New Texts arriving in the evening of April 17, 2024!
Event Information:
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Thu06Oct2022
Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas
GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 4
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Your hand probed the side of the Lord,* finding the perfection of all goodness and joy.* Like a sponge you have thirsted for the water of life, * the fount of blessing and everlasting gladness.* Now you wash away ignorance from the minds of men* giving us to drink of the knowledge of the Lord.
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Your hand probed the side of the Lord,* finding the perfection of all goodness and joy.* Like a sponge you have thirsted for the water of life, * the fount of blessing and everlasting gladness.* Now you wash away ignorance from the minds of men* giving us to drink of the knowledge of the Lord.
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
By your doubt overcome by faith,* you have strengthened our faintheartedness.* You proclaim to all men: behold my Lord and my God!* He took flesh and came to earth for us, enduring crucifixion and death!* We take refuge in His side pierced with the lance* joyfully drawing the water of life from the spring of salvation.
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
By your doubt overcome by faith,* you have strengthened our faintheartedness.* You proclaim to all men: behold my Lord and my God!* He took flesh and came to earth for us, enduring crucifixion and death!* We take refuge in His side pierced with the lance* joyfully drawing the water of life from the spring of salvation.
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Most blessed Thomas,* for the Godly-minded you are a fountain of divine knowledge:* you have touched the side of the Master of all:* an act of boldness taught you that He is two natures in one person.* You cried out: You are both my Master and my eternal God!* The Lord of glory who took flesh for my sake.
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Most blessed Thomas,* for the Godly-minded you are a fountain of divine knowledge:* you have touched the side of the Master of all:* an act of boldness taught you that He is two natures in one person.* You cried out: You are both my Master and my eternal God!* The Lord of glory who took flesh for my sake.
In Tone 6
Glory…
Apostle Thomas, faithful servant of the Lord,* witness of His wondrous incarnation,* you have sounded the depths of divine wisdom* with the Cross as your staff and measure;* you have rescued us from the abyss of delusion.* The net of your teachings has captured many souls:* enlightening the inhabited earth with the knowledge of God* radiantly illumining the Indies.* Now you delight in the glory of Christ our God:* pray that He may have mercy on our souls!
Now…
Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He Who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man. * He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may mercy on our souls.
Readings
(1) 1 John 1:1-7; (2) James 1:1-12; (3) Jude 1-25
Aposticha
In Tone 4
Blessed apostle Thomas,* you are a pearl of great price drawn from the sea of doubt.* Christ, the merciful Lover of man,* has fashioned your poverty and homeless wandering into riches and splendor.* Celebrating your memory, we rejoice,* blessing you unto all ages, O faithful one!
Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth and their words to the ends of the universe!
Holy apostle Thomas,* the blessed disciple who saw God in the flesh:* you have made the Indies shine as bright as the sun.* You enlightened the people revealing them to be children of the light and the day.* You overthrew their idols by the power of the Holy Spirit.* You led men to partake of the perfect love of God,* for through you they became the glory and honour of the Church,* so may we also be saved through your intercessions!
The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.
Your hand, directed with fearful boldness,* dared to probe the wounds of the immortal Lord of glory.* Most glorious wonder! Your doubt was transformed into faith.* You cried out: You are my Lord and my God!* I glorify You, Lover of mankind, who by Your passion* has caused freedom from passion to flow for all those who believe in you!
In Tone 6
Glory…
You gazed on the divine mysteries of Christ, Apostle Thomas,* and mystically you have been declared to be a spiritual mixing bowl,* in which the souls of believers rejoice;* for with the divine net of the Spirit* you drew peoples from the deep of ignorance;* therefore you came from Sion as a river of grace,* welling up with your inspired doctrines into the whole creation.* And so, imitating the passion of Christ,* you were pierced in the side and entered the darkness of incorruption;* implore Him to have mercy on our souls.
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 2
O disciple of Christ and member of the apostolic council,* your lack of faith proclaimed Christ’s resurrection,* and your touch confirmed His holy passion.* O Thomas, worthy of all praise,* pray even now that He grant us peace and great mercy.
Glory… Now…
O Mother of God, the mysteries which surround you are exceedingly glorious,* and beyond the power of understanding.* For you retained the seal of purity,* and your virginity remained inviolate;* yet you are acknowledged, without doubt,* to be the Mother who gave birth to the true God.* We beg you, therefore, to entreat Him to save our souls
DIVINE LITURGY
Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 2: O disciple of Christ and member of the apostolic council,* your lack of faith proclaimed Christ’s resurrection,* and your touch confirmed His holy passion.* O Thomas, worthy of all praise,* pray even now that He grant us peace and great mercy.
Glory… Now…
Kontakion, Tone 4: Filled with the grace of wisdom,* Your apostle and genuine servant, O Christ,* cried out to You in his change of heart:* You are my God and Lord.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world.
verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands. (Psalm 18:5,2)"
Epistle
1 Corinthians 4:9-16
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 88:6,8)"
Gospel
John 20:19-31
Communion Hymn
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their word unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 18:5)