Month: August 2016

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 8

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

All glorious wonder!
Today the unwedded Mother of God springs forth
as a stem bearing a flower from a childless and barren womb,
from the righteous Joachim and Anna!
Therefore the councils of the prophets and the whole assembly of the patriarchs,
rejoice at her nativity!

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

Today David rejoices and Jesse dances!
Levi is magnified and the righteous Joachim leaps in spirit!
The barrenness of Anna is openly loosed by your birth, pure Mary!
Unwedded one, the company of angels and all mortals
call your divine womb blessed!

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

Rejoice, union of earth with heaven!
Rejoice, Temple of the Lord!
Rejoice, unwedded mother!
You have most gloriously loosed Anna’s barrenness
and by your birth have given remission of sins to mortals!
Rejoice, all-immaculate one! Rejoice, divine temple!
Rejoice, tabernacle in which our Creator and Lord made his dwelling place!

In Tone 4

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

O Theodora, although you bore the body of a woman,
you took up your dwelling in the midst of men.
You underwent sufferings and the struggles of passions.
You overcame them through fasting,
unceasing prayer, and attentiveness to the Lord.

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

The sun that sets has never known you to sin,
and the Unsetting Sun knows your life of virtue;
He is the Lord who knows the depths of the heart and sees the secrets of all.
He enlightened the eyes of your heart through the light of penance.
Because of this, you hasten to please Him by abstaining from evil
and by the perfecting of virtues.

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

Although you fell into the trap of the enemy,
you still loved the child whom you bore amid reproach;
you nourished him with your love, O glorious mother,
and piously bore the condemnation of those who defamed you.
For this reason, we celebrate your honourable feast, O Theodora.

In Tone 4, Glory…

O Virgin, today you were born a most noble child
from the two just ones, Joachim and Anne,
as the angel had promised in his announcement.
To God you are a heaven, a throne, and a vessel of holiness;
to the whole world, a herald of joy,
the cause of our life, the blessing that wiped out the curse.
You are the reason for all the blessings of God.
O Maiden whom God has chosen,
on this day of your nativity
obtain peace and great mercy for our souls.

In Tone 8, Now…

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

Aposticha

In Tone 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 4, Glory… Now…

Today Anne, the barren one, claps her hands for joy.
The earth is bathed in light and kings sing their happiness,
priests enjoy all blessings and the whole universe rejoices;
for the Queen and immaculate Bride of the Father
comes forth from the stem of Jesse.
Behold, no woman will ever again bear a child in sorrow and anxiety,
for joy has come forth in abundance and life has filled the world.
Joachim’s offerings shall no more be rejected,
for the tears of Anne have now been turned into joy.
And now Anne can say:
Rejoice with me, all you chosen ones of Israel,
for the Lord has given me the palace of his divine and living glory
to be a place of joy and happiness for the whole universe
and for the salvation of our souls.

Troparia

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

In Tone 8, Glory…
In you, O venerable Mother Theodora, the faithful image of God shone forth,* for you carried your cross and followed Christ.* You taught by your deeds how to spurn the body, for it passes away;* and how to value the soul, for it is immortal.* *Therefore, your soul is forever in happiness with the angels.

In Tone 4, Now…
Your nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, * has made joy known to all the world,* for from you dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God.* He abolished the curse and gave the blessing;* and by making death of no effect He bestowed on us eternal life.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

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

Troparion, Tone 4: Your nativity, O Virgin Mother of God,* has made joy known to all the world,* for from you dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God.* He abolished the curse and gave the blessing;* and by making death of no effect He bestowed on us eternal life.

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

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

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone4: By your birth, O immaculate one,* Joachim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness,* and Adam and Eve* from the corruption of death.* And your people, redeemed from the guilt of their sins,* celebrate as they cry out to you:* “The barren one gives birth to the Mother of God* and nourisher of our life.”

