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Event Information:
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Mon10Jul2023
Our Venerable Father Anthony of the Monastery of the Caves
GREAT VESPERS
At Psalm 140
In Tone 4
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
When divine desire fell upon you, O venerable one,* you accounted passionate attachments to the world to be deleterious;* wherefore, forsaking your homeland, you arrived on the Holy Mountain,* and there, in the midst of the fathers, you shone forth in virtue like a beacon, O Anthony.* Entreat Christ, whom you served from your youth,* that He save and enlighten our souls.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
When divine desire fell upon you, O venerable one,* you accounted passionate attachments to the world to be deleterious;* wherefore, forsaking your homeland, you arrived on the Holy Mountain,* and there, in the midst of the fathers, you shone forth in virtue like a beacon, O Anthony.* Entreat Christ, whom you served from your youth,* that He save and enlighten our souls.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
When you were set afire by the love of Christ, O venerable one,* the wisdom and glory of this world despised as things which pass away;* wherefore, you made for yourself a cave,* and therein struggled like an incorporeal being,* for which cause you were vouchsafed from on high the honours of the incorporeal ones.* Standing with them before the throne of Christ,* pray that He save and enlighten our souls.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
When you received divine love into your heart, O father,* you entered into a dark cave as though it were an all-splendid bridal-chamber,* and there you were enriched with the understanding of ineffable things,* to behold the things of the future as though they were present,* and to speak of them plainly unto all.* Entreat Christ, for whom you laboured from your youth,* O venerable one,* that He save and enlighten our souls.
In Tone 5
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
O venerable father Anthony, having illumined your mind with the grace of the all-holy Spirit,* as one with foresight you prophetically predicted the wrath of God which would fall upon Orthodoxy.* Wherefore, you entrusted the defence against foes to Simon,* and before the construction of the church you foretold to him that he would be laid to rest therein.* Wherefore, we continually hymn you as a mediator of good things for all,* asking that through you we may receive great mercy from Christ.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O venerable father Anthony, having illumined your mind with the grace of the all-holy Spirit,* as one with foresight you prophetically predicted the wrath of God which would fall upon Orthodoxy.* Wherefore, you entrusted the defence against foes to Simon,* and before the construction of the church you foretold to him that he would be laid to rest therein.* Wherefore, we continually hymn you as a mediator of good things for all,* asking that through you we may receive great mercy from Christ.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O venerable father Anthony,* fulfilling the commandments of Christ, the true Shepherd and Teacher,* and showing forth love even after your departure,* by your supplications and appearance you transformed the deadly illness of Erasmus,* who was living in sloth, pining for possessions;* and having given him time for repentance, you guided others to chastity.* Wherefore, entreat Christ, that our souls be saved.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
O venerable father Anthony,* with God’s help you steered the ship of your mind with chastity,* safely sailed across the passion-fraught deep of the sea of this life,* impelled by the sail of the all-holy Spirit,* and reached the calm haven of paradise,* where the habitation of the saints and the resting-place of the righteous are.* With them pray, we beseech thee, that we also may obtain entry there.
In Tone 6, Glory…
Hard was your way of life and your labours for God,* as the fathers of the Holy Mountain learned.* Wherefore, in accordance with God’s providence,* they sent you to your homeland, saying:* “Go, child, that through you God may become known to those ignorant of Him there.”* There, when you arrived, O venerable one,* you enlightened your native land and became a leader of monks,* bringing a multitude of them to Christ.* Wherefore, pray that we who celebrate your most splendid repose* may be preserved unvanquished by the enemy,* and that our souls may be saved.
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 have mercy on our souls.
Readings
(1) Proverbs 10:6-8; 8:6-21; (2) Wisdom 3:1-9; (3) Wisdom 5:15-6:3
Aposticha
In Tone 1
You followed the footsteps of Anthony the Great, O venerable one.* For he made his abode in the desert for the sake of stillness,* and was vouchsafed to have angels with whom to converse;* while you secluded yourself within an underground cave,* and was counted worthy to behold ineffable light.* Wherefore, emulating his way of life, you received a name in accordance with your deeds.* Standing with him before the Holy Trinity,* pray thou that our souls be saved.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable ones.
You shone forth in a dark place like an all-radiant beacon,* and as the prophet said you flourished like a palm-tree in the house of God;* and you offered yourself to the Master as an all-holy fruit* and a living, un-bloody sacrifice, O father.* Wherefore, assembling with love,* we all ever bless you as is meet.
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments.
