Month: May 2015

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
Blessed is the man… is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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.

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

O you people, walk around Zion 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.

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.

Let Yours 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.

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.

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.

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 sing to Him:
Glory to You, O Lord,
the Giver of Life and Saviour of souls.

In Tone 1

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

O blessed, wise Theodotus,
you have brightened your sacred and divine garment
with the crimson of your blood.
You have gone piously from earthly power to Power,
from earthly glory to Glory.
Now we ask that our souls may be granted peace and great mercy.

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

As a most righteous priest,
you first offered the unbloody Sacrifice to God.
With your own blood you then offered yourself,
like first-fruits, as a pleasing sacrifice.
As a true martyr, you followed after Christ.
O honourable Teacher,
pray to Him for those who sing to you.

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

You have brought to Christ, O Father,
an army of martyrs by your teaching and precepts.
Not only did you instruct with words, O wise father,
but you showed them an example by offering yourself.
Pray with them that our souls may be granted peace and great mercy.

In Tone 6, Glory…

O blessed Theodotus,
performing the divine and ineffable mysteries unto the very end
You did remain a most lawful vicar of Christ,
thereupon shedding your own blood for Christ our God,
offering yourself as a sacrifice well pleasing to Him;
wherefore having boldness before Christ,
do you ever intercede on behalf of those who in faith and with love honour your most venerable memory,
that they may be saved from all dangers, calamities and attacks of the enemy.

In Tone 1, 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.

In Tone 4, Glory…
O blessed and most holy one,
sprinkled with the blood of Martyrdom
You have entered the heavenly tabernacle,
and standing before the Trinity, now richly adorned
and radiating with the radiance proceeding from God,
wherefore we celebrate your radiant memory, O Theodotus,
enlightening the senses of our souls.

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 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 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 4, Glory…
Having been a participant of the constitution of the Apostles* and on the throne their successor,* You, O God-inspired one, strove to acquire divine vision;* whereby you did rightly divide the word of truth,* and for the sake of the faith even suffered unto the shedding of your blood.* O Hieromartyr Theodotus,* intercede before Christ God that our souls may be saved.

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 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
Romans 2:10-16

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
Matthew 4:18-23

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

We are obliged, not only to venerate the saints and to seek the assistance of the saints, but also to imitate their life and holiness. All Christians are called to holiness by virtue of the sacrament of Baptism. Every person, regardless of status and condition of life, can become a Saint and is duty-bound to strive after holiness of life. Our Lord Jesus Christ addressed all people without exception when He said: “Therefore, be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). St. Paul also reminds us of our duty to pursue holiness: “This is the will of God- your sanctification” (1 Cor 4:3). What is holiness? Holiness is living according to the commandments of God and the Church; it is the daily fulfilment of God’s will, constant fidelity to the duties of one’s state, or more briefly – holiness is the Gospel translated into action. The Servant of God Metropolitan Andrew Sheptytsky speaks beautifully of the significance of the Gospel for our life and holiness:

“In my opinion,” he says, “the source of our failures and of all the plagues that afflict our church and national life, is our failure to apply ourselves seriously to living our Christianity and the teachings of the Gospel, and for this reason, we do not convey to others the aura of holiness … The Gospel is the road to heaven; it is a life without blemish, without reproach, without vice; it is a pure, innocent, holy life by which mortal man aspires to emulate the heavenly angels. The Gospel is the way of the cross leading to the hill of Golgotha. The Christian life is a life in which each person carries a cross, suffers, and follows in the footsteps of Jesus Christ … Life according to the teachings of the Gospel is the supernatural life of God’s grace, a life of God’s love and of the sacrifice for God or in a word: it is a life in which each person seeks and aspires to holiness of life” (On Education).

The saints in heaven, then, are God’s beloved and intimate friends; and our protectors, intercessors and benefactors; our guides and models on the path to virtue and sanctity. (from A Byzantine Rite Liturgical Year by Fr. Julian Katrij, OSBM)

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GREAT VESPERS

Kathsima
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 8

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.

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.

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.

Let Yours 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.

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

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.

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

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.

In Tone 6

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

Through faithfulness the disciples of the Lord
became instruments of the Spirit
and were scattered to the ends of the earth
to proclaim His sacred word and the doctrine of truth.
From these roots, an army of Martyrs blossomed forth
by the grace of the Divine Gardener.
By their numberless torments and by fire,
they imitated the holy passion of Christ,
and now they intercede for our souls.

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

Inflamed by the love of the Lord,
the venerable Martyrs of Christ despised the fire;
and being consumed as living coals,
they burned the dried grass of the arrogance of error;
they bridled the mouths of the beasts by their prayers;
and by their beheading, they severed the hosts of the enemy.
Having courageously shed their blood,
they watered the Church with the seed of their faith.

