivered from danger and affliction.

Katavasia As You are God of peace and Father of mercies, You have sent unto us Your Angel of great counsel, granting us peace. So are we guided towards the light of the knowledge of God, and watching by night we glorify You, O Lover of mankind.

ODE 6

First Canon

Irmos 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.

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

He who supports all things with His word, in His mercy has hearkened unto the prayer of righteous Joachim and Ann: He has loosed them from the disease of barrenness and given them her that is the cause of our joy.

The Lord, wishing to make known to the Gentiles His salvation, has now chosen from among men her that knew not wedlock, to be a sign of reconciliation and renewal.

Being yourself, O Undefiled, a house of grace, in which are laid the treasures of the ineffable dispensation of God, you partake of boundless joy in the temple.

Having received you as a royal diadem, O Bride of God, the temple shone with beauty and gave place to better things, seeing in you the fulfilment of the prophecies.

Second Canon

Irmos With the prophet Jonah I shout: O You who are good, deliver my life from corruption and save me, O Saviour of the world, as I cry: Glory to You.

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O faithful, let us feast in spirit the Mother of God, singing her praises with piety. For she is indeed more holy than the heavenly powers.

O faithful, let us praise in spiritual songs the Mother of the Light, for today has she been manifested to us as she enters the temple of God.

The ewe-lamb without blemish, the pure dove, is brought as an offering to dwell in the house of God: the undefiled Virgin who was foreordained to become the Mother of God.

The Temple of God, the heavenly Tabernacle, accomplished her entry into the temple of the Law, and from her the Light has shone on us in darkness.

A child in the flesh but perfect in soul, the holy Ark enters into the house of God, there to feed upon divine grace.

By your intercessions set us free from every temptation and danger of soul, for we run to you, O far-famed Mother of Christ our God.

Glory…

Father, Son, and Spirit of righteousness, Unity in three persons and undivided Trinity, have mercy upon those who worship Your divine power.

Now…

He whom nothing can contain was contained in your womb, O undefiled Mother of God, and from you He has come forth double in nature, God and Man.

Katavasia The sea monster spat forth Jonah as it had received him, like a babe from the womb: while the Word, having dwelled in the Virgin and taken flesh, came forth from her yet kept her uncorrupt. For being Himself not subject to decay, He preserved His Mother free from harm.

KONTAKION

(Tone 4) The Saviour’s pure temple,* the precious bridal chamber and Virgin,* the sacred treasury of the glory of God,* is brought today into the house of the Lord;* and with her she brings the grace* of the divine Spirit.* God’s angels sing in praise of her:* She is indeed the heavenly dwelling place.

IKOS

Seeing the grace of the secret mysteries of God made manifest and clearly fulfilled in the Virgin, I rejoice; and I know not how to understand the strange and secret manner whereby the Undefiled has been revealed as alone chosen above all creation, visible and spiritual. Therefore, wishing to praise her, I am struck dumb with amazement in both mind and speech. Yet still I dare to proclaim and magnify her: She is indeed the heavenly Tabernacle.

ODE 7

First Canon

Irmos The Holy Children bravely trampled upon the threatening fire, preferring not to worship created things rather than the Creator, and they sang in joy: ‘Blessed are You and praised above all, O Lord God of our fathers.’

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Lo, a glad springtime has shone now to the ends of the earth, making our soul and understanding and mind bright through grace: for today is the feast of the Theotokos. Let us rejoice mystically.

Today let all things, heaven and earth, the ranks of angels and the multitude of mortal men, attend the Queen and Mother, and let them cry aloud: ‘Joy and deliverance is led into the temple.’

The written Law has passed away and vanished as a shadow, and the rays of grace have shone forth at your entry into the temple of God, O undefiled Virgin Mother, who are for ever blessed.

O undefiled Lady, heaven and earth and the things beneath the earth have been brought into subjection to your Son as Maker and God, and all mortal tongues confess that the Lord has appeared, the Saviour of our souls.’

Second Canon

Irmos The furnace was sprinkled with dew, O Saviour, and the Children danced for joy as they sang: ‘O God of our fathers, blessed are You.’

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Let us exult today in the joy of the feast; let us honour, as is meet, Joachim and Ann, and let us sing the praises of the undefiled Virgin.

Let David prophesy, who said in the spirit: ‘Virgins shall be brought after you; they shall be brought into the temple to the Queen and Mother.’

The ranks of angels rejoiced exceedingly and spirits of the righteous were glad, when the Mother of God was led into the sanctuary.

Mary without spot rejoiced in body and spirit, dwelling as a sacred vessel in the temple of the Lord.

Receiving heavenly food, she who was to become the Mother of Christ the Saviour according to the flesh, increased in wisdom and grace.

Your wise parents led you to the innermost part of the temple, O undefiled Virgin, there to be brought up in strange fashion and prepared as dwelling-place for Christ our God.

Glory…

Let us glorify the undivided Trinity, let us sing the praises of the one Godhead, the Father, the Word, and the Most Holy Spirit.

Now…

Pray the Lord whom you have borne, for He is compassionate by nature, to save the souls of those that sing your praises, O Mother of God.

Katavasia Scorning the impious decree, the Children brought up together in godliness feared not the threat of fire, but, standing in the midst of the flames, they sang: ‘O God of our fathers, blessed are You.’

ODE 8

First Canon

Irmos Hearken, O pure Virgin Maid: let Gabriel tell you the counsel of the Most High that is ancient and true. Make ready to receive God: for through you the Incomprehensible comes to dwell with mortal men. Therefore I cry rejoicing: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

As Ann led the undefiled Temple into the house of God, she cried aloud and said with faith to the priest: ‘Take the child given to me by God and lead her into the temple of thy Creator, and sing unto Him with joy: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.’

When he saw Ann, Zacharias said to her in spirit: ‘You lead here the true Mother of life, whom the prophets of God heralded from afar as the Theotokos: and how shall the temple contain her? Therefore in wonder I cry: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.’

‘I stand here as the suppliant of God,’ answered Ann to him, ‘calling upon Him with faith and prayer to receive the fruit of my travail. For I promised that after childbirth I would present my child to Him who gave her to me. Therefore, leaping for joy, I cry: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.’

‘Truly this act is in accordance with the Law’, said the priest to her. ‘I perceive that this is a thing wholly strange: for I see led into the house of God her who wondrously surpasses the sanctuary in grace. Therefore I cry in joy: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.’

‘Hearing your words,’ said Ann to him, ‘I am filled with new strength. For you understand these things by the Spirit of God, and hast clearly announced what shall come to pass in the Virgin. Take, then, the Undefiled into the temple of your Creator, and sing unto Him in joy: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.’

‘A Lamp that gives light has been kindled for us,’ cried the priest, ‘and has made mighty joy shine in the temple. Let the souls of the prophets make glad with me, as they see strange wonders accomplished in the house of God, and let them now cry out: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.’

