Month: October 2013

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

8. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

 

Prokimenon
of the day

 

Readings
Proverbs 3:13-16; 8:35, 4-6, 8, 9; Wisdom 4:7, 16-20; 5:1-7; 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, Virgin Mary, Mother of God, full of grace,* the Lord is with you.* Blessed are you among women* and blessed is the fruit of your womb,** for you have given birth to Christ, the Saviour and Deliverer of our souls.

 

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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)

They were all among the Seventy. The latter three are also commemorated elsewhere: Herodion on April 8, Sosipater on April 28, and Tertius on October 30. Saints Olympas and Herodion were followers of the Apostle Peter and when Peter suffered, they also suffered. By the command of Nero, they were beheaded. Erastus had been the steward of the church in Jerusalem, and later became Bishop of Paneas in Palestine. Quartus was Bishop of Beirut. He suffered greatly, but converted many to the Christian Faith. Sosipater was a bishop in Iconium and Tertius was the second bishop in that city. They waged spiritual warfare and, as victors, received heavenly wreaths of glory. (Prologue of Ohrid) 

 

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GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 8

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

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

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

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

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

4. We glorify You, O Lord;
for of Your own free will You suffered crucifixion for our salvation.
Almighty Saviour, we worship You.
We implore You not to cast us away from Your face;
but hear our prayer and save us by Your resurrection,
for You truly love mankind.

In Tone 1

3. Holy preachers, who travelled the whole world in splendour
like winged eagles,
you led those pursued by the devil
to the incorruptible Faith!
Pray that our souls may be given peace and great mercy!

2. Let us honour Tertius and Sosipater with holy voices,
with Olympus and Rodion
and together with them Erastus, the initiate of the mysteries,
and the godly Quartus:
They glorify Christ our God,
beseeching Him to grant our souls peace and great mercy!

1. Blessed ones, you have led to Christ God the gentiles,
delivered by the blood of Him Who was well pleased to be born on earth
and Who willingly endured the Cross and death!
Most wise ones, now entreat Him
that He may grant our souls peace and great mercy!

In Tone 8, Glory… 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.

Glory… 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 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 3, Glory…
Holy apostles, intercede with the merciful God* to grant to our souls forgiveness of sins.

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.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

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

Glory 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.

Theotokion, Tone 8: To you, O Mother of God,* the invincible leader,* we, your servants, ascribe these victory hymns* in thanksgiving for our deliverance from evil.* With your invincible power free us from all dangers* that we may cry out to you:* “Hail, O bride, and pure Virgin!”

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 76:12,2)

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 95:1,2)

Gospel
Luke 10:25-37

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

 

The angels of God were celebrated by men from earliest times but this celebration was often turned into the divinization of angels (II Kings 23:5). The heretics wove all sorts of fables concerning the angels. Some of them looked upon angels as gods; others, although they did not consider them gods, called them the creators of the whole visible world. The local Council of Laodicea (four or five years before the First Ecumenical Council) rejected the worship of angels as gods and established the proper veneration of angels in its Thirty-fifth Canon. In the fourth century, during the time of Sylvester, Pope of Rome, and Alexander, Patriarch of Alexandria, the present Feast of Archangel Michael and all the other heavenly powers was instituted for celebration in the month of November. Why precisely in November? Because November is the ninth month after March, and March is considered to be the month in which the world was created. Also, as the ninth month after March, November was chosen for the nine orders of angels who were created first. St. Dionysius the Areopagite, a disciple of the Apostle Paul (who was taken up into the third heaven), described these nine orders of angels in his book, On the Celestial Hierarchies, as follows: six-winged Seraphim, many-eyed Cherubim, God-bearing Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. The leader of all the angelic hosts is the Archangel Michael. When Satan, Lucifer, fell away from God and drew a part of the angels with him to destruction, then Michael stood up and cried out before the faithful angels: “Let us attend! Let us stand aright! Let us stand with fear!” and all of the faithful angelic heavenly hosts cried out: “Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God of Sabaoth! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory!” Concerning the Archangel Michael, see Joshua 5:13-15 and Jude 1:9. Among the angels there reign perfect oneness of mind, oneness of soul, and love. The lower orders also show complete obedience to the higher orders, and all of them together to the holy will of God. Every nation has its guardian angel, as does every Christian. We must always remember that whatever we do, in open or in secret, we do in the presence of our guardian angel. On the day of the Dread Judgment, the multitude of the hosts of the holy angels of heaven will gather around the throne of Christ, and the deeds, words, and thoughts of every man will be revealed before all. May God have mercy on us and save us by the prayers of the Archangel Michael and all the bodiless heavenly powers. Amen. (Prologue of Ohrid) 

 

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GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

8. 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.