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

Truly the heroic Martyrs have wrestled with beasts
and were torn apart by their claws;
they fell under the edge of the sword
and were mutilated and tortured;
they were thrown into fire and burned alive,
dismembered and pierced with swords.
All this they bore courageously,
seeing in advance what was to come:
the unfading crowns and the glory of Christ.
And now they intercede for our souls.

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

Let us celebrate with songs of praise
the deeds of all the Saints over all the earth,
honouring them, as it is fitting:
the Apostles and Martyrs,
the Bishops and Holy Women.
While living on earth, they joined with the heavenly spirits,
and by the grace of Christ,
they received immortality through their sufferings.
They shine as bright stars for us,
and now they intercede for our souls.

Glory…

You are pillars of the Church
and the fulfilment of the Gospel,
O divine ranks of Martyrs.
By your deeds you have fulfilled the words of the Saviour;
for through you the gates of Hades,
once opened against the Church, have now been closed;
and through the shedding of your blood
you dried up the sacrifices poured out for the idols.
And having built up the faith of believers through your martyrdom,
you filled the heavenly spirits with admiration.
You stand before Christ, wearing your crowns;
intercede with Him for 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.

 

Readings
(1) Isaiah 43:9-14; (2) Wisdom 3:1-9; (3) Wisdom 5:15-6:3

 

Lytia (Optional)

In Tone 1

With unity of faith, let us celebrate a solemn feast
of all those who from the ages have found grace before God.
Let us remember all the Saints:
the Patriarchs, and Apostles of Christ, the Martyrs, and the Ascetics of all ages;
they intercede unceasingly for the peace of the world
and for the salvation of our souls.

Come, O faithful, let us celebrate, with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
the glorious memory of all the Saints:
the Baptist of the Lord, the Apostles and Prophets,
the Martyrs, the Bishops, and the Doctors of the Church,
the Blessed Ones, the Ascetics, and all the Just,
together with all the Holy Women.
Let us venerate their blessed memory,
and together, let us all sing:
O Christ our God and Supreme Goodness,
through their prayers grant peace to Your Church,
victory over the Enemy,
and salvation for our souls.

Come, let us celebrate the memory of the Saints, in the joy of the Holy Spirit;
for the day of their feast has arrived, filling us with divine gifts.
With purified conscience, let us cry out with joy
and let us sing in their honour:
Rejoice, O choir of Prophets who announce the coming of Christ,
and who clearly see that which is far away.
Rejoice, O Apostles of the Lord,
fishermen who gather the whole world in their nets.
Rejoice, O company of Martyrs,
gathered from all the world in the same profession of faith;
for this you suffered punishments and tortures
before receiving the crown of victory.
Rejoice, O multitude of Holy Fathers;
by your ascetic effort you subdued the body and put to death the passions of the flesh.
You have been carried in spirit, on the wings of divine love, to heaven
where you enjoy the eternal blessing with the angels whose joy you share.
Therefore, O Apostles, Prophets, and Martyrs, together with the Ascetics,
intercede with the One who crowned you in heaven,
and pray unceasingly to Him that He may deliver from the Enemy,
all those who, with faith and love, celebrate your holy memory.

In Tone 5, Glory…

O faithful, today let us hasten to the feast
for a spiritual banquet has been prepared;
the mystical cup has been filled with the food of joy.
It is the virtue of Martyrs from throughout the world
who offered themselves valiantly to God through the torments they suffered in their bodies;
and as a spiritual sacrifice,
they offered the flower of their youthful years:
their heads were cut off, their hands were severed,
their members were mutilated and wrenched apart.
And together, all these holy ones
shared in the sufferings of Christ.
But in exchange for their miseries,
You have given them crowns in heaven, O Lord;
and now in Your love for us,
grant that we may imitate their virtues.

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 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 6, Glory…

Come, O faithful, let us exalt with joy:
let us celebrate in faith on this day
the feast of all the Saints;
and let us venerate their glorious memory, saying:
Rejoice, Apostles, Prophets, and Martyrs,
Bishops, O Just and Blessed Ones,
together with the ranks of the Holy Women.
Intercede with Christ for us,
that He may grant peace to the world
and great mercy to our souls.

Now…

Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,
came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.
He clothed Himself in our 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 (For Service Without Lytia)

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…
Your Church throughout the world, O Lord,* is clothed with the blood of Your Martyrs* as with fine linens and purple robes;* and so the Church cries out to You, O Christ our God:* Send down Your goodness upon Your people;* grant peace to Your Church and great mercy to 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 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: Clothed as in purple and fine linen* with the blood of Your martyrs throughout the world,* Your Church cries out to You through them, O Christ God:* send down Your loving-kindness on Your people;* grant peace to Your community,* 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 8: O Lord, Master of nature,* the world offers You the godly martyrs as the first-fruits of nature.* By their supplications, through the Mother of God,* preserve Your Church and Your people in profound peace,* O most merciful One.

