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Event Information:
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Thu30Jan2020
The Three Holy Hierarchs, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom
GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is taken.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 4
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Let us glorify the three great preachers of the Trinity,* the instruments of grace and harps of the Spirit,* renowned trumpets of divine preaching* who thundered awesome wonders which were revealed from on high.* John, Basil, and Gregory made known the glory of God** to the ends of the earth.
- Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Let us glorify the three great preachers of the Trinity,* the instruments of grace and harps of the Spirit,* renowned trumpets of divine preaching* who thundered awesome wonders which were revealed from on high.* John, Basil, and Gregory made known the glory of God** to the ends of the earth.
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Let us worthily venerate the defenders of the Trinity.* They are the three apostles added to the Twelve.* They are rivers which overflowed living waters out of Eden.* They nourished the face of the earth with life-giving divine waters .* They are the basic elements of nature,** fashioning not creation but the true faith.
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
The prophet spoke of them, saying:* No one who lives or speaks has not heard their voices,* for the famous and excellent works of these sublime and wise teachers* have spread through all the earth and sea.* By their divine laws the ends of the earth are joined together** and preserved in the one true faith.
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Let us, who follow their teachings,* loudly sing and praise these instruments of the Holy Spirit.* They are the true trumpets and orators of the Word.* Let us pray to them* since they find favour with the Lord,* that He may grant a strong and lasting universal peace** and forgiveness to all of us.
In Tone 2
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
With what praiseworthy crowns shall we crown the teachers,* distinct ion body but joined together in the Spirit?* They are the God-bearing defenders of the Trinity,* the triad of ministers,* the luminaries who enlighten the world, and pillars of the Church.* Because they conquered all,** Christ our God mercifully gave them crowns of glory.
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
With what songs of joy shall we crown the God-bearing mystics and preachers?* They were the most outstanding theologians of the true faith:* Basil the Great who revealed truths about God;* the sublime theologian Gregory, and John the Golden-mouthed.* They are fittingly glorified by the Trinity,* the Lord who grants his great mercy.* With what praiseworthy words shall we honour the holy bishops?* They were comparable to the apostles in rank and gifts through grace.* They defeated heresy and were sanctifiers by word and deed.* They were Christ-like shepherds in the faith.* They were earthly angels and heavenly men.* They were honoured by the Lord of glory,** by Christ who grants His great mercy.
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
With what praiseworthy crowns* shall we crown John the Golden-mouthed, Basil, and Gregory?* They are precious vessels of the Spirit* and firm defenders of the faith,* pillars of the Church, the foundation of the faithful, and comfort of sinners.* We honour them as wellsprings which overflow,* refreshing our souls with water.** They ask forgiveness for our sins and great mercy for us.
In Tone 6, Glory…
Let us extol today those mystical trumpets of the Spirit,* the God-mantled Fathers,* who, speaking of divine things,* sang a unifying hymn in the midst of the Church:* teaching that the Trinity is One,* not differing in substance or Godhead;* refuting Arius and contending for the true faith;* and who always intercede with the Lord** to have mercy on our souls.
Now…
Who would not bless you, most holy Virgin?* Who would not praise the most pure manner in which you gave birth?* For the only-begotten Son, who eternally proceeds from the Father, came forth from you.* He took flesh from you in a manner that is beyond understanding.* He, who by nature is God, took on our nature for our sake.* Yet He did not become divided into two persons;* rather, He remained one person with two distinct and unconfused natures.* O most pure Lady, we implore you:** Beseech your Son and God to have mercy on our souls.
Readings
(1) Deuteronomy 1:8-11, 15-17; (2) Deuteronomy 10:14-21; (3) Wisdom 3:1-9
Lytia
In Tone 2
Come, let us praise the earthly trinity of holy bishops* who are ministers of the heavenly Trinity:* Basil, whose name means the kingdom;* Gregory, called the Theologian; and John, the Golden-mouthed.* They are the abyss of those who searched into the wisdom of the Spirit.* They are likened to ocean currents* and ever-flowing wellsprings of leaping and living water.* They are known as elegant pearls and earthly beacons,* the rudders of the Church and trees that produce the most splendid fruit,* the stewards of grace and mouth of Christ.* They are defenders of the Trinity* by whom they were directly enlightened.** They pray unceasingly for our souls.