Second Canon

Irmos Him before whom the angels and all the hosts of heaven are afraid, their Creator and Lord, O priests praise, O children glorify, O people bless and exalt above all for ever.

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Bright with joy today, Joachim makes glad; and Ann, without reproach, offers unto the Lord God the sacrifice given to her according to the promise, her holy daughter.

The saints David and Jesse exult today and Judah is filled with pride. For from their root a branch has sprung, the pure Virgin from whom pre-eternal God is to be born.

Today Mary, the undefiled and living Tabernacle, is offered up in the house of God, and Zacharias receives her in his hands as a holy treasure of the Lord.

As a Gate of salvation and a spiritual Mountain, as a living Ladder, let us, the faithful, honour the true Virgin and Mother of God, who is blessed by the hands of the priests.

Prophets, apostles and martyrs of Christ, ranks of angels and all the dwellers upon earth, let us honour with hymns the pure Virgin, for she is the blessed Mother of the Most High.

They that divinely bore you, O Undefiled and Pure, offered you in the temple as a spotless sacrifice; and in strange fashion you lodge in the sanctuary of God, there to be prepared as a dwelling-place for the Word.

We bless the Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Let ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ be sung to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, indivisible Unity, one Godhead, that holds all creation in the hollow of the hand unto all ages.

Now…

He who is without beginning, begins: from a Virgin Maid the Word is born in the flesh according to His good pleasure, God and mortal man, and in His extreme compassion He refashions us who had fallen.

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

Katavasia The furnace moist with dew was the image and figure of a wonder past nature. For it burned not the Children whom it had received, even as the fire of the Godhead consumed not the Virgin’s womb into which it had descended. Therefore in praise let us sing: Let the whole creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.

ODE 9

First Canon

Beholding the entry of the All-Pure,

the angels were struck with amazement,

seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.

Irmos Let no profane hand touch the living Ark of God, but let the lips of the faithful, singing without ceasing the words of the Angel to the Theotokos, cry aloud in great joy: O pure Virgin, thou art truly high above all.

Beholding the entry of the All-Pure,

the angels were struck with amazement,

seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.

O pure Theotokos, you have a clean and shining beauty of soul, and are filled from heaven with the grace of God. You ever enlighten with eternal light those who cry aloud in gladness: O pure Virgin, you are truly high above all.

Beholding the entry of the All-Pure,

the angels were struck with amazement,

seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.

Your wonders, O pure Theotokos, surpass the power of words. For in you I see something beyond speech: a body that was never subject to the taint of sin. Therefore in thanksgiving I cry to you: O pure Virgin, you are truly high above all.

Angels and men, let us honour the entry of the Virgin,

for in glory she has gone into the Holy of Holies.

The Law prefigured thee most wonderfully as tabernacle, jar of manna, strange ark, veil of the temple, rod of Aaron, temple never to be destroyed, and gate of God;’ and so it teaches us to cry to you: O pure Virgin, you are truly high above all.

Beholding the entry of the All-Pure,

the angels were struck with amazement,

seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.

David sang in honour of you, calling you the daughter of the King, for he saw you in the beauty of the virtues, in raiment of many-coloured needlework, at the right hand of God; therefore in prophecy he cried aloud: O pure Virgin, you are truly high above all.

O angels, dance with the saints: O virgins, make glad with them.

For the Child of God has entered into the Holy of Holies.

Solomon, foreseeing how you were to receive God, spoke of you in dark sayings as the gate of the King and the living fountain sealed, from which came forth untroubled waters unto us who cry aloud with faith: O pure Virgin, you are truly high above all.

Angels and men, let us magnify the Virgin in hymns,

for she has entered into the Holy of Holies, as was divinely fit.

Grant to my soul, O Theotokos, the calm peace that comes from your gifts of grace. You are a fountain of life unto those that honour you as is due; you surround, protect, and preserve us that we may cry aloud to you: O pure Virgin, you are truly high above all.

Second Canon

Megalynarion (sung before the irmos and the troparia):

O my soul,

magnify her who was led into the temple of the Lord

and blessed by the hands of the priests.

Irmos Let us all magnify the radiant cloud, in which the Master of all descended, as dew from heaven upon the fleece,’ and for our sake took flesh and was made man, He who is without beginning: for she is the pure Mother of our God.

From the righteous Joachim and Ann a fruit came forth according to the promise, Mary the Child of God. A young girl after the flesh, as acceptable incense she is offered in the holy temple, that she who is herself holy may dwell in the Holy Place.

Let us praise in hymns the child by nature who was shown forth as Mother beyond nature. For today she is offered to the Lord in the temple of the Law as a sweet-smelling savour, the spiritual fruit of her righteous parents.

O faithful, offering to the Theotokos the salutation of the angel, let us raise our cry: Hail! O Bride most beautiful. Hail! bright cloud; from thee the Lord has shone forth upon us as we sat in the darkness of ignorance. Hail! you Hope of all.

All the creation joins the angel Gabriel, crying out to the Theotokos in fitting song: Hail! undefiled Mother of God. Through you we have been delivered from the ancient curse and have become partakers of incorruption.

O Holy of Holies and pure Mother of God, Mary, from the snares of the enemy and from every heresy and affliction, at your intercessions set us free who venerate with faith the ikon of your holy form.

Far greater than the cherubim, high above the seraphim, and more spacious than the heavens, are you shown forth, O Virgin, for you have contained in your womb our God whom nothing can contain, and have ineffably borne Him: entreat Him earnestly on our behalf.

O my soul, magnify the power of the indivisible Godhead in three Persons.

Let us glorify the one Nature in three Persons, the one indivisible glory, the undivided Trinity in one Godhead that is praised without ceasing in heaven and on earth; in piety let us worship the Father, with the Son and the Spirit.

O my soul, magnify her who is greater in honour and more glorious than the hosts above.

O Virgin Mother of God, intercede for those who with faith seek refuge beneath thy compassion, and who piously worship thy Son as God and Lord of the world, that they be delivered from corruption and danger and manifold temptations.

Beholding the entry of the All-Pure, the angels were struck with amazement, seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.

Katavasia A strange and most wonderful mystery do I see: the cave is heaven; the Virgin the throne of the cherubim; the manger a room, in which Christ, the God whom nothing can contain, is laid. Him do we praise and magnify.

Hymn Of Light, Tone 3

Let us praise in faith Mary the Child of God,* whom long ago the assembly of prophets foretold,* speaking of her as jar of manna and Aaron’s rod,* tablet of the Law and uncut mountain.* For she is led today into the Holy of Holies, there to be brought up to the Lord.

Glory…

Let us praise in faith Mary the Child of God,* whom long ago the assembly of prophets foretold,* speaking of her as jar of manna and Aaron’s rod,* tablet of the Law and uncut mountain.* For she is led today into the Holy of Holies, there to be brought up to the Lord.