The cave wherein lies your sacred body, O venerable Anthony,* does by the power of the all-holy Spirit heal the diverse ailments of those who approach with faith:* the demons are expelled from men, and paralytics walk away, receiving health.* And, praising the Lord, we say: Precious in the sight of the Lord* is the death of His saints!
In Tone 6, Glory…
Wondrous is the influence and great the faith which you have acquired, O venerable Anthony,* emulating the Prophet Elijah;* for he drew down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice,* while you drew down fire from heaven by your supplication,* to consume and cleanse the place where you desired to erect the all-glorious temple of the Lady and Theotokos.* Wherefore, blessing you as one who dwells with the venerable* and emulates the prophets,* we pray: Entreat Christ, that our souls be saved.
Now…
Christ the Lord, my Creator and Deliverer,* who came forth from your womb, O all-pure one,* and clothed Himself in me,* has freed Adam from the curse.* Wherefore, like the angel do we unceasingly cry out to you, O most pure one,* who art truly the Mother of God and Virgin:* Rejoice! Rejoice, O Lady,* intercession, protection, and salvation for our souls!
Troparia
In Tone 4
Leaving behind worldly tumult,* O venerable Father Anthony,* in keeping with the gospel you turned your back on the world,* and leading a life equal to that of angels you attained to the calm haven of Mount Athos* from whence you came to the Mount of Kiev* with the Fathers’ blessing* and living there an arduous life you enlightened your fatherland,* pointing the way into the Kingdom on high to a multitude of monks and nuns* and thus lead your homeland to Christ.* Pay to Him that He save our souls.
Glory... Now...
O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created man,* and saved our souls from death.
FESTAL MATINS
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 4
Troparia, Tone 4
In Tone 4
Leaving behind worldly tumult,* O venerable Father Anthony,* in keeping with the gospel you turned your back on the world,* and leading a life equal to that of angels you attained to the calm haven of Mount Athos* from whence you came to the Mount of Kiev* with the Fathers’ blessing* and living there an arduous life you enlightened your fatherland,* pointing the way into the Kingdom on high to a multitude of monks and nuns* and thus lead your homeland to Christ.* Pay to Him that He save our souls. (2)
Glory... Now...
O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created man,* and saved our souls from death.
Psalter Reading
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 4
O divinely wise Anthony,* your all-radiant and luminous festival has arrived,* summoning your multitude of monks to glorify and hymn your honoured repose,* asking of Christ that through your mediation* we may receive great mercy. (2)
Glory… Now…
You have been shown to be more exalted than the heavenly hosts, O Theotokos,* having given birth to the Master,* and you have elevated the nature of mortals, O Bride of God;* wherefore, with soul and tongue, we, the faithful,* glorify you as the true Theotokos.
Psalter Reading
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 4
You conversed and served with the fathers of the Holy Mountain, O father,* and following in their footsteps, you lived on earth as though you were an incorporeal being;* wherefore, you have been shown to dwell together with the venerable.* Joining chorus with them in the highest,* pray that the souls of us who unceasingly glorify you be saved. (2)
Glory… Now…
Joseph marvelled, beholding that which transcended nature,* and your seedless conception reminded him of the rain upon the fleece,* the bush which burned with fire without being consumed,* and the rod of Aaron which budded forth.* And your betrothed and protector cried aloud to the priests:* “The Virgin gives birth, yet remains a virgin even after birthgiving!”
Polyeleos
Exaltation
We extol you,* O venerable father Anthony,* and we honour your holy memory,* O instructor of monks and converser with the angels.
Verses:
With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive to me, and He hearkened to my supplication.
He set my feet upon a rock, and He ordered my steps aright.
Glory ..., Now…
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory be to You, O God. (3)
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn III, Tone 8
You entered into subterranean caves, O venerable one,* and from that time, as a victor over the passions, you mounted the chariot of the virtues,* soaring to the heavens above like another Elijah,* and there you have been crowned with the all-radiant crown of righteousness, O blessed one.* But as when you were with us in this life, you grieved and took thought of goodly things for us,* so now also, O father Anthony, entreat Christ God,* that He great remission of sins to those who with love* honour your holy memory. (2)
Glory… Now…
As the most immaculate Bride of the Creator,* as the Mother of the Deliverer, who knew not wedlock,* as the vessel of the Comforter, O all-hymned one,* make haste to deliver me who am the vile abode of iniquity* and have become in mind the plaything of the demons from their machinations;* and make me the splendid habitation of the virtues.* O radiant and incorrupt one, dispel from me the cloud of the passions,* and vouchsafe to me communion on high and the never-waning light,* through your supplications.
