February 19, 2016
Friday of the Second Week of the Great Fast

Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

Behold, this is the acceptable time,
this is the day of salvation.
Visit my soul in the abundance of Your love,
and in Your unique goodness, lighten the load of my sins.

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

Behold, this is the acceptable time,
this is the day of salvation.
Visit my soul in the abundance of Your love,
and in Your unique goodness, lighten the load of my sins.

In Tone 5

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

You were not concerned about all these earthly matters,
and you courageously braved the tortures.
You did not sin against hope,
having confidence in God’s love for humankind;
thus you were made heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven,
O most praise-worthy martyrs.
Ask for peace for the world and great mercy for our souls.

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

Putting on the shield of faith
and fortifying themselves with the symbol of the Cross,
Your saints, O Lord, bravely went of their own accord to torture.
They defeated the craft and insolence of the devil.
By their supplications, O all-powerful God,
send peace to the world and great mercy to our souls

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

Intercede for us, O holy martyrs,
that we may be delivered from our iniquities;
for the grace to pray for us is given to you.

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

With your souls filled with unquenchable love,
you endured the most terrible sufferings without ever denying Christ;
and you laid low the impudence of the torturers.
You kept the faith unwavering and unharmed,
and have gone to dwell in heaven.
Therefore, having the boldness to approach the Lord,
beg Him to grant us His great mercy.

In Tone 8

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

You revealed Your bishop in the world, Lord,
to be a successor to the apostles in word and deed!
He was a preacher of true doctrine,
therefore You made him an instructor of hierarchs
and a partaker of Your incorruptible glory!

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

You revealed Your bishop in the world, Lord,
to be a successor to the apostles in word and deed!
He was a preacher of true doctrine,
therefore You made him an instructor of hierarchs
and a partaker of Your incorruptible glory!

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

The Church of Christ contains you as a living pillar, Leo,
and a proclaimer of the true teachings of the Word.
She ever remains unshaken,
beholding the truth and glorifying the Lord, the Master of all,
Who has glorified you!

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

Lord, You revealed the holy bishop
as a sharp sword against the ungodly,
fighting, Word, for Your Orthodox faith;
cutting down false teachings!
Thus, Master, you increased good teaching in the world!

In Tone 5, Glory…

I recall the prophet crying out:
I am ashes and dust.
And again, I looked into the graves and saw bones laid bare and I said:
Which is king or soldier, rich or poor, righteous or sinner?
But, with the just, give rest, O Lord, to Your departed servants,
since You are the Lover of humankind.

Now…

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

Prokeimenon I, Tone 4
Your merciful love and Your truth* will guard me forever.
verse: I waited, I waited for the Lord and He stooped down to me; He heard my cry.

Reading I
Genesis 5:32-6:8
When Noah was five hundred years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. When men began to multiply on earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of heaven saw how beautiful the daughters of man were, and so they took for their wives as many of them as they chose. Then the Lord said: “My spirit shall not remain in man forever, since he is but flesh. His days shall comprise one hundred and twenty years.” At that time the Nephilim appeared on earth (as well as later), after the sons of heaven had intercourse with the daughters of man, who bore them sons. They were the heroes of old, the men of renown. When the Lord saw how great was man’s wickedness on earth, and how no desire that his heart conceived was ever anything but evil, he regretted that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was grieved. So the Lord said: “I will wipe out from the earth the men whom I have created, and not only the men, but also the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air, for I am sorry that I made them.” But Noah found favour with the Lord.

Prokeimenon II, Tone 6
As for me, I said: Lord, have mercy on me;* heal my soul for I have sinned against You.
verse: Blessed are those who consider the poor and the weak. The Lord will save them in the evil day.

Reading II
Proverbs 6:20-7:1
Observe, my son, your father’s bidding, and reject not your mother’s teaching; Keep them fastened over your heart always, put them around your neck; For the bidding is a lamp, and the teaching a light, and a way to life are the reproofs of discipline; To keep you from your neighbour’s wife, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Lust not in your heart after her beauty, let her not captivate you with her glance! For the price of a loose woman may be scarcely a loaf of bread, But if she is married, is a trap for your precious life. Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his garments not burned? Or can a man walk on live coals, and his feet not be scorched? So with him who goes in to his neighbour’s wife- none who touches her shall go unpunished. Men despise not the thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry; Yet if he be caught he must pay back sevenfold; all the wealth of his house he may yield up. But he who commits adultery is a fool; he who would destroy himself does it. A degrading beating will he get, and his disgrace will not be wiped away; For vindictive is the husband’s wrath, he will have no pity on the day of vengeance; He will not consider any restitution, nor be satisfied with the greatest gifts. My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands.

February 17, 2016
Wednesday of the Second Week of the Great Fast

Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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

O faithful, to undertake a spiritual fast,
we must speak no deceit with our tongues
nor place obstacles in the path of each other.
But by repentance let us brighten the lamp of our souls,
that with tears we may call out to Christ:
Forgive our trespasses, for You love humankind.

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

O faithful, to undertake a spiritual fast,
we must speak no deceit with our tongues
nor place obstacles in the path of each other.
But by repentance let us brighten the lamp of our souls,
that with tears we may call out to Christ:
Forgive our trespasses, for You love humankind.

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

O martyrs, worthy of praise,
though the earth may not have covered you, heaven received you,
opening to you the gates of Paradise, where you dwell,
delighting in the Tree of Life.
Beseech Christ to grant our souls peace and great mercy.

In Tone 3

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

Through the prayers of the divine apostles, O righteous Lord,
grant that this time of the Fast may be well spent.
In Your kindness grant repentance to our hearts,
that we all may be saved and give glory to You.

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

Your coming will be great and fearful, O Lord,
when You shall sit in just judgment.
Do not pass sentence on me,
for I am already condemned;
but show Your divine favour toward me,
through the intercession of Your apostles.

In Tone 6

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

O apostles of Christ who shine your light on all mortals,
you are the treasuries of the holy knowledge of God.
Through your prayers deliver from temptation those who praise you.
Guide us successfully through the course of this Fast;
direct our lives in peace,
so that with our eyes lifted up to the Passion of Christ,
we may with courage give praise to our God.

In Tone 8

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

What shall we name you, God-inspired one?
Head of the orthodox Church of Christ?
Eye of piety, clearly seeing hearts with spiritual understanding,
pouring out the word of life to all the ends of the earth?
Divinely inscribed scroll of the true faith?
Pray that our souls may be saved!

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

What shall we name you, God-inspired one?
Head of the orthodox Church of Christ?
Eye of piety, clearly seeing hearts with spiritual understanding,
pouring out the word of life to all the ends of the earth?
Divinely inscribed scroll of the true faith?
Pray that our souls may be saved!

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

What shall we now call you, wondrous one?
Preacher of the truth and firm foundation?
Senior among the honoured council?
Excellent rule of teachings, possessing the measure of correction?
The one who cut down the division of Nestorius and the confusion of Eutyches
with divinely-wrought revelations?

