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Event Information:

  • Thu
    30
    Jan
    2020

    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

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

    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 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.

    1. 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

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

    1. 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 13:7-16

    Alleluia, 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 5:14-19

    Communion Hymn
    Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 32:1)