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
Hebrews 11:33-12:2

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: The just cried out and the Lord heard them, and delivered them out of their afflictions.
verse: The afflictions of the just are many, and out of them all will the Lord deliver them. (Psalm 33:18,20)

Gospel
Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous. (Psalm 32:1) Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

GREAT VESPERS

If it is the custom, after the initial Amen, all kneel and sing in Tone 6:

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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

Behold, we celebrate today the Feast of Pentecost,
the descent of the Holy Spirit,
the fulfilment of the promise and the realization of hope.
How wonderful and awesome is this great mystery!
Therefore, O Lord and Creator of all,
we cry out: Glory to You!

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

Behold, we celebrate today the Feast of Pentecost,
the descent of the Holy Spirit,
the fulfilment of the promise and the realization of hope.
How wonderful and awesome is this great mystery!
Therefore, O Lord and Creator of all,
we cry out: Glory to You!

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

You renewed Your disciples, O Christ,
by giving them a variety of tongues
with which to proclaim that You are the Immortal God,
the Word who bestows great mercy upon our souls.

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

The Holy Spirit provides every gift:
He inspires prophecy and perfects the priesthood;
He grants wisdom to the illiterate,
makes simple fishermen become wise theologians,
and establishes perfect order in the assembly of the Church.
Therefore, O Comforter, equal in nature and majesty with the Father and the Son,
O Lord, glory to You!

In Tone 2

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

We have seen the true light;
we have received the heavenly Spirit;
we have found the true faith!
Worshipping the undivided Trinity
for it has saved us.

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

We have seen the true light;
we have received the heavenly Spirit;
we have found the true faith!
Worshipping the undivided Trinity
for it has saved us.

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

You have shown us, O Saviour,
the way to salvation through the Prophets;
and the grace of Your Holy Spirit
has shone upon us through the Apostles.
You are God from all eternity,
our God, now and forever.

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

O Saviour of the world,
I sing a hymn of praise to You in Your temple;
on my knees, I adore Your invisible power,
at dawn and dusk and at noon;
indeed, at all times, I bless You, O Lord.

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

We Your faithful people, O Lord,
prostrate our souls and bodies before You.
We sing a hymn of praise to You, the eternal Father;
and to Your Son, equal to You in eternity;
and to Your all holy Spirit, co-eternal with You,
the Enlightener and Sanctifier of our souls.

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

Let us sing a hymn of praise to the consubstantial Trinity,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
for this is the command and teaching
of all the Prophets, Apostles, and Martyrs.

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…

Come, all you nations of the world,
let us adore God in three holy Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Three in One.
From all eternity, the Father begets the Son,
equal to Him in eternity and majesty,
equal also to the Holy Spirit,
glorified with the Son in the Father,
three Persons, and yet a single power and essence and Godhead.
In deep adoration, let us cry out to God:
Holy is God who made all things through the Son
with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit.
Holy the Mighty One through whom the Father was revealed to us,
and through whom the Holy Spirit came to the world!
Holy the Immortal One, the Spirit, the Counsellor,
who proceeds from the Father and reposes in the Son.
All-holy Trinity, glory to You!

 

Readings
(1) umbers 11:16-17, 24-29; (2) Joel 2:23-3:5; (3) Ezekiel 36:24-28

 

Lytia

In Tone 2

You have shown us, O Saviour,
the way to salvation through the Prophets;
and the grace of Your Holy Spirit has shone upon us through the Apostles.
You are God from all eternity,
our God, now and forever.

O Saviour of the world,
I sing a hymn of praise to You in Your temple;
on my knees, I adore Your invisible power,
at dawn and dusk and at noon;
indeed, at all times, I bless You, O Lord.

We Your faithful people, O Lord,
prostrate our souls and bodies before You.
We sing a hymn of praise to You, the eternal Father;
and to Your Son, equal to You in eternity;
and to Your all holy Spirit, co-eternal with You,
the Enlightener and Sanctifier of our souls.

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…

O Lord, when You sent down Your Spirit,
upon the assembled Apostles,
the children of Israel were struck with awe
as they heard them speak in many tongues,
inspired by the Holy Spirit.
They knew them to be illiterate and now saw them wise,
speaking divine truths and bringing Gentiles to the faith.
Therefore, we also cry out to You:
You have appeared on earth and saved us from error;
O Lord, glory to You!

