The biography of this martyr Nicephorus clearly demonstrates how God rejects pride and crowns humility and love with glory. There lived in Antioch two close friends, the learned priest Sapricius and the simple ordinary citizen Nicephorus. Somehow, their friendship turned into a terrible hatred for each other. The God-fearing Nicephorus attempted on many occasions to make peace with the priest. However, at no time did Sapricius desire to be reconciled. When the persecution of Christians began, the presbyter Sapricius was condemned to death and brought to the place of execution. The sorrowful Nicephorus followed after Sapricius beseeching him along the way to, at least, forgive him before his death that they might depart in peace.
“I beseech you, O martyr of Christ,” said Nicephorus, “forgive me if I have sinned against you!” Sapricius did not even want to look at his opponent but quietly and arrogantly walked toward his death. Upon seeing the hardness of the priest’s heart, God did not want to accept the sacrifice of his martyrdom and to crown him with a wreath but He mysteriously withheld His grace. At the last moment, Sapricius denied Christ and declared before the executioners that he would bow down before the idols. So it is with blind hatred! Nicephorus implored Sapricius not to deny Christ saying: “O my beloved brother, do not do that; do not deny our Lord Jesus Christ; do not forfeit the heavenly wreath!” But, all was in vain. Sapricius remained adamant. Then, Nicephorus cried out to the executioners: “I, also, am a Christian; behead me in place of Sapricius!” The executioners informed the judge of this and he ordered the release of Sapricius and, in his place, beheaded Nicephorus. Nicephorus joyfully lowered his head on the block and was beheaded. Thus, he was made worthy of the kingdom and was crowned with the immortal wreath of glory. This occurred in the year 260 A.D. during the reign of Gallienus. (Prologue of Ohrid)
GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 5
10. 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. 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. What a great wonder!
The Creator of invisible beings suffered in the flesh for mankind,
and rose from the dead as immortal.
Come, therefore, all you nations and adore Him;
for through His compassion we have been freed from the snares of the Devil,
and we have learned to praise the one God in three Persons.
In Tone 1
7. Brethren, let us not pray as the Pharisee:
for he who exalts himself shall be humbled.
Let us humble ourselves before God,
and with fasting cry aloud as the Publican:
God be merciful to us sinners.
6. Brethren, let us not pray as the Pharisee:
for he who exalts himself shall be humbled.
Let us humble ourselves before God,
and with fasting cry aloud as the Publican:
God be merciful to us sinners.
5. A Pharisee, overcome with vainglory, and a Publican, bowed down in repentance,
came to You the only Master.
The one boasted and was deprived of blessings,
while the other kept silent and was counted worthy of gifts.
Confirm me, O Christ our God,
in these his cries of sorrow,
for You love mankind.
In Tone 1
4. O Simeon, tell us whom you are joyfully carrying into the Temple.
To whom are you saying:
Now You may dismiss Your servant, O Lord,
because my eyes have seen my Saviour.
He is the child born of the Virgin.
He is the Word and God of God.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.
3. O Simeon, tell us whom you are joyfully carrying into the Temple.
To whom are you saying:
Now You may dismiss Your servant, O Lord,
because my eyes have seen my Saviour.
He is the child born of the Virgin.
He is the Word and God of God.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.
2. O Simeon, now receive the One
Whom Moses the lawgiver had foreseen through the cloud on Sinai.
He has become a child and submits Himself to the Law.
This is He Who spoke through the Law and Whom the prophets foretold.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.
1. O faithful, come let us welcome Christ
and receive Him with hymns of praise and glory.
He is the salvation Simeon has seen.
He is the One Whom David foretold
and of Whom the prophets have spoken.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and inspired the Law,
to You we bow in worship.
In Tone 8, Glory…
Almighty Lord, I know how great is the power of tears.
For they led up Hezekiah from the gates of death;
they delivered the sinful woman from the transgressions of many years;
they justified the Publican above the Pharisee.
And with them I also pray:
Have mercy upon me.
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!
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 5, Glory…
My eyes are weighed down by my transgressions,
and I cannot lift them up and see the height of heaven.
But receive me, Saviour, in repentance as the Publican
and have mercy on me.
In Tone 8, Now…
He Who rides on the Cherubim and is praised by the Seraphim
is now being brought into the holy Temple according to the Law.
He is sitting in the arms of an old man as though upon a throne.
From Joseph He receives God-pleasing gifts, a pair of turtle doves,
and from the newly-chosen people of the Gentiles, and undefiled Church.
the two doves indicate that He is the head both of the Old and New Testaments.
As for Simeon, when he saw what had been revealed come to pass,
he received the child and blessed the virgin Mother of God,
pointing out to her the sufferings that she would bear.
He asked the Lord to be released from life, saying:
Now You may dismiss me, O Lord, as You have promised;
for my eyes have seen You, the eternal Light,
the Lord and Saviour of all Christian people.
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 1, Glory… Now…
Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,* who grants is resurrection.
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 1: Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,* who grants is resurrection.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 3: Let us bring sighs of sorrow to the Lord as did the Publican* and approach the Master as sinners,* for He desires salvation for everyone.* He grants forgiveness to all who repent.* For as God, the One-who-is, co-eternal with the Father, He became flesh for us.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 1: By Your birth, You sanctified a virgin womb* and fittingly blessed the hands of Simeon.* You have come also now and saved us, O Christ our God;* give peace to Your community in time of war,* and strengthen its rulers, whom You love,* for You alone,* are the Lover of mankind.
