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Event Information:

  • Sun
    25
    Aug
    2019

    Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Octoechos Tone 2; The Return of the Relics of the Holy Apostle Bartholomew (829-42); Holy Apostle Titus

    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.

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

    Christ our Saviour cancelled the decree that was written against us,* by nailing it to the Cross;* and He abolished the dominion of Death.* Let us glorify His Resurrection on the third day.

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

    Let us, together with the archangels, sing of Christ’s resurrection;* for He is the Redeemer and Saviour of our souls.* He will come again in awesome glory and mighty power* to judge the world which He has fashioned.

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

    Although You died and were buried,* the angel yet declared You as Master.* He said to the women: Come and see where the Lord was placed;* for He is risen as He foretold,* because He is almighty.* Therefore, we worship You, the only Immortal One,* and we beseech You to have mercy on us, O Giver of Life.

    In Tone 4

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

    Let us fittingly bless the glorious Bartholomew:* the glorious sun, the never-setting star;* the living heaven declaring the glory of God,* the divinely-inspired preacher of salvation* and the enlightener of nations,* the river pouring forth streams of knowledge,* enriching the hearts of all!

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

    The coffin with your relics was put through the great waters;* your paths were seen in the sea, Apostle!* For beyond human understanding, Bartholomew, you went to the west, * while noble martyrs from the east accompanied you,* with the honour that comes from the God and Master of all!

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

    Your relics sanctified the watery depths, apostle Bartholomew,* as you mysteriously sailed them and came to the island of Liparis.* you gushed forth myrrh, glorious one, healing incurable passions and disease! * You became a saviour and refuge for the people,* their deliverer and patron before the King and Saviour of all!

    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 proclaimed the tri-personal Godhead,* churning up the idolatrous sea of the gentiles!* You rescued those floundering in the depths of godlessness,* bringing them into tranquil harbours.* You received the reward of heaven,* where you beseech the Lover of mankind for those who sing your praises!

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

    Your mind was illumined with divine brilliance, Titus,* as you journeyed with the divine Paul!* You were a ray of the sun enlightening those in darkness.* With him you freed the whole earth from the deepest night!* Therefore we call you blessed, as a God-chosen bishop,* an inspired apostle and most fervent intercessor!

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

    The blessed Titus set out from Crete;* he returned there, established as a firm foundation!* With upright faith, he built the faithful into a building of divine and heavenly strength!* He is the chief bishop of his fatherland,* the traveling companion of Paul and the comfort of the faithful!

    In Tone 1, Glory…

    Apostle Bartholomew,* you forsook the things of the earth and followed after Christ.* You were marked by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit* being sent by Him to perishing nations* turning the people to the light of the knowledge of God!* You completed the godly exploits of your suffering.* you endured different tortures,* and surrendered your soul to Christ.* Entreat Him, most blessed one,* that He may grant us great mercy!

    In Tone 2, Now…

    O Virgin, the shadow of the Law passed away* with the realization of grace.* For as the bush had burned without being consumed,* so you gave birth while a virgin* and you remained a virgin.* Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice.* Instead of Moses, Christ God came forth,* the Saviour of our souls.

    Aposticha

    In Tone 2

    Your Resurrection, O Christ our Saviour,* has enlightened the whole universe;* and, through it, You call back to Yourself all Creation.* Almighty God, glory to You!

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

    By the wood of Your Cross, O Saviour,* You have abolished the curse of the tree;* by Your burial You have destroyed the power of death;* and by Your Resurrection You enlightened the human race.* We, therefore, cry out to You:* O Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to You!

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

    O Christ, when You were nailed to the Cross,* the distorted nature of creation was made manifest.* The soldiers showed their inhumanity by piercing Your side with a lance,* and the people showed their ignorance of Your power* by asking that Your tomb be sealed.* But, in Your mercy, You accepted burial* and then arose on the third day.* O Lord, glory to You!

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

    O Christ, Giver of Life,* You freely endured the Passion for the sake of mortals.* In Your power You descended into Hades;* and snatching, as from a mighty monster, the souls of those who awaited Your coming,* You placed them in Paradise.* Therefore, show Your great mercy to us who glorify Your Resurrection,* and cleanse our souls.

    In Tone 8, Glory…

    You were a disciple of the chosen vessel and herald of God!* Instructed by Him in divine teachings,* you were sent to the nations to convert them to the faith,* enlightening them with the brilliance of your words!* You passed over to the ends of the earth, Apostle Titus,* proclaiming the good news of the incarnate God to all!* Earnestly entreat Him to save those who celebrate your memory in faith!

    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 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!”

    In Tone 1
    O Bartholomew, disciple of the Lord and worthy of all praise,* the transfer of your relics is a great feast for us and time of rejoicing!* We exalt you, as we honour your relics,*giving glory to Christ* who made you a lamp of everlasting light!

    In Tone 5, Glory…
    O holy apostle Titus, pray to the merciful God* that He may grant to our souls* remission of our transgressions!

    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.

     

    DIVINE LITURGY

    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!”

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

    Kontakion, Tone 2: You rose from the tomb, O almighty Saviour;* and Hades, seeing this wonder, was stricken with fear; and the dead arose.* Creation saw and rejoices with You, and Adam exults.* And the world, my Saviour, sings Your praises for ever.

    Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

    Theotokion, Tone 2: The tomb and death could not hold the Mother of God,* unceasing in her intercession and an unfailing hope of patronage,* for as the Mother of Life she was transferred to life* by Him Who had dwelt in her ever-virgin womb.

    Prokeimenon, Tone 2
    The Lord is my strength and my song of praise, and He has become my salvation.
    verse: The Lord has indeed chastised me, but He has not delivered me to death. (Psalm 117:14,18)

    Epistle
    1 Corinthians 9:2-12

    Alleluia, Tone 2
    verse: The Lord will hear you in the day of tribulation; the name of the God of Jacob will shield you.
    verse: Lord, grant victory to the king and hear us in the day that we shall call upon You. (Psalm 19:2,10)

    Gospel
    Matthew 18:23-35

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