 

Aposticha

In Tone 6

O Lord, the Gentiles were unaware of the power of the Holy Spirit
that had come down upon the Apostles;
they thought the many tongues were an effect of drunkenness.
But we who are strengthened by them cry our ceaselessly:
O Lover of Mankind, take not Your Holy Spirit away from us.

A pure heart create for me, O God; put a steadfast spirit within me.

O Lord, the descent of Your Holy Spirit on Your Apostles
made them speak a variety of tongues.
When the unbelievers witnessed this marvel, they took it for drunkenness,
when, in fact, it was a cause of salvation for the faithful.
We beseech You, therefore, O Lover of Mankind,
to make us worthy of the revelation of this Spirit with us.

Do not cast me away from Your presence, nor deprive me of Your Holy Spirit.

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

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…

In days of old, pride brought confusion of tongues
to the builders of the Tower of Babel,
but now the diversity of tongues enlightened the minds
and gave knowledge for the glory of God.
Then, God punished the impious for their sin;
now, Christ enlightened fishermen through His Spirit.
Then, the confusion of tongues was for the sake of punishment;
now, there was a variety so that voices could be joined in harmony
for the salvation of our souls.

 

Troparion

In Tone 8 modified
Blessed are You, O Christ our God who revealed the fishermen as most wise by sending the, the Holy Spirit; through them You caught the entire world. Loving Master, glory to You. (3)

Alternative Troparion text, in Tone 8 modified
Blessed are You, O Christ our God, for You have given us wise fishermen. After sending them Your Holy Spirit, You caught all the world through them – O loving Master, glory to You! (3)

 

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FESTAL MATINS

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

The Lord Is God, Tone 8

Troparion, Tone 8
Blessed are You, O Christ our God who revealed the fishermen as most wise by sending the, the Holy Spirit; through them You caught the entire world. Loving Master, glory to You. (twice)
Glory… Now…
Blessed are You, O Christ our God who revealed the fishermen as most wise by sending the, the Holy Spirit; through them You caught the entire world. Loving Master, glory to You.

Kathisma & Small Litany

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 4
Come, O faithful, let us celebrate the feast of the Fiftieth Day:* the day which concludes the Feast of feasts;* the day on which the pre-ordained promise is fulfilled;* the day when the Comforter descends upon the earth in tongues of fire;* the day of the disciples’ enlightenment.* They are revealed as initiated into the heavenly mysteries,* for truly the light of the Comforter has illumined the world.
Glory… Now… (repeat)

Kathisma & Small Litany

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 4
The fountain of the Spirit rushes down to earth,* mystically divided into flaming streams,* both refreshing and enlightening the apostles;* the fire became for them a cloud of dew,* raining enlightenment upon them.* From them we have received grace by fire and water,* for truly the light of the Comforter has illumined the world.
Glory… Now… (repeat)

Polyeleos

Exaltation
We extol You,* O Christ the Giver of life,* and we venerate your most Holy Spirit,* whom You sent upon your holy apostles from the Father.
verses: The heavens proclaim the glory of God, and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
By his word the heavens were made, by the breath of his mouth all the stars.
All the earth shall remember and return to the Lord; all families of the nations worship before Him.
A pure heart create for me, O God; put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your Holy Spirit.
The Lord will give strength to his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (thrice)

Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
After your resurrection from the grave, O Christ,* and your divine ascension into the highest heavens,* You made your glory descend upon the witnesses of your divinity,* and You renewed a spirit of righteousness in the hearts of your disciples.* Therefore, they have filled the world, O Savior,* with the sounds of your teaching and your work of salvation,* as a melodious harp mystically played with the divine plectrum.
Glory… Now… (repeat)

Gradual Hymns
Take 1st antiphon of Sunday, Tone 4

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Let your good Spirit guide me* in ways that are level and smooth.
verse: Lord, hasten to my prayer; turn your ear to my appeal.

Let Everything That Has Breath, Tone 4

Gospel
John 20: 19-23

Psalm 50

After Psalm 50, Tone 6
Glory…
Through the prayers of the apostles,* O merciful Lord,* cleanse us from the multitude of my transgressions.
Now…
Through the prayers of the Theotokos,* O merciful Lord,* cleanse us from the multitude of my transgressions.
Have mercy on me, God, in your loving kindness, according to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
Heavenly King, Comforter,* Spirit of Truth,* You are everywhere present and fill all things.* Treasury of blessings and Giver of life,* come and dwell within us,* cleanse us of all stain,* and save our souls, O gracious Lord.

