Day: 13 September 2016

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!

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

In fulfilment of the prophecy of David,
Christ revealed His majesty to His disciples in Sion.
He showed Himself to be worthy of equal praise
with His Father and the Holy Spirit;
for He existed from all eternity as God the Word, without a body;
then, out of love for mankind, He became incarnate,
and for our sake He was put to death as a man;
finally, by His own power He arose from the dead.

5. 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, of Your own free will, You descended into Hades;
and, as God the Lord, You destroyed death.
On the third day You arose from the dead and raised up Adam
from the bonds of Hades and corruption.
In joy he cried out and said:
Glory to Your resurrection, O Lover of mankind!

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

O Lord, You were placed in the tomb as one sleeping,
and on the third day You arose in might and power.
You raised up Adam from the corruption of death,
for You alone are almighty.

In Tone 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.

You dyed your vestments, Zenobius, with the blood of martyrdom!
Thus making them more adorned with grace and sanctity,
entering with them into the holy of holies, glorious one.
As a wise high priest, you were offered as a perfect and all-pure offering
and as an unblemished sacrifice
to Him who was sacrificed for you, most holy one.

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

Your body was burned, all-worthy hieromartyr Zenobius,
yet the inner beauty of your soul shone forth more brightly.
You are the glory of priests, Godly-minded one;
the boast of champions; a spring ever-flowing with wonders!
You put the demons to flight, divine warrior of Christ!

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

Your sister Zenobia was of one mind with you, all-wise one.
She voluntarily chose to suffer with you.
She endured with you a violent death,
and received with you the crown of victory,
entering with you, Zenobius, into the kingdom on high.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Come, lovers of the martyrs!
Let us clap our hands today and form a choir!
Let us sing songs to commemorate the most pious contenders Zenobius and Zenobia!
They became champions of the Trinity,
and in the arena they courageously drowned the invisible enemy with their holy blood.
They have gloriously gained the crown of victory!
Therefore let us cry out to them:
O couple, holy before the Lord, both blessed and illumined,
intercede with the Saviour for the salvation of our souls!

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!

Glory… Now…

All of us on earth hasten to take refuge in you, O Lady;
and we cry out to you:
O Mother of God, you are the only hope for us;
deliver us from our countless sins, and save our souls.

Troparia

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

In Tone 1, Glory…
Be swayed by the pains that the saints have suffered for You, O Lord,* and heal all our pains,* O Lover of mankind, for this we pray.

Now…
O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel called out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him Who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you!* Glory to Him Who has set us free* through your life-giving birth!

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

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

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

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

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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

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

Epistle
Ephesians 2:14-22

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

Gospel
Luke 8:41-56

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

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

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

O glorious martyr Demetrius,
like a bright star you glisten forever for your fatherland
because you always protect it from destruction at the hands of enemies,
and you deliver it from every strife and menace.
Therefore, O blessed one, your people annually observe your memory
and celebrate with joy,
and with faith and love they extol the Lord who glorified you.

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

O glorious martyr Demetrius,
like a bright star you glisten forever for your fatherland
because you always protect it from destruction at the hands of enemies,
and you deliver it from every strife and menace.
Therefore, O blessed one, your people annually observe your memory
and celebrate with joy,
and with faith and love they extol the Lord who glorified you.

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

O Demetrius, martyr and sufferer of the Passion of Christ,
your miracles shine upon the world like the sun.
Therefore, all of us are filled with joy as we remember them,
and in faith we fittingly celebrate.
Since you have favour with the Lord,
pray that He may save your servants from corruption.

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

Your side was pierced by a spear for the sake of the Saviour
whose side had been pierced on the cross.
By your wounds you lovingly resembled Him, O Martyr.
You showed to all that you were an unconquerable witness.
Thereby, your torturer was also wounded and made helpless
when he was the instrument of the test of your faith,
O Demetrius, great sufferer for Christ.

In Tone 8

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

O, what a great marvel!
There is joy in heaven and on earth,
for this day glistens in the remembrance of the martyr Demetrius.
He is crowned by the praises of angels and by the hymns of all.
O, how he suffered and how well he struggled!
Through him the Evil One fell and was conquered for Christ.

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, what a great marvel!
There is joy in heaven and on earth,
for this day glistens in the remembrance of the martyr Demetrius.
He is crowned by the praises of angels and by the hymns of all.
O, how he suffered and how well he struggled!
Through him the Evil One fell and was conquered for Christ.

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

O, what a great marvel!
It is the most radiant of wonders.
It is more brilliant than the sun.
Demetrius shines upon the ends of the earth at all times.
He is filled with the radiance of the Light that never grows dim
and beautified by the Light which never sets.
By his rays, the clouds of foreign foes have been dispersed,
illnesses have been cast out, and demons conquered.

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

O, what a great marvel!
Having been slain for the sake of Christ, O thrice-blessed Demetrius,
you have always manifested yourself to be a two-edged sword,
humbling the exaltations of the enemies
and bringing to naught the intrigues of the demons.
Let us cry out to him:
O Demetrius, protect us at all times,
for in faith and love we venerate you.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Today the universal feast of the martyr summons us.
Come, therefore, O lovers of feasts,
let us celebrate his memory in splendour and say:
Rejoice, for you overcame the snares of the enemy
by the might given to you by the one God.
Rejoice, for you suffered wounds by the thrusts of a sword,
and thus spiritually depicted for us the blessed passion of Christ.
O Demetrius, O inspiration of martyrs,
implore Him that we be delivered from visible and invisible enemies,
and that our souls may be saved.

Now…

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

Readings
(1) Isaiah 63:15-19; 64:1-9; (2) Jeremiah 2:2-12; (3) Wisdom 4:7-15

At the Lytia

In Tone 1

Rejoice in the Lord, O city of Thessalonica!
Adorn yourself with faith and leap and dance with joy!
Like a treasure, hold onto Demetrius,
the glorious Martyr and witness to the truth.
Be full of delight at the sight of his miraculous healings;
look as he repels the foreign invaders;
and thankfully cry out to the Savoir:
O Lord, glory to You!

O city of Thessalonica, together with everyone,
let us brighten this day with beautiful hymns,
and let us glorify the martyr’s deeds
because the great martyr Demetrius is deserving of praise.
He courageously repelled the onsets of demons.
He fervently came into the arena and gloriously won a victory.
He is praying to the Savoir that our souls may be saved.

In Tone 2

O wise martyr Demetrius,
Christ our God has placed your spotless spirit in the abode on high,
for you were a defender of the Trinity.
And unbreakable as a diamond,
you courageously suffered martyrdom in the arena.
Your holy side was pierced, O all-precious one,
just like Him who was pierced on the cross
for the salvation of the whole world.
You received the power of healing,
and you freely grant healings to all.
We, therefore, fittingly celebrate your dormition today,
and we glorify you as you glorified the Lord.

