2016 – Liturgical Texts and Music

January 30, 2017
Three Holy Hierarchs, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom

Continue reading January 30, 2017 Three Holy Hierarchs, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom

January 29, 2017
37th Sunday after Pentecost; Sunday of Zacchaeus; Octoechos Tone 4; The Transfer of the Relics of the Great-Martyr Ignatius the God-bearer (of Antioch)

Continue reading January 29, 2017 37th Sunday after Pentecost; Sunday of Zacchaeus; Octoechos Tone 4; The Transfer of the Relics of the Great-Martyr Ignatius the God-bearer (of Antioch)

January 27, 2017
Transfer of the Precious Relics of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom

Continue reading January 27, 2017 Transfer of the Precious Relics of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom

January 25, 2017
Our Holy Father Gregory the Theologian, Archbishop of Constantinople

Continue reading January 25, 2017 Our Holy Father Gregory the Theologian, Archbishop of Constantinople

January 22, 2017
36th Sunday after Pentecost, Octoechos, Tone 3; The Holy Apostle Timothy; the Holy Venerable-Martyr Anastasius the Persian (628)

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 3

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

By Your Cross, O Christ our Saviour,
the power of Death has been vanquished
and the deceit of the devil has been destroyed.
Therefore, mankind, saved by faith,
offers You hymns of praise forever.

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

O Lord, all creation has been enlightened by Your resurrection,
and Paradise has been reopened;
therefore, all creation extols You
and offers You hymns of praise forever.

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

I glorify the powers of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
and I praise the dominion of the undivided Divinity,
the consubstantial Trinity,
Who reigns forever and ever.

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

We adore Your precious Cross, O Christ,
and with hymns of praise we glorify Your Resurrection;
for by Your wounds we have all been healed.

In Tone 1

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

Manifestly illumined by the rays of the Spirit,
O divinely revealed Timothy,
you were shown to be a most radiant beacon,
passing over all the earth and enlightening it with grace.
Pray now, that our souls be granted peace
and great 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 divinely wise Timothy,
you drank of the torrent of sweetness
and, emulating Christ, with godly wisdom have given drink
to those who fervently desire the understanding of God.
To Him have you now joyously departed,
contemplating the all-radiant glory of the Trinity
and infinitely powerful peace.

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

Placing yourself in submission to Paul,
conversing with the Spirit through writing,
you became wholly radiant with light,
a generous husbandman, and an earnest favorite of the Lord,
living in chastity and piety, O divinely wise Timothy;
and you have been vouchsafed crowns of victory
as a lawful athlete.

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 most blessed Anastasius, boast of the martyrs,
who achieved splendid victories over falsehood,
you bear in your name a standard of fame,
being borne aloft everywhere as a steadfast victor.
And now do you raise up from sinful falls
those who honor your memory with faith.

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

O martyr Anastasius,
achieving a splendid victory over falsehood,
you received a twofold crown for your ascetic struggle
and your steadfast contest, and your opposition, even unto death.
And Christ the Master has given you
the ability to work miracles, as is meet.

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

The ends of the world now hymn your miracles,
O wonder-worker Anastasius;
for Christ has adorned you,
rewarding with miracles you who endured tortures for His sake;
and after your death you were counted worthy
of immortal glory and blessedness.

In Tone 8, Glory…

Chosen by God before to be the disciple of the wise Paul,
you learned things divine;
and having lived in goodness and preserved the Faith unadulterated
even unto the shedding of your blood,
you were shown to be a faithful hierarch, O Apostle Timothy.
Therefore, you denounced the idolaters
and, wounded by staves and stones,
received the crown of martyrdom.
Wherefore, O most blessed one, pray for us who celebrate
your most honored memory with faith.

In Tone 3, Now…

O Lady most honourable,
how can we but be rapt in wonder
at you giving birth to the Incarnate God
who, without a mother, was born of the Father before all ages?
You gave Him birth in the flesh without a father,
without a man instrumentality.
He is God and man whose two natures are intact,
neither one losing any of its properties.
Therefore, O Virgin Mother,
intercede with Him to save the souls
of those who believe and confess in true faith
that you are the Mother of God.