Canon I
Ode 1, Tone7
(Irmos) He drowned Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,* for He is the One who shattered the armies with the power of his arm.* Let us sing to Him, for He is covered with glory.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!
As You promised your disciples in earlier days, O Christ the Lover of Mankind,* You sent your comforting Spirit;* thus You made his light shine over the world.
Glory… Now…
That which was formerly announced by the Law and the prophets* is fulfilled today;* for the grace of the Spirit rests on each of the faithful.
He drowned Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,* for He is the One who shattered the armies with the power of his arm.* Let us sing to him, for He is covered with glory.
(Katavasia, Tone 4) Enveloped by the divine cloud,* the man of unsure speech taught the Law written by God;* wiping the dust from his eyes, he saw the One-Who-Is,* and he was initiated into the knowledge of the Spirit.* Let us praise him with inspired songs.

Ode 3, Tone 7
(Irmos) You said to your apostles, O Lord:* Remain in Jerusalem until the day when you shall be clothed with power from on high;* and I will send you another Paraclete,* the Spirit of the Father and of Me,* in whom you will be strengthened.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!
By his descent, the power of the Holy Spirit has divinely reunited in a new harmony* the tongues that were formerly divided by their evil design.* He reveals to the faithful the Trinity in whom we are strengthened.
Glory… Now…
You said to your apostles, O Lord:* Remain in Jerusalem until the day when you shall be clothed with power from on high;* and I will send you another Paraclete,* the Spirit of the Father and of Me,* in whom you will be strengthened.
(Katavasia, Tone 4) The shackles of a sterile womb* and the unbridled pride that filled a mother* were shattered by the prayer of Anna, the prophetess of old,* who bore a contrite and humbled heart* before the supreme and all-powerful God.

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
The friends of the Savior were filled with joy and renewed in heart,* those who were formerly filled with fear;* for on this day the Holy Spirit descended from the heights of heaven upon the apostles.* They spoke to each person in his native tongue,* for the tongues of fire were distributed but did not consume them;* rather, they covered them with dew.
Glory… Now… (repeat)

Ode 4, Tone 7
(Irmos) Meditating upon your final coming, O Christ,* the prophet cried out:* I have seen your power, O Lord,* for You have come to save those who are consecrated to You.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!
The One who was spoken of by the prophets,* and who was formerly announced by the Law to the imperfect people,* is revealed this day as truly God and the Paraclete* to the servants and witnesses of the Word.
Glory… Now…
Bearing the seal of the divinity,* the Spirit was imparted to the apostles in the form of fire;* He is manifested through the gift of tongues,* for He is the divine power who comes freely from the Father.
Meditating upon your final coming, O Christ,* the prophet cried out:* I have seen your power, O Lord,* for You have come to save those who are consecrated to You.
(Katavasia, Tone 4) O King of kings and only Son of the Father,* Word proceeding from the Father without beginning,* You send your Spirit of truth upon your apostles who sing:* Glory to your power, O Lord!

Ode 5, Tone 7
(Irmos) O Lord, the Spirit of your salvation,* which formerly was received by the prophets in fear,* now creates a pure heart in your apostles* and renews in our hearts an upright spirit;* for your commandments, O Lord, bring us light and peace.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!
The power which descends on us is the Holy Spirit,* the goodness and wisdom of God,* the Spirit who proceeds from the Father* and is revealed by the Son to us the faithful.* He fills with holiness those in whom He dwells.
Glory… Now…
O Lord, the Spirit of your salvation,* which formerly was received by the prophets in fear,* now creates a pure heart in your apostles* and renews in our hearts an upright spirit;* for your commandments, O Lord, bring us light and peace.
(Katavasia, Tone 4) Receive the Holy Spirit, breathing the flames of fresh dew* as a baptism that takes away sin,* O you children who are enlightened by the Church.* For today the Law comes forth from Zion;* it is the grace of the Spirit which comes in tongues of fire.

Ode 6, Tone 7
(Irmos) Sailing across the ocean of life and tossed about by the cares of the world,* engulfed in the midst of my sins and thrown to the monster who devours souls,* as Jonah, I cry out to You, O Christ:* Deliver me from this deadly abyss.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!
You pour out your Spirit in abundance upon all flesh,* as You had promised, O Lord;* and the universe is filled with the knowledge of You,* for the Father has begotten You as a Son,* and the Spirit proceeds from Him.
Glory… Now…
Sailing across the ocean of life and tossed about by the cares of the world,* engulfed in the midst of my sins and thrown to the monster who devours souls,* as Jonah, I cry out to You, O Christ:* Deliver me from this deadly abyss.
(Katavasia, Tone 4) O Christ, our salvation and redemption,* You have come forth in splendor from the Virgin* to rescue us from the pit of the tomb;* as Jonah was saved from the sea monster,* the entire human race was saved after the fall of Adam.

