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Event Information:

  • Thu
    09
    May
    2019

    The Transfer of the Relics (1087) of Our Holy Father Nicholas the Wonderworker from Myra to Bari; Holy Prophet Isaiah (8th c. BC); Holy Martyr Christopher (249-51)

    GREAT VESPERS

    Kathisma
    Blessed is the Man… is sung.

    At Psalm 140

    In Tone 2

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

    Hearing the joyful words
    of the angels sitting in the tomb of the Word,
    the women who had run there with good intentions
    knew that the purpose of their group would be changed.
    No longer will you carry myrrh!
    Instead, you will preach to the apostles:
    He Who was hidden in the earth is risen from hell!
    Initiate them into the mystery
    of Him Who became Man for us!

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

    Very early in the morning
    the Myrrh-bearing women came to the tomb in fear
    bringing myrrh for the Giver of life:
    Christ Who died to slay hell!
    But the divine angel stood before them and cried:
    Why do you seek the life-bearing Lord among the dead?
    Go, proclaim the Resurrection!

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

    Blessed Joseph,
    you bear in your arms the Word enthroned upon the cherubim!
    You carried on your shoulders Him Who first took our flesh,
    and then died to give life to us who lay dead.
    Then, you mourned His death with the Myrrh-bearers;
    now you see His Resurrection and rejoice!

    In Tone 8

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

    You have reached the heights of virtue, O blessed ambassador of Christ,
    and have become the glorious wonder-worker of Myra.
    While your body rests in Bari, receiving worthy veneration,
    in spirit you visit the faithful everywhere,
    delivering them from misfortune, O blessed one of the hierarchs.
    Today, we call upon you with supplications and earnestly beseech you:
    Pray, O bishop Nicholas, to the Saviour of all,
    that He grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.

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

    Let us the faithful honour with joy and hymns of praise
    the translation of the precious relics of our intercessor,
    who enlightens every nation with miracles,
    consoles the sorrowing, and protects the poor.
    For the sake of almsgiving, he fell into God’s debt;
    for this he received a hundredfold reward.
    To him we all cry out:
    Pray, O bishop Nicholas, to the Saviour of all,
    that He grant peace to the world and save our souls.

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

    Because of your virtues you, O God-bearing Nicholas,
    have entered the palaces of the angels and stand before your Master Christ,
    Whose most humble servant you have become.
    From your relics you exude myrrh;
    you help the faithful by your miracles,
    and lead the true believers to God.
    Not from Bari do we call upon you, but from the heavenly Jerusalem,
    where you are rejoicing with the apostles, prophets, and bishops.
    Pray today to the Saviour of all,
    that He grant peace to the world and save our souls.

    In Tone 6, Glory…

    Let us all together venerate with canticles of praise
    the beauty of the hierarchs and the glory of the fathers,
    the fountain of miracles and the great intercessor of the faithful,
    crying out: Rejoice, O protector of the laity,
    honourable archbishop and unshakeable pillar!
    Rejoice, universal lamp that illumines all nations with miracles!
    Rejoice, holy joy of the afflicted and sincere defender of the downtrodden!
    Do not cease, O all-praised Nicholas,
    even today to pray to Christ God for those who with faith and love
    always honour your blessed and sacred memory.

    In Tone 1, Now…

    Mary Magdalene and the other Mary
    came to the tomb, seeking the Lord.
    They saw an angel, like lightning,
    sitting upon the stone.
    He said to them:
    Why do you seek the Living among the dead?
    He is risen, as He said!
    You will find Him in Galilee!
    Lord, Who rose from the dead, glory to You!

    Readings
    (1) Proverbs 10:6-8; 8:6-21; (2) Proverbs 10:13-32; 11:1-10; (3) Wisdom 4:7-15

    Aposticha

    In Tone 5

    Rejoice, O priestly leader, spotless vessel of virtue,
    model of divine priesthood, great shepherd of your flock,
    bearer of the torch of victory.
    You hear the prayers of those who call upon you;
    you grant petitions of the poor;
    you rescue all who praise your name.
    Now we ask you to Implore Christ
    that He may shower abundant mercy on the world.

    Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His faithful.

    Rejoice, O saintly Father, temple of the Trinity;
    pillar of the Church, protector of the faithful,
    helper of all in trouble.
    You are a star whose rays of prayer dispel the darkest trouble.
    You are a quiet harbour for the storm-tossed,
    for all adrift in the sea of life.
    Pray to Christ to save our souls with his great mercy.

    Your priests shall be clothed with holiness; your faithful shall ring out their joy.