Let us faithfully praise the flaming coals of the divine Fire,* for we have been illumined by them.* They became inflamed by being united to Him,* and they became luminaries for the world.* They showed themselves to be living strength for the lowly.* In faith they devoutly preached the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.* Let us also cry out to them:** Rejoice, O three preachers of the Trinity.
In Tone 6
O Holy Trinity, worthy of adoration,* glory to Your wise plan of salvation,* for You have given three great luminaries to us.* They enlighten us by the light of their knowledge of You,* they inspire us by their teachings,* and they shine with the radiance* of your precious desires for our salvation.* Through them the whole world has been enriched with the light of understanding;* it radiates with Your glory and hastens to Your blessed kingdom.* Since You are an all-generous God, O Holy Trinity,* be attentive to their prayers in our behalf** and save our souls, O Lord and Lover of Mankind.
Glory…
Having come together with songs of praise, O lovers of feasts,* let us praise the bishops of Christ* and the glory of the Fathers,* the pillars of the faith,* the teachers and defenders of the faithful.* Let us cry out to them:* Rejoice, O luminary of the Church and immutable pillar, O wise Basil.* Rejoice, O heavenly mind and great hierarch, Gregory the Theologian.* Rejoice, O golden-voiced John, splendid preacher of penance.* O thrice-blessed Fathers, never cease to pray to Christ* in behalf of those who with faith and love** observe your sacred and sublime feast.
Now …
Having come together with songs of praise, O lovers of feasts,* let us extol the boast of virgins and the joy of angels,* the only Theotokos and the strength of believers.* Let us all cry out to her:* Rejoice, O pure virgin Mother,* splendorous luminary and gate of heaven.* Rejoice, O sacred tabernacle and all-pure One* who contained God with your womb.* Rejoice, for without exception you are higher than all the heavenly powers.* Therefore, O Lady and virgin Mother,* do not cease to protect your servants* who in faith and love extol you at all times,** and who bow down to your holy and pure birth-giving.
Aposticha
In Tone 1
Today, let us worthily praise the triad of spiritual mystics,* the speaking trumpets and mirrors of God:* the great Basil and the sublime Gregory inspired with zeal* and the truly golden-mouthed John.** Their teachings pout out a stream of gold for us.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is he death of His faithful.
Let us worthily sing the praises of the foundation of the faith,* the sublime and courageous mind,* the stream that flows with Gold,* the very splendid and precious luminaries* and defenders of the Trinity,* the receptacles of the grace of the Spirit** and unshakeable pillars.
Your priests shall be clothed with holiness; your faithful shall ring out their joy.
O instruments of the Spirit and trumpets of the divine thunder,* O brilliant lights of preaching,* O golden, light-bearing, resplendent lamps of God,* O most blessed Basil, most wise Gregory, and most precious John,** implore Christ our God to save those who honour you.
In Tone 2, Glory…
Today the souls of mortals are elevated above earthly things.* Today they become heavenly beings as the commemorate the saints.* The gates of heaven are opened for us,* and the ways of the Lord are made known to us.* Tongues extol His miracles* and proclaim the words of the Word.* Let us also cry out to the Saviour:* Glory to You, O Christ God,** because through them there has been peace for the faithful.
Now…
Today, Christ is being carried into the temple as an infant.* Today, He who gave the Law to Moses comes under the Law.* The angelic hosts were amazed when they saw Him, who supports all things,* being held in the arms of an aged man.* Simeon, filed with reverence, joyfully cried out:* Now dismiss me, O Saviour, from the temporal life* and let me enter the repose which never rows old,** for I have seen You and I now rejoice.
Troparia
In Tone 4
As equals to the apostles in the way you lived* and teachers of the whole world* intercede with the Master of all to grant peace to the world,** and, to our souls, great mercy. (2)In Tone 1
Rejoice, Virgin Mary, Mother of God, full of grace,* The Lord is with you.* Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.* For you have borne Christ,** the Saviour and Deliverer of our souls.
DIVINE LITURGY
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: As equals to the apostles in the way you lived* and teachers of the whole world,* intercede with the Master of all* to grant peace to the world,* and to our souls great mercy.Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 2: You received Your inspired and steadfast preachers, Your chief teachers* into the enjoyment of Your good things and into repose.* You who alone glorify Your saints,* accepted their labours and death* more gladly than any holocaust.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their words unto the ends of the world.
verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hand. (Psalm 19:5,2)Epistle
Hebrews 13:7-16Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: The heavens shall confess Your wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 89:6,8)Gospel
Matthew 5:14-19Communion Hymn
Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 32:1)