Aposticha

In Tone 3

O Christ, Who darkened the sun by Your passion
and enlightened all creation by Your resurrection,
accept our evening prayer; for You love mankind.

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

O Lord, Your life-giving Resurrection has enlightened the entire universe
and has revived Your creation which lay in corruption.
Therefore, we, who have been released from the curse of Adam, cry out to You:
Almighty Lord, glory to You!

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

O God, although in Your divine nature You are unchangeable,
yet in Your human nature You underwent change by suffering in the flesh.
All creation was prostrate with fear
when it saw You hanging on the Cross,
and it groaned in sorrow as it sang the praises of Your long-suffering.
But You descended into Hades and arose on the third day,
granting life and great mercy to the world.

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

You suffered death, O Christ, to deliver mankind from death.
And when You arose from the dead on the third day,
You enlightened the world
and resurrected all who acknowledge You as God.

In Tone 2, Glory…

O Christ, You magnified the power of the precious Cross
in Judea and in Babylon,
for because of it they came to know
the feast of Your life-creating resurrection:
And now the right laudable and glorious athlete Anastasius,
a martyr of countless miracles,
has become for them a liberator
from the captivity of the madness of idolatry,
joining chorus with the angels and praying for our souls.

Now…

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

Troparia

In Tone 3
Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.

In Tone 4
Having learned goodness and maintaining continence in all things,* you were divinely arrayed with a good conscience as befits a priest* and you drew ineffable truths from the chosen vessel.* You have kept the faith* and completed a course equal to his, bishop and martyr Timothy.** Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved!

In Tone 4, Glory…
Your holy martyr Anastasius, O Lord,* through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God!* For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,* and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.** Through his intercessions, 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.

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 3: Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.

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

Kontakion, Tone 3: You rose from the tomb, O compassionate Lord,* and led us out from the gates of death.* Today Adam exults and Eve rejoices,* and the prophets together with the patriarchs* unceasingly acclaim the divine might of Your power.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 3: Today the Virgin stands before us in the church* and together with the choirs of saints invisibly prays to God for us.* Angels are worshipping with hierarchs,* Apostles exult with prophets,* for the Mother of God prays in our behalf to the eternal God.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Sing to our God, sing; sing to our King, sing.
verse: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout unto God with the voice of joy. (Psalm 46:7,2)

Epistle
1 Timothy 1:15-17

Alleluia, Tone 3
verse: In You, O Lord, have I hoped that I may not be put to shame for ever.
verse: Be a protector unto me, O God, and a house of refuge to save me. (Psalm 30:2,3)

Gospel
Luke 18:35-43

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

January 20, 2017
Venerable and God-bearing Father Euthymius

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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

A heavenly angel was sent beforehand to announce your birth, father Euthymius.
Like John, you came from the womb of a barren woman
and you showed yourself to be his follower.
You were a homeless one who spurned possessions,
sharing his way of life.
Like the Baptist, you sustained yourself in the mountains,
shining forth with boundless miracles!

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

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

You brought forth fruit from barrenness, father Euthymius.
You were shown to have many children indeed,
for the desert that once was trackless was filled with monastics,
your spiritual offspring.
Pray now that our souls may be granted peace and great mercy!

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

You excelled in your life, father Euthymius,
and your faith was truly orthodox.
Through activity you reached the highest vision
and became a dwelling of wisdom.
You worshipped Christ in two natures as one of the Trinity.
Pray to Him on our behalf!

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

You shared in the sufferings of Him
who was stretched upon the cross, father Euthymius.
Through asceticism you conformed yourself indeed to His resurrection and glory!
Entreat Him now that he may grant our souls
peace and great mercy!

In Tone 4

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

You were sanctified from your mother’s womb
when the eye of Him who sees all things perceived
your purpose and desire ever leading towards higher things.
Most blessed one, He declared you to be a gift of God,
the namesake of good courage.
He loosed the sorrow of your parents.
You advanced from infancy pleasing God, our Benefactor.
Beseech Him that He may save and enlighten our souls!