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

What shall we now call you, marvellous one?
Prince and ruler in spiritual splendour,
exercising mastery over the passions of the body?
Vessel of divine mercy; dwelling of perfect love?
Loving pastor, awaiting the repentance of sinners?
Pray that our souls may be saved!

In Tone 5, Glory… Now…

Come, all faithful, and rejoice in the Holy Scriptures!
Rejoice in the preaching of the apostles!
Rejoice in the Virgin who gave birth to God!
She is the Queen of Heaven.
In her we exult with hymns and songs,
for she is our fervent intercessor before God.

Prokeimenon I, Tone 8
Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord,* exult, O you just!
verse: Blessed are those whose offence is forgiven, whose sin is remitted.

Reading I
Genesis 4:16-26
Cain then left the Lord’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain had relations with his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. Cain also became the founder of a city, which he named after his son Enoch. To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad became the father of Mehujael; Mehujael became the father of Methusael, and Methusael became the father of Lamech. Lamech took two wives; the name of the first was Adah, and the name of the second Zillah. Adah gave birth to Jabal, the ancestor of all who dwell in tents and keep cattle. His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the ancestor of all who play the lyre and the pipe. Zillah, on her part, gave birth to Tubalcain, the ancestor of all who forge instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubalcain was Naamah. Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my utterance: I have killed a man for wounding me, a boy for bruising me. If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.” Adam again had relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son whom she called Seth. “God has granted me more offspring in place of Abel,” she said, “because Cain slew him.” To Seth, in turn, a son was born, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to invoke the Lord by name.

Prokeimenon II, Tone 1
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us* as we have hoped in You.
verse: Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just; for praise is fitting for loyal hearts.

Reading II
Proverbs 5:15-6:3
Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. How may your water sources be dispersed abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let your fountain be yours alone, not one shared with strangers; And have joy of the wife of your youth, your lovely hind, your graceful doe. Her love will invigorate you always, through her love you will flourish continually, When you lie down she will watch over you, and when you wake, she will share your concerns; wherever you turn, she will guide you. Why then, my son, should you go astray for another’s wife and accept the embraces of an adulteress? For each man’s ways are plain to the Lord’s sight; all their paths he surveys; By his own iniquities the wicked man will be caught, in the meshes of his own sin he will be held fast; He will die from lack of discipline, through the greatness of his folly he will be lost. My son, if you have become surety to your neighbour, given your hand in pledge to another, You have been snared by the utterance of your lips, caught by the words of your mouth; So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbour’s power: Go, hurry, stir up your neighbour!

February 14, 2016
First Sunday of the Great Fast: The Sunday of Orthodoxy, Octoechos Tone 5; The Repose of Our Venerable Father Constantine the Philosopher, in the Monastic Life, Cyril, Teacher of the Slavs (869); and our Venerable Father Auxentius (457-74); and the Venerable Maron the Wonderworker and Hermit [The Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated today; Great Fast]

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 6

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

The prophets, inspired by Your Spirit, O Lord,
foretold that You, whom nothing can contain or grasp,
and who has shone forth in eternity before the morning star
from the immaterial and bodiless womb of the Father,
was to become a child,
taking flesh from the Virgin,
being joined to men and seen by those on earth.
At the prayers of these Your prophets,
in Your compassion count us worthy of Your light,
for we sing the praises
of Your ineffable and holy Resurrection.

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

The divinely-inspired prophets preached You in word and honoured You in works,
and they received as their reward a life without end.
For they steadfastly refused, O Master,
to worship the creation instead of You, the Creator;
They renounced the whole world for the Gospel’s sake,
and in their suffering they were conformed to Your Passion which they had foretold.
At their intercessions, count us worthy to pass through the period of the Fast without offence,
for You alone are rich in mercy.

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

You who are uncircumscribed, O Master, in Your divine nature,
were pleased in the last times to take flesh and be circumscribed;
and in assuming flesh, You have also taken on Yourself all its distinctive properties.
Therefore we depict the likeness of Your outward form,
venerating it with an honour that is relative.
So we are exalted to the love of You,
and following the holy traditions handed down by the apostles,
from Your icon we receive the grace of healing.

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

As a precious adornment
the Church of Christ has received the venerable and holy icons of the Saviour Christ,
of God’s Mother and of all the saints.
Celebrating now their triumphant restoration,
she is made bright with grace and splendour,
and drives away all heretics.
With great rejoicing
she gives glory to God who loves mankind,
and who for her sake
has endured His voluntary Passion.

In Tone 4

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

О Father, you shone with the beauty of virtue,
and you went about the whole world,
like a bee putting the purest honey of divine wisdom
in the good hearts of those believing in the one Christ,
who came on earth and visited our lowliness
with his endless mercy and humility.

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

With the wisdom of meekness
and filled with love of God and knowledge of the true faith,
you netted the cities and countryside for God, О blessed Cyril.
By grace you came to those who had not received saving wisdom,
and therefore, we praise you with holy hymns.

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

You lived а life without fault and worthy of praise,
and your death was precious to God in the eyes of all.
Glorious with righteousness, О Father,
you gave your soul into God’s hands.
Therefore, we ask you to pray to him for mercy
for those who faithfully praise you.

In Tone 2, Glory…

The grace of truth has shone upon us;
the mysteries darkly prefigured in the times of old have now been openly fulfilled.
For behold, the Church is clothed in a beauty that surpasses all things earthly,
through the icon of the incarnate Christ
that was foreshadowed by the ark of testimony.
This is the safeguard of the orthodox faith;
for as we hold fast to the icon of the Saviour whom we worship,
we shall not go astray.
Let all who do not share this faith be covered with shame;
but we shall glory in the icon of the Word made flesh,
which we venerate but worship not as an idol.
So let us kiss it, and with all the faithful cry aloud:
O God, save Your people
and bless Your inheritance.

In Tone 5, Now…

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

Readings
(1) Deuteronomy 1:8-17; (2) Deuteronomy 10:14-21; (3) Wisdom 3:1-9

Aposticha

In Tone 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 8, Glory…

The pure spiritual memory of the saints dwelt in your pure heart,
О venerable father, most blessed Cyril.
It showed you to be an exorcist terrifying to the evil spirits
and а doctor of hidden illnesses.
Therefore, since you have confidence before God, the Lover of mankind,
pray to him without ceasing to free us from stain of soul and body.

In Tone 2, Now…

Advancing from ungodliness to the true faith,
and illumined with the light of knowledge,
let us clap our hands and sing aloud,
offering praise and thanksgiving to God;
and with due honour
let us venerate the holy icons of Christ;
of the all-pure Virgin and the saints,
whether depicted on walls, on wooden panels or on holy vessels,
rejecting the impious teachings of the heretics.
For, as Basil says,
the honour shown the icon passes to the prototype it represents.
At the prayers of Your undefiled Mother and of all the Saints,
we beseech You, Christ our God,
to bestow upon us Your great mercy.