7. 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.

6. 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.

5. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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.

 

Prokimenon
of the day

 

Readings
Joshua 5:13-15; Judges 6:7, 11-24; 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 1

While solemnly celebrating on earth,
let us sing as the angels to God
Who is seated on the throne of glory:
Holy are You, O heavenly Father;
holy are You, O co-eternal Word;
holy are You, O all-holy Spirit.

You made the winds your messengers and flaming fire your ministers.

O eyewitness of ineffable things,
because of your great courage
you are the leader of the heavenly beings.
You gloriously stand before the awesome throne, O Michael.
By your prayers, save those who are suffering
because of trials and tribulations.

Praise the Lord, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts.

You are the chief of the bodiless angels
and a minister of the Divine Splendour.
You are an eyewitness and a mystic, O Michael.
Save us who devoutly honour you each year
and who faithfully extol the Trinity.

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 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!” (twice)

In Tone 1
Rejoice, Virgin Mary, Mother of God, full of grace,* the Lord is with you.* Blessed are you among women* and blessed is the fruit of your womb,** for you have given birth to Christ, the Saviour and Deliverer of our souls.

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: Princes of the heavenly hosts,* we, though unworthy, beg you* to encircle us thorugh 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, 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 4
He makes spirits His angels and flaming fire His ministers.
verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, you are very great (Psalm 103:4,1)

Epistle
Hebrews 2:2-10

Alleluia, Tone 5
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 10:16-21

Communion Hymn
He makes spirits His angels,* and flaming fire His ministers.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 103:4)

The eighty-year-old Acepsimas, filled with every Christian virtue, was sitting one day in his home with guests. Just then a child, filled with the Spirit of God, ran up to the aged bishop, kissed him on the head and said: “Blessed is this head, for it will receive suffering for Christ.” This prophecy was soon fulfilled. King Sapor raised a bitter persecution of Christians throughout Persia, and St. Acepsimas was apprehended. He was brought before a prince who was also a pagan priest. As the bishop was arrested and bound, a member of his household asked him what should be done with his home if he were martyred. The saint replied: “It is no longer my home. I am going to a home on high and will not return.” After prolonged interrogation he was thrown into prison. The following day Joseph, a seventy-year-old presbyter, and Aithalas, a deacon, were also imprisoned. After three years of imprisonment and many tortures, Acepsimas was beheaded. Joseph and Aithalas were buried up to their waists in the ground, and the soulless pagans forced Christians to stone them. That night, by God’s providence, Joseph’s body disappeared, and a myrtle tree grew over Aithalas’s body that healed every kind of disease and pain of men. This tree stood for five years before the wicked and envious pagans cut it down. These soldiers of Christ suffered in Persia in the fourth century, during the time of the pagan King Sapor. (Prologue of Ohrid) 

 

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GREAT VESPERS

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

 

At Psalm 140

 

In Tone 7

10. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 8

3. Most glorious wonder!
The handsome Acepsimus who ministered to the martyrs
today is crowned with a wreath of hymns.
He puts before us the suffering he endured for his worship of God
and wounds the bodiless enemy!
What great gifts of grace he received!
Through his prayers, save our souls, O Christ,
since You are great in love and mercy!

2. Most glorious wonder!
Joseph shines forth as a star from Persia!
He destroyed the outrage of sorcery through the Spirit;
he extinguished the impious worship of fire with the streams of his blood!
How great is the strength by which he cast down the demons!
Through his prayers, save our souls, O Christ,
since You are compassionate!

1. Most glorious wonder!
The steadfast Aithalas, a champion of suffering,
is revealed as an ever-blossoming garden.
Cut down, it brings forth the flower of wounds;
slain, it then begins to live!
What great strength of nature through which he endured!
Through his prayers, save our souls, O Christ,
since You are compassionate!

