August 31, 2017
The Placing of the Sash of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God in Calcoprateia (942)

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

The shrine which holds your belt, O Theotokos,
is ever known by your servants to be an ark of sanctification.
It is our glory and boast; a sacred wall surrounding us;
a fountain of healings!
Therefore being divinely gathered today,
we hymn your mighty acts
and the vast abyss of your wonders! Continue reading August 31, 2017 The Placing of the Sash of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God in Calcoprateia (942)

August 29, 2017
Beheading of the Honourable and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

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

While the birthday of the shameless Herod was being celebrated,
the oath made to the lustful dancer was fulfilled;
the head of the Forerunner was cut off
and offered on a platter to those at table.
What a loathsome banquet, filled with wickedness and horrible murder.
As for us, let us worthily venerate and bless the Baptizer,
for he is the greatest man born of woman. Continue reading August 29, 2017 Beheading of the Honourable and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John

August 27, 2017
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost; Octoechos Tone 3; Venerable Father Pimen

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 3

  1. 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. Continue reading August 27, 2017 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost; Octoechos Tone 3; Venerable Father Pimen

August 20, 2017
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost; Octoechos Tone 2; Post-feast of the Dormition; Holy Prophet Samuel

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

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

Come, let us adore God the Word,
Who was born of the Father before all ages,
and was incarnate of the Virgin Mary;
for of His own free will He suffered the Cross
and submitted Himself to burial,
and arose from the dead to save me, a sinful one. Continue reading August 20, 2017 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost; Octoechos Tone 2; Post-feast of the Dormition; Holy Prophet Samuel

August 15, 2017
The Dormition of the Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma
Blessed is the man… is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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

O what a wonder! The Source of Life is placed in a tomb;
the grave becomes a ladder to heaven.
Rejoice, Gethsemane, holy chamber of the Mother of God!
As for us, O faithful,
let us cry out with Gabriel, the prince of angels:
Rejoice, O woman full of grace, the Lord is with you,
the Lord, Who because of you, bestows great mercy upon the world. Continue reading August 15, 2017 The Dormition of the Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

August 14, 2017
Pre-Feast of the Dormition; Translation of the Venerable Relics of our Father Theodosius

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

At the sound of the cymbals, let us sing resounding hymns,
anticipating the feast of her departure.
Let us lift our voices in a brilliant chorus before her sepulchre.
For the Mother of God and the golden Tabernacle
now prepares to pass from earth to heaven,
to the new life and the divine splendour. Continue reading August 14, 2017 Pre-Feast of the Dormition; Translation of the Venerable Relics of our Father Theodosius

August 13, 2017
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost; Octoechos Tone 1; Leave-taking of the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration; Venerable Father Maximus the Confessor (662)

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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

Accept our evening prayer, O holy Lord,
and grant us forgiveness of sins,
for You alone manifested the Resurrection to the world. Continue reading August 13, 2017 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost; Octoechos Tone 1; Leave-taking of the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration; Venerable Father Maximus the Confessor (662)

August 9, 2017
Post-Feast of the Transfiguration; Holy Apostle Matthias

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

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

Come, let us faithfully celebrate the brilliant, divine Transfiguration.
Having been renewed in spirit,
we shall climb to the summit of virtue;
and having learned with the apostles
the revelation of the strange mysteries,
we shall glorify the Lord and Saviour. Continue reading August 9, 2017 Post-Feast of the Transfiguration; Holy Apostle Matthias

August 6, 2017
Holy Transfiguration of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

O Lord, when You were transfigured before being crucified,
Mount Tabor was made to resemble heaven;
for a cloud was extended as a canopy,
and the Father bore witness to You.
Peter, James, and John were present there,
the same three apostles who were to be with You
at the time of the betrayal of Judas,
so that, having seen You in glory,
they would not be dismayed at the time of Your suffering.
Likewise, O Lord, make us worthy to recognize You as our God
in the same sufferings You endured in Your great mercy,
and to adore You. Continue reading August 6, 2017 Holy Transfiguration of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ

August 5, 2017
The Fore-feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ; Commemoration of the Consecration of the Holy Resurrection Patriarchal Sobor; Holy Martyr Eusignius (360-63)

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

Come, let us go up with Jesus
as He ascends the holy mountain;
there we shall hear the voice of the living God:
the Father Who is without beginning
as He gives witness by a cloud through the Divine Spirit
to the consubstantiality of the coeternal Sonship;
Being thus enlightened in mind,
we shall see light in the light. Continue reading August 5, 2017 The Fore-feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ; Commemoration of the Consecration of the Holy Resurrection Patriarchal Sobor; Holy Martyr Eusignius (360-63)