Troparia

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

In Tone 2, Glory… Now
We bow before Your most pure image, O kind Lord,* and we beg pardon for our sins, O Christ our God.* Of Your own will You consented to ascend the Cross in the flesh* to free Your handiwork from enslavement to the enemy.* In thanksgiving we cry aloud to You:** by coming to save the world, our Saviour, You filled all thing with joy.


DIVINE LITURGY

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

Troparion, Tone 2: We bow before Your most pure image, O kind Lord,* and beg pardon for our sins, O Christ our God.* Of Your own will You consented to ascend the Cross in the flesh to free Your handiwork from enslavement to the enemy.* In thanksgiving we cry aloud to You:* by coming to save the world, our Saviour, You filled all things with joy.

Troparion, Tone 4: From your childhood you befriended wisdom,* O God-inspired Cyril.* Behold her as a pure virgin all radiant* you took her as a brie for yourself,* and as with beads of gold* she adorned your mind and soul.* O blessed Cyril,* like your namesake of Alexandria* we have found you wise in name and truth.

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: With teaching that was sound and divinely inspired* you enlightened the world as with luminous rays.* Flashing like lightning and surrounding the world* you scattered the radiant word of God* in the west, the north, and the southern lands,* bringing light to the world with your wonders, O blessed Cyril.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 8: The uncircumscribed Word of the Father* became circumscribed when He took flesh of you, O Mother of God,* and when He restored the divine image to its ancient glory,* He suffused it with the beauty of God.* Therefore, confessing our salvation in deed and word,* we portray it in images.

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

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable ones. (Psalm 115:15)

Epistle
Hebrews 11:24-26,32-40; 12:1-2; Hebrews 7:26-8:2

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Moses and Aaron are among His priests and Samuel among those who call upon His name.
verse: They called on the Lord, and He heard them. (Psalm 98:6)
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
John 1:43-51; John 10:9-16

Hymn to the Mother of God
In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices: the angelic ranks and all the human race. Sanctified temple and spiritual paradise, virgins’ pride and boast, from whom God is made flesh and became a little Child; and He who is our God before all ages, He made your womb a throne, and He made it wider that all the heavens. In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices. Glory be to you.

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

February 12, 2016
Friday of the First Week of the Great Fast

Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

At Psalm 140

In Tone 5

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

Come, O faithful, let us fulfil the works of God in the light;
and let us walk with dignity as in the light of day;
let us tear up every unjust contract,
and let us cast aside every object of scandal for our neighbour.
Let us turn away from the pleasures of the flesh,
so that we may grow in our spiritual gifts.
Let us give food to the poor;
let us draw near to Christ, and in repentance, let us say:
O our God, have mercy on us.

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

Come, O faithful, let us fulfill the works of God in the light;
and let us walk with dignity as in the light of day;
let us tear up every unjust contract,
and let us cast aside every object of scandal for our neighbour.
Let us turn away from the pleasures of the flesh,
so that we may grow in our spiritual gifts.
Let us give food to the poor;
let us draw near to Christ, and in repentance, let us say:
O our God, have mercy on us.

In Tone 4

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

You are glorified in the memory of your saints, O Christ God.
Through their intercessions,
send upon us Your great mercy.

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

O God, who has accepted the long-suffering of the holy martyrs,
accept our song, O Lover of humankind,
and, through their prayers, grant us Your great mercy.

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

O saints, who have the boldness to approach the Saviour,
pray without ceasing for us sinners,
asking remission for our transgressions,
and great mercy for our souls.

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

O martyrs of the Lord,
you are living sacrifices and spiritual offerings
and perfect incense burnt to God.
You are sheep that know God and are known to Him,
and wolves cannot break into His fold.
Pray that we may be led with you
to pasture beside the still waters.

In Tone 2

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

Come, all you friends of the martyrs,
let us celebrate this feast in the joy of the Spirit;
for, on this day, the holy martyr Theodore prepares a spiritual banquet for us,
the lovers of the feast;
he brings joy to our hearts,
and we cry out to him:
Rejoice, invincible warrior, who has vanquished powerful tyrants;
and for the love of Christ our God,
you gave given over your body of flesh to torments.
Rejoice, for in the midst of dangers,
you showed yourself to be a valiant soldier of the heavenly army.
Therefore, we pray to you, O glory of martyrs,
intercede for the salvation of our souls.

  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 holy martyr Theodore,
you generously grant the God-given grace of your miracles
to all the faithful who hasten to you.
We rejoice in this, and we sing:
You are the liberator of captives and healer of the sick,
the wealth of the poor and salvation of those who sail the seas,
the defender of those who cherish your holy memory;
now, for all of us who praise you,
beseech Christ for His great mercy.

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

O holy martyr Theodore,
you are truly the “gift of God,”
for, being alive even after your death,
you are attentive to the requests of those who come to you.
A son was once seized from his mother
and made a prisoner in the pagan army;
the widow bathed your sanctuary with her tears;
and you were moved with compassion.
You mounted a white horse and mysteriously returned her child;
and even now, you do not cease to work miracles.
Beseech Christ our God to save our souls.

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

O Theodore, thrice-blessed,
with your name, I praise the gift of God;
you are a shining torch of the divine brightness.
By your deeds you have illuminated the universe.
You have shown yourself to be stronger than fire,
and you crushed the head of the treacherous dragon.
Therefore, Christ has placed on your head the crown of victory.
And now that you enjoy the divine favour,
O holy and great martyr,
beseech God for the salvation of our souls.

In Tone 6, Glory… 

The enemy used the apostate emperor as his servant
against the Christian people who were purified by the Fast;
he tried to defile them with food polluted by the blood of sacrifices.
But, you more wisely foiled his plan,
by appearing in a dream to the bishop of that time
and warning him of the danger.
We also offer you our sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and we honour you with the title of protector
as we celebrate the annual memory of this event.
We beseech you to preserve us from the evil designs of the enemy
by interceding with God for us,
O holy martyr Theodore.

In Tone 4, Now…

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

Prokeimenon I, Tone 5
May the Lord answer in time of trial;* may the name of Jacob’s God protect you!
verse: May He send you help from His shrine and give you support from Sion!

Reading I
Genesis 2:20-3:20
The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man. So the Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The Lord God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, the man said: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; This one shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body. The man and his wife were both naked, yet they felt no shame. Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals that the Lord God had made. The serpent asked the woman, “Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?” The woman answered the serpent: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman: “You certainly will not die! No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad.” The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. When they heard the sound of the Lord God moving about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. The Lord God then called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!” The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me-she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it.” The Lord God then asked the woman, “Why did you do such a thing?” The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals and from all the wild creatures; On your belly shall you crawl, and dirt shall you eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” To the woman he said: “I will intensify the pangs of your childbearing; in pain shall you bring forth children. Yet your urge shall be for your husband, and he shall be your master.” To the man he said: “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat, “Cursed be the ground because of you! In toil shall you eat its yield all the days of your life. Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to you, as you eat of the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face shall you get bread to eat, Until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; For you are dirt, and to dirt you shall return.” The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all the living.