    Rejoice, O zealous man of God.
    You appeared in a dream,
    and you saved from death the ones unjustly sentenced.
    You are a fountain in Myra, overflowing with scented myrrh.
    You inspire us to keep from sin.
    You are a sword that cuts the woods of error
    you proved Arius to be a false teacher.
    Pray to Christ to save our souls with His great mercy.

    In Tone 6, Glory…

    O man of God, O faithful servant of the Lord,
    you are a chosen vessel filled with desire for God.
    You are a pillar and a foundation of the Church;
    you are an heir of the kingdom.
    O holy Father Nicholas, pray to the Lord for us.

    Now…

    O Virgin without husband, from where do you come?
    Who gave you birth; who is your mother?
    How can you cradle the Creator in your arms?
    How did you accomplish virgin-birth?
    Most pure Lady, we see in you great wonders,
    awesome mysteries fulfilled on earth.
    We shall prepare a worthy cave for you.
    We shall ask the heavens for a star.
    We shall ask the Magi to come from the east to the west
    to behold your new-born Child in a manger,
    to behold the Saviour of all.

    In Tone 2, Glory... Now...

    The women sprinkled spices mixed with tears on Your grave,
    but their mouths were filled with laughter
    when they said:  The Lord is risen!

    Troparia

    In Tone 4
    The day of radiant feasting is here,* the city of Bari rejoices, and the world exults with hymns and spiritual songs.* For today is the sacred feast* of the transfer of the precious and healing relics of the bishop and wonder-worker Nicholas.* Like a never-setting sun* he shines with radiant beams of light* dispelling the gloom of temptations and grief* from those who cry with faith:* Save us, great Nicholas, for you intercede for us.

    In Tone 2, Glory…
    When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”

    Now…
    The noble Joseph took down Your most pure body from the tree.* He wrapped it with a clean shroud and aromatic spices* and placed it in a new tomb.* But on the third day You arose, O Lord,* granting the world Your great mercy.

     

    DIVINE LITURGY

    After the priest has exclaimed, Blessed be the Kingdom… and the people have responded, Amen, the clergy sing the Paschal Troparion once and the people repeat it. Then, the clergy sing the first half, and the people conclude it.

    Paschal Troparion
    Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

    Troparia and Kontakia
    Troparion, Tone 2: When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”

    Troparion, Tone 2: The noble Joseph took down Your most pure body from the tree.* He wrapped it with a clean shroud and aromatic spices* and placed it in a new tomb.* But on the third day You arose, O Lord,* granting the world Your great mercy.

    Troparion, Tone 4: The day of radiant feasting is here,* the city of Bari rejoices, and the world exults with hymns and spiritual songs.* For today is the sacred feast* of the transfer of the precious and healing relics of the bishop and wonder-worker Nicholas.* Like a never-setting sun* he shines with radiant beams of light* dispelling the gloom of temptations and grief* from those who cry with faith:* Save us, great Nicholas, for you intercede for us.

    Kontakion, Tone 3: Like a star your relics have moved from east to west,* and the sea is hallowed by your passage;* holy bishop Nicholas, the city of Bari receives grace through you,* for you are revealed as one who works wonders:* illustrious, awesome, and merciful.

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

    Kontakion, Tone 2: You commanded the myrrh-bearers to rejoice, O Christ God,* and ended the grief of our mother Eve by Your Resurrection.* You ordered the apostles to proclaim to all:* "The Saviour is risen from the tomb."

    Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

    Kontakion, Tone 8: Though You descended into a tomb, O Immortal One,* yet You destroyed the power of Hades;* and You rose as victor, O Christ God,* calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice!* and giving peace to Your Apostles:* You, who grant Resurrection to the fallen.

    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. (Psalm 27:9,1)

    Prokeimenon, Tone 7
    The venerable ones will exult in glory* and they shall be joyful in their beds. (Psalm 149:5)

    Epistle
    Acts 8:26-39; Hebrews 13:17-21

    Alleluia, Tone 8
    verse: You have shown favour to Your land, O Lord; You brought back the captives of Jacob.
    verse: Mercy and truth have met; righteousness and peace have embraced. (Psalm 84:2,11)
    verse: Your priests shall clothe themselves with justice, and Your venerable ones shall rejoice.
    verse: For the Lord has chosen Sion; He has chosen it for His dwelling. (Psalm 131:9,13)

    Gospel
    John 6:40-44; Luke 6:17-23

    Hymn to the Mother of God
    The Angel cried out to the One full of Grace: O chaste Virgin, rejoice! And again I say, Rejoice! Your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day, and raised the dead. Let all people rejoice! Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad, O Sion! And you, O chaste Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.

    Communion Hymn
    Receive the Body of Christ;* taste the fountain of immortality.* Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear*. Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)