Small Litany

Kontakion, Tone 8
When the Most High descended and confused tongues,* He scattered the people;* but when He distributed the tongues of fire,* He called all to unity.* Therefore, with one voice,* let us praise the most Holy Spirit.

Ikos
Grant to your servants, O Jesus, a prompt and firm comfort; for our spirits are filled with sadness. Do not abandon us in our affliction and do not keep yourself far from our sorely-tried hearts, but come to us in haste. Come close to us, O Lord, who are present everywhere; in your goodness, remain united to those who love You, as You were always with your apostles, so that, united with You, we may sing and glorify your most Holy Spirit.

Ode 7, Tone 7
(Irmos) In the fiery furnace,* the youths transformed the blazing flames which surrounded them into dew,* for they praised the Lord by singing:* Blessed are You, O God of our fathers!
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!
While the apostles were preaching the marvels of God,* the unbelievers took for drunkenness the power of the Spirit* who made known to us the Trinity,* the one God of our fathers!
Glory… Now…
According to the true faith,* we confess the indivisible nature of God the Father without beginning,* of the consubstantial Word and the Holy Spirit:* Blessed are You, O God of our fathers!
In the fiery furnace,* the youths transformed the blazing flames which surrounded them into dew,* for they praised the Lord by singing:* Blessed are You, O God of our fathers!
(Katavasia, Tone 4) The symphony of instruments was raised up to adore the lifeless golden statue;* but the bright grace of the Paraclete invites us to sing with devotion:* Blessed are You, eternal and unique Trinity!

Ode 8, Tone 7
(Irmos) On Sinai, the bush that burned without being consumed,* revealed God to Moses* as He spoke to the one of unsure speech;* and in the furnace, the three youths, invincible in their zeal for God,* began to sing a hymn of praise:* Sing to the Lord, all you his works and exalt Him forever.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!
When the violent gust of wind bearing life descended from heaven,* the most Holy Spirit of God, in the form of tongues of fire,* breathed on the fishermen with great force;* and they began to preach the marvels of God:* Sing to the Lord, all you works of the Lord and exalt Him forever.
Let us bless the Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Let us approach the inviolate mountain* without fear of the terrible fire;* come, let us climb the mountain of Zion,* the city of the living God.* In joy, let us now unite ourselves with the choir of the disciples,* the bearers of the Spirit:* Sing to the Lord, all you works of the Lord and exalt Him forever.
Now…
On Sinai, the bush that burned without being consumed,* revealed God to Moses* as He spoke to the one of unsure speech;* and in the furnace, the three youths, invincible in their zeal for God,* began to sing a hymn of praise:* Sing to the Lord, all you his works and exalt Him forever.
Let us praise, bless and worship the Lord, singing and exalting Him above all forever.
(Katavasia, Tone 4) The triple flame of the unique divinity* breaks the chains and stirs the flames with dew;* the youths sing his praises,* and every creature, the work of his hands,* blesses its only Savior and benefactor.

Omit Magnificat

Ode 9
O my soul, extol the one God in three Persons.
(Irmos, Tone 7) You have conceived in all purity,* and the Word and Creator of the universe takes flesh in you,* O spouse- less Mother and virginal Birthgiver of God,* the dwelling place of the One whom none could contain,* and the abode of the infinite One, your Creator.* For this, we extol you.
O my soul, extol the one God in three Persons.
He who formerly was taken up in a chariot of fire,* the prophet who was filled with zeal and fervor,* prefigured the brilliant coming of the Spirit,* who descends upon the apostles this day;* and shining with the brightness of this fire,* they make the Trinity known to all.
O my soul, extol the one God in three Persons.
The laws of nature are surpassed;* wonderful thing is now heard:* while the apostles resound with one voice,* by the grace of the Holy Spirit,* people, nations, and languages all understand in their own way the wonders of God,* for they have been initiated into the knowledge of the Holy Trinity.
O my soul, extol the one God in three Persons.
You have conceived in all purity,* and the Word and Creator of the universe takes flesh in you,* O spouseless Mother and virginal Birthgiver of God,* the dwelling place of the One whom none could contain,* and the abode of the infinite One, your Creator.* For this, we extol you.
Glory… Now…
(Katavasia, Tone 4) Rejoice, O Queen and glorious Virgin Mother!* What orator, rich in eloquence, could find the proper words* to fashion a hymn of praise worthy of you?* For every spirit shudders before the mystery of your holy birthgiving;* and we also unite our voices to glorify you.

Hymn Of Light, Tone 3
O most Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father through the Son,* and who has now descended upon the uneducated disciples,* save and sanctify all those who recognize You as God. (twice)
Glory… Now…
The Father is light and the Word is light;* the Holy Spirit also is light!* He is sent upon the apostles in the form of tongues of fire,* and through Him the whole world receives the light of baptism* to adore the Holy Trinity.