Now…

Let us praise in faith Mary the Child of God,* whom long ago the assembly of prophets foretold,* speaking of her as jar of manna and Aaron’s rod,* tablet of the Law and uncut mountain.* For she is led today into the Holy of Holies, there to be brought up to the Lord.

At The Praises, Tone 1

The virgins bearing lamps, who with their light accompany the ever-Virgin,* verily prophesy the future in Spirit.* For the Temple of God, the Theotokos, with virginal glory enters* as a little child into the temple.

The Theotokos, glorious fruit of a sacred promise,* is truly revealed unto the world as higher than all creation.* Piously led into the house of God,* she fulfils the vow of her parents* and she is preserved by the Holy Spirit.

O Virgin, fed in faith by heavenly bread in the temple of the Lord,* you have brought forth unto the world the Bread of life that is the Word;* and as His chosen Temple without spot, you were betrothed mystically through the Spirit,* to be the Bride of God the Father.

Let the gate of the temple wherein God dwells be opened:* for Joachim brings within today in glory the Temple and Throne of the King of all,* and he consecrates as an offering to God* her whom the Lord has chosen to be His Mother.

In Tone 2, Glory… Now…

Today the Virgin without blemish is led to the temple,* to become the habitation of God the King of all, who sustains our life.* Today as a three-year-old victim of sacrifice the most pure Sanctuary is led into the Holy of Holies.* To her let us cry out with the angel:* Hail! you who alone are blessed among women.

Troparion, Tone 4

Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God* the Virgin is clearly revealed* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 4: Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God* the Virgin is clearly revealed,* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: The Saviour’s pure temple,* the precious bridal chamber and Virgin,* the sacred treasury of the glory of God,* is brought today into the house of the Lord;* and with her she brings the grace* of the divine Spirit.* God’s angels sing in praise of her:* She is indeed the heavenly dwelling-place.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.

verse: Because he has regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, all generations shall call me blessed. (Luke 1:46-48)

Epistle

Hebrew 9:1-7

Alleluia, Tone 8

verse: Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear.

verse: The rich among the people shall entreat your countenance. (Psalm 44:11,13)

Gospel

Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28

Hymn to the Mother of God

Seeing the entrance of the pure one, angels marvel in wonder how the Virgin could enter the holy of holies.

And the Irmos, Tone 4: Let no hand of the profane touch God’s living ark,* but instead let the lips of those who are believers* sing out ceaselessly in the words of the angel,* crying out with great joy to the Mother of God:* O pure Virgin,* you are truly higher than all.

Communion Hymn

I will take the cup of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 115:13)

 

 

Sunday, November 22, 2020

Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 8; Post-feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God; The Holy Apostle Philemon and those with him

Nativity Fast.

 

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 8

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

O wonder most glorious!* The Ineffable One is now prefigured.* She is known today in visible images* because the Divine Light shone forth for the world.* The betrothed is led into the holy temple.* Let us exalt her as the splendid and holy One,* the light-radiating Temple of Christ the Light-Giver.

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

The wise Joachim and Anne* offered up a truly acceptable first fruit,* the heavenly fruit that God clearly desired to give to them,* the handmaiden of God, the Virgin Mary.* Her tribulations took away the debt.* Let us praise her and devoutly rejoice* because she is the mediatrix of joy for the whole world.

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

Come let us mystically gather together.* Adorned with the light of faith,* let us walk before the Virgin* who now gloriously enters the temple of God.* She is betrothed to Christ, the King of all.* We celebrate the beautiful feast of her entrance* which is a delight to everyone.

In Tone 2

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

O glorious Philemon,* as a branch of the Living Vine,* you have rained the joy of the knowledge of God* upon those who have anguish of soul.* You made happy the hearts that were ensnared* and possessed by the darkness of idol worship.* Therefore, we rejoice and celebrate your God-loving memory.

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

O blessed one, the city of Gaza venerates you,* since It beheld the light of knowledge through you.* The Colossians hold onto your holy body as a rich possession* which overflows with the grace of healing.* Therefore, O glorious Philemon, we observe your memory* and are protected from dangers by your prayers.

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

In faith let us praise the wise ones,* the hierarchs Archippus and the precious Apphias.* Let us honour the priestly preachers* and honourable teachers, Philemon and Onesimus.* They rooted out the cunning of idol worship by preaching* and planted the knowledge of truth* for all who devoutly honour them.

In Tone 1

Glory…

Today let the heavens above greatly rejoice* and let the clouds pour down gladness* at the mighty and marvelous acts of our God.* For behold, the gate that looks towards the East,* born from a fruitless and barren womb according to the promise,* and consecrated to God as his dwelling,* is now being brought into the temple as a spotless offering.* Let David greatly rejoice and play on his harp, saying:* Virgins shall be brought to the King after her;* her companions shall be brought into the ark of the Lord* to be nourished with the life of the incorruptible One* who was begotten from eternity* for the salvation of our souls.

In Tone 8

Now…

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

Aposticha

In Tone 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 2

Glory… Now…

Today the all-Immaculate Virgin* is being escorted into the temple* to become the abode of God, the King of all.* Today, as a three year old child,* the most pure holy One is being led into the Holy of Holies.* With the angel, let us cry out to her:* Rejoice, for you alone are blessed among women.

Troparia

In Tone 8

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

In Tone 4

Glory… Now…

Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God the Virgin is clearly revealed,* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

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

Troparion, Tone 4: Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God* the Virgin is clearly revealed,* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.

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

Kontakion, Tone 8: When You rose from the tomb,* You also raised the dead and resurrected Adam.* Eve exults in Your resurrection,* and the ends of the world celebrate Your rising from the dead,* O most merciful One.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4: The Saviour’s pure temple,* the precious bridal chamber and Virgin,* the sacred treasury of the glory of God,* is brought today into the house of the Lord;* and with her she brings the grace of the divine Spirit.* God’s angels sing in praise of her:* She is indeed the heavenly dwelling-place.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8

Pray and give thanks to the Lord our God.

verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 75:12,2)

Epistle

Ephesians 4:1-6

Alleluia, Tone 8

verse: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; let us acclaim God our Saviour.

verse: Let us come before His countenance with praise and acclaim Him with psalms. (Psalm 94:1,2)

Gospel

Luke 10:25-37

Hymn to the Mother of God

Seeing the entrance of the pure one, angels marvel in wonder how the Virgin could enter the holy of holies.

And the Irmos, Tone 4: Let no hand of the profane touch God’s living ark,* but instead let the lips of those who are believers* sing out ceaselessly in the words of the angel,* crying out with great joy to the Mother of God:* O pure Virgin,* you are truly higher than all.

Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 8

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

O wonder most glorious!* The Ineffable One is now prefigured.* She is known today in visible images* because the Divine Light shone forth for the world.* The betrothed is led into the holy temple.* Let us exalt her as the splendid and holy One,* the light-radiating Temple of Christ the Light-Giver.

