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Event Information:
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Tue11May2021
The Holy Cyril (869) and Methodius (885), Teachers of the Slavs and Equals-to-the-Apostles and the Dedication of the City of Constantinople (330); the Holy Priest-Martyr Mocius (284-305)
Polyeleos Feast
GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 5
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
The man who had once been blind,* confessed in his soul and mind, and proclaimed with his words* that his eyes had been opened, through spittle and dust* by the Lord and Sustainer of the universe;* that he had been given his bodily sight* by none other than almighty God,* who in His exceeding benevolence* had become a Man, through His own creature.* The man who had never been able to see* argued boldly with the scribes.* They cast him out of the synagogue;* they themselves were more blind in their souls* than he who beforehand was blind in his bodily eyes!
- Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Behold a monument of valour!* a man once blind examines those who see, as their judge!* When he obtained his sight by means of spittle and dust* he perceived the Creator and Fashioner of all.* He recognized Him, who is Giver of light* the Son of God, and Master of the universe.* His accusers could see Him with earthly eyes,* but were blinded by their wicked jealousy,* though He multiplied miracles for all to see,* by His words alone, which are great in power!
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
When he who was blind had been given his sight,* he perceived that the scribes had become blind.* You see no truth, but only falsehood, He said.* You accuse the Saviour, and blind yourselves!* Christ, the most sweet Sun,* has risen for those held in the darkness of the law.* He who made the Sabbath also refashioned my eyes.* He has lifted the veil that darkened me.* He has opened the eyes of the blind.* They proclaim him to the world as the Fountain of light!
In Tone 2
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
With what crowns of praise shall we adorn the divinely-wise teachers,* the voices of wisdom sounding amid clouds of darkness,* enlightening those in the shadow of death with the light of the Gospel!* The great preachers of the undivided Trinity who grafted barren unbelievers* as branches into the fruitful tree of the orthodox Church* that they might obtain from Christ our God peace and great mercy.
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
With what crowns of praise shall we adorn the divinely-wise teachers,* the voices of wisdom sounding amid clouds of darkness,* enlightening those in the shadow of death with the light of the Gospel!* The great preachers of the undivided Trinity who grafted barren unbelievers* as branches into the fruitful tree of the orthodox Church* that they might obtain from Christ our God peace and great mercy.
- 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 songs of praise shall we glorify the divinely-wise teachers:* the golden-mouthed Cyril* who reached the heights of wisdom through his sweet preaching,* humbling the fierce pride of Islam!* And Methodius, the lover of solitude,* who in silence received the fruits of the Spirit.* Through their prayers, Christ our God, grant us great mercy.
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
With what hymns of praise shall we magnify the divinely-wise teachers:* Cyril, who chose to live with wisdom in his youth.* He multiplied his talents to the glory of God;* and Methodius who renounced the things of this world for love of Christ.* He strove like an angel for the kingdom of heaven.* Through them, we have come to know God,* the eternal Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,* receiving from Christ our God great mercy!
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
With what spiritual songs shall we magnify you, most blessed teachers?* For the sake of the salvation of the Slavs you became equals to the apostles.* You laboured to enlighten them by the lamp of the Word of God,* opening for them the door of the written Word.* As we enter, we understand the blessed teaching of Christ,* receiving from Him peace and great mercy.
In Tone 6, Glory...
Come, lovers of feasts!* Let us glorify the apostolic labourers with songs of praise:* the pride of hierarchs, the enlighteners and fervent intercessors for the Slavic people!* Rejoice, Cyril, golden herald of the Word of God,* lighting up the mysteries of the Holy Trinity as the sun,* closing the blaspheming mouths of Islam!* Again, rejoice, Methodius!* You assisted him with prayers and miracles.* Most blessed fathers, never cease to intercede before Christ our God* for those who praise you with faith and love!
In Tone 5
Now…
Passing by the way, Lord,* You met a man blind from birth.* Your disciples were puzzled and asked:* Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,* that he was born blind?* Jesus answered: It was not that this man sinned, or his parents,* but that the works of God might be revealed in him!* I must work the works of Him who sent me,* which no one else can do.* As He said this, He spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle,* and anointed the man's eyes with the clay and said to him:* Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.* He went and washed, and was made whole, crying: Lord, I believe!* He worshipped You, and we cry: Have mercy on us!