Prokeimenon, Tone 6
Save Your people, O Lord, * and bless Your inheritance.
verse: Unto You I will cry, O Lord, my God, lest You turn from me in silence. (Psalm27:9,1)

Epistle
Galatians 6:11-18

Alleluia, Tone 1
I have exalted one chosen from the people and with my holy oil anointed him.
verse: My hand shall always be with him and my arm shall make him strong. (Psalm 88:20-21,22)

Gospel
John 3:13-17

Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify the Virgin Mary, born from a barren womb.
And the Irmos, Tone 8: Virginity is alien to mothers* and childbearing is foreign to virgins;* yet in you, O Mother of God, both of them came together.* Therefore we and all the nations of the earth* without ceasing magnify you.

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

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

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

Today God who dominates the spiritual thrones of heaven
welcomes on earth the holy throne which He had prepared for Himself.
In His love for mankind,
He who established the heavens in wisdom has fashioned a living heaven.
From a barren stem He has brought forth for us His Mother
as a branch full of life.
O God of miracles and hope of those who have no hope;
O Lord, glory to You!

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

This is the day of the Lord:
Rejoice, therefore, O nations!
Behold, the chamber of Light and the scroll of the living Word
has come forth from the womb.
The gate that opens to the Rising Sun
and is ready for the entrance of the High Priest, is here today.
She is the only one who introduced Christ, and Christ alone, into the world
for the salvation of souls.

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

Indeed some famous barren women have given birth by the will of God;
but the nativity of Mary surpasses all nativities
in honour and splendour
as it is worthy of the majesty of God.
For she was born in a miraculous way of a barren mother,
and she herself gave birth in the flesh to the God of all,
incarnate in her womb without human seed
against the laws of nature.
She alone is the door through which the only-begotten Son of God
has passed while leaving it sealed
as He had planned in His eternal wisdom.
Thus did He bring salvation to all.

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

Indeed some famous barren women have given birth by the will of God;
but the nativity of Mary surpasses all nativities
in honour and splendour
as it is worthy of the majesty of God.
For she was born in a miraculous way of a barren mother,
and she herself gave birth in the flesh to the God of all,
incarnate in her womb without human seed
against the laws of nature.
She alone is the door through which the only-begotten Son of God
has passed while leaving it sealed
as He had planned in His eternal wisdom.
Thus did He bring salvation to all.

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

Today the barren gates are opened,
and the Virgin, the Gate of God, comes forth.
Today grace begins to bear fruit,
showing forth to the world the Mother of God
through whom earth is united to heaven
for the salvation of our souls.

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

Today the barren gates are opened,
and the Virgin, the Gate of God, comes forth.
Today grace begins to bear fruit,
showing forth to the world the Mother of God
through whom earth is united to heaven
for the salvation of our souls.

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

Today glad tidings go forth to the whole world.
Today sweet fragrance is sent forth
by the proclamation of salvation.
Today is the end of the barrenness of our nature;
for the barren one becomes a mother,
the mother of the one who will not cease to be a virgin,
even after giving birth to the One who by nature is Creator and God.
He it is who took flesh by which He brought salvation to the lost;
He is Christ, the Lover of Mankind,
and the Saviour of our souls.

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

Today Anne, the barren one, gives birth to the maiden of God
who had been chosen from all the human generations
to become the dwelling place of the Creator,
Christ our God and King of all.
In her He fulfilled His divine plan
through which our human nature was renewed,
and by which we were to be transferred from corruption to eternal life.

Glory… Now…

Today God who dominates the spiritual thrones of heaven
welcomes on earth the holy throne which He had prepared for Himself.
In His love for mankind,
He who established the heavens in wisdom has fashioned a living heaven.
From a barren stem He has brought forth for us His Mother
as a branch full of life.
O God of miracles and hope of those who have no hope;
O Lord, glory to You!

Readings
(1) Genesis 28:10-17; (2) Ezekiel 43:27-44:4; (3) Proverbs 9:1-11

Lytia

In Tone 1

Today is the beginning of our salvation, O people;
for behold, the Mother and Virgin who was chosen from all generations
to be the habitation of God
is born and comes forth from the barren one.
She is the flower from Jesse and possesses the rod from his root.
May our forefather Adam rejoice and be full of joy;
for behold, she who was created from the rib of Adam
declares that her daughter and descendant is blessed.
She says: “My deliverance has been born to me.
Through her, I will be freed from the bonds of Hades.”
May David rejoice, play on his harp, and bless God;
for behold, the Virgin comes forth
from the womb of the barren woman
for the salvation of our souls.