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

Christ found you to be a clear mirror of divine revelations.
He enlightened you with the radiant splendour of His light.
He filled you with divine gifts, father.
You were revealed to be a source flowing with healings,
a feeder of the hungry,watering with rains the desire of those who thirst.
Looking upon souls as pledges, wise one,
by your teaching, you helped them towards God.
Entreat Him that He may save and enlighten our souls!

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

Your angelic life shone with vision and activity
as a standard and excellent model of virtue
for those who desire to worship God in perfection!
Your divinely-wise teaching, Euthymius,
taught all to worship the Trinity,
that Christ is known to be one in two natures
and that the councils were equal in number to Christ’s four gospels.
Entreat Him that He may save and enlighten our souls!

In Tone 3, Glory…

As another Samuel, father Euthymius,
you were dedicated to God from your mother’s womb.
Indeed, you were fittingly called by your name,
for you are good courage to all believers,
a foundation and pillar of the monastic way,
a sanctified temple of the Holy Spirit.
Pray for us who honour you,
that we may be granted great mercy!

Now…

Readings
(1) Wisdom 3:1-9; (2) Wisdom 5:15-6:3; (3) Wisdom 4:7-15

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Rejoice, venerable father,
for you are the cause of good courage for the Church!
By your birth all the assaults of heretics were repelled by the providence of God!
Therefore he named you Euthymius, or good courage.
You filled the ranks of heavenly beings with joy by the brilliance of your life!
Now as you make your dwelling with them, filled with light,
and enjoy the most blessed and divine radiance,
entreat Christ that He may grant great mercy to our souls.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints!

Made firm by the staff of the cross,
you dried up the sea of iniquity.
Spiritually watered by the stream of divine sweetness and the rivers of paradise,
you revealed springs of salvation in the desert!
You were watered like a palm tree with streams of the divine Spirit.
You hastened to the heights of heaven, venerable one,
showing yourself a fiery pillar of light-bearing radiance.
Therefore, divinely wise one,
entreat Christ that He may grant great mercy to our souls!

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; who greatly delights in is commandments!

You have passed over indeed with joy and gladness of soul
to the wonderful tabernacle, the house of God.
There, most blessed father, you listen to the beautiful voices,
the sweet hymns and ineffable delight of those who keep the feast.
You share in their beauty, Euthymius.
This alone you desired as you crucified your flesh and you reached it,
adorned with the righteousness of God.
Entreat Christ that He may grant the world great mercy!

Glory…
You gave your eyes no sleep, righteous father,
nor your eyelids slumber, until you freed your soul and body of passions.
You prepared yourself to be the dwelling of the Holy Spirit,
for you became the companion of the consubstantial Trinity,
for Christ who alone shows us the Father,
came to live in you, all-praised Euthymius.
Pray to Him that our souls may be saved!

Now…

We faithful bless you, Theotokos;
we fittingly glorify you, the unshaken city, the fortified wall,
the fervent intercessor and protector of our souls!

Troparia

In Tone 4
Be glad, O barren desert;* take heart, you who have never known labor.* For a man of the desires of the Spirit* has multiplied your children.* He planted them in godliness* and reared them with self-mastery to perfection in virtues.* By his prayers, Christ God, grant peace to our lives.

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

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 4 Be glad, O barren desert;* take heart, you who have never known labour.* For a man of the desires of the Spirit* has multiplied your children.* He planted them in godliness* and reared them with self-mastery to perfection in virtues.* By his prayers, Christ God, grant peace to our lives.

Glory… Now…

Kontakion, Tone 8 Creation found joy in your precious birth* and in your divine memorial it takes courage from your many miracles.* Grant a rich share of your wonders to our souls, O Venerable Father,* and cleanse the stains of sin that we may sing: Alleluia.

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?

Epistle
Hebrews: 13:17-21

Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments.
verse: His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth.

Gospel
Luke 6:17-23

Communion Verse
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear. Alleluia (3).

January 17, 2017
Venerable and God-Bearing Father Anthony the Great

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

Burning with divine love and radiant with the Spirit,
your soul rose to desire truly infinite love!
You despised flesh and blood, and lived apart from the world,
yet you were united to it by great silence and abstinence.
Therefore you were fulfilled as you desired,
and as a star radiant with blessings, Anthony, you illumine our souls!