Prokeimenon II, Tone 6
O Lord, arise in Your strength;* we shall sing and praise Your power.
verse: O Lord, Your strength gives joy to the king; how Your saving help makes him glad!

Reading II
Proverbs 3:19-34
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, established the heavens by understanding; By his knowledge the depths break open, and the clouds drop down dew. My son, let not these slip out of your sight: keep advice and counsel in view; So will they be life to your soul, and an adornment for your neck. Then you may securely go your way; your foot will never stumble; When you lie down, you need not be afraid, when you rest, your sleep will be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden terror, of the ruin of the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from the snare. Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. Say not to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give,” when you can give at once. Plot no evil against your neighbor, against him who lives at peace with you. Quarrel not with a man without cause, with one who has done you no harm. Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways: To the Lord the perverse man is an abomination, but with the upright is his friendship. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses; When he is dealing with the arrogant, he is stern, but to the humble he shows kindness.

February 10, 2016
Wednesday of the First Week of the Great Fast

Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

At Psalm 140

In Tone 8

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

O faithful, while fasting bodily,
let us also fast in spirit.
Let us loosen every bond of injustice;
let us tear apart the strong chains of violence;
let us rip up all unjust assertions;
let us give bread to the hungry
and welcome the poor and homeless to our houses,
that we may receive from Christ our God, His great mercy.

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

O faithful, while fasting bodily,
let us also fast in spirit.
Let us loosen every bond of injustice;
let us tear apart the strong chains of violence;
let us rip up all unjust assertions;
let us give bread to the hungry
and welcome the poor and homeless to our houses,
that we may receive from Christ our God, His great mercy.

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

What honour and praise can fittingly be ascribed to the saints?
They bowed their necks under the sword for You,
the One who left the heavens and came down.
They shed their blood for You,
the One who took the form of a servant.
By emulating Your poverty
they humbled themselves unto death.
By their prayers, have mercy on us, O Lord,
according to Your compassion.

In Tone 2

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

Jesus, the true spiritual Sun,
sent you as lightning through all the world,
to overcome the darkness of error
by the brightness of your divine teachings;
O holy apostles, who have seen the Lord,
beseech Him to send His light and His mercy on us.

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

Elijah ascended in the divine chariot of his virtues,
and by his fasting he was carried to the heights of heaven in glory.
Strive, O my humble soul, as he did,
fast and shed all evil, malice, envy, and corrupting luxury
so that you may be delivered from all eternal pain of death
and cry out to Christ:
O Lord, glory be to You!

In Tone 5

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

O divine apostles,
fervent intercessors for the world and defenders of the faithful.
You received from Christ our God the boldness to intercede for us.
We beseech you that we may pass this solemn time of the Fast untroubled
and receive the grace of the consubstantial Trinity.
O great and glorious preachers, pray for our souls.

In Tone 1

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

The height of the virtues and foundation of the faithful,
the glory of bishops and boast of the martyrs,
summons all the faithful to his holy memorial with splendour
that they may sing to him as a victor who glorified God on earth!

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

The height of the virtues and foundation of the faithful,
the glory of bishops and boast of the martyrs,
summons all the faithful to his holy memorial with splendour
that they may sing to him as a victor who glorified God on earth!

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

You were moved by a vision of Christ,
the Angel of great counsel,
as you beheld the evil assembly, wise martyr.
You went at once to the tribunal.
You took the trophies of victory in your hand!
Now you dwell in the heavens, all-holy one.

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

With the drops of your blood, martyr Blaise,
you wove a beautiful robe for the Church
embroidered by your well-anointed fingers
and dyed with your manifold sufferings.
She wears it as a beautiful bride
singing hymns to Christ the Bridegroom!

In Tone 4, Glory… Now…

O Mother of Christ our God,
you who gave birth to the Maker of all,
deliver us from every danger,
so that we may cry out to you with one accord:
Rejoice, O only intercessor for our souls!

Prokeimenon I, Tone 5
You, O Lord, will guard us, and will keep us,* from this generation, and forever!
verse: Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer left a just man.

Reading I
Genesis 1:24-2:3
God said, “Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds.” And so it happened: God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth. God saw how good it was. Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.” God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.” God also said: “See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food.” And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed-the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation.

Prokeimenon II, Tone 6
Look at me and answer me* O Lord my God!
verse: How long, O Lord, will You forget me? How long will You hide Your face from me?

Reading II
Proverbs 2:1-22
My son, if you receive my words and treasure my commands, Turning your ear to wisdom, inclining your heart to understanding; Yes, if you call to intelligence, and to understanding raise your voice; If you seek her like silver, and like hidden treasures search her out: Then will you understand the fear of the Lord; the knowledge of God you will find; For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; He has counsel in store for the upright, he is the shield of those who walk honestly, Guarding the paths of justice, protecting the way of his pious ones. Then you will understand rectitude and justice, honesty, every good path; For wisdom will enter your heart, knowledge will please your soul, Discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you; Saving you from the way of evil men, from men of perverse speech, Who leave the straight paths to walk in the way of darkness, Who delight in doing evil, rejoice in perversity; Whose ways are crooked, and devious their paths; Saving you from the wife of another, from the adulteress with her smooth words, Who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the pact with her God; For her path sinks down to death, and her footsteps lead to the shades; None who enter thereon come back again, or gain the paths of life. Thus you may walk in the way of good men, and keep to the paths of the just. For the upright will dwell in the land, the honest will remain in it.

February 7, 2016
Sunday of Cheesefare – Sunday of Forgiveness, Octoechos Tone 4; Our Venerable Father Parthenius, Bishop of Lampsacus (312-37); Luke the Hermit (946); Passing into Eternal Life (1957) of Blessed Petro Verhun, apostolic Visitator of Forced Labourers in Germany and Martyr of Siberia

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 6

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

The Lord my Creator took me as dust from the earth
and formed me into a living creature
breathing into me the breath of life and giving me a soul;
He honoured me,
setting me as a ruler upon the earth over all things visible,
and making me a companion of the angels.
But Satan the deceiver,
using the serpent as his instrument,
enticed me by food;
he parted me from the glory of God
and gave me over to the earth
and to the lowest depths of death.
But, Master, in compassion, call me back again.

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

In my wretchedness I have cast off the robe woven by God,
disobeying Your divine command, O Lord, at the counsel of the enemy;
and I am clothed now in fig leaves and in garments of skin.
I am condemned to eat the bread of toil in the sweat of my brow,
and the earth has been cursed so that it bears thorns and thistles for me.
But, Lord, who in the last times was made flesh of a Virgin, call me back again
and bring me into Paradise.