Gradual Hymn, Tone 4
Antiphon I
From my youth up many passions have made war against me:* but do You help me and save me,* O may Saviour.
You that hate Sion,* you shall be put to shame by the Lord;* as grass in the fire shall you be put withered up.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit is every soul filled with life:* by purification it is raised on high and made bright* by the three-fold Unity* in a holy mystery.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all that He has rendered to me?
Let everything that lives, Tone 4
Gospel
Matthew 11:27-30
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
In Tone 6
Hard was your way of life and your labours for God,* as the fathers of the Holy Mountain learned.* Wherefore, in accordance with God’s providence,* they sent you to your homeland, saying:* “Go, child, that through you God may become known to those ignorant of Him there.”* There, when you arrived, O venerable one,* you enlightened your native land and became a leader of monks,* bringing a multitude of them to Christ.* Wherefore, pray that we who celebrate your most splendid repose* may be preserved unvanquished by the enemy,* and that our souls may be saved.
Canon
Small Litany
Hymn of Light
You mortified the sweet passions of life, O Anthony; and having recognized that glory is fleeting, you quickly turned away from it, preferring to walk the narrow path which leads to the broad expanse of paradise. Wherefore, pray, O Anthony, that those who honour you be saved. (2)
Glory… Now…
We who are saved by you confess you to be the true Theotokos, O Lady, for you gave birth to God, who has destroyed death by the Cross, and has drawn to Himself the councils of the venerable, with whom we praise you, O Virgin.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 2
Desiring to behold the ineffable joy of the saints* and the gladness of the righteous who have pleased God,* you disdained every joy in the world,* and spent your days in fasting and tears,* until you mortified the passions of the body.* Wherefore, you have been vouchsafed the joy of the righteous.* Pray with them, that our souls be saved. (2)
Accept today hymns of laudation in your memory, O Anthony,* and with your supplications go before God.* Deliver us from having to stand on His left hand,* and pray that we may receive the portion of the elect,* that as is meet we may all bless you as a fervent advocate.
Like a star you shone forth in a dark place, O all-wise and venerable one,* and put the dark faces of the demons to shame;* wherefore, having ascended to the heavens,* you stand with boldness before the throne of Christ,* where you remember those who celebrate your memory, O venerable one,* that we may find mercy on the day of judgment.
In Tone 8, Glory…
Having forsaken your homeland, O venerable father Anthony,* and accepted voluntary wandering for the sake of the Lord,* for Christ’s sake you bore the labours of a long journey,* hunger and thirst, burning heat and cold;* wherefore, you hear: “O good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord!”* Pray, O father, that we also may hear His voice,* that we may ever bless your memory with love.
Now…
O Lady, accept the supplications of your servants,* and deliver us from all want and grief.
Great Doxology
Trisagion Prayers
Troparion, Tone 4
Leaving behind worldly tumult,* O venerable Father Anthony,* in keeping with the gospel you turned your back on the world,* and leading a life equal to that of angels you attained to the calm haven of Mount Athos* from whence you came to the Mount of Kiev* with the Fathers’ blessing* and living there an arduous life you enlightened your fatherland,* pointing the way into the Kingdom on high to a multitude of monks and nuns* and thus lead your homeland to Christ.* Pay to Him that He save our souls.
Glory... Now...
O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created man,* and saved our souls from death.
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
DIVINE LITURGY
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: Leaving behind worldly tumult,* O Venerable Father Anthony,* in keeping with the gospel you turned your back on the world,* and leading a life equal to that of angels you attained to the calm haven of Mount Athos* from whence you came to the Mount of Kiev* with the Fathers’ blessing* and living there an arduous life you enlightened your fatherland,* pointing the way into the Kingdom on high to a multitude of monks and nuns* and thus you lead your homeland to Christ.* Pray to Him that He save our souls.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 8: Cleaving to God,* whom you loved from your childhood above all else,* you followed Him lovingly with your whole heart,* O Father Anthony.* Scorning this passing world as a trifle* you made your dwelling a cave in the earth.* There you fought well against the unseen enemy’s snares* and shone like the sun to the ends of the earth.* From whence you passed joyfully to heaven’s mansions* and stand now with angels at the Master’s throne.* There we ask you to remember those who feast your memory* that we may cry to you: Rejoice, O Anthony, our Father.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable ones.
verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all the things He has rendered to me? (Psalm 115:15,12)
Epistle
Galatians 5:22-6:2
Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments.
verse: His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth. (Psalm 111:1,2)
Gospel
Luke 6:17-23
Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)