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

The wise Joachim and Anne* offered up a truly acceptable first fruit,* the heavenly fruit that God clearly desired to give to them,* the handmaiden of God, the Virgin Mary.* Her tribulations took away the debt.* Let us praise her and devoutly rejoice* because she is the mediatrix of joy for the whole world.

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

Come let us mystically gather together.* Adorned with the light of faith,* let us walk before the Virgin* who now gloriously enters the temple of God.* She is betrothed to Christ, the King of all.* We celebrate the beautiful feast of her entrance* which is a delight to everyone.

In Tone 2

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

O glorious Philemon,* as a branch of the Living Vine,* you have rained the joy of the knowledge of God* upon those who have anguish of soul.* You made happy the hearts that were ensnared* and possessed by the darkness of idol worship.* Therefore, we rejoice and celebrate your God-loving memory.

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

O blessed one, the city of Gaza venerates you,* since It beheld the light of knowledge through you.* The Colossians hold onto your holy body as a rich possession* which overflows with the grace of healing.* Therefore, O glorious Philemon, we observe your memory* and are protected from dangers by your prayers.

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

In faith let us praise the wise ones,* the hierarchs Archippus and the precious Apphias.* Let us honour the priestly preachers* and honourable teachers, Philemon and Onesimus.* They rooted out the cunning of idol worship by preaching* and planted the knowledge of truth* for all who devoutly honour them.

In Tone 1

Glory…

Today let the heavens above greatly rejoice* and let the clouds pour down gladness* at the mighty and marvelous acts of our God.* For behold, the gate that looks towards the East,* born from a fruitless and barren womb according to the promise,* and consecrated to God as his dwelling,* is now being brought into the temple as a spotless offering.* Let David greatly rejoice and play on his harp, saying:* Virgins shall be brought to the King after her;* her companions shall be brought into the ark of the Lord* to be nourished with the life of the incorruptible One* who was begotten from eternity* for the salvation of our souls.

In Tone 8

Now…

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

Aposticha

In Tone 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 2

Glory… Now…

Today the all-Immaculate Virgin* is being escorted into the temple* to become the abode of God, the King of all.* Today, as a three year old child,* the most pure holy One is being led into the Holy of Holies.* With the angel, let us cry out to her:* Rejoice, for you alone are blessed among women.

Troparia

In Tone 8

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

In Tone 4

Glory… Now…

Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God the Virgin is clearly revealed,* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

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

Troparion, Tone 4: Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God* the Virgin is clearly revealed,* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.

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

Kontakion, Tone 8: When You rose from the tomb,* You also raised the dead and resurrected Adam.* Eve exults in Your resurrection,* and the ends of the world celebrate Your rising from the dead,* O most merciful One.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4: The Saviour’s pure temple,* the precious bridal chamber and Virgin,* the sacred treasury of the glory of God,* is brought today into the house of the Lord;* and with her she brings the grace of the divine Spirit.* God’s angels sing in praise of her:* She is indeed the heavenly dwelling-place.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8

Pray and give thanks to the Lord our God.

verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 75:12,2)

Epistle

Ephesians 4:1-6

Alleluia, Tone 8

verse: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; let us acclaim God our Saviour.

verse: Let us come before His countenance with praise and acclaim Him with psalms. (Psalm 94:1,2)

Gospel

Luke 10:25-37

Hymn to the Mother of God

Seeing the entrance of the pure one, angels marvel in wonder how the Virgin could enter the holy of holies.

And the Irmos, Tone 4: Let no hand of the profane touch God’s living ark,* but instead let the lips of those who are believers* sing out ceaselessly in the words of the angel,* crying out with great joy to the Mother of God:* O pure Virgin,* you are truly higher than all.

Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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

Accept our evening prayer, O holy Lord,* and grant us forgiveness of sins,* for You alone manifested the resurrection* to the world.

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

O you people, walk around Sion and encompass her.* And there give glory to Him who is risen from the dead.* For He is our God* who delivers us from our sins.

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

Come you people, praise and worship Christ.* Glorify His resurrection from the dead;* for He is our God who delivered the world* from the deceit of the enemy.

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

Rejoice, O you heavens;* sound the trumpets, you foundations of the earth;* cry out with joy, O you mountains.* For behold, Emmanuel has nailed our sins to the Cross;* the Giver of Life has put Death to death;* and the Lover of mankind* has raised up Adam.

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

Let us praise the Lord* who for our sake was willingly crucified in the flesh.* He suffered, was buried, and rose from the dead.* Therefore, let us sing to Him:* O Christ, keep Your Church in the orthodox faith* and bring peace to our lives;* for You are gracious and love mankind.

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

O Christ our God, as we stand unworthily before Your life-bearing grave,* we offer a hymn of praise to Your ineffable tenderness of heart.* For You, O Sinless One,* in Your loving-kindness have accepted the Cross and death* in order to grant* resurrection to the world.

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

Let us praise the Word* Who is without beginning and co-eternal with the Father.* For our sake He was born of the Virgin;* He freely accepted the Cross and death, and rose in glory.* Therefore, let us sing to Him:* Glory to You, O Lord,* the Giver of Life and Saviour of our souls.

In Tone 4

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

Manifestly illumined by the brightness of the Spirit of God,* most blessed Paramon,* you despised the total darkness of idolatry.* When your time had come, most blessed one,* you approached the suffering before you with a courageous mind!* Revealed as victorious, you cast down the prideful enemy of all mortals,* as you magnified Christ!* Entreat Him to save and enlighten our souls!

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

Witnessing a great multitude slaughtered for the King and God of all,* you burned with divine zeal, Paramon, crying out:* I am ever a true servant of Christ!* Understand, evil tyrants,* for behold, I was summoned and now I come* to be slain like an innocent lamb!* Therefore, do not be deceived:* I am forced to become an acceptable sacrifice to Him* Who for my sake was freely slain in the flesh!

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

The honoured choir of athletes,* three hundred seventy in number,* with faith cast down the falsehood of the evil-doers’ idolatry.* You also were crowned with them,* having struggled with a courageous mind, Paramon,* and rejoicing, you joined the choirs of the bodiless hosts!* Ever pray with them that we who honour and bless you* may be delivered from all sorrow and dangers!

In Tone 1

Glory… Now…

Let us sing a hymn of praise to the Virgin Mary,* glory of the whole world!* She was herself formed by human seed,* yet she became the Mother of the Master, the Gate of heaven,* the theme of the angels’ hymn and beauty of the faithful.* She was seen as being heavenly* and the Tabernacle of the Godhead.* She indeed tore down the wall of enmity between God and man,* and brought peace in its place, she opened up the kingdom of heaven.* Let us therefore cling fast to her for she is the anchor of faith,* and let us receive as our stronghold the Lord Who was born of her.* Be of good cheer, then, and have confidence, O people of God,* for He will fight our enemies for us,* He is all-powerful!