In Tone 7, Glory… 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 6, Glory…

The three children preserved unharmed by the Persian fire
mystically foreshadowed your thrice-radiant unity of mind
and your martyrdom in Christ!
Athletes of the ineffable Trinity and supernatural Unity,
as they stood in the midst of the flames and did not cry out against God,
so also you did not refuse to die
when your lives were not spared by the love of Christ.
As in their midst, a fourth appeared who sprinkled them with dew,
so also Christ, one of the Trinity,
received you into a place of refreshment!
Acepsimus, Joseph and Aithalas, chosen by God,
ever pray for our souls!

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 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!

 

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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)

In the time of the suffering of St. Demetrius the Myrrh-gusher, there was a young man of Thessalonica, Nestor, who learned the Christian Faith from St. Demetrius himself. At that time Christ’s enemy, Emperor Maximian, organized various games and amusements for the people. The emperor’s favorite in these games was a Vandal by the name of Lyaeus, a man of Goliath-like size and strength. As the emperor’s gladiator, Lyaeus challenged men every day to single combat and slew them. Thus, the bloodthirsty Lyaeus amused the bloodthirsty, idolatrous Maximian. The emperor built a special stage for Lyaeus’s battles, similar to a threshing floor on pillars. Spears, points upward, were planted beneath this platform. When Lyaeus defeated someone in wrestling, he would throw him from the platform onto the forest of spears. The emperor and his pagan subjects cheered as some poor wretch writhed in torment on the spears until he died. Among Lyaeus’s innocent victims were many Christians: when no one volunteered to duel with Lyaeus, by the emperor’s orders Christians were arrested and forced to duel with him. Seeing this horrifying amusement of the pagan world, Nestor’s heart was torn with pain, and he decided to come forward for a duel with the gigantic Lyaeus. But first, he went to prison to see St. Demetrius and sought a blessing from him to do this. St. Demetrius blessed him, signed him with the sign of the Cross on the forehead and on the chest and prophesied to him: “You will defeat Lyaeus, but you will suffer for Christ.” Thus, young Nestor went to duel with Lyaeus. Maximian was present with a multitude of people; everyone felt pity for the young Nestor, who would surely die, and tried to dissuade him from dueling with Lyaeus. Nestor crossed himself and said: “O God of Demetrius, help me!” and with God’s help, he overcame Lyaeus, knocked him down, and threw him onto the sharp spears, where the heavy giant soon found death. Then all the people cried out: “Great is the God of Demetrius!” But the emperor, shamed before the people and sorrowing for his favorite Lyaeus, was greatly angered at Nestor and Demetrius, and commanded that Nestor be beheaded and Demetrius run through with lances. Thus, the Christian hero Nestor ended his earthly life and took up his habitation in the Kingdom of his Lord in the year 306. (Prologue of Ohrid) 

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GREAT VESPERS

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

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

10. 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. 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. 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. 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.

6. Glory to Your might, O Lord,
for You have conquered the power of death.
You have renewed us through Your Cross,
granting us life and incorruption.

5. We forever bless the Lord and praise His resurrection,
for by suffering crucifixion,
He has destroyed death by His death.

4. By Your death and burial, O Lord,
You broke asunder the bonds of Hades;
and by Your resurrection from the dead,
You enlightened the whole world.
We, therefore, exclaim: Glory to You, O Lord!

In Tone 8

3. Glorious sufferer Nestor,
you girded yourself in all the armour of Christ!
Locked in mortal combat, you destroyed Lyaeus.
With invisible arrows you brought down and killed the invisible enemy!
Therefore the bountiful One has crowned you with a wreath of victory!

2. Strengthened with divine words, wise Nestor,
with true courage you killed the proud tormentor of the martyr Demetrius.
Confessing the immortal God
Who died and harrowed hell,
you received an unjust death, glorious one.
Therefore, rejoicing, you have inherited everlasting life!

1. You were a godly youth, radiant in physical beauty and power.
therefore you threw down the might of Lyaeus by the power of the Almighty!
You suffered, rejoicing,
and have been numbered with the choirs of those who struggled.
As you rejoice with them, ever remember us!