Prokeimenon, Tone 5
You, O Lord, will guard us and will keep us* from this generation and for ever.
verse: Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer left a just man.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
My soul magnifies the Lord,* and my spirit has rejoiced in God, my Saviour.
Epistle
2 Timothy 3:10-15
Alleluia, Tone 5
verse: Your mercies, O Lord, I will sing for ever; from generation to generation I will announce Your truth with my mouth.
verse: For You have said: Mercy shall be built up for ever; in the heavens Your truth shall be prepared.
verse: Now, O Master, You dismiss Your servant in peace according to Your word.
verse: For my eyes have seen Your salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people, Israel.
Gospel
Luke 18:10-14
Hymn to the Mother of God
O God-bearing Virgin, hope of Christians, protect and guard and save all those who put their trust in you.
And the Irmos, Tone 3 In the law, the shadow, and the scriptures, we the faithful see a figure: every male child that opens the womb shall be sanctified to God. Therefore do we magnify the first-born Word and Son of the Father who is without beginning, the first-born Child of a Mother who had not known man.
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* I will take the chalice of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.
33-а Неділя по Зісланні Св. Духа.
Неділя митаря і фарисея.
Постпразденство Стрітення Господа
Тропар (глас 5): Рівнобезначальне з Отцем і Духом Слово,* що від Діви народилося на спасіння наше,* прославмо, вірні, і поклонімся,* бо Воно благозволило тілом зійти на хрест* і смерть перетерпіти, і воскресити померлих* славним воскресінням Своїм.
Тропар (глас 1): Радуйся, благодатна Богородице Діво,* бо з тебе засяло Сонце правди – Христос Бог наш,* що просвічує тих, що в темряві.* Веселися і ти. старче праведний,* ти прийняв в обійми визволителя душ наших,* що дарує нам воскресіння.
+Слава Отцю, і Сину, і Святому Духові.
Кондак (глас 3): Зітхання митарські принесім Господеві* і до нього приступім, грішні, як до Владики;* він бо хоче спасення всіх людей,* він відпущення подає всім, що каються,* бо ради нас він воплотився – Бог сущий, Отцю собезначальний.
І нині, і повсякчас, і на віки вічні. Амінь.
Кондак (глас 1): Утробу дівичу освятив ти різдвом твоїм* і руки Симеонові благословив ти, як годилось;* ти випередив і нині спас нас, Христе Боже,* але утихомир у брані люд твій* і укріпи народ, що його возлюбив ти,* єдиний Чоловіколюбче.
Прокімен (глас 5): Ти, Господи, збережеш нас і захистиш нас* від роду цього і повік (Пс 11,8).
Стих: Спаси мене, Господи, бо не стало праведного (Пс 11,2).
Прокімен (глас 3): Величає душа моя Господа* і возрадувався дух мій у Бозі, Спасі моїм (Лк 1,46-47).
Апостол: (2Тм 3,10-15): Сину Тимотею, ти ж слідував моїй науці, моїй поведінці, моїй настанові, вірі, довготерпеливості, любові, постійності, у переслідуваннях, у стражданнях, які були спіткали мене в Антіохії, в Іконії та в Лістрі. Яких то переслідувань не переніс я на собі! А від усіх Господь мене визволив! Та й усі, що побожно хочуть жити у Христі Ісусі, будуть переслідувані. А лихі люди й дурисвіти будуть чим далі, тим до гіршого посуватися, зводячи інших, і самі зведені. Ти ж тримайся того, чого навчився і в чому переконався. Відаєш бо, від кого ти навчився, і вже змалку знаєш Святе Письмо, яке вірою у Христа Ісуса може тобі дати мудрість на спасіння.
Алилуя (глас 5): Алилуя, aлилуя, aлилуя!
Стих: Милості Твої, Господи, оспівуватиму повік, і з роду в рід сповіщу устами моїми Твою вірність (Пс 88,2).
Стих: Бо сказав Ти: Повік милість збудується, на небесах приготовиться істина Твоя (Пс 88,3).
Стих: Нині відпускаєш раба твого, Владико, по глаголу твоєму з миром (Лк 2,29).
Стих: Світло на одкровення поганам і славу людей твоїх, Ізраїля (Лк 2,32).
Євангеліє: (Лк 18,10-14): Сказав Господь притчу оцю: “Два чоловіки зайшли в храм помолитись: один був фарисей, а другий – митар. Фарисей, ставши, молився так у собі: Боже, дякую тобі, що я не такий, як інші люди – грабіжники, неправедні, перелюбці, або як оцей митар. Пощу двічі на тиждень, з усіх моїх прибутків даю десятину. А митар, ставши здалека, не смів і очей звести до неба, тільки бив себе в груди, кажучи: Боже, змилуйся надо мною грішним! Кажу вам: Цей повернувся виправданий до свого дому, а не той; бо кожний, хто виноситься, буде принижений, а хто принижується, – вивищений.”
Замість Достойно: Богородице Діво, уповання християн, покрий, захорони і спаси тих, що на тебе уповають.
Ірмос (глас 3): В законі тіні і писання образ бачимо, вірні: кожний младенець мужеського полу, що отвирає утробу – святий Богу. Тому первороджене Слово безначального Отця – Сина, що первородиться з матері, яка мужа не знає, – величаємо.
Причасний: Хваліте Господа з небес,* хваліте Його на висотах (Пс 148,1). Алилуя (х3).
Epistle: (2 Timothy 3:10-15): Timothy my son, now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Gospel: (Luke 18:10-14): The Lord spoke this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’