Aposticha

In Tone 1

O Christ, by Your Passion we have been freed from suffering;* and by Your resurrection we have been delivered from corruption.* O Lord, glory to You!

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

Let all creation rejoice, let the heavens be glad,* let the nations clap their hands with joy.* For Christ our Saviour, in His love for mankind,* has nailed our sins to the Cross;* He has put Death to death,* and by raising our fallen forefather, Adam,* He has given life to all mankind.

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

O God, You are above all understanding;* You are King and Lord of heaven and earth.* Yet of Your own free will,* You allowed Yourself to be crucified because of Your love for mankind.* When You descended below,* Hades was filled with bitterness as You confronted it;* but the souls of the just received You with great joy.* Adam arose when he saw You, his Creator, down in the depths.* What a wonder this is!* You are the life of all and have tasted death* in order to dispel the darkness of the world with Your light.* O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!

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

The myrrh-bearing women were filled with grief* as they hastened with spices to Your tomb;* but they did not find Your most pure body.* Instead, they found an angel* who proclaimed Your unique and glorious resurrection,* and commanded them to announce to Your apostles:* The Lord is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

Glory… Now…

O Mother of God, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled,* since you remained a virgin both before and after giving birth.* For it was God Who was born of you to restore our human nature.* Therefore, do not overlook your servants who supplicate you in your temple.* Since you have held the merciful Lord in your arms,* be compassionate toward your servants,* and beseech Him to save our souls.

Troparia

In Tone 1

Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans* and soldiers guarded Your most pure body,* You arose, O Saviour, on the third day* and gave life to the world.* And so the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life:* Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your Kingdom!* Glory to Your saving plan!* O only Lover of mankind.

In Tone 1

Glory…

Be swayed by the pains that the saints have suffered for You, O Lord,* and heal all our pains,* O Lover of mankind, for this we pray.

Now…

O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel called out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him who came forth from you!* Glory to Him who has set us free* through your life-giving birth!

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 1: Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans,* and soldiers guarded Your most pure body,* You arose, O Saviour, on the third day,* and gave life to the world.* And so the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life:* Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your kingdom!* Glory to Your saving plan,* O only Lover of mankind.

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

Kontakion, Tone 1: You arose in glory from the tomb* and with Yourself You raise the world.* All humanity acclaims You as God.* and death has vanished.* Adam exults, O Master,* and Eve, redeemed from bondage now, cries out for joy:* “You are the One, O Christ, Who offer resurrection to all.”

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 1: When Gabriel uttered to you, O Virgin, his ‘Rejoice!’* at that sound the Master of all became flesh in you, the Holy Ark.* As the just David said,* you have become wider than the heavens carrying your Creator.* Glory to Him Who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you!* Glory to Him Who freed us through birth from you!

Prokeimenon, Tone 1

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in You.

verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O you just; praise befits the righteous. (Psalm 32:22,1)

Epistle

Ephesians 5:9-19

Alleluia, Tone 1

verse: God gives me vindication, and has subdued people under me.

verse: Making great the salvation of the king, and showing mercy to His anointed, to David, and to His posterity forever. (Psalm 17:48,51)

Gospel

Luke 12:16-21

Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

When he who is called the Morning Star,* the splendour of the glory of the eternal Father,* in His great mercy took up his abode on earth,* you, glorious Andrew, were the first to meet him* for your heart was enlightened with the perfect brightness of His divinity.* We bless you as the herald of the apostles of Christ our God!* Pray that He may enlighten and save our souls

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

When he who is called the Morning Star,* the splendour of the glory of the eternal Father,* in His great mercy took up his abode on earth,* you, glorious Andrew, were the first to meet him* for your heart was enlightened with the perfect brightness of His divinity.* We bless you as the herald of the apostles of Christ our God!* Pray that He may enlighten and save our souls

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

When He who was proclaimed by the voice of the Forerunner,* the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,* bringing life and salvation to all the earth,* you, holy Andrew, were the first to follow Him.* You were offered to Him as the first-fruits of the human race.* You proclaimed to Peter your brother: we have found the Christ!”* Pray that He may save our souls.

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

When He who was proclaimed by the voice of the Forerunner,* the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,* bringing life and salvation to all the earth,* you, holy Andrew, were the first to follow Him.* You were offered to Him as the first-fruits of the human race.* You proclaimed to Peter your brother: we have found the Christ!”* Pray that He may save our souls.

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

When He who clothed Himself in human flesh,* taking our nature from the fruitful womb of the Virgin,* appeared on earth as the Teacher of Righteousness,* your heart was made glad, Andrew, lover of purity!* He raised you from earth to the ineffable glory of God!* Pray that He may enlighten and save our souls..

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

When He who clothed Himself in human flesh,* taking our nature from the fruitful womb of the Virgin,* appeared on earth as the Teacher of Righteousness,* your heart was made glad, Andrew, lover of purity!* He raised you from earth to the ineffable glory of God!* Pray that He may enlighten and save our souls..

Glory…

Leaving behind your fishnets, apostle Andrew,* you caught men with the net of your preaching.* Throwing to us the bait of righteousness,* you delivered all nations from the depths of error.* Apostle Andrew, brother of Peter the Primate,* all-glorious and never-failing intercessor,* may the celebration of your memory* enlighten all who dwell in darkness.

Now…

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

Readings

(1) 1 Peter 1:1-2:6; (2) 1 Peter 2:21-3:9; (3) 1 Peter 4:1-11

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Rejoice, O heaven!* Proclaim everywhere the glory of God!* Today the first-called apostle stands in our midst.* He was the first to obey the Lord with fervour!* United to Him, he was enkindled by His love.* He is the reflection of the Saviour’s love for mankind,* for his rays enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death!* We rejoice in his holy memory,* for through his prayers health and blessing are given to us!

Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth and their words to the ends of the universe.

Rejoice, Andrew, the first-called apostle!* You are the imitator of the passion of Christ.* With the cross as your hook you drew us up from the sea of ignorance,* offering us to the Lord of glory.* Therefore we the faithful, delivered from evil, cry out to God:* merciful Lord, through the prayers of Your apostle,* grant peace to our lives and salvation to our souls!

The heavens are telling the glory of God and the firmament proclaims His handiwork!

Your preaching gives light to godless nations,* glorious vessel of the ruler of the sea!* Your wisdom calms the stormy waves.* You are the salt of the earth, seasoning us with incorruption,* silencing the ravings of clever orators!* By his prayers, deliver us from the proud ones of the earth, O Lord,* grant purity to our hearts and salvation to our souls.

In Tone 3

Glory…

Apostle Andrew, we honour you in songs,* brother of Peter and disciple of Christ, fisherman and fisher of men,* you shaped all dogmas with the wisdom of Christ.* As fish are lured into a net, so you caught transgressors with the bait of truth.* Through his prayers, O Christ, grant us peace and great mercy.