In Tone 5, Glory…

Let us hasten with faith and love;
let us shout with festive joy;
let all of us clap our hands on this feast of our leader.
May the heavenly hosts be happy
because he was pierced in behalf of Christ the Lord
who was pierced by a spear,
and because he destroyed the boldness of the arrogant Leo.
May the heavens and the sea be astounded
by the glorious witness given by the great luminary.
May they praise him who restrains the young and leads those in danger.
He enriches the lowly and brings good fortune;
he wins in battle and sails with those at sea.
He is a staff in old age and our own steadfast defender.
So let us pray to him and say:
O glorious Demetrius, be our leader, rescue us from every anguish,
and save your servants by your prayers.

Now…

Let us sound the trumpets of praise,
for the Queen of all, the Virgin Mother,
looks down from on high to crown with blessings those who honour her.
Let kings and leaders come together
to praise the Queen who gave birth to the King.
Because of his love for all,
He released those who had been condemned to death.
O shepherds and teachers,
come together and praise the most pure Mother of the Good Shepherd.
She is the lampstand that gleams like gold,
the light-bearing cloud more spacious than the heavens,
the living tabernacle and golden urn containing the manna,
the sealed door of the Word and refuge of all Christians.
Let us praise her with God-inspired songs, saying:
O palace of the Word,
make us lowly ones worthy of the kingdom of heaven,
for nothing is impossible through your intercession.

Aposticha

In Tone 2

The ground is quaking in fear of your anger.
The hills and mountains are trembling, O Lord.
But look upon us with compassion.
Do not shower your wrath upon us,
but show mercy to the work of your hands.
Free us from the terrifying menace of the earthquake,
since You are gracious and the Lover of Mankind.

In Tone 6

Having created the earth, You look upon it and it quakes.

You are awesome, O Lord, and who can bear your just anger?
Or who will implore You?
Who will restrain You, O Gracious One,
in behalf of the sinful people who are without hope?
The heavenly ranks, the Angels, and Principalities,
Powers, Thrones, Dominions, and Seraphim
are crying out to You in our behalf:
Holy, holy, holy, are You, O Lord!
Because of your merciful compassion,
do not reject the work of your hands, O Gracious One,
but save the city which is in danger.

You shook the ground, and You made it quake.

The Ninevites heard the threat about their destruction
by an earthquake because of their sins.
The rising up of Jonah from the whale was a sign of intercession.
He pleaded for them to repent.
Just as You accepted in generosity
the lamentation of your people with their children and animals,
for the sake of your rising on the third day,
also be merciful and spare us who have been chastised.

In Tone 8, Glory…

Your sublime and spotless soul,
O ever-commemorated Demetrius,
has the heavenly Jerusalem as an abode.
Its walls were painted by the most pure hands of the invisible God.
This beautiful church on earth
also contains your very precious body which had suffered so much,
It is a treasure of miracles that cannot be stolen away,
and it is a medicine for illnesses
whenever we hasten to draw upon its healing.
O all-praiseworthy one,
protect from threatening destruction the city which extols you,
for you have found favour before Christ who glorified you.

Now…

O Virgin, you have never known wedlock,
yet you conceived God in the flesh
in a manner which words can never describe.
You thus became the Mother of God on high.
O immaculate Lady, receive the supplication of your servants
and grant us the cleansing of our sins.
Accept now our prayers and beseech God to save all of us.

Troparia

In Tone 3
In you, O martyr Demetrius,* the world has discovered a champion in its travails,* for you have routed the nations* and so, as you smashed the pride of Lyaeus*, encouraging Nestor to struggle,* pray to Christ our God to grant great mercy to our souls. (3)

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Tropaion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 3: In you, O martyr Demetrius,* the world has discovered a champion in its travails,* for you have routed the nations* and so, as you smashed the pride of Lyaeus*, encouraging Nestor to struggle,* pray to Christ our God to grant great mercy to our souls.

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: With the streams of your blood, O Demetrius,* God, who gave you invincible strength,* has dyed the Church in royal crimson* and preserved your city invulnerable* for you are its fortification.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The just man shall be glad in the Lord,* and shall hope in Him.
verse: Hear, O God, my voice, when I make my petition to You. (Psalm 63:11,2)

Epistle
2 Timothy 2:1-10

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, and he shall grow like the cedar in Lebanon.
verse: They who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 91:13-14)

Gospel
John 15:17-16:2

Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6-7)

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

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

O Christ, You won the victory over Hades,
You ascended the Cross so that You might raise up with Yourself
all those who dwelt in the darkness of death.
Almighty Saviour, You are free from death
and bestow life by Your divine light.
We, therefore, beseech You to have mercy on us.

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

Today Christ has conquered Death.
He has risen from the grave as He foretold,
bestowing great joy upon the world.
Therefore, let us all lift up our voices and sing:
O Fount of Life, O Light Whom no one can approach,
Almighty Saviour, have mercy on us.

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

O Lord, where can we sinners flee from You,
for You are present in all creation?
You are present in heaven, for it is Your dwelling place.
Your power prevails in Hades where You conquered Death.
O Master, Your sustaining hand touches even the depths of the sea.
Where, then, can we take refuge except in You?
We, therefore, prostrate ourselves before You and pray:
O Lord, risen from the dead, have mercy on us.

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

We exult in Your Cross, O Christ,
and we sing the glory of Your Resurrection.
For You are our God, and we have no other Lord but You.

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 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.

Come, Godly-minded people,
Let us honour the memory of the brother of God in a holy manner!
Taking up the yoke of Christ with zeal,
He showed himself to be a preacher
Of the goodness of His Gospel and His Kingdom!
He persuades us of His ineffable providence.
Therefore, grant us purification through him, Almighty One!

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

The proclamation of your words has taught the ends of the earth!
By them we are enlightened in all types of godly virtue
And are guided by faith
To knowledge of the Holy Trinity!
Therefore, we beseech you, as a bishop,
Pray to Jesus that He may save our souls as the Lover of mankind!

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

Foreseeing your manner of life, James,
Christ the Lover of mankind,
The All-Wise One who perceives all things,
Received you and ordained you
As an instructor of the sacred mysteries for the people of Jerusalem;
A priest to perform the sacred mysteries.
Entreat Him that our souls may be saved!

In Tone 6, Glory…

You adorned your priesthood
With the blood of martyrdom hieromartyr and apostle!
Appearing on the Temple porch,
You proclaimed God the word as the Creator of all!
Therefore you were thrown to your death by the Jews
And were given the mansions of heaven, James, the brother of God!
Entreat Christ God that our souls may be saved!

In Tone 6, Now…

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

Aposticha

In Tone 6

O Christ our Saviour,
the angels in heaven sing the praises of Your Resurrection;
make us on earth also worthy
to extol You with a pure heart.

