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Event Information:
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Sun06Oct2019
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, Octoechos Tone 8; The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas
GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man...” is sung.At Psalm 140
In Tone 8
- Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
O Christ, during this spiritual service,* we sing to You these evening prayers,* commemorating the mercy You have shown us* by Your resurrection.
- The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Lord, O Lord, do not cast us away from Your face;* but in Your kindness have mercy on us* through Your resurrection.
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Rejoice, O holy Zion,* the Mother of Churches and the dwelling-place of God;* for you were the first to receive the forgiveness of sins* through the resurrection.
- Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Christ the Word was begotten by God the Father before all ages;* yet in these latter times,* He freely willed to take flesh from the Virgin who did not know man.* By His death on the cross and His resurrection,* He saved mankind from the ancient curse of death.
In Tone 4
- 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.
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
In Tone 8, 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) 1 John 1:1-7; (2) James 1:1-12; (3) Jude 1-25Aposticha
In Tone 8
O Jesus, You descended from heaven* so that You might ascend the cross.* O immortal Life, You came to die.* You are the true light to those who live in darkness,* and You are the resurrection of the fallen.* Therefore, O Saviour of all, we glorify You.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. * Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
Let us glorify Christ, the Saviour of our Souls* Who arose from the dead.* For He took upon himself a soul and a body,* and during His passion He separated the one from the other.* His pure soul went down to conquer Hades,* while His holy body lay uncorrupted in the grave.
For He has made the world firm. * which shall not be moved.
O Christ, we glorify Your resurrection with psalms and hymns.* For by Your victory over death* You delivered us from the sufferings of Hades,* and as God You granted us eternal life and great mercy.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, * for length of days.
O Lord of all, Creator of heaven and earth,* You are above all understanding.* Through Your passion on the cross* You freed us from the sufferings of Hades.* And, after condescending to be buried, You arose in glory;* and with Your mighty arm You also raised up Adam.* O most merciful Lord, we glorify You;* for by Your resurrection on the third day* You granted us remission of sins and eternal life.
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 8
You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You.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 soulsDIVINE LITURGY
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You.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.
Kontakion, Tone 8: When You rose from the tomb,* You also raised the dead and resurrected Adam.* Eve exults in Your resurrection,* and the ends of the world celebrate Your rising from the dead,* O most merciful One.
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
Pray and give thanks to the Lord our God.
verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 75:12,2)Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world. (Psalm 18:5)Epistle
2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; 1 Corinthians 4:9-16Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; let us acclaim God our Saviour.(Psalm 94:1)
verse: Let us come before His countenance with praise and acclaim Him with psalms. (Psalm 94:2)
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
Matthew 15:21-28; John 20:19-31Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their word unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 18:5)