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

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

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

Anthony, you were radiant with divine light
by the grace of the Holy Spirit;
you shattered the flying weapons of the demons;
by your godly teachings you exposed their evil snares.
You were a radiant light for monks: the first to adorn the desert;
a prayerful and skilled physician of the sick,
and the first clear example of the ascetic life.

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

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

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

Anthony, pure in heart and soul;
an earthly angel, a heavenly man!
A teacher of chastity, a clear measure of abstinence!
Now you live with your Master, blessed saint.
As you offer Him unceasing praise with the angels, all holy monastics and martyrs,
set free from sin and danger those who ever keep your holy memory.

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

In Tone 6, Glory…

You set your mind as master over the disturbing passions,
keeping the image unharmed through the ascetic life.
Thus you rose into the perfect likeness,
for bravely curbing nature,
you hastened to subject what is lower to that which is above:
you made the body servant to the Spirit.
Therefore you were revealed as the chief of those living the monastic life,
a citizen of the desert,
a master teaching those who hasten to you,
a perfect example of virtue.
Now the image has been broken, Anthony,
and in heaven you behold in purity the holy Trinity,
as you pray with boldness for those who honour you with faith and love!

Now…

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

Readings
(1) Proverbs 3:13-16, 8, 6; (2) Proverbs 10:31-32; 11:1-10; (3) Wisdom 3:1-9

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Rejoice, Anthony, as you dwell on high with the angelic choirs!
For you truly learned their virtue, blessed saint.
You lived on earth, and appeared as a clear, undefiled image;
as a glass which received the brilliant lights of the Holy Spirit.
Thus enlightened, you saw what was to come,
foretelling all things taught by the divine manifestations of the light of Christ.
entreat Him to grant our souls great mercy.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints!

Rejoice, leader of ascetics and their unconquered champion!
For cutting down passions to the root and opposing the attempts of devils,
you bravely laid bare their weakness and soul-destroying error.
You made plain the invincible power and might of the Saviour’s cross.
Girded with it, you defeated all who reject
the divine appearance of Christ in the flesh.
Entreat Him to grant our souls great mercy.

Blessed is the man who fears the lord. He has great delight in His commandments.

You were an overshadowing cloud,
strengthened as a shining pillar of virtues,
leading those in the desert from earth to heaven.
Thus you were a seer of God!
With the staff of the cross you destroyed the sea of the passions,
and having defeated the reasoning of Amalek,
you easily found the way into heaven, blessed one of God,
and an incorruptible inheritance.
Rejoicing, you stand with the angels beside the throne of Christ.
Entreat Him to grant our souls great mercy.

In Tone 8, Glory…

We honour you, Anthony our father, the instructor of a multitude of monks!
We have indeed learned to walk rightly in your footsteps!
You are blest, for having laboured for Christ,
you denounced the power of the enemy!
Conversor with the angels, companion of Paul of Thebes!
Together with them, entreat the Lord that He may grant mercy to our souls!

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 4
By your zeal you equalled Elijah, father Anthony,* you imitated the life of John the Baptist;* you founded a city in the wilderness;* you established the Church on the firm foundation of your prayers.* Pray to Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

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

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 4: By your life you imitated the zealous Elias* and by following straight paths you emulated the Baptist, John.* O Father Anthony,* you peopled the desert and strengthened the world by your prayers;* intercede with Christ God 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 2: You rejected earthly worries* and finished your life in silence imitating the Baptist in every way* and so with him we honour you,* O Anthony, most venerable, first of the Fathers.

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 115:6,3)

Epistle
Hebrews 13: 17-21

Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments.
verse: His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth. (Psalm 111:1-2)

Gospel
Luke 6: 17-23

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

January 15, 2017
35th Sunday after Pentecost, Octoechos Tone 2; Our Venerable Fathers Paul of Thebes (312-37) and John the Hut-Dweller (465-74)

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

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

Come, let us adore God the Word,
Who was born of the Father before all ages,
and was incarnate of the Virgin Mary;
for of His own free will He suffered the Cross
and submitted Himself to burial,
and arose from the dead to save me, a sinful one.