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

O precious Paradise, unsurpassed in beauty,
tabernacle built by God, unending gladness and delight,
glory of the righteous, joy of the prophets and dwelling of the saints,
with the sound of your leaves
pray to the Maker of all:
may He open to me the gates which I closed by my transgression,
and may He count me worthy
to partake if the Tree of Life
and of the joy that was mine
when I dwelt in you before.

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

Adam was banished from Paradise through disobedience and cast out from delight,
beguiled by the words of a woman.
Naked he sat outside the garden, lamenting, “Woe is me!”
Therefore let us all make haste to accept the season of the Fast
and hearken to the teaching of the Gospel,
that we may gain Christ’s mercy
and receive once more a dwelling-place in Paradise.

Glory…

Adam sat before Paradise and lamenting his nakedness,
he wept: “Woe is me!
By evil deceit was I persuaded and led astray,
and now I am an exile from glory.
Woe is me!
In my simplicity I was stripped naked,
and now I am in want.
O Paradise, no more shall I take pleasure in your joy;
for I shall return to the earth from whence I was taken.
O merciful and compassionate Lord,
to You I cry aloud:
I am fallen, have mercy on me.”

In Tone 4, Now…

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

Aposticha

In Tone 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 6, Glory… 

Adam was cast out of Paradise through eating from the tree.
Seated before the gates he wept,
lamenting with a pitiful voice and saying:
“Woe is me,
what have I suffered in my misery!
I transgressed one commandment of the Master,
and now I am deprived of every blessing.
O most holy Paradise, planted for my sake and shut because of Eve,
pray to Him that made you and fashioned me,
that once more I may take pleasure in your flowers.”
Then the Saviour said to him:
“I desire not the loss of the creature which I fashioned,
but that he should be saved and come to knowledge of the truth;
and when he comes to me I will not cast him out.”

Now…

Christ the Lord, my Maker and Saviour,
came out of your pure womb in the likeness of me, O Woman without stain,
and He delivered Adam from the original curse.
Therefore, O Woman all pure,
since you are the Mother of God and a true Virgin,
we never tire of calling you with the salutation of the angel:
“Hail, O Lady,
O our intercessor, our shield,
and the Redemptress of our souls!”

Troparia

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

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

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

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

Kontakion, Tone 6: O Master, Guide to Wisdom*, Bestower of prudent counsel,* Instructor of the foolish and Defender of the poor ones;* make firm my heart and give it understanding.* Give me a word, O Word of the Father:* Behold, I shall not stop my lips from crying out to You:* In Your mercy, have mercy on me who am fallen.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Pray and give praise to the Lord our God.* Pray and give praise to the Lord our God.
verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 75:12,2)

Epistle
Romans 13:11-14:4

Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: It is good to give praise to the Lord, and to sing to Your name, O Most High.
verse: To announce Your mercy in the morning and Your truth every night. (Psalm 91:2,3)

Gospel
Matthew 6:14-21

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

February 2, 2016
The Encounter of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is taken only if the feast falls on a Sunday or Monday.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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

O Simeon, tell us whom you are joyfully carrying into the Temple.
To whom are you saying:
Now You may dismiss Your servant, O Lord,
because my eyes have seen my Saviour.
He is the child born of the Virgin.
He is the Word and God of God.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.

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

O Simeon, tell us whom you are joyfully carrying into the Temple.
To whom are you saying:
Now You may dismiss Your servant, O Lord,
because my eyes have seen my Saviour.
He is the child born of the Virgin.
He is the Word and God of God.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.

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

O Simeon, tell us whom you are joyfully carrying into the Temple.
To whom are you saying:
Now You may dismiss Your servant, O Lord,
because my eyes have seen my Saviour.
He is the child born of the Virgin.
He is the Word and God of God.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.

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

O Simeon, now receive the One
Whom Moses the lawgiver had foreseen through the cloud on Sinai.
He has become a child and submits Himself to the Law.
This is He Who spoke through the Law and Whom the prophets foretold.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.

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

O Simeon, now receive the One
Whom Moses the lawgiver had foreseen through the cloud on Sinai.
He has become a child and submits Himself to the Law.
This is He Who spoke through the Law and Whom the prophets foretold.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.

  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 Simeon, now receive the One
Whom Moses the lawgiver had foreseen through the cloud on Sinai.
He has become a child and submits Himself to the Law.
This is He Who spoke through the Law and Whom the prophets foretold.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.

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

O faithful, come let us welcome Christ
and receive Him with hymns of praise and glory.
He is the salvation Simeon has seen.
He is the One Whom David foretold
and of Whom the prophets have spoken.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and inspired the Law,
to You we bow in worship.

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

O faithful, come let us welcome Christ
and receive Him with hymns of praise and glory.
He is the salvation Simeon has seen.
He is the One Whom David foretold
and of Whom the prophets have spoken.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and inspired the Law,
to You we bow in worship.

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

Today the gates of heaven swing open,
for the Word of the Father Who has no beginning
has received beginning in time
without any loss to His divinity.
As a child of forty days He is offered by a virgin Mother
in the Temple according to the Law.
The Elder Simeon receives Him in his arms and cries out:
Dismiss me, o Master, for my eyes have seen Your salvation;
O Lord, Who came into the world to save us, glory to You!

Readings
(1) Exodus 13:1-3, 11-12, 14-16; (2) Isaiah 6:1-12; (3) Isaiah 19:1-5, 12, 19-21

At the Lytia

In Tone 1

The Ancient of Days, Who of old gave the Law to Moses on Sinai
appears this day as an infant.
The Creator of the Law fulfils the Law.
He is brought into the Temple
and is given over to the Elder.
The just Simeon receives Him,
and beholding the fulfilment of the divine promise, joyfully cries out:
My eyes have seen the mystery hidden from all eternity.
It has been revealed in these latter days.
The Light has radiated the darkness of unbelieving Gentiles
and gives glory to the newly chosen Israel.
Therefore, let Your servant depart from the bonds of this flesh
to the wondrous unending life that knows no age.
And we pray You to grant great mercy to the world.

He, Who once gave the Law to Moses on Sinai,
today submits Himself to the prescriptions of the Law.
In His compassion He has become like us for our sakes.
Now the pure God, as a holy infant having opened a pure womb,
is being offered as God to Himself.
He is freeing us from the curse of the Law
and granting light to our souls.

In Tone 2

Simeon now receives below in his earthly arms
the One Whom the ministers at the liturgy on high entreat with trembling,
and Who was prophesied to become incarnate.
Seeing the heavenly God as mortal man,
he is ready to withdraw from earthly things and joyfully cries out:
Glory to You, O Lord, the unsetting Light,
that uncovers those in darkness.

Today Simeon takes in his arms the Lord of Glory,
the One Whom Moses formerly saw in the darkness
when he received the tablets of the Law on Mount Sinai.
This is He Who speaks through the prophets;
He is the Creator of the Law.
This is He Whom David announced.
He is awesome to all, yet He has great and abundant mercy.