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

Almighty God, You destroyed the brazen gates and bars of Hades,
and raised up fallen mankind.
Therefore, with one accord, we cry out:
O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!

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

Christ willed to renew us from our corruption of old
by being nailed to a cross and placed in a tomb.
When the women came to anoint His body they tearfully cried out:
O, what sorrow afflicts us!
O Saviour of All, how could You consent to occupy a grave?
If you truly willed this, then why did You allow Your body to be stolen?
How were You removed?
What place now conceals Your life-bearing body?
O Lord, appear to us as You promised
and put an end to out tears.
As they were lamenting, an angel appeared and cried out to them:
Do not weep, but tell the Apostles that the Lord is risen,
granting sanctification and great mercy to the world.

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

O Christ, You were crucified of Your free will,
and by Your burial You imprisoned Death.
As God, You rose in glory on the third day,
granting life and great mercy to the world.

In Tone 8, Glory…

You were the brother and successor of Christ, the Chief Shepherd,
And He put you forward among the apostles.
You loved Him for whom you died,
And were not dismayed by torture, glorious James!
Ever pray to Him that he may save our souls!

Now…

O Virgin, You have never known wedlock,
Yet You conceived God in the flesh
in a manner which words can never describe.
You thus became the Mother of God on high.
O Immaculate Lady, receive the supplication of your servants
and grant us the cleansing of our sins.
Accept now our prayers and beseech God to save all of us.

Troparia

In Tone 6
Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory to You!

In Tone 3, Glory…
Holy Apostle, James, intercede with the merciful God* to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Now…
We sing your praises, O Virgin;* for, as the Mother of God, you always intercede for the salvation of the human race.* It is from you that our God and Your Son took flesh. * Then, by suffering the passion on the Cross,* and out of love for mankind, He delivered us from corruption.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 6: Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!

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

Kontakion, Tone 6: With His life-giving hand* Christ our God, the Giver of life,* raised all the dead from the murky abyss* and bestowed resurrection upon humanity.* He is for all the Saviour,* the resurrection and the life, and the God of all.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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

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

Epistle
Ephesians 2:4-10

Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: He who lives in the aid of the Most High, shall dwell under the protection of the God of heaven.
verse: He says to the Lord: You are my protector and my refuge, my God, in Whom I hope. (Psalm 90:1,2)

Gospel
Luke 8:26-39

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

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 6, Glory…

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

Now…

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

Readings
(1) 1 John 1-7; (2) James 1:1-12; (3) Jude 1-7, 17-25

Aposticha

In Tone 5

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 6, Glory…

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

Now…

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

Troparia

In Tone 5
Let us praise with sacred songs the holy apostle Luke,* the recorder of the joyous Gospel of Christ* and the scribe of the Acts of the Apostles,* for his writings are a testimony of the church of Christ:* he is the physician of human weaknesses and infirmities.* He heals the wounds of our souls,** and constantly intercedes for our salvation!

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

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

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

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: Let us praise a genuine preacher of piety, the godly Luke,* a star of the Church and eloquent speaker concerning ineffable mysteries.* For the Word who alone knows the human heart* chose him with the wise Paul to teach the gentiles.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world.
verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands. (Psalm 18:5,2)

Epistle
Colossians 4:5-9, 14, 18

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 88:6,8)

Gospel
Luke 10:16-21

Communion Hymn
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their word unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 18:5)

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 5

10. 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.

9. 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!

8. 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.

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

We offer to You our evening worship,
O Light Whom the darkness of night can never extinguish.
For in these latter days Your radiance has appeared to the world,
shining in Your flesh as light reflected in a mirror.
Your brilliance has descended even to the depths of Hades and dissolved its gloom.
O Lord, Giver of Light, glory to You;
for You have shown the radiance of Your Resurrection to all the nations.

In Tone 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glory…

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

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

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 4, Glory…

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

Now…

O most pure Virgin, hear the petitions of your servants.
Remove the burdens which oppress us,
and deliver us from our sorrows;
for you are the only firm and constant support on whom we rely.
O Mother of God, never permit us who call upon you
to be overwhelmed by our cares.
Hasten to fulfill the supplications of all who, in faith, cry out to you:
Rejoice, O Lady, helper of all mankind,
the joy, the refuge, and the salvation of our souls.

Troparia

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

Now…
O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;* through Your death on the cross You conquered death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.** O Saviour, save Your despairing people!

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

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

Kontakion, Tone 5: You, my Saviour, descended to Hades,* and as the Almighty, You shattered its gates.* With Yourself You, as the Creator, raised the dead and shattered the sting of death,* and delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Mankind.* And so we cry out: “Save us, O Lord.”

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

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

Now and forever and ever. Amen.

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

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

Epistle
Hebrews 13:7-16

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

Gospel
John 17:1-13

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

GREAT VESPERS

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

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

10. 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.

9. 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!

8. 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.

7. 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.

In Tone 4

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

With the net of charity, admirable James,
you drew the human race from the sea of vanity,
and yielded them to the practice of the Master’s commands.
As His apostle, He enlightened your understanding; as His preacher,
He revealed to you His incomprehensible divinity,
O most blessed one!

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

With the net of charity, admirable James,
you drew the human race from the sea of vanity,
and yielded them to the practice of the Master’s commands.
As His apostle, He enlightened your understanding; as His preacher,
He revealed to you His incomprehensible divinity,
O most blessed one!

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

In the form of fire, the radiance of the Spirit descended on you.
He made you His chosen vessel.
Zealously you drove away the mist of godlessness
and enlightened the world with the mystery of faith
by the wisdom of your words,
most honourable Apostle James, eyewitness of Christ.

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 form of fire, the radiance of the Spirit descended on you.
He made you His chosen vessel.
Zealously you drove away the mist of godlessness
and enlightened the world with the mystery of faith
by the wisdom of your words,
most honourable Apostle James, eyewitness of Christ.

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

With the lightning bolts of your preaching,
you enlightened those who sat in the darkness of ignorance, glorious James.
Through faith, you revealed them to be the children of God the Master.
You loved him through suffering and death and so inherited his glory
wise, faithful, and inspired disciple.

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

With the lightning bolts of your preaching,
you enlightened those who sat in the darkness of ignorance, glorious James.
Through faith, you revealed them to be the children of God the Master.
You loved him through suffering and death and so inherited his glory
wise, faithful, and inspired disciple.

Glory…

By receiving the grace of the Holy Spirit, O James,
you were numbered with the holy choir of apostles;
for a mighty wind descended from heaven,
and a fiery tongue breathed upon you,
with which you burned away the thorns of the nations’ godlessness.
Pray to Christ God, as His preacher,
that He may save our souls!