In Tone 2

Come all you lovers of virginity and chastity,
lovingly hold aloft the boast of virginity,
the fountain of life springing up from the solid stone.
She is the bush which grows from the barren land,
the bush of the non-material fire,
who cleanses and illumines our souls.

What is the festive hymn that is heard today?
Joachim and Anne are mystically observing this day with honour, saying:
“Adam and Eve, rejoice with us today!
Through their transgression of old, Paradise was closed.
Now, Mary the maiden of God is being given to us as a blessed fruit.
She opens up the entrance of Paradise to all of us.”

The chosen one of the King of All,
the abode of God and divine dwelling of the ever-existing One,
comes forth today from the barren and glorious Anne.
It is through her that the shameless Hades is crushed,
and the first Eve is lead into a faithful life.
Let us worthily cry out to her:
“Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…

Let us play the spiritual flute on this noteworthy feast,
because from the seed of David
is born the Mother of the Life who dispels the darkness.
She is the renewal of Adam and the answer to Eve,
the source of incorruption and the transformation of corruption.
Because of her, we have been divinized and delivered from death.
We cry out to her with Gabriel:
“Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you.
Because of you, He has granted us great mercy.”

Aposticha

In Tone 4

On this day a great joy has shone upon us
from the two just ones, Joachim and Anne;
and this joy is the most honourable Virgin.
Because of her purity, she will become a living temple of God.
She alone will be recognized as the Mother of God.
Through her intercessions, O Christ our God,
send down peace upon the world
and your great mercy upon our souls.

Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words.

O Virgin, today you were born a most noble child
from the two just ones, Joachim and Anne,
as the angel had promised in his announcement.
To God you are a heaven, a throne, and a vessel of holiness;
to the whole world, a herald of joy,
the cause of our life, the blessing that wiped out the curse.
You are the reason for all the blessings of God.
O Maiden who God has chosen,
on this day of your nativity
obtain peace and great mercy for our souls.

The richest of people shall seek your favour.

Today Anne, the barren one, claps her hands for joy.
The earth is bathed in light and kings sing their happiness,
priests enjoy all blessings and the whole universe rejoices;
for the Queen and immaculate Bride of the Father
comes forth from the root of Jesse.
Behold, no woman will ever bear again a child in sorrow or anxiety,
for joy has come forth in abundance and life has filled the world.
Joachim’s offerings shall no more be rejected,
for the tears of Anne have now been turned into joy.
And now Anne can say:
Rejoice with me, all you chosen ones of Israel,
for the Lord has given me the palace of His divine and living glory
to be a place of joy and happiness for the whole universe
and for the salvation of our souls.

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…

Come all you faithful, and let us hasten to the Virgin;
for long before her conception in the womb,
the one who was to be born of the root of Jesse
was destined to be the Mother of God.
The one who is the treasury of virginity,
the flowering rod of Aaron, the object of prophecies,
the child of Joachim and Anne is born today,
and the world is renewed in her.
Through her birth, the Church is clothed with splendour
O holy Temple, vessel of the Godhead,
model of virgins and strength of kings,
in you the wondrous union of the two natures of Christ was realized.
We worship Him and glorify your most pure birth,
and the whole world extols you.

Troparion

In Tone 4

Your nativity, O Virgin Mother of God,
has made joy known to all the world,
for from you dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God.
He abolished the curse and gave the blessing;
and by making death of no effect He bestowed on us eternal life. (3)

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: Your nativity, O Virgin Mother of God,* has made joy known to all the world,* for from you dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God.* He abolished the curse and gave the blessing;* and by making death of no effect He bestowed on us eternal life.