Now…

O Virgin Mother, you conceived the Son of God without seed* by the will of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit.* He was begotten by the Father, without a mother, from all eternity.* Yet for our sake, He was born of you in the flesh without a human father,* and you nursed Him as an infant with your milk.* Therefore, never cease to entreat Him to deliver our souls from affliction.

Troparia

In Tone 4

As the First-called of the Apostles* and full brother of their leader,* implore the Master of all,* to give peace to the world,* and to our souls great mercy.

Glory… Now…

O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created man,* and saved our souls from death.

 

FESTAL MATINS

Hexapsalm

Great Ekteny

The Lord is God, Tone 4

Troparia, Tone 4

As the First-called of the Apostles* and full brother of their leader,* implore the Master of all,* to give peace to the world,* and to our souls great mercy. (twice)

Glory… Now…

The mystery hidden from eternity and unknown to the angels* is manifested to those on earth through you, O Theotokos!* God being incarnate of you by union without confusion,* and of His own will freely enduring the cross for us,* and raising the first-formed man,* has saved our souls from death!

Kathisma & Little Ekteny

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 1

As a godly Disciple and First-called of all the Disciples of Christ,* with love we praise you, Apostle Andrew,* and faithfully we cry out to you:* Deliver your flock, with which you were entrusted by God,* from every tribulation, from constraints and stumblings, and every evil.

Glory…

As a godly Disciple and First-called of all the Disciples of Christ,* with love we praise you, Apostle Andrew,* and faithfully we cry out to you:* Deliver your flock, with which you were entrusted by God,* from every tribulation, from constraints and stumblings, and every evil.

Now…

As you now stretch out your hands in pity, holy Lady,* grant us your help from the Holy Place,* and may they complete their lives without danger,* those who glorify your all-holy Offspring,* and claim you, Lady and Maiden,* as their hope and boast.

Kathisma & Little Ekteny

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 3

Christ found you first, blest Andrew, as you came, a noble initiate,* and one who proclaimed his commandments clearly to the inhabited world like a soaring bird,* illumining the companies of the nations.* Implore him as God to grant us his great mercy.

Glory…

Christ found you first, blest Andrew, as you came, a noble initiate,* and one who proclaimed his commandments clearly to the inhabited world like a soaring bird,* illumining the companies of the nations.* Implore him as God to grant us his great mercy.

Now…

You became the divine tabernacle of the Word, Mother of God alone all-pure,* surpassing the Angels in purity.* With the divine waters of your prayers purify me,* who am befouled more than all by offences of the flesh,* granting me God’s great mercy.

Polyeleos

Exaltation
We extol you,* O first-called Apostle, Andrew,* and we venerate the pain and labour of your work* to spread the Gospel of Christ!

verses:
From the rising of the sun to its setting the Name of the Lord is to be praised!
Glory…Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3 times)

Sidalen, Tone 5

Let us all sing the praise of the Apostle as eye-witness and godlike herald of the Word,* and truly spiritual fisher of nations;* because Andrew inspired of God brought us to knowledge of Christ,* and now he intercedes without ceasing that our souls may be saved.

Glory… Now…

Immaculate Virgin, you are the protection of those who have their hopes unquestioningly in you.* Free us from trials of every kind, calamities and dire troubles,* as with the Apostles you intercede with your Son,* and save all who sing your praise.

Gradual Hymn

Tone 4, Antiphon 1

Prokeimenon, Tone 4

His sound has gone out into all the earth; and his words to the end of the world.

verse: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.

Let Everything That Has Breath, Tone 4

Gospel

Matthew 4: 18-24

After Psalm 50

In Tone 6

Glory…

Through the prayers of the apostle Andrew, O merciful One, blot out the multitude of our transgressions!

Now…

Through the intercession of the Mother of God, O Merciful One, remit our many sins..

In Tone 1, Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion, blot out my offense.

The First-called Disciple and imitator of your passion,* the Apostle Andrew, conformed to you, O Lord,* having drawn out with the fish-hook of your Cross* those once gone astray in the deep of ignorance, brought them to you.* At his prayers, O supremely Good, make our lives peaceful and save our souls.

Canon

ODE 1

Irmos Guiding Israel with a pillar of fire and of cloud, as God He divided the sea and overwhelmed the chariots of Pharaoh in the deep! Let us sing a hymn of victory, for He alone is glorified!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

You fished with the rod of the Gospel, all-praised Andrew, drawing men out from the sea of falsehood, as Christ promised. He taught you to seek men instead of fish!

The divinely inspired Andrew, the pillar of the faith and seat of the true teachings of Christ, today summons all the ends of the earth to celebrate his yearly festival. Faithful, let us quickly gather!

You pursued the seamonster with nets; with the skill of a fisherman you fish for nations tribes and peoples with the net of the Spirit! You openly and plainly show us through that same Spirit, great heights and depths, most wondrous one!

You solemnized the mysteries of heaven and were an eyewitness and preacher of the ineffable knowledge of Christ. You received the Holy Spirit from on high who teaches and dwells among the nations distributing gifts with fire. Pray, Andrew, that we may be saved.

Glory…

I worship in faith the supernatural unity of the all-unoriginate Trinity, not dividing the divinity. For it is of a single substance, simple and indivisible. I unite it by essence and distinguish by faith the three Persons.

Now…

God is born to the Virgin as an infant and He renews that which through Adam, had become corrupt. He breaks down the dividing wall and chamber of enmity with His flesh. Coming forth from His all-pure Mother, He abolishes the curse of eve.

Katavasia Christ is born, glorify Him; Christ is from heaven, receive Him! Christ is on earth, be lifted up. Sing to the Lord all the earth and praise Him with joy all people, for He has been glorified!

 

ODE 3

Irmos May my heart be made steadfast in your will, O Christ God, who established the second heaven upon the deeps and founded the earth upon the waters, almighty one!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

Cephas and Andrew immediately followed Christ, who called them, saying: come, follow me! They left their father, their boat and their nets, for they were given a vision of the faith.

Transforming pagan temples into churches, most honoured one, you sanctified there the sons of baptism whom grace had renewed through water and the spirit.

You mystically set before the world the pearl of great price which was hidden within the field of your heart, apostle. The gentiles found it and treasured it with faith!

Taking up the gospel in your hands as a treasure, greatly praised one, you enriched all the earth with your divine preaching. Therefore, it honors your memory and your sufferings.

Glory…

Let us all sing hymns in an orthodox manner to the one power of the unoriginate, uncreated God, in Trinity, consubstantial and equally enthroned, three in persons and in lights!

Now…

Every mother that bears a child can no longer be a virgin, but you, Virgin Mother, remained so, after giving birth to Christ, nourishing our life with milk and remaining pure!