In Tone 4, Now…

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

Readings
(1) 1 John 1:1-7; (2) James 1:1-12; (3) Jude 1:1-25

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 5, Glory…

We praise in faith, glorious James, the honourable day of your memory:
not because you are the son of Alpheus,
but because you are Christ’s apostle; a preacher of his ineffable incarnation.
Since you stand before the throne of the Master,
with the angels, the choirs of apostles and martyrs,
pray without ceasing that our Saviour and God will save us.

Now…

O most pure Virgin,
you are the temple, the gate, the palace, and the throne of the King.
Christ, our Redeemer and Lord,
appeared through you to those who slumbered in darkness.
For He, as the Sun of Righteousness,
wishes to enlighten those whom He created with His own hands
according to His own image.
Therefore, O Lady, whom we always praise in song,
we beseech you to intercede with Christ for the salvation of our souls;
for, as His Mother, you can approach Him with the greatest confidence.

Troparia

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

In Tone 3
Holy apostle James, intercede with the merciful God* to grant to our souls* forgiveness of sins.

Glory… Now…
We sing your praises, O Virgin;* for, as the Mother of God, you always intercede for the salvation of the human race.* It is from you that our God and Your Son took flesh. * Then, by suffering the passion on the Cross,** and out of love for mankind, He delivered us from corruption.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

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

Troparion, Tone 3: Holy apostle, James, intercede with the merciful God* to grant our souls* forgiveness of sins.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: My Saviour and Deliverer from the grave* as God raised out of bondage the children of the earth* and shattered the gates of Hades;* and as Master, He rose on the third day.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 2: With praises let us all extol James as a herald of God;* he firmly planted the doctrines of wisdom in the souls of the godly.* For he stands before the Master’s throne of glory* and rejoices with all the angels* unceasingly praying for all of us.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
How great are Your works, O Lord* You have made all things in wisdom.
verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, You are exceedingly great. (Psalm 103:24,1)

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their words unto the ends of the world.

Epistle
Galatians 2:16-20; 1 Corinthians 4:9-16

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Poise yourself and advance in triumph and reign in the cause of truth, and meekness, and justice.
verse: You have loved justice and hated iniquity. (Psalm 44:5,8)
verse: The heavens shall confess Your wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints.

Gospel
Luke 8:5-15; Luke 10:16-21

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their words unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia, * alleluia.

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

Your hand probed the side of the Lord,
finding the perfection of all goodness and joy.
Like a sponge you have thirsted for the water of life,
the fount of blessing and everlasting gladness.
Now you wash away ignorance from the minds of men
giving us to drink of the knowledge of the Lord.

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

Your hand probed the side of the Lord,
finding the perfection of all goodness and joy.
Like a sponge you have thirsted for the water of life,
the fount of blessing and everlasting gladness.
Now you wash away ignorance from the minds of men
giving us to drink of the knowledge of the Lord.

trusted in the Lord.

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

By your doubt overcome by faith,
you have strengthened our faintheartedness.
You proclaim to all men: behold my Lord and my God!
He took flesh and came to earth for us, enduring crucifixion and death!
We take refuge in His side pierced with the lance
joyfully drawing the water of life from the spring of salvation.

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

By your doubt overcome by faith,
you have strengthened our faintheartedness.
You proclaim to all men: behold my Lord and my God!
He took flesh and came to earth for us, enduring crucifixion and death!
We take refuge in His side pierced with the lance
joyfully drawing the water of life from the spring of salvation.

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

Most blessed Thomas,
for the Godly-minded you are a fountain of divine knowledge:
you have touched the side of the Master of all:
an act of boldness taught you that He is two natures in one person.
You cried out: You are both my Master and my eternal God!
The Lord of glory who took flesh for my sake.

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

Most blessed Thomas,
for the Godly-minded you are a fountain of divine knowledge:
you have touched the side of the Master of all:
an act of boldness taught you that He is two natures in one person.
You cried out: You are both my Master and my eternal God!
The Lord of glory who took flesh for my sake.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Apostle Thomas, faithful servant of the Lord,
witness of His wondrous incarnation,
you have sounded the depths of divine wisdom
with the Cross as your staff and measure;
you have rescued us from the abyss of delusion.
The net of your teachings has captured many souls:
enlightening the inhabited earth with the knowledge of God
radiantly illumining the Indies.
Now you delight in the glory of Christ our God:
pray that He may have mercy on our souls!

Now…

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

Readings
(1) 1 John 1:1-7; (2) James 1:1-12; (3) Jude 1-7, 17-25

Aposticha

In Tone 4

Blessed apostle Thomas,
you are a pearl of great price drawn from the sea of doubt.
Christ, the merciful Lover of man,
has fashioned your poverty and homeless wandering into riches and splendor.
Celebrating your memory, we rejoice,
blessing you unto all ages, O faithful one!

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

Holy apostle Thomas,
the blessed disciple who saw God in the flesh:
you have made the Indies shine as bright as the sun.
You enlightened the people revealing them to be children of the light and the day.
You overthrew their idols by the power of the Holy Spirit.
You led men to partake of the perfect love of God,
for through you they became the glory and honour of the Church,
so may we also be saved through your intercessions!

The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.

Your hand, directed with fearful boldness,
dared to probe the wounds of the immortal Lord of glory.
Most glorious wonder! Your doubt was transformed into faith.
You cried out: You are my Lord and my God!
I glorify You, Lover of mankind, who by Your passion
has caused freedom from passion to flow for all those who believe in you!

In Tone 6, Glory…

You gazed on the divine mysteries of Christ, Apostle Thomas,
and mystically you have been declared to be a spiritual mixing bowl,
in which the souls of believers rejoice;
for with the divine net of the Spirit
you drew peoples from the deep of ignorance;
therefore you came from Sion as a river of grace,
welling up with your inspired doctrines into the whole creation.
And so, imitating the passion of Christ,
you were pierced in the side and entered the darkness of incorruption;
implore Him to have mercy on our souls.

Now…

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

Troparia

In Tone 2
O disciple of Christ and member of the apostolic council,* your lack of faith proclaimed Christ’s resurrection,* and your touch confirmed His holy passion.* O Thomas, worthy of all praise,* pray even now that He grant us peace and great mercy.

Glory… 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

Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 2: O disciple of Christ and member of the apostolic council,* your lack of faith proclaimed Christ’s resurrection,* and your touch confirmed His holy passion.* O Thomas, worthy of all praise,* pray even now that He grant us peace and 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 4: Filled with the grace of wisdom,* Your apostle and genuine servant, O Christ,* cried out to You in his change of heart:* You are my God and Lord.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world.
verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands. (Psalm 18:5,2)”

Epistle
1 Corinthians 4:9-16

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 88:6,8)”

Gospel
John 20:19-31

Communion Hymn
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their word unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 18:5)

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let us sing the praises of the Saviour,
Who was incarnate of the Virgin;
for He was crucified for our sake,
and on the third day He arose from the dead,
granting us His great mercy.