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

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

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.
verse: Because he has regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, all generations shall call me blessed. (Luke 1:46-48)

Epistle
Philippians 2:5-11

Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear.
verse: The rich among the people shall entreat your countenance. (Psalm 44:11,13)

Gospel
Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28

Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify the Virgin Mary, born from a barren womb.
and the Irmos, Tone 8: Virginity is alien to mothers* and childbearing is foreign to virgins;* yet in you, O Mother of God, both of them came together.* Therefore we and all the nations of the earth* without ceasing magnify you.

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

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 6

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

Dying your sacred vestments in your own blood,
you were sanctified, O illustrious Babylas,
and thus entered into the Holy of Holies.
You rejoice now forever in the presence of God,
radiant with beauty in your martyrdom,
sharing the life of the angels in all purity.
Thus we venerate you,
celebrating your holy solemnity with love, O blessed hierarch.

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

Bound by iron chains, you unswervingly followed the path
leading to the heavenly city, O venerable hierarch Babylas,
adorned with your wounds as with precious jewels.
There, as a true conqueror, an invincible martyr, a holy priest,
you sing with the angels the pure and holy hymn:
“Holy, holy, holy are You, O Consubstantial Trinity!”

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

At the head of your spiritual flock, O venerable hierarch Babylas,
you led them to safe pastures of the Faith in the depth of your wisdom.
You protected them from the beasts,
delighting in the Most High God, your Shepherd,
whom you preached before the impious, O blessed one,
rejoicing to be immolated as a spotless lamb
in the company of innocent children.
With them, you were offered as a victim of pleasing fragrance
in a whole-burnt offering.

In Tone 4

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

In the storm, you contemplated, insofar as it was possible, the Bodiless One.
In the cloud, you saw the Immaterial One;
the divine glory made you radiant in God,
and that enabled you to penetrate the mysteries of God,
but grace was given to those who wished the things above.

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

For the people who awaited the Lord,
you were a priest according to the Law, O Moses,
a valiant general for their armies, striking Egypt with blows,
dividing the Red Sea with your staff,
drowning the base and arrogant Pharaoh with his troops.
And, despite their ingratitude,
you led and nourished Israel in the desert.

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

“Moses, make haste to remove the sandals from your feet,
for the place where you are standing is holy ground.
Do not wear that garb, for their leather is symbolic of having been put to death.
Behold, in the burning bush
you see the wondrous mystery of the virginal handmaid of God.”
Thus spoke the Lord to Moses on Mount Horeb.

In Tone 6, Glory…

The Church holds your holy struggles
to be a support and foundation, O hieromartyr Babylas:
you keep it protected, a refuge from the ravenous wolves,
as it proclaims your sublime accomplishments
and magnifies together with you
the infants immolated for Christ in your company,
O blessed one.

In Tone 7, Now…

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

Aposticha

In Tone 7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 6, Glory…

Fighting for the faith before the tribunal of the tyrant, you cried out,
“Here I am, with the children which God has given me!”
You were crowned together with them in the heavens, O hieromartyr Babylas,
and you ceaselessly intercede before God
that our souls be saved from the snare of the enemy.

Now…

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

Troparia

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

In Tone 4
O holy hieromartyr Babylas,* you lent yourself to the apostles’ way of life* and succeeded them on their throne.* Inspired by God, you found the way to contemplation through the practice of virtue;* wherefore you became a perfect teacher of truth,* fighting for the Faith unto the shedding of your blood.** Intercede with Christ God that He may save our souls.

In Tone 2, Glory…
O Lord, we celebrate today the memory of Your Prophet Moses;* wherefore we implore You to save our souls!

Now…
O Mother of God, the mysteries which surround you are exceedingly glorious,* and beyond the power of understanding.* For you retained the seal of purity,* and your virginity remained inviolate;* yet you are acknowledged, without doubt,* to be the Mother who gave birth to the true God.* We beg you, therefore, to entreat Him to save our souls.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

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

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

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

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The Lord will give strength to His people;* the Lord will bless His people with peace.
verse: Bring to the Lord, O you sons of God; bring to the Lord young rams. (Psalm 28:11,1)

Epistle
2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Alleluia, Tone 7
verse: It is good to give praise to the Lord; and to sing to Your name, O Most High.
verse: To announce Your mercy in the morning, and Your truth every night. (Psalm 91:2,3)

Gospel
Matthew 25:14-30

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

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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

We pray to the Creator today,
with the words given us by Christ,
who taught us to pray each day:
Our Father who art in heaven,
give us this day our daily bread,
and overlook all our sins.

