Upcoming Days

Event Information:

• Sun

  24

  Nov

  2019

  Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Octoechos Tone 7; Post-feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God; The Holy Great-Martyr Catherine (310-13); the Holy Great-Martyr Mercurius (249-51)

  GREAT VESPERS

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

  At Psalm 140

  In Tone 7

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

  Come, let us rejoice in the Lord,* Who destroyed the power of death* and enlightened the human race;* and let us cry out with the angels:* Glory to You, our Creator and Saviour!

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

  O Saviour, for our sake You suffered crucifixion and burial;* and, as God, You destroyed death by Your death.* Therefore, we adore Your resurrection on the third day* and we sing: Glory to You, O Lord!

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

  On seeing the resurrection of the Creator,* the Apostles were amazed,* and they sang an angelic hymn of praise:* This is the glory of the Church,* this is the richness of the Kingdom!* O Lord, Who suffered for our sake, glory to You!

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

  O Christ, although You were taken captive by Your enemies,* I still acknowledge You as my God,* and am not ashamed of You;* I will not hide the fact that You were nailed to the Cross.* Your death is my life, almighty Lord,* and I extol Your resurrection.* O Lover of mankind, glory to You!

  In Tone

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

  Today, let us dance, O faithful,* singing to the Lord in psalms and hymns* and honouring His sanctified Tabernacle, the living Ark,* that contained the Word Who cannot be contained;* for in wondrous fashion she is offered to the Lord* as a young child in the flesh,* and Zachariah, the great High Priest, joyfully receives her* as the dwelling place of God.

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

  Today the living Temple of the holy glory of Christ our God,* the pure Maiden who alone is blessed among women,* is offered in the Temple of the Law* that she may make her dwelling in the Holy Place.* Joachim and Anna rejoice with her in spirit,* and choirs of virgins sing to the Lord,* chanting psalms, and honouring His Mother.

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

  You are the preaching of the Prophets, O Virgin Mother of God;* the glory of the Apostles and the boast of Martyrs,* and the renewal of all the earth-born,* for through you, we are reconciled to God.* Therefore, being saved by your intercessions,* we honour your coming into the Temple of the Lord;* and with the Angel we all cry out to you in song:* “Rejoice, O all-revered Lady!”

  In Tone 1

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

  The city of Alexandria adorned today.* O Martyr, it your burial shroud in the holy church.* O Catherine, we also devoutly celebrate your precious memory.* Pray for all those who venerate you..

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

  Let us now celebrate the memory of Catherine,* for by word and deed she mightily defeated* the opposing orator and the powers of the enemy.* Deliver us, O God, from godless enemies.

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

  Rejoice, O precious and all-glorious Catherine.* Mount Sinai has seen the unburnable bush of Moses.* Christ now preserves your body which is pleasing to God* until He comes again in glory.

  In Tone 2, Glory…

  All who love the martyrs,* let us hasten joyfully to the feast of the divinely-wise Martyr Catherine!* Let us crown her with praises as with flowers, crying out to her:* “Rejoice, for you denounced the insolence of foolish orators* filled with ignorant thoughts and led them to the divine Faith!* Rejoice, for you gave your body over to torments for love of your Creator and were not destroyed,* for you were an invincible woman!* Rejoice, for you have inherited the mansions on high* as the reward for your struggles!”* Now you delight in eternal glory.* Desiring this glory, may we who hymn you not lose our hope in it!

  In Tone 7, Now...

  Immaculate Mother of God,* you became a mother outside the laws of nature,* remaining a virgin in a way that exceeds all description* and human understanding.* The wonder of your birth-giving could not be told in human language,* for your conception of Christ blinded intelligence,* and your birth-giving exceeded understanding:* for whenever God so desires, the laws of nature are broken.* Wherefore, we all firmly believe that you are the Mother of God,* and we eagerly beseech you to intercede for the salvation of our souls.

  Aposticha

  In Tone 7

  O Saviour of the world, You arose from the grave,* and together with Your own flesh You raised up mankind.* O Lord, glory to You!

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

  Come, let us worship Christ Who arose from the dead* and enlightened all creation.* For by His resurrection on the third day,* He set us free from the oppression of Hades,* granting us life and His great mercy.

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

  O Christ, Lover of mankind,* You descended into Hades and destroyed death.* Then You arose on the third day;* and, together with Yourself You lifted up all of us* who glorify Your mighty resurrection.

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

  O Lord, what a fearful sight it was to see You lying in the tomb as if asleep.* Yet on the third day You arose in great power,* and at the same time You raised up Adam who joyfully cried out:* Glory to Your resurrection, O Lover of mankind!

  In Tone 8, Glory... Now...

  David foretold you, O all-pure one,* as he foresaw the sanctification of your entry into the Temple.* Thus, all the ends of the earth feast today and glorify you, O all-praised one.* For, O Mother of the Word of Life,* a virgin before giving birth and remaining incorrupt after giving birth,* Zachariah is joyful and accepts you in the Temple, O Lady.* The Holy of Holies rejoices and receives you, the wellspring of our life.* Therefore, we also cry out in songs to you:* “Beseech your Son and our God in our behalf, that He grant us great mercy!”

  Troparia

  In Tone 7
  By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world.

  In Tone 4, Glory… Now…
  Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God* the Virgin is clearly revealed,* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.

   

  DIVINE LITURGY

  Troparia and Kontakia
  Troparion, Tone 7: By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world.

  Troparion, Tone 4: Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God* the Virgin is clearly revealed,* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.

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

  Kontakion, Tone 7: No longer shall the dominion of death be able to hold humanity,* for Christ went down shattering and destroying it s powers.* Hades is bound.* The prophets exult with one voice.* The Saviour has come for those with faith, saying:* “Come forth, O faithful, to the resurrection!”

  Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

  Kontakion, Tone 4: The Saviour’s pure temple,* the precious bridal chamber and Virgin,* the sacred treasury of the glory of God,* is brought today into the house of the Lord;* and with her she brings the grace* of the divine Spirit.* God’s angels sing in praise of her:* She is indeed the heavenly dwelling-place.

  Prokeimenon, Tone 7
  The Lord will give strength to His people;* the Lord will bless His people with peace.
  verse: Bring to the Lord, O you sons of God; bring to the Lord young rams. (Psalm 28:11,1)

  Prokeimenon, Tone 3
  My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.

  Epistle
  Ephesians 2:14-22

  Alleluia, Tone 7
  verse: It is good to give praise to the Lord; and to sing to Your name, O Most High.
  verse: To announce Your mercy in the morning, and Your truth every night. (Psalm 91:2,3)
  verse: Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear. (Psalm 44:11)

  Gospel
  Luke 8:41-56

  Hymn to the Mother of God
  Seeing the entrance of the pure one, angels marvel in wonder how the Virgin could enter the holy of holies
  And the Irmos, Tone 4: Let no hand of the profane touch God’s living ark,* but instead let the lips of those who are believers* sing out ceaselessly in the words of the angel,* crying out with great joy to the Mother of God:* O pure Virgin,* you are truly higher than all.

  Communion Hymn
  Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* I will take the cup of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 115:13)