In Tone 6, Glory… 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.

 

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 out 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.

Glory… 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 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 to You!

In Tone 4, Glory…
Your martyr, Nestor, O Lord,* by his passion acquired the crown of incorruptibility from You, our God.* For possessing Your power he overcame the torturers* and shattered the feeble insolence of demons.* By his supplications, save our souls.

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.

 

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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!

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.

Theotokion, Tone 6: Undaunted patroness of Christians,* O steadfast intermediary with the Creator,* turn not away from the suppliant voices of sinners,* but in your kindness come to help us who cry out to you in faith.* Be quick to intercede, make haste to plead,* for you are ever the patroness of those who honour you, O Mother of God.

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)

Epistle
Ephesians 2:4-10

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)

Gospel
Luke 8:26-39

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

This glorious and wonderworking saint was born in Thessalonica of noble and devout parents. Implored of God by childless parents, Demetrius was their only son, and so was raised and educated with great care. Demetrius’s father was a commander in Thessalonica. When his father died, Emperor Maximian appointed Demetrius as commander in his place. As he appointed him, Maximian, an opponent of Christ, particularly recommended that he persecute and exterminate the Christians in Thessalonica. Demetrius not only disobeyed the emperor but openly confessed and preached the Lord Jesus Christ in the city of Thessalonica. When the emperor heard of this he became furious with Demetrius. Then, when he was returning from battle against the Sarmatians, Maximian stopped at Thessalonica to investigate the matter. The emperor summoned Demetrius and questioned him about his faith. Demetrius openly acknowledged his Christian Faith to the emperor and also denounced the emperor’s idolatry. Maximian cast Demetrius into prison. Knowing what was awaiting him, Demetrius gave all his goods to his faithful servant Lupus to distribute to the poor, and joyfully awaited his imminent suffering for Christ the Lord. An angel of God appeared to him in prison, saying: “Peace be to you, O sufferer of Christ; be brave and be strong!” After several days, the emperor sent soldiers to the prison to kill Demetrius. The soldiers found the saint of God at prayer and ran him through with lances. Christians secretly took his body and honorably buried it. Healing myrrh flowed from the body of the martyr of Christ, curing many of the sick. Soon, a small church was built over his relics.

An Illyrian nobleman, Leontius, was afflicted with an incurable illness. He hastened, with prayer, to the relics of St. Demetrius and was completely healed. In thanksgiving, Leontius erected a much larger church on the site of the old church. The saint appeared to him on two occasions. When Emperor Justinian wanted to translate the relics of the saint from Thessalonica to Constantinople, flaming sparks sprang from the tomb and a voice was heard: “Stop, and do not touch!” And thus, the relics of St. Demetrius have remained for all time in Thessalonica. As the protector of Thessalonica, St. Demetrius has appeared many times, and on many occasions has saved Thessalonica from great calamity. His miracles are without number. The Russians considered St. Demetrius to be the protector of Siberia, which was conquered and annexed to Russia on October 26, 1581. (Prologue of Ohrid)  Continue reading October 26, 2013 Holy and Glorious Great-Martyr Demetrius

This glorious saint was an Egyptian by birth and the chief commander under Emperor Constantine the Great. When the victorious Cross, surrounded by stars, appeared to Emperor Constantine, Artemius also saw that Cross, believed in the Lord Christ and was baptized. Later, during the reign of Emperor Constantius, this emperor sent him to Greece to remove the relics of St. Andrew from Patras and St. Luke from Thebes, and to take them to Constantinople. Commander Artemius carried this out with joy. After that, Artemius was appointed as augustalis and imperial prefect in Egypt. He remained in this position during the reign of Constantius, and for a period of time under Emperor Julian the Apostate. When the apostate emperor went to war against the Persians, he came through Antioch and commanded Artemius to come to Antioch with his army. Artemius came. Then the emperor subjected two Christian priests, Eugenius and Macarius, to torture. Seeing this, Artemius became greatly disturbed and, facing the emperor, said: “Why, O Emperor, why do you inhumanly torture these innocent and dedicated men of God, and why do you force them to renounce the Orthodox Faith?” Artemius continued, prophesying: “Your death is near.” The enraged emperor sent those two honorable priests into exile to Arabia, where they died shortly thereafter. He then stripped Commander Artemius of his military rank and ordered him to be flogged and torn asunder. Thoroughly wounded and bloodied, Artemius was thrown into prison, where the Lord Jesus Christ Himself appeared to him, and healed and comforted him. Then the emperor commanded that he be spread out on a stone, and that another heavy stone be placed upon him, so that his body would be smashed flat as a board. Finally, St. Artemius was beheaded. It was the year 362. Emperor Julian went out against the Persians and perished dishonorably, as St. Artemius had foretold. (Prologue of Ohrid) 