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

Christ our Saviour cancelled the decree that was written against us,
by nailing it to the Cross;
and He abolished the dominion of Death.
Let us glorify His Resurrection on the third day.

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

Let us, together with the archangels, sing of Christ’s resurrection;
for He is the Redeemer and Saviour of our souls.
He will come again in awesome glory and mighty power
to judge the world which He has fashioned.

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

Although You died and were buried,
the angel yet declared You as Master.
He said to the women: Come and see where the Lord was placed;
for He is risen as He foretold,
because He is almighty.
Therefore, we worship You, the only Immortal One,
and we beseech You to have mercy on us, O Giver of Life.

In Tone 2

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

When by divine inspiration you wisely left the cares of life
and set out on the labours of asceticism,
you went out with joy into the inaccessible wilderness,
inflamed with love of the Lord.
Having overcome the passions,
you lived like an angel by your perseverance in the good, O holy father.

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

Having renounced all human companionship from your youth, O holy father,
you were the first to seek the absolute solitude of the wilderness.
You surpassed all hermits, O holy Paul,
remaining unknown throughout your whole life.
But at the command of God, Anthony found you like a hidden treasure
and made you known throughout the world.

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

O holy Paul, as you lived your earthly life,
you dwelt with the wild beasts
and were served by a bird at the command of God.
Seeing this when he found you,
Anthony the Great was filled with amazement,
and he ceaselessly magnified the divine Providence of the Master of all.

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 Father, when by divine inspiration
you joyfully fled from the pleasures of this world,
you renounced the broad way and chose the narrow, straight, and rugged road.
You went into a spiritual refuge where you put on the divine habit,
denying yourself and stripping yourself of all passions.

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

You conceived the amazing plan of your life,
your wondrous behaviour, in your love for Christ,
whose ineffable poverty you cherished.
Without a home, living before the threshold of your parents
you endured need and tribulations.
But you were filled with divine graces and you inherited heaven
and the treasure which no one can ever take away.

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

Having the Holy Gospel before you, O father John,
you fulfilled It when you renounced your family inheritance
and spent your whole life in hardship and repentance.
Thus you now rejoice, O venerable father, since God has glorified you
with divine consolation and endless happiness.

In Tone 2, Glory…

Renouncing the world and all it contains, O venerable father,
you took up the Gospel of Christ and lived it completely.
In the hut where you dwelt as though in a mystic paradise,
treating your body with the utmost severity,
you put to death the murderous dragon.
Now you dwell in heaven, O holy John:
ask great mercy for us.

In Tone 2, Now…

O Virgin, the shadow of the Law passed away
with the realization of grace.
For as the bush had burned without being consumed,
so you gave birth while a virgin
and you remained a virgin.
Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice.
Instead of Moses, Christ God came forth,
the Saviour of our souls.

Aposticha

In Tone 2

Your Resurrection, O Christ our Saviour,
has enlightened the whole universe;
and, through it, You call back to Yourself all Creation.
Almighty God, glory to You!

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

By the wood of Your Cross, O Saviour,
You have abolished the curse of the tree;
by Your burial You have destroyed the power of death;
and by Your Resurrection You enlightened the human race.
We, therefore, cry out to You:
O Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to You!

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

O Christ, when You were nailed to the Cross,
the distorted nature of creation was made manifest.
The soldiers showed their inhumanity by piercing Your side with a lance,
and the people showed their ignorance of Your power
by asking that Your tomb be sealed.
But, in Your mercy, You accepted burial
and then arose on the third day.
O Lord, glory to You!

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

O Christ, Giver of Life,
You freely endured the Passion for the sake of mortals.
In Your power You descended into Hades;
and snatching, as from a mighty monster, the souls of those who awaited Your coming,
You placed them in Paradise.
Therefore, show Your great mercy to us who glorify Your Resurrection,
and cleanse our souls.

Glory… Now…

Troparia

In Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”

In Tone 4
God of our fathers, You always treat us fairly.* Deprive us not of Your mercy,* but by their prayers direct our lives in peace.

In Tone 4, Glory…
Since your early youth, you have longed with fervor for the things of the Lord:* leaving the world and its pleasures, you became an example of the monastic life.* John most blessed, you built your hut at the door of your parents’ house* and overcame the devil’s guiles.* Wherefore Christ Himself has glorified you as you deserve.