At The Praises

In Tone 4

All the peoples have seen wonders today in the city of David,* when the Holy Spirit descended in tongues of fire,* as told by the God-inspired Luke, who said:* The disciples of Christ were gathered together;* there was a sound like a mighty wind,* and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.* And they began to speak in foreign tongues,* teaching the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. (twice)

The Holy Spirit was, is, and always will be* without beginning and without end,* but always one with the Father and the Son.* He is Life and Giver of Life,* He is Light and Giver of Light,* good by nature and source of goodness.* is through Him that the Father is known and the Son glorified;* and all people have come to know the one power, and the one substance,* and the same adoration of the Holy Trinity. (twice)

The Holy Spirit is Light and Life,* the Living Spring mystically gushing forth,* the Spirit of Wisdom and Spirit of Knowledge,* good, upright, and understanding,* majestic, and purifying from sin.* He is God and deifies us;* Fire proceeding from fire,* speaking, acting, and distributing gifts.* It is through Him that all the prophets and the apostles of God* have received the crown, together with the martyrs.* A strange report to hear and strange to see:* the fire is divided for the sharing of gifts. (twice)

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

Heavenly King, Comforter,* Spirit of Truth,* You are everywhere present and fill all things.* Treasury of blessings and Giver of life,* come and dwell within us,* cleanse us of all stain,* and save our souls, O gracious Lord.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Antiphon 1
The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of his hand.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God…
Day to day pours forth the message and night proclaims this knowledge to night.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God…
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God…
Glory… Now… Only-begotten Son…

Antiphon 3
O Lord, by Your power the king shall rejoice and greatly exult in Your salvation.

Troparion, Tone 8 Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* for You have given us wise fishermen!* After sending them Your Holy Spirit,* You caught all the world through them.* O loving Master, glory to You!

You gave him his heart’s desire and did not deny the request of his lips.

Troparion, Tone 8 Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* for You have given us wise fishermen!* After sending them Your Holy Spirit,* You caught all the world through them.* O loving Master, glory to You!

For You have gone before him with gracious blessings, you have placed upon his head a crown of precious stones.

Troparion, Tone 8 Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* for You have given us wise fishermen!* After sending them Your Holy Spirit,* You caught all the world through them.* O loving Master, glory to You!

Entrance
Be exalted, O Lord, in Your strength; we will sing and make music to Your might.

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8 Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* for You have given us wise fishermen!* After sending them Your Holy Spirit,* You caught all the world through them.* O loving Master, glory to You!

Glory… Now…

Kontakion Tone 8 When the Most High came down and confused the tongues, • He parted the nations. • When He divided the tongues of fire, • He called all to unity; • thus with one voice • we glorify the all-Holy Spirit.

Instead of the Trisagion
All you, who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto to the ends of the world.
verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hand.

Epistle
Acts 2:1-11

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: By the Lord’s words the heavens were established, and by the Breath of His mouth all their host.
verse: The Lord has looked down from heaven and beheld the whole human race.

Gospel
John 7:37-53; 8:12-13

Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify the one Divinity in three Persons.
Rejoice, O Queen, boast of the virgins and mothers, for every tongue, though capable and eloquent, cannot hymn you as is your due, and every mind is confounded in seeking to comprehend the way in which you gave birth. Wherefore with one accord we glorify you.

Communion Hymn
Your good Spirit will lead me to the land of righteousness. Alleluia, thrice.

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

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.

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 had 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.

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.
You power prevails in Hades where You conquered Death.
O Master, Your sustaining hands 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.

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

The Lord ascended into heaven
to send the Comforter into this world.
The heavens prepared His throne and the clouds were His ladder;
the angels marvelled at the sight of a man more exalted than themselves.
Today, the Father receives again in His bosom
the One who was in Him from all eternity,
and the Holy Spirit gives a command to all the angels:
Lift up your lintels, O you gates!
O you nations of the earth, clap your hands,
for Christ ascends to the place
where He had been from all eternity.

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

O Lord, the Cherubim were amazed at Your Ascension;
they were seized with wonder as they beheld You, O God, rising upon the clouds,
for You are the One who is seated above the clouds.
We sing a hymn of praise to You:
Glory to You for Your tender mercy.

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, splendour and glory of the Father,
when we behold You Ascension on the holy mountain,
we sing a hymn of praise to the beauty of Your countenance.
We bow down to Your Passion,
we venerate Your holy Resurrection,
and we glorify Your noble Ascension.
O Lord, have mercy on us!

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

Before the morning star You were begotten of the Father;
before the ages You were conceived without a mother,
even though Arius believed You to be created, and not God.
He shamelessly confused the Creator with his creatures,
thus deserving eternal punishment.
Yet the Council of Nicea proclaimed You as the Son of God
who is enthroned with the Father and the Spirit.