Readings
(1) Deuteronomy 1:8-17; (2) Deuteronomy 10:14-21; (3) Wisdom 3:1-9Aposticha
In Tone 8
The light of your lives, teachers equals-to-the-apostles,* has enlightened the Church like the stars.* The strength of your teaching has brought many nations to Christ.* You approached the unapproachable Light,* and now you dwell with the angels.* Therefore pray for us who honour your blessed memory!
Let Your priests be clothed in righteousness, and let Your saints shout for joy!
Come, all you faithful, let us magnify the teachers:* equals-to-the-apostles, and the glory of the Slavs.* Through them we are delivered from the snares of the devil,* receiving the blessing of Christ,* and learning the eternal Word which cleanses us from the darkness of sin.
The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue utters justice!
Divinely-wise Cyril, and God-loving Methodius,* apostles and first teachers of the Slavic church,* protectors of the faithful and lovers of righteousness,* sweet voices of the Holy Spirit!* You have great boldness before Christ, the great high priest:* pray for us, who honour your blessed memory,* that He will deliver our lives from corruption, as the greatly merciful One!
Glory...
Rejoice, blessed ones who enlightened us with the knowledge of God!* Rejoice, Cyril, living source of spiritual wisdom:* you quenched the thirst of the Slavic people!* Rejoice, Methodius, pure dwelling of prayer:* now you stand in the glory of Christ.* Therefore never cease to pray that we may glorify Him* as we magnify you throughout the ages!
In Tone 8
Now…
Christ God, the Sun of righteousness,* by Your pure touch You enlightened him* who lived in darkness from his mother's womb.* Now enlighten our spiritual eyes.* Show us to be sons of the day,* that in faith we may cry out to You:* Great is Your compassion toward us—beyond all words!* Glory to You, Lover of mankind!
Troparion
In Tone 4
As equals to the apostles in the way you lived* and teachers of the Slavic lands,* O Cyril and Methodius, divinely wise,* intercede with the Master of all* to confirm the Slavic nations in orthodoxy and oneness of mind;* to grant peace to the world and save our souls.
In Tone 5
Glory… Now…
Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.
DIVINE LITURGY
After the priest has exclaimed, Blessed be the Kingdom… and the people have responded, Amen, the clergy sing the Paschal Troparion once and the people repeat it. Then, the clergy sing the first half, and the people conclude it.
Paschal Troparion
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 5: Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.
Troparion, Tone 4: As equals to the apostles in the way you lived* and teachers of the Slavic lands,* O Cyril and Methodius, divinely wise,* intercede with the Master of all* to confirm the Slavic nations in orthodoxy and oneness of mind;* to grant peace to the world and save our souls.
Kontakion, Tone 3: Let us extol our two sacred teachers.* By their translation of Scriptures* they tapped for us a well that brings knowledge of God.* Drawing from it abundantly to this very day* we call you blessed, O Cyril and Methodius.* As you stand before the throne on high,* fervently pray to God to save our souls.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 4: Blinded in the eyes of my soul,* I come to You, O Christ, like the man who was blind from birth,* and I cry in repentance:* You are the brilliant light of those in darkness.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 8: Though You descended into a tomb, O Immortal One,* yet You destroyed the power of Hades;* and You rose as victor, O Christ God,* calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice!* and giving peace to Your Apostles:* You, who grant Resurrection to the fallen.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Pray and give praise to the Lord our God.
verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 76:12,2)
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
verse: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable ones.
Epistle
Acts 17:19-28; Hebrews 7:26-8:2
Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Look upon me and have mercy.
verse: Direct my steps according to Your word. (Psalm 118:131-132)
verse: Your priests shall clothe themselves with justice, and Your venerable ones shall rejoice. (Psalm 131:9)
Gospel
John 12:19-36; John 10:9-16
Hymn to the Mother of God
The Angel cried out to the One full of Grace: O chaste Virgin, rejoice! And again I say, Rejoice! Your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day, and raised the dead. Let all people rejoice! Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad, O Sion! And you, O chaste Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.
Communion Hymn
Receive the Body of Christ;* taste the fountain of immortality.* Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)
Instead of “Blessed is He Who comes…” we sing:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Instead of “We have seen the true light…” we sing:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Instead of “May our mouths be filled…” we sing three times:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Instead of “Blessed be the name of the Lord…” we sing three times:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
At the dismissal, instead of “Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.” we chant:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
After the final Amen, the Troparion “Christ is risen” is sung as at the beginning of the Liturgy, but with the addition:
And to us He has granted life eternal;* we bow down before His resurrection on the third day.