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 2: When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: You rose from the tomb, O almighty Saviour;* and Hades, seeing this wonder, was stricken with fear; and the dead arose.* Creation saw and rejoices with You, and Adam exults.* And the world, my Saviour, sings Your praises for ever.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 2: The tomb and death could not hold the Mother of God,* unceasing in her intercession and an unfailing hope of patronage,* for as the Mother of Life she was transferred to life* by Him Who had dwelt in her ever-virgin womb.

Prokeimenon, Tone 2
The Lord is my strength and my song of praise, and He has become my salvation.
verse: The Lord has indeed chastised me, but He has not delivered me to death. (Psalm 117:14,18)

Epistle
Colossians 3:12-16

Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: The Lord will hear you in the day of tribulation; the name of the God of Jacob will shield you.
verse: Lord, grant victory to the king and hear us in the day that we shall call upon You. (Psalm 19:2,10)

Gospel
Luke 18:18-27

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

Post-feast of Theophany; Our Venerable Father Theodosius, Founder of the Cenoebitic Monastic Life (529)

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

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

When the Forerunner saw the One who is our enlightenment,
the One who has brought light to all,
coming to be baptized,
his heart rejoiced and his hand trembled.
He pointed Him out to the people and said:
This is the Saviour of Israel who delivered us from corruption.
O Christ our God, O Sinless One, glory to You!

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

O our Saviour, the armies of angels trembled
when they saw You baptized by your servant,
and the Holy Spirit bearing witness and descending,
and when they heard the voice of the Father speaking from heaven:
This One upon whom the Forerunner lays his hands
is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.
O Christ our God, glory to You!

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

When the Jordan River received You, O Fountainhead,
the Comforter descended in the form of a dove.
Now behold the marvel:
the One who bowed the heavens bows his head to the Forerunner,
and the one made of clay cries out to his Maker:
Why do You command me to perform what is beyond my power?
It is I who need to be baptized by You.
O Christ our God, O Sinless One, glory to You!

In Tone 5

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

O venerable Father, God-bearing Theodosius,
you struggled valiantly in your earthly life.
With hymns, fastings, and vigils,
you were a model for your disciples.
Now you rejoice with the angelic powers.
Without ceasing, you glorify Christ, who is God of God, and the Word,
the Deliverer who bowed his head to the Forerunner
and who sanctified the nature of water.
Implore Him and pray to Him, O venerable one,
that He grant to the Church
oneness of thought, peace, and his great mercy.

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

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

O venerable Father, God-bearing Theodosius,
your desire was fulfilled when your soul was found to be pure.
The grace of the all-holy Spirit dwelt in you like a most pure light.
You were splendidly adorned by its action.
Without ceasing, you glorify Christ, the one Son in two natures,
who was baptized by the hand of the Forerunner
and who was attested to by the voice of the Father.
Implore Him and pray to Him, O venerable one,
that He grant to the whole world
oneness of thought, peace, and his great mercy.

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

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

O venerable Father, God-bearing Theodosius,
you made yourself worthy of a blessed life by chastity and fasting.
Passing over to the life above,
you asked all the brothers to rejoice with you.
With the bodiless powers you now unceasingly glorify Christ
who ineffably received his flesh from the Virgin
and who drowned our sins by his baptism in the currents of the Jordan.
Implore Him and pray to Him, O holy one,
that He grant to the whole world
oneness of thought, peace, and his great mercy.

In Tone 2, Glory…

O venerable Father, like a city of the living God,
the movements of the river brought joy to your soul
when the Water of Forgiveness, Christ our God, entered the Jordan
and made the word of faith gush forth for the whole world.
Implore Him, O blessed Theodosius, to save our souls.

Now…

You have bowed your head before the Forerunner,
and You have crushed the heads of the demons.
You have descended into the waters
and given light to all things
that they may glorify You, O Saviour,
the Enlightenment of our souls.

