New Texts arriving in the evening of April 17, 2024!
Event Information:
-
Sun22Nov2020
Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 8; Post-feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God; The Holy Apostle Philemon and those with him
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 Your 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 8
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O wonder most glorious!* The Ineffable One is now prefigured.* She is known today in visible images* because the Divine Light shone forth for the world.* The betrothed is led into the holy temple.* Let us exalt her as the splendid and holy One,* the light-radiating Temple of Christ the Light-Giver.
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
The wise Joachim and Anne* offered up a truly acceptable first fruit,* the heavenly fruit that God clearly desired to give to them,* the handmaiden of God, the Virgin Mary.* Her tribulations took away the debt.* Let us praise her and devoutly rejoice* because she is the mediatrix of joy for the whole world.
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Come let us mystically gather together.* Adorned with the light of faith,* let us walk before the Virgin* who now gloriously enters the temple of God.* She is betrothed to Christ, the King of all.* We celebrate the beautiful feast of her entrance* which is a delight to everyone.
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.
O glorious Philemon,* as a branch of the Living Vine,* you have rained the joy of the knowledge of God* upon those who have anguish of soul.* You made happy the hearts that were ensnared* and possessed by the darkness of idol worship.* Therefore, we rejoice and celebrate your God-loving memory.
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O blessed one, the city of Gaza venerates you,* since It beheld the light of knowledge through you.* The Colossians hold onto your holy body as a rich possession* which overflows with the grace of healing.* Therefore, O glorious Philemon, we observe your memory* and are protected from dangers by your prayers.
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
In faith let us praise the wise ones,* the hierarchs Archippus and the precious Apphias.* Let us honour the priestly preachers* and honourable teachers, Philemon and Onesimus.* They rooted out the cunning of idol worship by preaching* and planted the knowledge of truth* for all who devoutly honour them.
In Tone 1
Glory…
Today let the heavens above greatly rejoice* and let the clouds pour down gladness* at the mighty and marvelous acts of our God.* For behold, the gate that looks towards the East,* born from a fruitless and barren womb according to the promise,* and consecrated to God as his dwelling,* is now being brought into the temple as a spotless offering.* Let David greatly rejoice and play on his harp, saying:* Virgins shall be brought to the King after her;* her companions shall be brought into the ark of the Lord* to be nourished with the life of the incorruptible One* who was begotten from eternity* for the salvation of 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.
Aposticha
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 2
Glory… Now…
Today the all-Immaculate Virgin* is being escorted into the temple* to become the abode of God, the King of all.* Today, as a three year old child,* the most pure holy One is being led into the Holy of Holies.* With the angel, let us cry out to her:* Rejoice, for you alone are blessed among women.
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 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 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 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 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: 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 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)
Epistle
Ephesians 4:1-6
Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; let us acclaim God our Saviour.
verse: Let us come before His countenance with praise and acclaim Him with psalms. (Psalm 94:1,2)
Gospel
Luke 10:25-37
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.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)