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

Christ descended into Hades and announced to those confined there:
Take courage, for today I have conquered death.
I am the Resurrection, the One Who will set you free.
I shattered the gates of the realm of death.

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

O Christ our God, we unworthily stand in Your most pure temple,
and offer to You our evening hymns.
From the depths of our souls we cry out to You:
O Lover of Mankind, Who has enlightened the world
by Your Resurrection on the third day,
deliver Your people from the hands of Your enemies.

In Tone 6

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

Through the anointing of the priesthood and the blood of martyrdom,
you drew near to God, most perfect and all-glorious Cyprian!
You are the flower of nature;
the adornment of preaching, the summit of wisdom and a rule of true dogmas,
a harmonizer of the canons:
you are the splendour of the churches!

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

Most honourable Cyprian, glory of athletes and crown of martyrs:
by your sermons you persuaded the divinely wise
to maintain their courage most valiantly
in the face of imprisonment, bondage and varied tortures,
nakedness, binding and bitter cold,
with wounding and death at the end.

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

You are the splendour of virgins and martyrs, Justina!
You opposed the spells of demons with hymns to the Spirit!
By the sign of the Cross, you preserved your virginity,
offering yourself to Christ as a most holy sacrifice!
You are an unconquered martyr,
receiving the crowns of victory!

In Tone 2, Glory…

Most blessed Cyprian, you turned aside indeed
from the falsehood and lore of idolatrous teaching!
You armed yourself for salvation with the sword of the Cross,
throwing away the books of sorcery as you put off the old man!
The knowledge of the consubstantial Trinity lived within you!
with the angels, ever beseech Him, O bishop, that we may be saved!

In Tone 3, Now…

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

Aposticha

In Tone 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 2, Glory…

Let us praise Cyprian, the divinely shining lamp,
the conversor with Paul and sharer of his labours!
He dwells with the angels;
having received an incorruptible crown from the one God.
He ever prays that our souls may be saved!

Now…

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

Troparia

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

In Tone 4, Glory…
You participated in the ways of the apostles,* and were enthroned as their successor!* You discovered action as an entrance into vision, inspired one of God.* Therefore directing the word of truth,* you suffered for the faith to the shedding of your blood!** Bishop and martyr Cyprian pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved!

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

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

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

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

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

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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

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

Epistle
Galatians 1:11-19

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

Gospel
Luke 7:11-16

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

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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

O most pure Mother of God,
you are a mighty defender for those in sorrow.
You are a ready help to those in trouble.
You are the salvation and confirmation of the world.
You are the depth of mercy, the fount of God’s wisdom
and the protectress of the world.
O faithful, let us sing and praise her glorious protection, saying:
Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you,
and through you He grants great mercy to the world.

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

O most pure Mother of God,
you are a mighty defender for those in sorrow.
You are a ready help to those in trouble.
You are the salvation and confirmation of the world.
You are the depth of mercy, the fount of God’s wisdom
and the protectress of the world.
O faithful, let us sing and praise her glorious protection, saying:
Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you,
and through you He grants great mercy to the world.

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

The wondrous prophet Isaiah foretold:
The mountain of the Lord will be revealed in the last days,
and the house of the Lord will be upon the mountain.
O Queen and Lady, we have seen this prophecy truly fulfilled in you,
because the mountains and hills have been adorned
by the many churches named after your feasts.
Therefore, we joyfully sing out to you:
Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you,
and through you He grants great mercy to the world.

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 awesome beauty,
you are the true prophetic fulfilment for all the faithful.
You are the glory of the apostles and the joy of the martyrs,
the pride of virgins and a wondrous protection for the whole world.
O Lady, with the mantle of your mercy,
protect our Church and all the people who sing out to you:
Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you,
and through you He grants great mercy to the world.

In Tone 4

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

O Theotokos, you cooperated with the invitation offered by the Holy Spirit.
You were like a paradise planted by God
and the site of the living Tree.
We acknowledge you as having brought forth the Creator of all
who feeds the faithful with the Bread of Life.
We ask you to pray for us with the Forerunner.
With your mantle protect all people from every danger.

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 Theotokos, you cooperated with the invitation offered by the Holy Spirit.
You were like a paradise planted by God
and the site of the living Tree.
We acknowledge you as having brought forth the Creator of all
who feeds the faithful with the Bread of Life.
We ask you to pray for us with the Forerunner.
With your mantle protect all people from every danger.

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

Heaven and earth are sanctified.
The Church is radiant and all the people are rejoicing.
Behold, the Mother of God,
together with the angelic hosts, the Forerunner, and the Theologian,
with the prophets and the apostles has invisibly entered.
She prays to Christ in behalf of all Christians
that He may have mercy on our city and all people
who glorify the feast of her Protection.

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

O Theotokos, you are the beauty of Jacob;
you are the heavenly ladder
by which Christ came down to earth.
Indeed, those images signify your honour and glory.
The angels in heaven and all people on earth praise you,
for you have given birth to the God of all.
We honour you as you pray for the whole world
and cover with your mantle
all those who observe your holy feast.

In Tone 8, Glory…

All the leaders of the heavenly armies
form a spiritual choir and rejoice with all of us
when they see the Lady and Queen of all praised by the faithful.
The spirits of the just also rejoice
as they witness the vision of the Queen praying with outstretched arms.
She asks for peace in the world,
power and strength for our Church,
and salvation for our souls.

Now…

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

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

Lytia

In Tone 3

The glorious feast of your Holy Protection has come, O most pure Virgin.
Illuminate more brightly than the sun all your people
who with faith and with a pure heart
proclaim you to be truly the Mother of God.
They likewise sing out to your Son:
O Christ our God, through the prayers of the ever-Virgin,
who immaculately gave You birth in the flesh,
let not your inheritance be vanquished by the enemy;
but because You are the merciful One,
save our souls in peace.

In Tone 4

The people desire to sing to you, most pure Lady,
but they cannot sing praises worthy of your Son.
For you always intercede for all the faithful
and embrace them with your holy protection.
You pray that all will be saved,
all who honour you with faith,
O most pure Mother of God.

In Tone 2

Let us assemble today, O faithful,
and praise the immaculate Queen of all,
the most pure Virgin, the Mother of Christ our God;
for she always mercifully extends her hands to her Son.
In amazement, Andrew saw her in a cloud,
protecting the faithful with her mantle.
Let us fervently sing to her:
Rejoice, O protection, defence, and salvation of our souls.