Readings
(1) Wisdom 5:15-6:3; (2) Wisdom 3:1–9; (3) Wisdom 4:7-15

Aposticha

In Tone 4

The Lord said: You have seen how I clothed myself with your likeness.
I humbled myself beyond comprehension.
Why is it so strange then, O friend,
if I also bow down to your right hand as an equal?
I, who am naked, clothe myself with the waters,
because in my compassion
I desire to clothe the naked with eternal incorruption.

The sea fled at the sight; the Jordan turned back on its course.

You revealed yourself as incarnate, O Lord,
and a womb receiving You remained unburned
as it was foretold in that furnace of long ago
which did not burn the youths.
indeed am the straw, O Master,
and I place my hand as though upon the fire,
before which the heavenly and earthly creatures tremble,
O all-powerful Jesus, the Saviour of our souls.

Why was it, O sea, that you fled, that you turned back, Jordan, on your course?

The Lord said: In the waters of the Jordan,
wash Me even though I am without stain.
Human nature, which was stained by the transgression of Adam,
will now be washed anew;
because when I am baptized
there will be a renewal for all
through the water and the Spirit.

In Tone 8, Glory…

Multitudes of monks venerate you as a guide, O Father Theodosius,
because we truly learned how to walk correctly by means of your path.
Blessed are you, for you served Christ.
You have confounded the power of the enemy,
for you speak with the angels.
You share the lot of the venerable and righteous ones.
Together with them, pray to the Lord
that He show mercy to our souls.

Now…

O Saviour, the heavenly hosts are frightened at what they see,
for today You stand naked in the waters;
your head is bowed down in order to be baptized by John,
for You willingly become poor in order to enrich the world.
O Lord, glory to You!

Troparia

In Tone 8
With the streams of your tears you cultivated the barren desert,* with deep sighs your toils bore fruit a hundredfold.* You became a beacon, shining throughout the world by your wonders,* our venerable Father, Theodosius.** Pray to Christ God that our souls be saved.

In Tone 1, Glory… Now…
At Your Baptism in the Jordan river, O Christ,* the worship due to the Holy Trinity was made manifest,* for the voice of the Father bore You witness by calling You “Beloved Son”* and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove,* confirmed the immutability of this declaration.* O Christ God, who came forth and filled the world with light: * Glory to You!

DIVINE LITURGY

Antiphon 1
When Israel came forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from an alien people.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Judah became His sanctuary, Israel His dominion.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
The sea beheld this and fled,* the Jordan turned back on its course.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Why was it, O sea, that you fled,* that you, O Jordan, turned back on your course?
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Glory… Now… Only-Begotten Son…

Antiphon 3
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God, our Saviour.
Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms.
Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
For God is the great Lord, and the great king over all the earth.
Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Entrance
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ.
Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 1: When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan,* worship of the Trinity was revealed;* the voice of the Father bore witness to You,* naming You the beloved Son,* and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the word’s certainty.* Glory to You, O Christ God,* who appeared and enlightened the world.

Troparion, Tone 8: With the streams of your tears you cultivated the barren desert,* with deep sighs your toils bore fruit a hundredfold.* You became a beacon, shining throughout the world by your wonders,* our venerable father, Theodosius.* Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: Today, You have appeared to the world* and Your light, O Lord, has been signed on us,* who with knowledge sing Your praises.* You have come, You have appeared, O unapproachable Light.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion: Tone 8: Planted in the courts of your Lord,* you blossomed beautifully with godly virtues* and multiplied your children in the desert* watering it with the streams of your tears.* O leader of God’s divine sheepfolds,* we cry out to you: Rejoice, O Father Theodosius.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord; God the Lord has appeared to us.
verse: Give thanks to the Lord for He is good for His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 117:26-27,1)

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable ones.

Epistle
2 Corinthians 4:6-15

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Bring to the Lord, you sons of God; bring to the Lord young rams.
verse: The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory has thundered, the Lord reigns over vast waters. (Psalm 28:1,3)
verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments.
verse: His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth. (Psalm 111:1,2)

Gospel
Matthew 11:27-30

Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify Christ the King, baptized in the Jordan.
and the Irmos: Every tongue is at a loss to praise you as is your due, O Mother of God. Even a spirit from above is filled with dizziness when seeking to sing your praises. But since you are good accept our faith, for you know well our love inspired by God. For it is you who protect all Christians; therefore, we magnify you.