The pure Virgin brings the Sacred One
into the sanctuary to the holy priest.
Simeon extends his hands,
receives Him joyously in his arms, and cries out:
O Master, now You let Your servant go in peace,
according to Your word, O Lord.

The Creator of heaven and earth is carried today
in the arms of the Elder Simeon.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he cried out:
Now I am set free, for I have beheld my Saviour.

Today, Simeon the Elder enters the Temple, rejoicing in spirit,
to receive in his arms the One Who gave the Law to Moses,
the One Who fulfils the Law in Himself.
For Moses was counted worthy to see God,
although in darkness and sounds that were not clear;
and with covered face he rebuked the unbelieving people.
But Simeon carried the pre-eternal Word of the father in bodily form,
and he revealed the Light of the Gentiles, the Cross, and the Resurrection.
Anna was shown to be a prophetess,
announcing the Saviour and Deliverer of Israel.
Unto Him let us cry aloud:
Through the Theotokos have mercy on us, O Christ our God.

In Tone 4

Today, the holy Mother who is higher than any temple
has herself come into the Temple
to show the world the Creator and Giver of the Law.
Simeon the Elder receives Him in his arms;
he venerates Him and cries aloud:
Now let Your servant depart in peace,
for I have seen You, the Saviour of our souls.

In Tone 5, Glory…

Search the Scriptures as Christ our God said in the Gospels;
for in them we find Him Who was born and wrapped in swaddling clothes,
the One laid in a manger and fed upon milk,
Who received circumcision and was carried by Simeon.
Not in fancy or imagination,
but in very truth has He appeared to the world.
Let us cry out to Him:
Glory to You, O pre-eternal God!

Now…

He Who is Ancient of Days and young in the flesh
is being brought into the Temple by His virgin Mother.
He fulfils the promise of His own Law.
Simeon receives Him and says:
Now You may let Your servant go in peace,
for my eyes have seen Your salvation, O Lord.

Aposticha

In Tone 7

Adorn your bridal chamber, O Zion, and welcome Christ the King.
Welcome Mary, the gate of heaven,
for she has appeared as a cherubic throne
on which the King of Glory is seated.
Indeed, the Virgin has become a cloud of light,
bearing in her arms the eternal Son.
Simeon received Him in his arms
and proclaimed to the people that He is the Master,
the Master of life and death, and the Saviour of the world.

Now You may let Your servant go in peace, O Lord, according to Your word.

The all-pure Mother carried into the Temple
the One Who comes forth from the Father in all eternity
and from the womb of a Virgin in time.
The Lawmaker of Mount Sinai submits to the Law
and is presented to the elderly and holy one
so that he may see the Promised One.
When Simeon received Him in his arms, he joyfully cried out:
This is God, co-eternal with the Father,
and the Saviour of our souls.

A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel.

Mary, the Mother of God, carried in her arms
the Lord Who rides the chariot of the Cherubim
and is praised with the hymns of the Seraphim.
He was incarnate of her without human seed;
He is the Lawgiver Who fulfils the precepts of the Law.
She handed Him over into the arms of the aged priest.
Holding the Life in person,
Simeon asked to be delivered from his present life, saying:
Dismiss me now, O Master, that I may tell Adam
how my eyes have seen the eternal God
Who was made man without undergoing change,
and Who brought about the salvation of the world.

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…

He Who rides on the Cherubim and is praised by the Seraphim
is now being brought into the holy Temple according to the Law.
He is sitting in the arms of an old man as though upon a throne.
From Joseph He receives God-pleasing gifts, a pair of turtle doves,
and from the newly-chosen people of the Gentiles, and undefiled Church.
the two doves indicate that He is the head both of the Old and New Testaments.
As for Simeon, when he saw what had been revealed come to pass,
he received the child and blessed the virgin Mother of God,
pointing out to her the sufferings that she would bear.
He asked the Lord to be released from life, saying:
Now You may dismiss me, O Lord, as You have promised;
for my eyes have seen You, the eternal Light,
the Lord and Saviour of all Christian people.

Troparion

In Tone 1
Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,** who grants is resurrection. (thrice)

 


FESTAL MATINS

The Lord is God, Tone 1

Troparion, Tone 1
Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,** who grants is resurrection. (twice)

Glory… Now…
Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,** who grants is resurrection.

Psalm Reading and Small Ekteny

Sessional Hymn 1
In Tone 1: Let the heavenly hosts marvel at this mystery,* and let those on earth praise in song • as we behold the ineffable condescension of God.* He is now embraced in aged arms,* the One before whom the powers of heaven tremble,* the One who alone loves all.

Glory… Now…
Let the heavenly hosts marvel at this mystery,* and let those on earth praise in song • as we behold the ineffable condescension of God.* He is now embraced in aged arms,* the One before whom the powers of heaven tremble,* the One who alone loves all.

Psalm Reading and Small Ekteny

Sessional Hymn 2
In Tone 1: The One who is with the Father upon the holy throne* has come to earth and has been born of a Virgin.* The One, whose years are incomprehensible, becomes a babe.* Simeon received Him in his arms and cried out, rejoicing:* Now, O merciful Lord, let me depart in peace,* for You have brought joy to Your servant.

Glory… Now…
In Tone 1:
The One who is with the Father upon the holy throne* has come to earth and has been born of a Virgin.* The One, whose years are incomprehensible, becomes a babe.* Simeon received Him in his arms and cried out, rejoicing:* Now, O merciful Lord, let me depart in peace,* for You have brought joy to Your servant.

Polyeleos

Exaltation
We extol You,* O Christ the Giver of Life,* and we venerate your most pure Mother,* who according to the Law brought You this day into the Temple of the Lord.
verse: The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord whose throne is in heaven.
verse: My heart overflows with noble words. To the King I must speak the song I have made.
verse: May this song make your name forever remembered. May the peoples praise you from age to age.
verse: Holiness is fitting to Your house, O Lord, until the end of time.
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3)

Sessional Hymn
In Tone 4: The Ancient of Days becomes a child for my sake.* The most holy God is purified* in order to confirm the reality of the human flesh* which He received from the Virgin.* Simeon, upon beholding this mystery,* acknowledged Him as God revealed in the flesh.* The Elder greeted Him as Life,* and, rejoicing, cried out in his old age:* Let me depart, for I have seen You, the Life of all.

Glory… Now…
In Tone 4:
The Ancient of Days becomes a child for my sake.* The most holy God is purified* in order to confirm the reality of the human flesh* which He received from the Virgin.* Simeon, upon beholding this mystery,* acknowledged Him as God revealed in the flesh.* The Elder greeted Him as Life,* and, rejoicing, cried out in his old age:* Let me depart, for I have seen You, the Life of all.

Gradual Hymn, Tone 4, Antiphon 1

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
May this song make your name forever remembered. May the people praise You from age to age.
verse: My heart overflows with noble words. To the King I must speak the song I have made.