Katavasia To the Son, begotten of the Father, before all ages and incarnate of the Virgin without seed in these latter days – let us cry out to Christ our God: you have raised our horn; holy are you, O Lord!

LITTLE EKTENY

SESSIONAL HYMN

(Tone 8) We fittingly honour you, apostle Andrew, as the first-called of all the disciples;* an eyewitness and minister of the Word.* You followed the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world with fervor and unwavering faith!* You later showed yourself to be a sharer in the sufferings of Him who willingly endured death for our sake.* Therefore we cry to you: pray to Christ our God, that He may grant remission of sins to those who celebrate your holy memory with love!

Glory…

Destroying the boldness of the idols and yearning for the sufferings of Christ,* you revealed yourself to be an apostle, blessed one,* raining down wonders from heaven and teaching the nations, most blessed one!* Therefore, fittingly honouring your memory in hymns,* we glorify and magnify you, apostle of the Lord, in faith.* Pray to Christ God that He may grant remission of sins to those who celebrate your holy memory with love!

Now…

Rejoice, fiery throne of God! Rejoice, O Maiden!* The royal seat and richly provided couch, the chamber hung with gold-embroidered purple,* the cloak of scarlet, adorned temple and light-bearing chariot!* Rejoice, most radiant candlestick, the twelve-walled city, the gate cast of God,* the radiant bridal chamber, magnificent banquet hall and divinely adorned tabernacle!* Rejoice, glorious bride, radiant as the sun!* Rejoice, the only splendour of my soul!

ODE 4

Irmos Habbakuk the prophet, you foresaw in spirit the incarnation of the Word and you prophesied, crying out: when the years draw near, you shall be acknowledged! When the season comes, you shall be revealed! Glory to Your power, O Lord!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

You cast aside your nets and took up the cross; you followed after Christ who called you. Stretching out the net of the Spirit, you caught men instead of fish. Glory to Him who gave you the Spirit!

You received the fiery tongue of the Spirit and became a man well-pleasing to God, apostle. You traversed the glories of the heavens recognizing their spiritual beauty and revealing it to us.

You watered the parched desert with your divine words and showed it to be fertile, O wise one, bearing fruit, the children of the church, through the spreading of the seed. Glory to Him who gave you the Sspirit!

Perceiving your ineffable goodness, O Jesus, Andrew summoned his kinsman, saying to Peter: my blood kinsman, we have found the Messiah who was proclaimed in the Law and the Prophets! Come, let us truly join ourselves to life!

Glory…

Faithful, let us hymn the Trinity in unity, the Father, Son and Divine Spirit, one in divinity, essence and nature, indivisible, inseparable and undivided, for He is one God in three Persons.

Now…

You ineffably conceived one of the Trinity in your womb; you gave birth to Him without corruption as a Son, yet the Trinity was never added to in time! As you were pure before you gave birth, you were kept whole, O Mother of God!

Katavasia Rod of the stem of Jesse and flower that budded from a Virgin, O most lauded Christ! From the mountain covered with darkness You have come, made flesh from her that knew no wedlock. O God not formed from matter, glory to Your might, O Lord!

ODE 5

Irmos Enlighten our minds with the light of Your commandments and with the splendour of Your grace, O God. Grant us Your mercy, for Your precepts are light and peace, O Good One!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

You yearned for the cross, disciple of Christ, and through your cross you obtained the incorruptible kingdom into which you draw all the initiates of God with the cross. As we proclaim God’s own words about the cross, you grant an inheritance to us!

You truly sought for Christ our life, and having searched, you were the first to find Him. Having found Him, you mystically embraced Him! You received incorruptible life from the giver becoming a treasury of this life.

The proclamation of your divine thunder went out and encompassed all the ends of the earth! As David said, your lightning has appeared to all the world.

Remember us, disciple of Christ, as we celebrate your memory and venerate your relics. Ever pray with fervour on behalf of the flock which you have preserved and saved from the beginning!

Glory…

Faithful, let us together glorify God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the indivisible Trinity, the tri-personal Kingdom, glorifying Him in faith with eternal theology.

Now…

You gave birth to the Light beyond understanding; you bear the Lamp of the Light of the Sun! You were a new tabernacle of divine Light, sending rays of divine knowledge out to all the world.

Katavasia God of peace and Father of mercies, You have sent us the angel of great council who grants us peace. So we are guided to the light of the knowledge of God. Waking early from the night, we praise You, O Lover of mankind!

ODE 6

Irmos I reflect the prophet Jonah and I cry out: free me, Good One, from corruption! Saviour of the world, save me as I cry out: glory to You, O God!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

The one who was called from Bethsaida summons us to keep the feast! He sets before us in splendour the commemoration of his struggles.

By trade a fisherman, by faith a disciple, he plumbed the depths of the heart of the faithful. He lowers the hook of the word and catches us!

Spreading the fire of the love of Christ within your heart, you went out to the gentiles, disciple. Your flame burns for Christ, who has truly appeared!

You seasoned your mind with the salt of Christ; your wages have sweetened the heavenly teachings bringing us unfading delight.

Glory…

Faithful, let us worship the Father, Son and true Spirit, the tri-personal, indivisible Essence. Let us cry out: glory to God in Trinity!

Now…

The Son was incarnate in your womb, O Pure One, by the good pleasure of the Father and through the Holy Spirit. He openly saved mankind that had been created in his image.

Katavasia The seamonster cast out Jonah unharmed as it had received him, like a babe from the womb. And when the Word came to dwell in the Virgin and was made flesh, He came forth preserving her incorrupt, for He Himself was not subject to decay and He kept His mother free from harm!

KONTAKION

(Tone 2) Let us praise for his courage the divinely inspired Andrew,* the first apostle of the Saviour and brother of Peter,* for as he drew his brother to Christ, he is crying out to us:* come, for we have found the One whom the world desires!

IKOS

In days of old, David, a sinner like myself, was compelled to declare the maxims of God with honour. And again, He teaches and proclaims with many tears: today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts as Israel was once embittered. And He leads all in psalmody: sing hymns to the Lord, all lands! Come, for we have found the One whom the world desires!

ODE 7

We the faithful perceive you to be a spiritual furnace, O Theotokos, for as the highly exalted one saved the three children, the praised and most glorified God of our fathers has wholly renewed the world in your womb!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

The fire of the Holy Spirit, descending from on high, commanded you, apostle of Christ, to proclaim His mighty works in new languages which you had never spoken before to the ends of the earth!

Initiates of the mysteries of Christ and beholders of exalted things, as the Twelve, you have enlightened the darkness of the earth, astonishing the minds of all by the proclamation you trumpeted out to all the world!

Wondrous was your grace, O Master Christ, in Your divinely wise disciples. As simple and humble men, they travelled through all the ends of the earth!