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

Who has severed Your garment, O Saviour?
It was Arius who divided the Trinity
who is equal in glory and eternal majesty.
For he denied that You are one of the most Holy Trinity.
He taught the transgressing Nestorius
to say that the Virgin is not the Mother of God;
but the Council of Nicea proclaimed You as the Son of God
who is enthroned with the Father and the Spirit.

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

Declaring that the Light could not be seen,
Arius fell into the pit of the impious ones;
his body was torn apart by the justice of God,
and he gave up his soul in a violent manner.
He was another Judas by his thoughts and deeds.
But the Council of Nicea proclaimed You as the Son of God
who is enthroned with the Father and the Spirit.

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

The foolish Arius divided the unity of the Holy Trinity
into three different and unequal substances.
But the God-bearing Fathers came together in Council.
Burning with the zeal of Elijah the Tishbite
and with the sword of the Holy Spirit,
they cut down these shameful blasphemies;
for they were directed by the Spirit.

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 defending the orthodox faith.
They always intercede with the Lord
to have mercy on our souls.

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) Genesis 14:14-20; (2) Deuteronomy 1:8-11, 15-17; (3) Deuteronomy 10:14-21

 

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 and glorify 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 own 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 4, Glory…

O believers, let us come together today
to celebrate in faith and true worship
the remembrance of the God-inspired Fathers
who had come together from throughout the world,
in the splendid city of Nicea.
They rejected the doctrine of the impious Arius
and banished him from the universal Church
by a decree of the Council.
They instructed all to openly profess the Son of God,
that He is consubstantial and co-eternal with the Father before eternity,
and they clearly wrote this in the Symbol of Faith.
Therefore, following their divine doctrines,
let us worship the Son in true faith,
together with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
the Trinity consubstantial in one Godhead.

Now…

O Lord most merciful,
after fulfilling the mystery hidden from all eternity,
You, the Creator and Master of all,
went up to the Mount of Olives with Your disciples and Your Mother.
For the one who, at the sight of Your Passion,
had suffered more than anyone else in her motherly heart,
had more than anyone else the right to share the joy that fills us
as we witness Your ascending into heaven.
We glorify Your infinite mercy overflowing upon us.

 

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… Now…
You ascended in glory, O Christ our God;* giving joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit,* and assuring them through Your blessing* that You are the Son of God,** the Redeemer of the world.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Antiphon 1
Clap your hands, all you nations;* shout to God with the voice of joy.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save, us.
For the Lord most high is awesome,* a great king of all the earth.
Through the prayers…
He has subdued peoples to us,* and nations under our feet.
Through the prayers…
God ascended amid shouts of joy;* the Lord at the sound of the trumpet.
Through the prayers…
Glory… Now…  Only-Begotten Son…

Antiphon 3
Son of God, who ascended in glory, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

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: You ascended in glory, O Christ our God,* giving joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit,* and assuring them through your blessing* that You are the Son of God,* the Redeemer of the world.

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

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

Kontakion, Tone 8: The apostles’ preaching and the Fathers’ doctrine confirmed the Church’s one faith, and wearing the garment of truth woven from theology that descends from on high, she rightly imparts the mystery of godliness and sings its glory.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 6: When you had fulfilled Your plan for us* and united things on earth with those in heaven,* You ascended in glory, O Christ our God,* in no way distant, but remaining in separable,* You cried to those who love You:* I am with You and there is none against you.

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.

Epistle
Acts 20:16-18, 28-36

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

Gospel
John 17:1-13

Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify the Lord who in glory ascended bodily into the heavens.** O Mother of God,* you transcended both mind and word,* and in time, ineffably bore the Timeless One:* it is you who, with one accord,* we, the faithful, magnify.

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him the highest. Rejoice in the Lord, O you just; praise befits the righteous. Alleluia (3).

Instead of “We have seen the true light” and “Let our mouths be filled,” we sing:
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, above all the earth be Your glory.

The feast of the Lord’s Ascension always falls on a Thursday, on the fortieth day after Christ’s resurrection. This is one of the principal feast days of our Lord and therefore, has a post-feast of nine days. It celebrates the memory of Christ’s Ascension into heaven and underscores its significance for Christ and for us. St. John Chrysostom, in his homily on the Ascension says: ‘‘Today the human race is completely reconciled with God. The ancient battle and enmity have disappeared. We, who were unworthy to live even on earth – are now lifted up to heaven. Today we become heirs to the kingdom of heaven, we, who do not even deserve earth, we ascend to heaven and inherit the throne of the King and Lord. Continue reading May 14, 2015 Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