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

We pray to the Creator today,
with the words given us by Christ,
who taught us to pray each day:
Our Father who art in heaven,
give us this day our daily bread,
and overlook all our sins.

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

On Mount Sinai You gave stone tablets.
Today in Nazareth You read the prophecy,
O Christ our God in the flesh.
You took and opened the scroll
to teach the people that the Scriptures
were fulfilled in Yourself.

In Tone 5

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

O venerable Father,
you found a beautiful ladder to heaven
while Elias found a chariot of fire.
He did not leave his ascent for others;
but after death, however, you have left your pillar.
O heavenly man and earthly angel,
ever-watchful beacon to the whole world,
O venerable Simeon, pray for our salvation.

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

O venerable Father,
even if the pillar could talk,
it would never stop proclaiming your toils, your labours, and you weeping.
Even though it held you,
it was sustained by your tears, watered as a tree.
At your endurance the angels crowd about,
people stand in awe and demons tremble.
O venerable Simeon, pray for our salvation.

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,
by the might of the Holy Spirit,
you imitated your Master,
as on a cross you ascended the pillar.
The Lord erased the condemnation written against us;
you destroyed the rise of passions.
The Lord was a lamb, and you a victim;
the Lord was on a cross, and you on a pillar.
O venerable Simeon, pray for our salvation.

In Tone 2

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

From the good root has come forth the most excellent Simeon;
from his infancy he was nourished more on grace than on milk.
In his body he dwelt upon the high place,
but in his spirit he was raised even higher to God.
Through his virtues he edified his lofty dwelling.
He journeyed in high places with the powers of heaven,
and he became a dwelling place of Christ our God, the Saviour of our souls.

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

You shall be remembered forever,
O venerable Father Simeon;
you were pleasing to God
in the kindness of your heart, O blessed one.
Even if you have passed from us, O good shepherd,
you did not leave us in spirit,
but stand before God in love,
and have joined the angels in heaven.
Together with them, plead for our salvation.

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

The tomb of your relics, O blessed Father,
is a fountain of healing,
and your holy soul rightly rejoices with the angels.
O venerable Father, as you have confidence before the Lord
and have joined the angels,
plead with Him for our salvation.

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

O God-bearing Father,
you loved the highest knowledge
and lived outside the world above visible things.
You became an untarnished mirror of God,
and ever united to the Light, you kept on receiving light,
with clearer insight attaining blessed perfection.
O wise Simeon, pray for our souls.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Divine Grace hovered over your relics, O holy Simeon.
We will hasten towards the sweet fragrance of your miracles,
drawing from them the healing of illnesses.
O venerable Father, plead with Christ our God for our souls.

Now…

O eternal Word and Son,
together with the Holy Spirit,
Creator and Maker of all things visible and invisible,
bless the beginning of the year,
keep in peace all the faithful,
through the prayers of the Theotokos and all the saints.

Readings
(1) Isaiah 61:1-9; (2) Leviticus 26:3-24; (3) Wisdom 4:7-15

Aposticha

In Tone 1

We have come to the beginning of the year,
gathering to honour these saints:
Callista and her brothers, Evod and Hermogenes;
Simeon, equal to the angels, and Joshua, the son of Nun;
the seven children of Ephesus, and the forty holy women.
O lovers of feasts, sharing in their remembrance, with insistence we shout:
O Lord, bless the works of Your hands,
and make us worthy to pass this year in spiritual progress.

To You our praise is due in Sion, O God.

O Christ our God, You created all things in Your wisdom,
and brought them from nothingness into being.
Now bless the beginning of the year
and keep our city free from harm;
and in Your mercy grant peace and happiness to all the faithful,
granting to the world great mercy through the prayers of the Theotokos.

In Tone 2

We are filled with the blessings of your house.