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GREAT VESPERS

 

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

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 5

10. With Your precious Cross, O Christ,
You have put the Devil to shame.
With Your Resurrection You have deadened the sting of Death.
We, therefore, glorify You, O only-begotten Son of God.

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

In Tone 4

3. You did not reject Christ, divinely wise Artemius,
nor did you sacrifice to idols
but you gave your long-suffering and tortured body to scourging
and the torments of many wounds!
You were patient as though another suffered in your place.
You awaited future rewards and immortal glory!

2. You were suspended from a height and mangled,
broken by stones,
you were burned on all sides by heated irons
and finally beheaded by the sword.
Yet you remained steadfast, glorious one,
for you set the foundation of your soul’s house on the spiritual Rock!
Therefore you are filled with ineffable light through your victories,
joining the angels and the martyrs!

1. Your relics, glorious one, ever pour the grace of healing
on those who love you,
drowning passions and infirmities, Artemius,
putting to flight legions of evil demons.
They water the hearts of the faithful,
causing the divine fruits of the virtues to spring forth,
together with the knowledge of true worship!

In Tone 2, Glory…

Let us honour Artemius,
the spiritual beacon of faith,
for he denounced the evil emperor
and God has robed the church with the purple of his martyr’s blood!
Therefore he has received the abundant grace of healing,
curing the infirmities of those who approach his relics in faith!

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 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.

In Tone 6, Glory…

You suffered for Christ according to the law, Artemius,
despising both an earthly emperor and the spiritual enemy.
You fittingly received a crown from the Saviour,
the Judge Who determined your contest!
Now you rejoice in the heavens with the ranks of angels,
openly delighting in the fullness of light on high,
partaking abundantly of the one and tri-personal Light!
Therefore, we Orthodox believers, loving the martyrs,
cry out with hymns to you:
Rejoice, invincible rock and mighty warrior of Christ!
Rejoice, destroyer of the falsehood of idolatry,
the radiant champion of the truth!
Entreat the Lord that through you we also may receive a place
before the throne of His majesty!

In Tone 6, 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 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 4, Glory…
Your martyr, Artemius, O Lord,* by his passion acquired the crown of incorruptibility from You, our God.* For possessing Your power he overcame the torturers* and shattered the feeble insolence of demons.* By his supplications, save our souls.

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.

 

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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)

Luke was born in Antioch. In his youth, he excelled in his studies of Greek philosophy, medicine and art. During the ministry of the Lord Jesus on earth, Luke came to Jerusalem, where he saw the Savior face to face, heard His saving teaching and was witness to His miraculous works. Coming to belief in the Lord, St. Luke was numbered among the Seventy Apostles, and was sent out to preach. With Cleopas, he saw the resurrected Lord on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24). After the descent of the Holy Spirit, Luke returned to Antioch and there became a fellow worker of the Apostle Paul and traveled to Rome with him, converting Jews and pagans to the Christian Faith. Luke, the beloved physician, … greets you, writes the Apostle Paul to the Colossians. (Colossians 4:14). At the request of Christians, he wrote his Gospel in about the year 60. Following the martyrdom of the great Apostle Paul, St. Luke preached the Gospel throughout Italy, Dalmatia, Macedonia and other regions. He painted icons of the Most-holy Theotokos-not just one, but three-and icons of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. Hence, St. Luke is considered to be the founder of Christian iconography. In old age, he visited Libya and Upper Egypt. From Egypt he returned to Greece, where he continued to preach and convert many with great zeal despite his old age. In addition to his Gospel, St. Luke wrote the Acts and dedicated both works to Theophilus, the governor of Achaia. Luke was eighty-four years old when the wicked idolaters tortured him for the sake of Christ and hanged him from an olive tree in the town of Thebes, in Boethia. The miracle-working relics of this wonderful saint were transported to Constantinople in the reign of Emperor Constantius, the son of Constantine. (Prologue of Ohrid) 