Glory… Now…

Having purified our minds and souls,
we also rejoice with the angels,
joyously singing the hymn of David
to the virgin bride of Christ our God, the King of all:
Arise, O Lord, in the place of your dwelling,
You and the ark of your majesty.
Because You have adorned her as a beautiful palace,
receive her into your city
that through her prayers, O Lord, and with your almighty power,
she will order our lives and protect our Church from its enemies.

Aposticha

In Tone 2

Higher than all beings in heaven or on earth,
more glorious than the Cherubim,
and more honourable than all creation,
Christ has given you as the powerful protection of the Christian people
to protect and save all sinners who hasten to you.
Therefore, O Lady, we sing hymns to you
because you are the refuge of all people,
and we gloriously celebrate the honourable feast of your Protection.
We ask Christ to grant us great mercy through you.

In Tone 5

Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words.

O people, let us gloriously sing David’s song to the young bride,
to the mother of Christ our God and the King of all.
O Master, the Queen stood at your right hand,
clothed in golden robes and adorned with celestial beauty.
You have affirmed her, chosen from among women,
and deigned to be born of her because of your great mercy.
You have given her as a help to your people
to build up and protect your servants
from all misfortunes, O only-blessed One.

In Tone 7

The richest of people shall seek your favour.

O Theotokos, you are a mountain greater and more glorious than Mount Sinai.
It could not bear God’s glory coming down in images and tents.
It caught fire and shook with thunder and lightning.
You likewise had the Divine Fire in you.
Through the will of Him who holds all in the palm of his hand,
you bore the Word of God in your womb without being burned.
Since you have a mother’s confidence before Him, O Lady,
help those who faithfully celebrate your precious feast.
Do not forget in your mercy to visit us,
for you have received a gift from God
to build up and protect the Christian flock of your servants.

In Tone 2, Glory…

O all-pure Mother of God,
the Church is clothed with your honourable protection
as with a most glorious wreath.
It radiantly rejoices today.
It mystically dances with joy and sings to you, O Lady:
Rejoice, honourable raiment and crown of God’s glory.
Rejoice, unique perfection of glory and eternal joy;
rejoice, refuge of all who hasten to you;
rejoice, our salvation and deliverance.

Now…

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

Troparion

In Tone 4
Today we believers radiantly celebrate,* flooded in light by your coming to us, O Mother of God;* beholding your pure image,* we say with contrition:* shelter us with your precious protection* and deliver us from every evil,* entreating Your Son, Christ our God, to save our souls. (3)

 

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FESTAL MATINS

Hexapsalm

Great Ekteny

The Lord Is God, Tone 4

Troparia, Tone 4
Protected by your coming, O Mother of God,* the faithful people solemnly celebrate today;* and gazing upon your immaculate image,* they humbly say: Watch over us with your noble protection* and deliver us from all evil,* by asking your Son, Christ our God, to save our souls. (2)

Glory… 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.

Kathisma & Little Ekteny

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 3
Encircled by the light of the angelic hosts, O Lady,* and by the ranks of the apostles and prophets,* and receiving as the Mother of God their holy veneration,* visit us, your servants, and entreat Christ our God* to grant us His abundant mercy.

Kathisma & Little Ekteny

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 6
You are indeed the strength of the helpless,* O most pure Mother of God.* Because of this, we lowly ones glory in you.* Because of you, our hopes are high.* You are our protection and our mediatrix with God.

Polyeleos

Exaltation
We extol You,* O most holy Virgin,* and we honour your precious Protection* for the saintly Andrew saw you in a vision, praying to Christ for us.
verses:
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High and abides in the shade of the Almighty.
He will conceal you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge.
For there He keeps me safe in His tent in the day of evil.
He hides me in the shelter of his tent; on a rock He sets me safe.
Glory…Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3 times)

Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
Your most precious mantle glistens more brilliantly* than the gold and silver of the ark of old.* It is spread out not in substance but in spirit* by your pure and incorruptible hands,* and it mercifully protects those who honour the feast of your Protection, O Lady,* which we joyfully celebrate today.

Gradual Hymns, Tone 4, Antiphon 1

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
I will make your name remembered from generation to generation.
verse: Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words.

Let Everything That Has Breath, Tone 4

Gospel
Luke 1:39-49, 56

Psalm 50

After Psalm 50, Tone 6
Glory…
Through the intercession of the Mother of God, O Merciful One, remit our many sins.
Now…
Through the intercession of the Mother of God, O Merciful One, remit our many sins.
In Tone 8: Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion, blot out my offense.
All the leaders of the heavenly armies form a spiritual choir and rejoice with all of us* when they see the Lady and Queen of all praised by the faithful.* The spirits of the just also rejoice* as they witness the vision of the Queen praying with outstretched arms.* She asks for peace in the world,* power and strength for our Church,* and salvation for our souls.

Canon

Ode 1
Irmos I will open my mouth and it will be filled with the Spirit, and I will utter a word to the Queen and Mother, and I shall be seen keeping glad festival, and rejoicing I will sing her wonders.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
As all-pure Mother of God, grant me wisdom, and give me eloquence that I may radiantly praise the wonders of your holy Protection, through which you always protect those who honour you.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
You unfolded from above the lighting blaze of your Protecting Veil, and sheltered under it not only the queen of cites but your whole race that bears the name of Christ.

O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Venerable Andrew saw you of old in an ineffable vision in the church of Blachernae, Pure Virgin, protecting the ends of the world by the unfurling of your godly Robe.
Glory… Now…
Your race’s army, taking invincible strength from your Protection, defeated regiments of foes and won a radiant victory. And so, Sovereign Lady, it sings your mighty deeds.

Ode 3
Irmos O Mother of God, as a living and bounteous source, establish those united in spiritual fellowship who sing you hymns of praise, and by your divine protection grant them crowns of glory.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Your Protection, formed of light, is a source of heavenly joy, O All-unblemished, ever awarding to those who wrestle with afflictions grace, mercy and salvation.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
From the beginning through compassion you placed us, as a chosen race, beneath your Protecting Veil, O Virgin, and both of old and now you have worked strange and wondrous things, rescuing us from dangers.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
When godly Epiphanios heard the words of Venerable Andrew, he saw you as a heavenly queen protecting the people that bears Christ’s name.
Glory… Now…
As we see the multitude of wonders of your godly Protection, O Virgin, which you work everyday for our preservation, we, the multitudes of believers, bring you thankful praises.

Sessional Hymn, Tone 3
You appeared, O All-praised, as Protection, salvation, help and defence of your Orthodox peoples; therefore we magnify your Protection and we proclaim your fervent defence, All-pure Maiden, who protect our souls from every assault of the dragon.