Let Everything that has Breath, Tone 4

Gospel
Luke 2:25-32

After Psalm 50
In Tone 6, Glory…
Through the prayers of the Theotokos,* O merciful Lord,* cleanse me from the multitude of my transgressions.
Now…
Through the prayers of the Theotokos,* O merciful Lord,* cleanse me from the multitude of my transgressions.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving kindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies blot out my transgressions
Today the gates of heaven swing open,* for the Word of the Father who has no beginning* has received beginning in time* without any loss to His divinity.* As a child of forty days He is offered by a virgin Mother* in the Temple according to the Law.* The Elder Simeon receives Him in his arms and cries out:* Dismiss me, O Master, for my eyes have seen your salvation;* O Lord, who came into the world to save us, glory to You!

Canon

ODE 1
Irmos The sun shed its rays upon dry land In the middle of the sea. The water on both sides stood firm as a wall while Israel walked across. They sang this hymn pleasing to God: Let us praise the Lord, for He has been greatly glorified.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
O clouds, send down rain; for Christ the Sun, riding upon a swift cloud, is offered by pure hands as an infant into the Temple. Therefore, let us, the faithful, sing out: Let us praise the Lord, for He has been greatly glorified.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
May the feeble hands of Simeon be strengthened, and his weakened legs be made firm so that he may run quickly to meet Christ. Let us join with the heavenly choirs and sing praise to the Lord, for He has been greatly glorified.
Glory… Now…
Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth; for Christ the Creator, who existed from all eternity as one of the Trinity, is now offered in the Temple to God the Father as a newborn infant by is virgin Mother. Let us praise the Lord, for He has been greatly glorified.

ODE3
Irmos O Lord, the solid rock of those that place their trust in You, strengthen the Church which You have purchased with your precious blood.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
The only-begotten of the Father before all ages comes forth from the all-pure Virgin as a firstborn child, and He extends his hands to Adam.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
God the Word appeared as a child to raise up Adam from his childishness into which he had fallen through deception.
Glory… Now…
Having become an infant without undergoing any change, the Creator has refashioned into his divinity our nature which was taken from the earth and will return to it again.

ODE 4
Irmos O Christ, Your virtue has filled the heavens. You were born from an all-pure Mother, the Ark of Your majesty, and You now enter the Temple of your glory as an infant in arms; and the entire universe is filled with Your glory.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
The Theotokos spoke out: O Simeon, having witnessed mysteries beyond expression, rejoice and take in your arms Christ the Word who has become an infant. This mystery was foretold to you by the Holy Spirit. Now sing out to Him: The entire universe is filled with Your glory.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Receive with joy, O Simeon, the infant Christ was is the consolation of Israel and the One for whom you hoped. He is the Maker and Master of the Law who Himself fulfils it. Cry out to Him: The entire universe is filled with Your glory.
Glory… Now…
Simeon marvelled to behold in the flesh, as an infant, the Word who is without beginning, the Source of all creation who is carried by the Virgin as on the throne of the Cherubim. The Elder cried out to Him: The entire universe is filled with Your glory.

ODE 5
Irmos In a vision Isaiah saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, surrounded by angels, and he cried out: Woe is me! For I have seen in advance the Incarnate One, the Lord of the light that knows no evening, and the King of peace.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
When Simeon the Elder beheld the Word carried in the arms of his Mother, he recognized Him as the Glory revealed to the prophet. He cried out: Rejoice, O holy Lady, for you are the throne who carries God, the Lord of the light that knows no evening, and the King of peace.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Simeon bent down and reverently touched the footprints of the virgin Mother of God, saying: O pure Lady, I am afraid to hold in my arms the infant God, but you carry Him, the unconsumed Fire, the Lord of the light that knows no evening, and the King of peace.
Glory… Now…
Simeon spoke to the Mother of God, saying: One of the Seraphim purified the lips of Isaiah with a burning ember. You fill me with light as you entrust to me, with your hands as with tongs, the One whom you hold, the Lord of the light that knows no evening, and the King of peace.

ODE 6
Irmos When Simeon beheld with his own eyes the salvation which was to come to the people, he cried out to God: O Christ who comes from God, You are truly my God.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
You are a stumbling stone and an obstacle for the disobedient in Sion, but You are the salvation for the faithful whom you will not let be put to shame. You are truly the image of the Father, begotten before all ages; now in your compassion You have put on the limitations of flesh.
Glory… Now…
Now You may dismiss in peace the servant who worships You as Son of the Most High, and Son of the Virgin, God who has become a child.

SMALL EKTENY

KONTAKION
In Tone 1: By Your birth, You sanctified a virgin womb* and fittingly blessed the hands of Simeon.* You have come also now and saved us, O Christ our God;* give peace to Your community in time of war,* and strengthen its rulers, whom You love,* for You alone,* are the Lover of mankind.

IKOS
Let us run to meet the Theotokos, desiring to behold her Son whom she offered to Simeon. The angelic hosts were filled with awe as they beheld Him from their dwelling place and said: Now we see amazing and extraordinary wonders beyond comprehension and expression. The One who created Adam is carried as babe. The One who cannot be contained is held in the arms of the Elder. The One who is infinite in the bosom of the Father voluntarily takes on flesh in a finite manner, for He alone loves all people.

ODE 7
Irmos We praise with fervour the Word of God who sent down dew upon the youths in the furnace as they spoke about heavenly things and who has now taken flesh from the pure Virgin. We sing to Him: Blessed are You, 0 God of our Fathers.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Simeon cried out: I leave this earth to declare the good tidings to Adam and Eve dwelling in Hades; and with the prophets he sang joyfully: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
God descended into Hades to deliver those imprisoned there; He gives freedom to all the captives and sight to the blind, and He enables the speechless to cry aloud: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.
Glory… Now…
Simeon foretold to the Mother of God: A sword shall pierce your heart, O all-pure Virgin, when you see your Son upon the Cross. He is the One to whom we sing out: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.

ODE 8
Irmos The three youths stood together in the unendurable fire, unharmed by the flame. As defenders of righteousness, they sang a hymn of praise: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord and glorify Him above all forever.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
O Israel as you behold your glory, Emmanuel, the Child of the Virgin, now offered before the Ark of God, dance and sing together: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord and glorify Him above forever.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Simeon said: Behold the Child who is God; He shall be a sign of contradiction. Let us sing to Him in faith: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord and glorify Him above all forever.
Glory… Now…
God the Word, the Source of Life, now becomes a little child; He shall be the downfall of the disobedient and the rising of those who sing to Him in faith: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord and glorify Him above all forever.

[omit Magnificat]

ODE9
O God-bearing Virgin, hope of Christians, protect and guard and save all those who put their trust in you.