Who taught you to speak as you do, apostle? Who enlightened your mind to behold clearly the radiance of unapproachable glory which shines the light of truth into our hearts?

Glory…

Faithful, let us sing hymns to the Trinity, glorifying the unoriginate Father, the Son and the righteous Spirit: the single Essence! Let us chant: holy, holy, holy are You forever!

Now…

We glorify you, O Christ, as one of the Trinity, for without change, You were incarnate of the Virgin. Jesus, You bore all things as a man, united to us, without departing from the essence of the Father!

Katavasia The children brought up together in godliness, despising the unrighteous command, were not afraid of the threat of fire, but standing in the midst of the flames they sang: blessed are you, O God of our fathers!

ODE 8

Irmos God who preserved the bush which burnt on Sinai unconsumed and delivered the youths in the midst of the burning flame: let us hymn, bless and highly exalt You forever!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

You drew fish from the sea, most wise one, by the craft of fishing. Now by faith, you draw men to Christ from the deception of the enemy! For deception is an abyss drowning the nations in a storm of impiety.

You sailed the spiritual sea of life by faith in Christ and were not capsized, O apostle. You were propelled by the sail of the spirit and rejoicing, you have reached the eternal harbour of life!

After the spiritual Sun set of His own will upon the tree, the great Andrew, the lamp of the Church and beacon of the Sun, sought to end his own life with Christ and set in Him. He, too, was hung upon the wood of a cross.

Disciple and beloved friend of Christ and one of his apostles: when the Judge sits upon His throne with you, His Twelve, to give judgment as He has promised, be a fortress for us of love for mankind.

Let us bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Lord!

Let us glorify the three-fold radiance of Unity, the equally enthroned Trinity. Let us not separate It, but unite it consubstantially, as one Essence, united in three Persons without confusion!

Now…

Pure One, you conceived and gave birth to one of the Trinity, who, incarnate of you, renews the laws of nature by your childbearing! Theotokos, never cease to pray to Him as God on our behalf.

We praise, bless and worship the Lord, singing and exalting Him throughout all ages!

Katavasia The furnace moist with dew was the image of a wonder beyond nature, for it did not burn the children whom it had received! Just as the fire of divinity did not consume the Virgin’s womb when it entered there. So, let us raise the song: let the whole creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all forever!

MAGNIFICAT

ODE 9

Irmos Let us all magnify the radiant cloud upon whom the unoriginate Master of all descended like dew on the fleece, the pure Mother of God from whom He was incarnate, becoming man for our sake!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

You spread out the net of the mystical knowledge of God. You caught fish with the beauties of heavenly thoughts! Entreat the holy Trinity, holy one, to pour out a cleansing stream on us.

The nations who are enlightened by you and led up from earth to heaven, give thanks to you, for wrested from the service of the enemy, they have become companions of the holy angels and partakers of the glory of the Lord!

Apostles and witnesses of ineffable things and ministers of the Word, performers of the mysteries and beholders of hidden things, pray that we may become heirs of the kingdom of Christ and partakers of His divinity.

You received the power from Christ to bind and loose: free us all from the bonds of our many transgressions when Christ shall come and you Twelve will be seated upon thrones to judge all the tribes of Israel!

Glory…

We unceasingly glorify in heaven and on earth the incomprehensible Trinity: the tri-personal Essence, the indivisible Glory hymned in one divinity. With devotion, we worship the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Now…

We run with faith to your loving kindness, worshiping your son with devotion, Virgin Theotokos! Entreat Him as the God and Lord of the world, that He may deliver us from corruption, misfortune and all temptation.

Katavasia I behold a strange, most glorious mystery! Heaven — the cave! The cherubic throne — the Virgin! The manger — the place where Christ lay, the uncontainable God whom we magnify in song!

Hymn Of Light, Tone 3

The Word without beginning having found you, O all-blessed,* declared you the First-called of all the Apostles, revered Andrew;* and following in his footsteps you were revealed as guide of those who had gone astray,* bringing up the divine path to heaven.

Glory…

Let us give glorious praise to Peter’s brother, the first-called of the Disciples,* who became an eye-witness and servant of the Word, the Apostle Andrew;* for he enlightened the nations, and was crucified, dying like a Disciple of the Master.

Now…

All-blameless Virgin, implore God, to whom you gave birth,* for all who devoutly honour you, with the glorious Apostle,* to obtain the divine radiance of your Son* and the place of the elect and of the Saints;* for you have strength to do whatever you wish.

At The Praises, Tone 1

Bethsaida now be glad;* for in you there flowered from a mystic pool two sweet scented lilies, Peter and Andrew,* who spread the fragrant proclamation of the faith to the whole world by the grace of Christ,* whose sufferings too they imitated.

Andrew rejoice and leap for joy,* because in the radiance of the Word you clearly received the Sun of glory, Christ the giver of life,* whom you held fast and by the faith proclaimed;* implore him without ceasing on behalf of us* who sing your praise with faith.

Chosen initiate of the divine dispensation of Christ,* chosen first of all to be a disciple of the Word,* Andrew who saw God cried out and said, when he saw his brother Peter,* ‘We have found the Messiah* whom the Scripture and Prophets proclaimed of old’.

The city of Patras has gained you as Shepherd and divine defender,* deliverer from dangers of every kind and guardian, wise Andrew,* as with thanksgiving it honours you.* But implore without ceasing that it may be preserved unharmed.

In Tone 8

Glory…

Let us all sing the praise of Andrew, the herald of the faith and servant of the Word;* for he fishes men from the deep,* grasping in his hands the Cross for a rod,* and lowering power like a line he brings souls up from the error of the foe* and offers them as an acceptable gift to God.* Let us the faithful ever sing his praise with the choir of Christ’s Disciples,* that he may intercede with him so that he may be merciful to us* on the day of judgement.

Now…
Bethlehem receive the Mother City of God;* for she has come to give birth in you to the unwaning Light.* You Angels, marvel in heaven; mankind give glory upon earth,* Magi from Persia bring your triple glorious gift,* Shepherds abiding in the fields sing the thrice-holy hymn.* Let everything that has breath praise the Maker of all.

Troparion, Tone 4

As the First-called of the Apostles* and full brother of their leader,* implore the Master of all,* to give peace to the world,* and to our souls great mercy.

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 4: As the First-called of the Apostles* and full brother of their leader,* implore the Master of all,* to give peace to the world,* and to our souls great mercy.

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: Let us praise God’s herald, whose name is “courage,”* Peter’s kinsman who leads those in the Church who follow the chief apostle,* for as then to Peter so now to us he cries aloud:* “We have found the One so longed for.”

Prokeimenon, Tone 8

Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world.

verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands. (Psalm 18:5,2)

Epistle

1 Corinthians 4:9-16

Alleluia, Tone 1

verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.

verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 88:6,8)

Gospel

John 1:35-51

Communion Hymn

Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their word unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 18:5)