Ode 4
The One seated in glory on the throne of the Godhead, Jesus, the One above all godhead, has come on a light cloud and with his unsullied palm has saved those who cry: Glory, O Christ, to your power!
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Invisibly unfolding your shining Protection, each day you protect, encompass, cherish and save from every affliction those who cry to you: Glory, O Virgin, to your glory!
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
The revelation of your great goodness, O Maiden, and your distribution of the gifts which your ever show to our race, amaze mind and thought. And so, Sovereign Lady, we sing the praise of your grace.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Being present invisibly you clearly revealed to your servants your all-holy Protection in Byzantium of old, O Bride of God. Through it you ever protect us, for you love goodness.
Glory… Now…
Having you, O Maiden, as defence in dangers, respite in slavery, guide and assistance in all the circumstances of our life, we take refuge under your shining Protection.

Ode 5
The universe was amazed at your divine glory, for you, O Virgin, who knew not wedlock, held in your womb the God who is over all and gave birth to an eternal Son, who gives salvation as the prize to all who sing your praise.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Your suppliant people, O All-praised, celebrates the holy memory of your Protecting Veil, for you came to the church of Blachernae and there, O Immaculate, you spiritually protected all those who faithfully glorify you.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
By your visitation, pure Maiden, destroy the insolence of the hostile lion who goes roaring each day to swallow down your inheritance, and overthrow his arrogance and pride.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
As we celebrate the memory of your light-bearing Protection, we sing you thanksgivings for salvation, O Virgin, for you have delivered us from bitter slavery and mightily humbled the overweening enemy who came against us.
Glory… Now…
As a godly jar of alabaster of the All-holy Spirit, Mother of God full of grace, show me, who with faith ever take refuge under your Protection and sing the praise of your glory, to be a vessel of divine grace.

Ode 6
Come godly-minded people, as we celebrate this divine and honoured feast of the Mother of God, let us clap our hands as we glorify the God who was born from her.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
By night a pillar of fire once guided the Israelite people, while now, O Immaculate, your Protecting Veil, formed like lightning, ever guides us to salvation.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Unfolding your Protection, wholly light, you protect us each day, All-pure Virgin, as we now know. What return then shall we make you for your grace?
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Of old and now you have shown us to be your own chosen portion and a people for your won possession, O Maiden. Therefore the company of the Orthodox sings your praise.
Glory… Now…
Your faithful and God-loving people, O Maiden, proclaims your grace and, delivered from dangers and perils, sings a song of thanksgiving to your Protection.

Kontakion, Tone 8
Like a cloud brightly overshadowing the whole company of the Church, O all-pure, you appeared of old on the royal City. But as the Protection and Champion of your people, protect from every affliction us who cry to you: Hail, Protection wholly light.

Ikos
Unfolding from on high your holy Protection, Virgin Mary, Mother of God, you protect and save your people, who cry out to you, Pure Maiden, hour by hour, while now they gratefully sing the praise of your wonders as they cry: Hail, Protection, wholly light!

Hail, gate of salvation.
Hail, Protection of the Church.
Hail, wondrous vision of the Angels.
Hail, unshakeable support of mortals.
Hail, Ever-Virgin Mother of Christ the universal King.
Hail, Protection and assistance of your faithful people.
Hail, for you appeared protecting your race.
Hail, for you grant victories to the troops.
Hail, source of abundant goodness.
Hail, lamp of God’s loving-kindness.
Hail, for through you we conquer the foe.
Hail, for to you we cry out each day:
Hail, Protection wholly light!

Ode 7
The godlike Children did not worship creation instead of the Creator, but bravely trampling on the threat of fire, rejoicing they sang: O highly exalted Lord and God of our fathers, blessed are you!
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
You have placed us, Sovereign Lady, under your Protecting Veil, and you ever protect us from dread abuse, assault of foes and every affliction. Therefore with upraised voices we all sing your praise to the ages.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
You protected the royal city of Constantine as your chosen part, Pure Virgin; likewise you now protect with your glory, All-blameless Lady, us who take refuge in your fervent defence.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
The wondrous overshadowing of our race with your godlike Protection, Pure Virgin, clearly manifests your providence, through which you grant joy and peace to our souls.
Glory… Now…
Unhusbanded, O All-pure, you husbanded Christ, the Husbandman of our life; as cause of our joy you appeared to those who sang, Hail, Sovereign Lady of our race, saviour and sweet help.

Ode 8
The Offspring of the Mother of God saved the innocent Youths in the furnace. Then he was prefigured, but now in reality he gathers the whole world which sings: All you works praise the Lord, and highly exalt him to all the ages.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
In many ways you revealed of old the force of your Protection, Mother of God, by signs and wonders and countless deeds of power, acting as our Champion every day, O All-pure; while now we sing the praise of your saving wondrous works.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Your chosen people, O All-blameless, faithfully receiving force and strength from your godly Protection, ever escapes from afflictions that attack them and from warlike foes, and remains unharmed by any madness, Mother of God, through your solicitude.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
From on high, Immaculate Virgin, unfold your holy and most radiant Protection, and as of old protect us and keep us safe from foes who attack us, and deliver your inheritance from their wickedness and assault.
O Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Venerable Andrew and venerable and godly Epiphanios saw you unfolding the Protecting Veil that had protected your immaculate body, Mother of God Ever-Virgin, and they were amazed; for you protected all, O Maiden, with immaterial light and heavenly glory.

Ode 9
O my soul, extol the greatness of the protection of the ever-Virgin Mother of God.
Let all born of earth bearing torches, in spirit leap for joy; let the nature of the immaterial spirits honour and celebrate the wondrous sacred festival of the Mother of God, and let them cry: Hail, all-blessed Mother of God, pure and Ever-Virgin!
O my soul, extol the greatness of the protection of the ever-Virgin Mother of God.
The dew which falls in drops from your Godly Protection as from an immaterial cloud, O Immaculate, becomes healing for us and brings to an end sicknesses of soul and body for those who cry: Hail, Ever-Virgin, our joy and consolation!
O my soul, extol the greatness of the protection of the ever-Virgin Mother of God.
The Church of the faithful celebrates a sacred memorial of your wonders to your glory and praise, O All-blameless, and with faith taking refuge under your Protection, cries out to you: Protect and guard me until my life’s end, O All-praised.
O my soul, extol the greatness of the protection of the ever-Virgin Mother of God.
With all our soul let us gather to your godly Protection, immaculate Lady, bringing thankful praise with fervent gratitude, for you are an immaterial cloud, O Immaculate, which becomes healing for us and brings to an end sicknesses of soul and body for those who cry: Hail, Ever-Virgin, our joy and consolation!
O my soul, extol the greatness of the protection of the ever-Virgin Mother of God.
The Church of the faithful celebrates a sacred memorial of your wonders to your glory and praise, O All-blameless, and with faith taking refuge under your Protection, cries out to you: Protect and guard me until my life’s end, O All-praised.
O my soul, extol the greatness of the protection of the ever-Virgin Mother of God.
With all our soul let us gather to your godly Protection, immaculate Lady, bringing thankful praise with fervent gratitude, for you have chosen us for your own and you treat us kindly in all things; you guide us and save us from afflictions.
Immaculate Virgin who bore God, save your flock, protecting it with your Protecting Veil and caring for it in every way.
From above, pure Virgin, keep your godly Protection around your people like a rampart with a wealth of loving-kindness; while to me, who have now woven for you songs of praise, give enlightenment and illumination, I implore, and forgiveness of faults.
Glory…
Raising your hands to God you implore on our behalf the One who came forth from you, and thence, unfolding spiritually your light-bearing Protection, you protected all the faithful. And so, as we celebrate its yearly memorial, Mother of God, we magnify you.
Now…
As we sing the praise of the manifold gifts of your Protection and its unstinted grace, pure Mother, which we unceasingly enjoy, we cry out to you from our souls: As of old you protected your people, so now too protect us with your hand and save us until our life’s end, O Immaculate.