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GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 8

8. What shall we call you, Apostle?
Heaven, for you have made an account of the glory of God for us.
Lightning, for you illumine the world with radiance.
A cloud, for you rain down in a torrent the knowledge of God.
A chalice pouring the rich wine of wisdom to gladden our hearts:
pray to the Lord that he may save our souls.

7. What shall we call you, Apostle?
Heaven, for you have made an account of the glory of God for us.
Lightning, for you illumine the world with radiance.
A cloud, for you rain down in a torrent the knowledge of God.
A chalice pouring the rich wine of wisdom to gladden our hearts:
pray to the Lord that he may save our souls.

6. How shall we address you, chosen of God?
A river, flowing forth to us from paradise?
The ark of the new covenant ratified by Christ our God:
the illuminator, made radiant by the never-setting light:
the lampstand enlightening the Church:
your words are the bread of life, the divine table, the cup of joy:
pray to the Lord that He may save our souls.

5. How shall we address you, chosen of God?
A river, flowing forth to us from paradise?
The ark of the new covenant ratified by Christ our God:
the illuminator, made radiant by the never-setting light:
the lampstand enlightening the Church:
your words are the bread of life, the divine table, the cup of joy:
pray to the Lord that He may save our souls.

4. What shall we call you, God-inspired speaker?
A faithful steward of the mysteries of Christ,
a servant of the divine tent not made with human hands,
perfected in the fullness of time by the builder of wisdom,
He entrusted to you the new law of grace,
inscribed in Sion on tablets hewn from the rock of love:
faithful witness, pray to Him that our souls may be saved.

3. What shall we call you, God-inspired speaker?
A faithful steward of the mysteries of Christ,
a servant of the divine tent not made with human hands,
perfected in the fullness of time by the builder of wisdom,
He entrusted to you the new law of grace,
inscribed in Sion on tablets hewn from the rock of love:
faithful witness, pray to Him that our souls may be saved.

2. What shall we call you, glorious one?
The treasury of heavenly gifts;
the steadfast physician of our souls and bodies;
the fellow-labourer of Paul and his companion in travel and hardship;
the author of the acts of the apostles.
Luke, your exceeding goodness has won for you measureless praise:
pray to the Lord that He may save our souls.

1. What shall we call you, glorious one?
The treasury of heavenly gifts;
the steadfast physician of our souls and bodies;
the fellow-laborer of Paul and his companion in travel and hardship;
the author of the acts of the apostles.
Luke, your exceeding goodness has won for you measureless praise:
pray to the Lord that He may save our souls.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Apostle of Christ, compiler of divine dogmas and foundation of the Church.
You were the attendant and imitator of Paul, the vessel of election.
By wisdom you have rescued us from the turmoil of ignorance,
for our hearts were in the depths of destruction.
Wherefore we beseech you, most admirable Luke, the pride of Antioch,
pray to our Saviour and God,
for those who celebrate your most honourable memory in faith.

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 John 1-7; James 1:1-12; Jude 1-7, 17-25

 

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Grace is poured out upon your lips like a tongue of fire;
you received the Word of light, Apostle Luke,
you proclaimed salvation for those who longed to be made children of light;
writing and teaching the holy gospel in the fragrance of truth;
compiling faithfully the deeds and words of Paul, your teacher,
your holy writings are powerful weapons of light;
through them we pierce the darkness of evil:
pray that we may love the light of all,
that delivered from the corruption of death,
we may be granted peace, eternal light and great mercy.

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

You beheld the fullness of God’s mysteries:
your words are a sure fortress of faith,
to you was entrusted the task of writing the word of life for us:
you faithfully obeyed God’s inspiration, eye-witness and minister of the incarnate word,
you beheld Him after the resurrection together with Cleopas,
recognizing Him with hearts aflame in the breaking of bread,
pray that He may fill with the sweetness of divine warmth
the souls of all who keep your holy memory

Grace is poured out upon your lips; therefore, God has blessed you forever!

