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Event Information:
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Sun19Jan2020
31st Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 7; Our Venerable Father Macarius of Egypt (c. 390)
GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man...” is sung.At Psalm 140
In Tone 7
- 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!
- 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!
- 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!
- Let Your 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!
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
In fulfilment of the prophecy of David,* Christ revealed His majesty to His disciples in Sion.* He showed Himself to be worthy of equal praise* with His Father and the Holy Spirit;* for He existed from all eternity as God the Word, without a body;* then, out of love for mankind, He became incarnate,* and for our sake He was put to death as a man;** finally, by His own power He arose from the dead.
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
O Christ, of Your own free will, You descended into Hades;* and, as God the Lord, You destroyed death.* On the third day You arose from the dead and raised up Adam* from the bonds of Hades and corruption.* In joy he cried out and said:** Glory to Your resurrection, O Lover of mankind!
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
O Lord, You were placed in the tomb as one sleeping,* and on the third day You arose in might and power.* You raised up Adam from the corruption of death,** for You alone are almighty.
In Tone 4
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Reaching out, inspired one,* for blessedness surpassing thought,* you took abstinence for luxury;* poverty for wealth,* lack of possessions as true abundance* and humility for glory!* As you intended, you reached your heart's desire, Macarius:** Now you dwell in the mansions of the saints!
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
You completed the course of ascetic life without wavering,* and you kept the faith, Father!* Thus you gained a crown of righteousness prepared for you by Christ,* Who grants the prizes of victory,* bestowing the gifts and rewards of labours.** Pray now, God-bearing one, that we also may run this course!
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
You denied yourself every pleasure,* divinely-wise one:* You pummelled your body and embittered your senses* through labours of hardship and abstinence,* through long-suffering in temptations and patience in adversities.* In their place you have received unending joy,**everlasting delight and ineffable glory!
In Tone 8, Glory…
Rejoice, Egypt! You blossomed forth a great protector:* Macarius, the blessed!* He shone with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit,* transcending all asceticism with his virtuous way of life.* We offer him as mediator, beseeching him** that he may intercede with Christ that our souls may be saved!
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 6, Glory…
The sound of your teachings has gone out into all the earth, venerable Father!* Therefore you have found the reward of your labours in the heavens.* You destroyed the hosts of demons* and reached the ranks of angels whose life you blamelessly followed!* Since you have boldness before Christ our God,** entreat peace for our souls!
In Tone 6, 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 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 1, Glory…
Dweller of the wilderness and angel in the body!* You were a wonder-worker, our God-bearing father Macarius!* You received heavenly gifts through fasting, vigil, and prayer:* Healing the sick and the souls of those drawn to you by faith:* Glory to Him Who gave you strength!* Glory to Him Who granted you a crown!** Glory to Him Who through you grants healing to all!Now…
O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel called out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him Who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you!* Glory to Him Who has set us free** through your life-giving birth!
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.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.
Theotokion, Tone 7: O all-praised treasury of our resurrection, we hope in you,* bring us up from the pit and depth of sin,* for you have saved those subject to sin* by giving birth to our Salvation,* O Virgin before childbirth, and Virgin in childbirth,* and still a Virgin after childbirth.
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)Epistle
1 Timothy 1:15-17Alleluia, 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)Gospel
Luke 18:35-43Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)