Hymn of Light, Tone 3
O most holy Lady, Virgin Mother of God,* extend your holy mantle over us;* guide and protect our rulers and all people from every evil.* As the holy Andrew saw you in a vision while praying,* so today, O holy Lady, show us your loving protection.

At the Praises, Tone 8

O Lady, we bow before you,* and humbly prostrating, we pray to you.* Rejoice, O glorious Virgin,* most blessed by God and heralded by prophets;* for in you, Christ our God came down as the dew.* In your maidenhood, pure and undefiled, you gave birth to Him.* You carried in your arms the Lord and Creator of all.* implore Him now for us* who faithfully glorify the feast of your Protection. (twice)

The angel choirs sing of you, O Virgin Mother of God.* The patriarchs join the priestly ranks and holy apostles in praising you.* They give service to you as to the Mother of God.* Having seen you pray to Christ our God, the Saviour of all,* they ask you to pray to Him to save the world* and all those who sincerely honour you* and keep holy the feast of your Protection.

O Mother of God,* you were made more holy than the ark of Aaron through the Holy Spirit.* With your mantle you shine more brilliantly than the rays of the sun.* You illumine the Church and dispel the darkness caused by our sins.* Deliver from danger and tribulations* all those who honour the feast of your Protection.

Tone 6, Glory… Now…

O Mother of God,* the holy Andrew saw you in a vision with a multitude of archangels,* together with the apostles and prophets,* and a multitude of martyrs.* You were praying to your Son, our God,* for the city and the people,* covering them with your holy mantle.* So now, O most pure One,* do not forsake the inheritance of your Son,* all those who keep holy the feast of your Protection, O most praised One.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: Today we believers radiantly celebrate,* flooded in light by your coming to us, O Mother of God;* beholding your pure image,* we say with contrition:* shelter us with your precious protection* and deliver us from every evil,* entreating Your Son, Christ our God, to save our souls.

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

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

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
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
Hebrew 9:1-7

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

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 4

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

By abstinence and fervent prayer, venerable Chariton,
you caused your body’s passions to wither.
With streams of tears you drowned the deceitful serpent, blessed one.
In great measure you were well-pleasing to God!
Therefore Jesus, the Lover of mankind and the Saviour of our souls,
has adorned you with heavenly gifts!

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

By abstinence and fervent prayer, venerable Chariton,
you caused your body’s passions to wither.
With streams of tears you drowned the deceitful serpent, blessed one.
In great measure you were well-pleasing to God!
Therefore Jesus, the Lover of mankind and the Saviour of our souls,
has adorned you with heavenly gifts!

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

With the sweat of your struggle, truly wondrous one,
you quenched the burning fire of the passions!
You partook of fire through your wounds and sufferings,
confessing the condescension of the incarnate Word before evil tyrants!
You were a witness for Him,
adorned with wounds from your manifold torments,
most wealthy, God-bearing Chariton!

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

With the sweat of your struggle, truly wondrous one,
you quenched the burning fire of the passions!
You partook of fire through your wounds and sufferings,
confessing the condescension of the incarnate Word before evil tyrants!
You were a witness for Him,
adorned with wounds from your manifold torments,
most wealthy, God-bearing Chariton!

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

You fled, most sacred and blessed Chariton,
withdrawing into the mountains and deserts.
Preserving your soul undefiled, you were revealed to be a dwelling of the Trinity,
in whose power you founded holy dwellings, blessed one:
monasteries for the building up and salvation
of monastics who honour your holy memory.

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

You fled, most sacred and blessed Chariton,
withdrawing into the mountains and deserts.
Preserving your soul undefiled, you were revealed to be a dwelling of the Trinity,
in whose power you founded holy dwellings, blessed one:
monasteries for the building up and salvation
of monastics who honour your holy memory.

Glory…

God-bearing Chariton,
even after death, in Christ you live in the heavens!
For His sake you crucified yourself to the world,
for you were above the world and the flesh,
truly living, transcending all visible things!
Yet you did not live for yourself alone,
but Christ our God dwelt within you!
Entreat Him that our souls may be saved!

Now…

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

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

Aposticha

In Tone 1

All-praised Chariton, you laid out your life with care for the virtues!
Those who submit to your teachings praise Christ in hymns
and with the orthodox faith.
Standing before them, pray that they may be established
in the peace of the divine Spirit!

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

Divinely-inspired Chariton,
your life appeared to men to be equal to that of the angels!
Your confession was offered up as a sweet-smelling sacrifice;
a perfect incense to the heavens!
Pray now that peace and great mercy
may be granted to our souls!

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

Most wealthy Chariton,
you were a conqueror of the passions, vanquishing the evil-doers!
While joining the chorus of those crowned in victory, blessed one,
be mindful of us who celebrate your memory!
Pray now to Christ that He may grant peace
and great mercy to our souls!

In Tone 8, Glory…

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

Now…

Unwedded Virgin, who ineffably conceived God in the flesh!
Mother of God most high!
Accept the cries of your servants, blameless One!
Grant cleansing of transgressions to all!
Receive our prayers and pray to save our souls!

Troparia

In Tone 8

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

Glory… Now…

O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;
through Your death on the cross You conquered death;
and through Your resurrection You revealed yourself as God.
O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,
but show forth Your love for mankind.
Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.
O Saviour, save Your despairing people!

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

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

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: Taking delight in self-mastery, O divinely wise one,* you bridled your fleshly desires and were shown to grow through faith.* You flowered like the tree of life in the midst of paradise,* O all-blessed and holy Chariton.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The venerable ones will exult in glory* and they shall be joyful in their beds.
verse: Sing to the Lord a new song; let His praise be in the assembly of the venerable ones. (Psalm 149:5, 1)

Epistle
2 Corinthians 4:6-15

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

Gospel
Luke 6:17-23

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