Rejoice, blameless writer of the Gospel of joy:
you have recorded for us the conception and preaching of the Baptist;
the wondrous annunciation to the Mother of the Lord;
the ineffable incarnation and birth of the Word who came forth from her womb;
His temptations, miracles and parables, His passion, cross and death,
the glory of His risen Body recognized in the breaking of bread,
His glorious ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
As a faithful witness you compiled the Acts of the Apostles.
You were Paul’s companion in travel and his greatest consolation,
beholder of divine mysteries and light of the Church:
guard us all, glorious healer.

In Tone 6, Glory…

All-wise Apostle, faithful labourer of the Saviour,
witness of the triumph of His passion,
you have completed the race, you have kept the faith,
harvesting the peoples from the darkness of error,
offering us as a sweet-smelling oblation to the heavenly King.
Now you stand before the Judge of all:
pray that He may rescue us from our sins and deliver us from eternal death,
when He comes in glory on the day of judgment.

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 5

Let us praise with sacred songs the holy apostle Luke,* the recorder of the joyous Gospel of Christ* and the scribe of the Acts of the Apostles,* for his writings are a testimony of the church of Christ:* he is the physician of human weaknesses and infirmities.* He heals the wounds of our souls,** and constantly intercedes for our salvation!

Glory… Now…

Rejoice, O Virgin, impassable gateway of the Lord! * Rejoice, protective wall of those who take refuge in you! * Rejoice, peaceful haven untroubled by storms! * Rejoice, Virgin who has not known wedlock * and yet has given birth in the flesh to your Creator and God! * O Mother of God, never cease to intercede ** for those who praise and worship your Son.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 5: Let us praise in sacred hymns the celebrated Luke* herald of the acts of the apostles,* brightly shining author of the Good News of Christ,* scribe of things unwritten which he wrote for Christ’s Church.* He is a physician for the feeble,* healing nature’s ailments and the maladies of souls* and he prays unceasingly for all of us.

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 a genuine preacher of piety, the godly Luke,* a star of the Church and eloquent speaker concerning ineffable mysteries.* For the Word who alone knows the human heart* chose him with the wise Paul to teach the gentiles.

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
Colossians 4:5-9, 14, 18

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
Luke 10:16-21

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)

Carpus was Bishop of Thyateira and Papylus was a deacon. They were born in Pergamum where they finally suffered for the Christian Faith at the hands of the evil proconsul Valerius, during the reign of Decius. Valerius tied them to horses and dragged them to Sardis, where he subjected them to harsh tortures. Then an angel of God appeared to them, healed them of their wounds and encouraged them. Carpus’s servant, Agathadorus, followed his master with great sorrow. Valerius then condemned him to torture as well. The saints were again tied to horses, and were dragged from Sardis to Pergamum. They tied holy Carpus to a tree and flogged him so that his body was covered with wounds, and his blood flowed like a stream, soaking the ground; but Carpus smiled in the midst of these horrible tortures. When they asked him why he was smiling, the holy martyr replied that he saw the heavens opened and the Lord seated on His throne, surrounded by Cherubim and Seraphim. As Papylus was being tortured, by prayer he healed a man blind in one eye, and many who witnessed this came to believe in Christ the Lord. Thrown to wild beasts, the martyrs remained unharmed. Then they were thrown into a fiery furnace. Agathonica, Carpus’s sister, also leaped into the fire, but the fire did not consume them. Finally, they were all beheaded with the sword, in the year 251. Thus, after their righteous endeavors, they received a wreath of glory in the Kingdom of Christ. (Prologue of Ohrid) 

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GREAT VESPERS

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

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

10. 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. 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. 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. 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.

In Tone 6

6. Truly the Seven Councils of the Fathers
although held at various times
were brought together under the canons and in good order
by the Patriarch Germanus the New.
By inscribing and establishing their doctrines
and offering themselves as intercessors with the Lord,
the Fathers are protectors of our salvation
and shepherds of the fold.

5. The Book of the Law has truly honoured the seventh day for the Hebrews
who were dispersed in the shadow of the Law and devoted to it.
But you Fathers, by your participation in the Seven Councils,
by the inspiration of God who in six days finished this universe
and blessed the seventh day,
have made it even more honourable by decreeing the bounds of faith.