Communion Hymn
The grace of God has appeared* bringing salvation to all (Titus 2:11).* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear (Psalm 111:6).* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

Instead of “Blessed is He who comes…” we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is baptized in the Jordan.

Instead of “We have seen the true light…” we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is baptized in the Jordan.

Instead of “May our mouths…” and “Blessed be the Name…” we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is baptized in the Jordan. (3)

January 8, 2017
Sunday after Theophany, Octoechos 1; Our Venerable Father George the Chosebite (610-41); Our Venerable Mother Dominica (474-91); and Emilian the Confessor

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.

In Tone 4

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

O blessed one, the citadel of your soul
was never stormed by the assaults of temptation.
As a rampart before them, you placed your ascetic perseverance,
to keep you unwounded and untouched by the devil who wars against us.
Thus you are now present before the Master of all,
crowned as a conqueror.

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

Neither the length of the journey nor the difficulties encountered in its course
could dampen the ardor of your pilgrimage toward God.
For, once arrived, you had the joy of living in those places
where our God had walked.
With no other concern than progressing toward the heavenly Sion,
you persevered in the labors of asceticism.

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

Revealing the depth of your love,
you poured forth tears of compunction to the point of bathing the earth.
With your hair, you wiped dry the place where the feet of Christ had stood.
Thinking of Him whom you loved, seeing Him as though present,
and following His footsteps in spirit,
you made your soul radiant with the purest contemplation.

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

Rising in the West, O blessed one,
you went to the East as a brilliant star,
radiant in your works inspired by virtue,
to enlighten the soul and spirit of believers
by your resplendent miracles.
We call you blessed and celebrate your memory,
magnifying Christ who glorified you in holiness.

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

Pierced by the arrows of love for Christ, O illustrious Dominica,
you followed Him, refusing passing glory
and renouncing the pleasures of the flesh and all other joys of this life.
Thus, Jesus, the Lover of mankind and Savior of our souls,
made you dwell in the radiant bridal chamber.
1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Reproducing in yourself the Passion of your Lord and Creator,
as a creature of the Word, endowed with reason,
you overcame the unreasonable wanderings of the passions.
Thus, O praiseworthy virgin, you restored the likeness to Him in yourself,
appearing in truth as a pure image of God.

In Tone 1, Glory…

He who covers the heavens with clouds
is Himself today covered by the streams of the Jordan.
He who takes away the sins of the world
is cleansed that I may be made clean.
The Only-begotten Son of the Most High Father
receives from above the testimony of the consubstantial Spirit.
Let us cry aloud to Him: “O Christ our God, who have been made manifest,
glory to You!”

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 2, Glory… Now…

O Lord, when John saw You coming to him at the Jordan River, he cried out:
“How do You, O Lord, who have no stain, come to me Your Servant?
In whose name shall I baptize You?
In the name of the Father You possess in Yourself?
In the name of the Son, while You are the very Son in the flesh?
In the name of the Holy Spirit whom you grant to the faithful with the breath of Your mouth?”
O God made manifest, have mercy on us.

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.

Glory… Now…
When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan,* worship of the Trinity was revealed;* the voice of the Father bore witness to You,* naming You the beloved Son,* and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the word’s certainty.* Glory to You, O Christ God,* who appeared and enlightened the world.

DIVINE LITURGY

Entrance
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ.
Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

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.

Troparion, Tone 1: When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan,* worship of the Trinity was revealed;* the voice of the Father bore witness to You,* naming You the beloved Son,* and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the word’s certainty.* Glory to You, O Christ God,* who appeared and enlightened the world.

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

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 32:2,1)

Epistle
Ephesians 4:7-13

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
Matthew 4:12-17

Communion Hymn
The grace of God has appeared* bringing salvation to all. (Titus 2:11)* Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)

Instead of “Blessed is He who comes…” we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is baptized in the Jordan.

Instead of “We have seen the true light…” we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is baptized in the Jordan.

Instead of “May our mouths…” and “Blessed be the Name…” we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is baptized in the Jordan. (3)