Irmos, Tone 3: In the law, the shadow, and the scriptures, we the faithful see a figure: every male child that opens the womb shall be sanctified to God. Therefore do we magnify the first-born Word and Son of the Father who is without beginning, the first-born Child of a Mother who had not known man.

O Virgin Mother of God, Hope of Christians, protect, watch, and save those who have placed their hope In you.

Irmos, Tone 3: In the law, the shadow, and the scriptures, we the faithful see a figure: every male child that opens the womb shall be sanctified to God. Therefore do we magnify the first-born Word and Son of the Father who is without beginning, the first-born Child of a Mother who had not known man.

O Virgin Mother of God, Helper of the world, protect and preserve us from every care and worry.

Irmos: We, the faithful, see the figure of Christ in the shadow and the letter of the law which says: Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. Therefore, we extol the firstborn of the Eternal Father and the Virgin Mother.

O God-bearing Simeon, come and raise up Christ to whom the Virgin gave birth.

Irmos: We, the faithful, see the figure of Christ in the shadow and the letter of the law which says: Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. Therefore, we extol the firstborn of the Eternal Father and the Virgin Mother.

Simeon the Elder receives in his arms the Maker of the Law and Master of all.

Irmos: We, the faithful, see the figure of Christ in the shadow and the letter of the law which says: Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. Therefore, we extol the firstborn of the Eternal Father and the Virgin Mother.

The aged Simeon does not hold Me; but I uphold him, for he entreats Me to let him depart.

O mystical Tongs, how do you carry the Coal? How do you nourish Him who gives food to all?

Irmos: In ancient times the people offered a pair of doves and two young pigeons. Now the holy Simeon and Anna the prophetess, filled with faith, ministered and glorified the Child of the Virgin, the only-begotten Son of the Father as He was brought into the Temple.

O daughter of Phanuel, come and stand with us, giving thanks to Christ our Saviour, the Son of God.

Irmos: In ancient times the people offered a pair of doves and two young pigeons. Now the holy Simeon and Anna the prophetess, filled with faith, ministered and glorified the Child of the Virgin, the only-begotten Son of the Father as He was brought into the Temple.

The wise Anna, calm in spirit, awesomely speaks out, acknowledging Christ as the Creator of heaven and earth.

Irmos: In ancient times the people offered a pair of doves and two young pigeons. Now the holy Simeon and Anna the prophetess, filled with faith, ministered and glorified the Child of the Virgin, the only-begotten Son of the Father as He was brought into the Temple.

O Christ, the King of all, grant the faithful victory over their enemies.

Irmos: In ancient times the people offered a pair of doves and two young pigeons. Now the holy Simeon and Anna the prophetess, filled with faith, ministered and glorified the Child of the Virgin, the only-begotten Son of the Father as He was brought into the Temple.

O pure virgin Mother, the great things done for you are incomprehensible to angels and mortals.

Irmos: Simeon cried out: You have granted me the boundless joy of your salvation, O Christ. Now take me, your servant, who is weary of the shadow, and make me a new preacher of the mystery of grace, as I extol You with praise.

The pure Dove, the unspotted Lamb, carries the Lamb and Shepherd into the Temple.

Irmos: Simeon cried out: You have granted me the boundless joy of your salvation, O Christ. Now take me, your servant, who is weary of the shadow, and make me a new preacher of the mystery of grace, as I extol You with praise.

O Christ, King of all, grant me the gift of tears that I may weep for my soul, lost in evil.

Irmos: Simeon cried out: You have granted me the boundless joy of your salvation, O Christ. Now take me, your servant, who is weary of the shadow, and make me a new preacher of the mystery of grace, as I extol You with praise.

Let us devoutly praise the Divinity, the three Persons who shine with a threefold light.

Irmos: Simeon cried out: You have granted me the boundless joy of your salvation, O Christ. Now take me, your servant, who is weary of the shadow, and make me a new preacher of the mystery of grace, as I extol You with praise.

O Virgin Mary, enlighten my soul which is grievously darkened by the passions of life.

The holy Anna, noble in faith and having the wisdom of years, reverently acknowledged the Master in the Temple; she extolled the Mother of God and praised her before everyone present.

Hymn of Light, Tone 6
Inspired by the Spirit, the Elder Simeon came to the Temple.* He received in his arms the Master of the Law and cried out: O Lord, release your servant from the bonds of the flesh* according to your word, in peace;* because my eyes have seen your revelation,* who is a light to the Gentiles and the salvation of Israel. (3)

At the Praises, Tone 4

In fulfilment of the Law,
the Lover of Mankind now is brought to the Temple.
Simeon takes Him in his aged arms and cries out:
Now let me depart to the blessedness of the world to come;
for I have beheld on this day, clothed in mortal flesh,
the One who is Lord of life and Master of death.

In fulfilment of the Law,
the Lover of Mankind now is brought to the Temple.
Simeon takes Him in his aged arms and cries out:
Now let me depart to the blessedness of the world to come;
for I have beheld on this day, clothed in mortal flesh,
the One who is Lord of life and Master of death.

As a light of revelation to the Gentiles,
You manifested yourself, O Lord.
The Sun of Justice sits upon a light cloud.
You fulfilled the shadow of the Law
and showed the beginning of the new grace.
Therefore, beholding You, Simeon cried out:
Release me from corruption, for I have seen You today.

When You became incarnate as You willed,
You did not separate yourself from the bosom of the Father.
You uphold the whole world with your hand,
yet You were held in the arms of the ever-Virgin,
and You were handed over to the arms of Simeon, the servant of God.
Therefore, he cried out with joy:
Now You may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, for I have seen You.

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

O Christ our God, this day You have been pleased
to rest in the arms of the Elder
as You sit upon the throne of the Cherubim.
Deliver us, who sing your praises, from the force of passions,
and grant salvation to our souls.

 


DIVINE LITURGY

Entrance
The Lord has made known His salvation;* He has revealed His truth before the nations.

Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 1: Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,* who grants us resurrection.

Glory… Now…

Kontakion, Tone 1 By Your birth, You sanctified a virgin womb* and fittingly blessed the hands of Simeon.* You have come also now and saved us, O Christ our God;* give peace to Your community in time of war,* and strengthen its rulers, whom You love,* for You alone,* are the Lover of mankind.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
My soul magnifies the Lord,* and my spirit has rejoiced in God, my Saviour.
verse: Because He has regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Epistle
Hebrews 7:7-17

Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Now, O Master, You dismiss Your servant in peace according to Your word.
verse: For my eyes have seen Your salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people, Israel.

Gospel
Luke 2:22-40

Hymn to the Mother of God
O God-bearing Virgin, hope of Christians, protect and guard and save all those who put their trust in you.
And the Irmos, Tone 3 In the law, the shadow, and the scriptures, we the faithful see a figure: every male child that opens the womb shall be sanctified to God. Therefore do we magnify the first-born Word and Son of the Father who is without beginning, the first-born Child of a Mother who had not known man.

Communion Hymn
I will take the chalice of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. Alleluia (3).