4. You have given all, O thrice-blessed Fathers,
to know the Father, the Son, and the Spirit clearly by their works:
the Trinity who is the cause of the creation of the world.
By your mystical speech
you called the first three Councils and then the next four.
You have appeared as champions of the true faith,
proving that the Trinity is truly the Creator
of the four elements and of the world.

3. It would have sufficed Elisha the Prophet
to bend but once to instill life into the dead son of the servant,
but he kneeled and bent seven times.
Thus, in his foreknowledge he prophesied your gathering
through which you revived the Incarnation of the Word of God,
and humiliated Arius and his co-workers.

2. In wisdom, O venerable Fathers,
you patched the garment of Christ
which had been torn by barking dogs;
for you could not possibly bear to see his nakedness,
like Shem and Japheth of old,
who could not bear to see the nakedness of their father.
Thus you confounded the foolish Arius
and all those who followed his doctrines.

1. O Fathers, you are the true shepherds
who expelled from the Saviour’s fold
the Macedonians and the Nestorians,
the followers of Ephtechnis and Dioscorus,
Appolonarius, Sabellius, and Severus
because they became devouring wolves hidden in the skins of lambs.
Since you exposed these wretched ones, we truly honour you.

Glory…

Let us honour today those mystical trumpets of the Spirit,
namely the God-mantled Fathers
who, speaking of divine things,
sang in the midst of the Church a hymn in unison,
teaching that the Trinity is One,
not differing in Substance or Godhead,
refuting Arius and struggling for the true faith.
They always intercede with the Lord
to have mercy on our souls.

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.

 

Readings
Genesis 14: 14-20; Deuteronomy 1: 8-11, 15-17; Deuteronomy 10: 14-21

 

Aposticha

In Tone 4

In being lifted upon the Cross, O Lord,
You abolished the curse which we had inherited from our ancestors.
By going down into Hades,
You freed from eternal captivity those imprisoned there,
and granted incorruption to the human race.
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…

Come all you people of the true faith,
let us celebrate today in faith and true worship
the anniversary of the God-mantled Fathers
who came together in the splendid city of Nicaea
from the whole inhabited world.
These Fathers, in the wisdom of their pious minds,
refuted the impious belief which the wretched Arius had invented.
They banished him from the universal Church by a decree of the Council.
They instructed all to confess openly
that the Son of God is consubstantial and co-eternal with the Father before all eternity,
decreeing the same with precision and true worship in the Canon of Faith.
Therefore, following their divine doctrines,
in true faith let us worship the Father and the Son and the most Holy Spirit,
the consubstantial Trinity in one Godhead.

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 fulfill 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 8, Glory…
O Christ our God, You are above all praise* for You established our Fathers as lights to all the earth.* You led us to the true faith through them.* O Most Bountiful Lord, glory be to You!

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!

 

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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.”

Troparion, Tone 8: Christ our God, You are glorified above all,* You established our fathers as beacons on the earth* and through them guided all of us to the true faith.* Glory to You, most compassionate Lord.

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.

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

Kontakion, Tone 6: The Son who ineffably shone from the Father* was born two-fold of nature from a woman.* Beholding Him, we do not reject the image of His form;* but depicting it, we revere it faithfully.* Therefore the Church, holding the true faith,* kisses the icon of Christ’s becoming man.

Now and forever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 6: Undaunted patroness of Christians,* O steadfast intermediary with the Creator,* turn not away from the suppliant voices of sinners,* but in your kindness come to help us who cry out to you in faith.* Be quick to intercede, make haste to plead,* for you are ever the patroness of those who honour you, O Mother of God.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Blessed are You, Lord God of our fathers,* and praised and glorified is Your Name forever.
verse: For You are righteous in everything that You have done to us. (Daniel 3:26-27)

Epistle
Hebrews 13:7-16

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The God of gods, the Lord, spoke and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
verse: Gather to Him His devout ones, who with sacrifice make covenant with Him. (Psalm 49:1,5)

Gospel
John 17:1-13

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens,* praise Him in the highest.* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalms 184:1; 32:1)