You are wonderful, O God, and wondrous are Your deeds.
Your ways are unsearchable;
You are the Wisdom of God, perfect person and power.
For though without beginning,
and equal in eternity and operation,
by Your infinite power You made Your home in our world.
Beyond understanding and without changing Your divinity,
You were born of a virgin mother;
You came to seek Your creation
which You had adorned with beauty;
and You set the times and circumstances for our salvation.
Therefore, we shout to You:
O Good Master, glory to You!

You crown the year with goodness.

In wisdom you created all things,
O Word of the Father before all ages;
by Your almighty word You arranged all creation.
Bless the beginning of the year by Your goodness,
and through the prayers of the Theotokos, overthrow all heresy;
for You are good and the Lover of Mankind.

In Tone 5, Glory…

O venerable Father,
you found a beautiful ladder to heaven
while Elias found a chariot of fire.
He did not leave his ascent for others;
but after death, however, you have left your pillar.
O heavenly man and earthly angel,
ever-watchful beacon to the whole world,
O venerable Simeon, pray for our salvation.

Now…

O King, You are eternal and remain forever.
Receive the petitions of us sinners as we pray for salvation.
O Lover of Mankind,
grant Your abundance to the earth with temperate and mild weather.
Fight with the faithful against all enemy attacks as You helped David;
for they have entered the tabernacle and defiled Your most holy place, O Saviour.
But grant victory over them, O Christ our God,
through the prayers of the Theotokos,
for You are ever the victory and boast of orthodox Christians.

Troparia

In Tone 2

Fashioner of all creation
You fixed times and seasons by Your own authority;
bless the crown of the year, O Lord, with Your goodness,
preserving our nation and Your city in peace;
and save us through the prayers of the Mother of God.

In Tone 1, Glory…

O venerable saint, you became a pillar of endurance,
rivalling the forefathers: Job in afflictions and Joseph in trials,
and while still in the body you lived the life of the Bodiless ones.
O Symeon our father,
entreat Christ God to save our souls.

In Tone 1, Now…

Rejoice, Virgin Mother of God, full of grace,
harbour and protection of the human race:
from you the Redeemer of the world was incarnate.
For only you – ever blessed and glorified – are Mother and Virgin.
Pray to Christ our God to grant peace to the world.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 2: Fashioner of all creation,* you fixed times and seasons by Your own authority;* bless the crown of the year, O Lord, with your goodness,* preserving our nation and Your city in peace;* and save us through the prayers of the Mother of God.

Troparion, Tone 1: Rejoice, Virgin Mother of God, full of grace,* harbour and protection of the human race:* from you the Redeemer of the world was incarnate.* For only you – ever blessed and glorified – are Mother and Virgin.* Pray to Christ our God to grant peace to the world.

Troparion, Tone 1: O venerable saint, you became a pillar of endurance,* rivalling the forefathers: Job in afflictions and Joseph in trials,* and while still in the body you lived the life of the Bodiless ones.* O Symeon our father,* entreat Christ God to save our souls.

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: Seeking things above, you joined yourself to those on high;* you made your pillar a fiery chariot,* through which, O venerable one, you became a companion of the angels.* With them, unceasingly implore Christ God on our behalf.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 2: You dwell on high, O Christ the King,* Creator and Builder of all that is seen and unseen.* You made seasons and time and the day and night.* Now bless the crown of the present year.* Guard and protect our country, this city and your people,* O Lord, so rich in mercy.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Great is our Lord and great is His strength;* and of His knowledge there is no end.
verse: Praise the Lord for a psalm is good; may praise be sweet to Him. (Psalm 146:5)

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable ones. (Psalm 115:6)

Epistle
1 Timothy 2:1-7; Colossians 3:12-16

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: To You, O God, is due a hymn in Sion, and to You shall a vow be paid in Jerusalem. (Psalm 64:2)
verse: You will bless the crown of the year with Your goodness. (Psalm 64:12)
verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments. (Psalm 111:6-7)

Gospel
Luke 4:16-22; Matthew 11:27-30

Communion Hymn
You will bless the crown of the year* with Your goodness. (Psalm 64:12)* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear. (Psalm 111:6-7)* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.